PreAP Chemistry – Semester I Exam Review
(2015-2016)
Measurement
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Define accuracy and precision.
Determine the number of significant figures in a given measurement.
Round calculated numbers to the correct number of significant figures.
Convert between decimal and scientific notation.
Know the base units for mass, volume, temperature, length, time, and energy.
Know the metric prefixes – pico, nano, milli, centi, kilo
Perform SI conversions using metric prefixes and base units.
Know which instruments are used to measure mass and volume.
Safety – What should a student do if he removes excess chemicals from the stock solution?
The Study of Matter
 Define chemistry.
 Distinguish between chemical and physical changes. Be able to determine if a process is a
chemical or physical change.
 Perform basic density and specific heat calculations. Formulas and constant will be provided.
 Classify matter as homogeneous mixtures, heterogeneous mixtures, elements, or compounds.
Know that pure substances are elements or compounds.
 Describe the general arrangement of the Periodic Table – know the location of metals, nonmetals,
and metalloids.
 List the general characteristics of metals, nonmetals, and metalloids.
 Define endothermic and exothermic.
 Define specific heat.
 Define temperature. What happens to the temperature if kinetic energy increases?
Atomic Structure
 Explain the law of definite proportions.
 Summarize the five essential points in Dalton’s atomic theory. Which points have been
modified?
 State the modern atomic theory.
 Summarize JJ Thompson’s experiment and discovery.
 Summarize Rutherford’s experiment and discovery.
 Know the properties, locations, and relative sizes of protons, neutrons, and electrons.
 Why is an atom neutral?
 What occupies most of the volume of an atom?
 Define atomic number. Use the PT to determine atomic number of elements.
 Define atom and isotope.
 Define nuclide. Understand how to determine number of protons, neutrons, and electrons from
hyphen notation and symbol notation.
 Know how average atomic mass (found on PT) is calculated – you will not perform a calculation
– just know how it is calculated.
Arrangement of Electrons in Atoms
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Describe the four quantum numbers and explain their significance.
Define orbital.
Define photon.
Describe the arrangement of electrons for any element using orbital notation, electron
configuration, and noble gas configuration.
Use the periodic table to write electron configurations and noble gas configurations.
Identify highest occupied level and inner-shell electrons.
Define valence electrons and complete octet.
Determine the number of valence electrons and inner-shell electrons in any element.
Know the significance of noble gases (as related to valence electrons).
The Periodic Law
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Explain the contributions of Mendeleev and Moseley in the development of the periodic table.
Define periodic law.
Explain how the modern periodic table is arranged.
Be able to identify alkali metals, transition metals, halogens, metals, nonmetals, metalloids, and
noble gases.
Explain the relationship between group configurations, group numbers and valence electrons.
Describe atomic radii. State the period and group trend and explain the reasons for the trends.
Define ion.
Define ionization energy.
Define electron affinity.
Define cation and anion. Explain how each is formed (gain or lose valence electrons).
Compare the ionic radii of a cation and anion to the atomic radii of the atom.
Define electronegativity.
Define octet. Understand the significance of a complete octet. Know which group has a
complete octet.
What is a horizontal row on the PT called?
Chemical Bonding I: Ionic and Metallic Bonding
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Define chemical bond.
Explain why most atoms form chemical bonds.
Compare and contrast ionic, covalent, and metallic bonding.
How are electrons shared in a polar covalent bond? How are electrons shared in a nonpolar
covalent bond?
Define molecule.
Describe the arrangements of ions in crystals.
Define formula unit.
Describe the electron-sea model of metallic bonding. What are some characteristics of substances
with metallic bonds?
Introduction to Covalent Bonding and All Types of Nomenclature
 Define covalent bond and ionic bond.
 Distinguish between molecules and formula units.
 Use nomenclature rules to write formulas and names of acidic compounds, ionic compounds,
covalent molecules, and hydrocarbons.
 Compare and contrast alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes.