Midterm 1 FAQ

Here are a few frequently asked questions about the midterm on Wed., Oct. 2, 2002:

•  What does the exam cover?
   The exam covers all of chapters 1, 2 and 3 in the Oxtoby text book. Most of chapter 4 is also on the exam, except for the parts that discuss titration. You do not need to know how to determine concentration during a titration.

•  How much time do I have to take the test?
   1.5 hours. The test begins at 6:00 p.m. and ends at 7:30 p.m. Because another class will be using Havemeyer 309 for an exam right after us, you absolutely must be finished by 7:30.

•  How is the exam graded?
   The test is graded on a curve.

•  Do I have to memorize the periodic table?
   NO. A table will be available for you during the test.

•  Do I have to memorize the names and formulas of the polyatomic anions (table 3-5 on page 120 of Oxtoby)
   NO, not for this test. Although you need not memorize the table, it may be helpful to become familiar with those ions because they appear over and over again in subsequent chapters in the book.

•  Can I use a programmable calculator for the test?
    YES, you can use almost any calculator you like. Of course, you should not program in formulas or text into the calculator that could help you on the test.

•  Do I have to worry about significant figures for my calculations?
    Although we will not be extremely strict with significant figures for this test, the number of significant figures for your answers should be within reason. For example, if the answer should have 4 significant figures, but you have 9, a point or two will be deducted. Similarly, if your answer has far to few significant figures, you will miss a few points.

•  Do I need to know all the names of the shapes that molecules form?
    You need to know the following names and shapes: Linear, trigonal planar, tetrahedral, trigonal bipyramidal and octahedral. For the other shapes, such as seesaw and distorted T, you should know their geometries, but you do not necessarily have to remember their exact names.

•  Do I need to memorize the solubility table?
    NO, you do not need to memorize the solubility table in chapter 4 (table 4-1, page 149). However, if given a similar table on the test, you should be able to work with the information in the table to predict precipitation reactions.

•  Do I need to know about electronegativity?
    YES, given two atoms, you should be able to predict which one is more electronegative. The last paragraph on page 100 of Oxtoby describes the general electronegativity trends in the periodic table (electronegativity increases from left to right across the table, and decreases from the top down the table).