1. Which element has the largest atomic radius?

A) Pb
B) At
C) Ba
D) Br

The atomic radius trend increases down a period and decreases across a row. So the
element which is farthest to the bottom and to the left will have the largest radius, which
out of these options is Ba (barium).

2. Light of 600. nm strikes Cs metal which has a threshold energy of 1.9510−19 J and ejects
an electron. What is the wavelength of the ejected electron in nm?

A) 1.33
B) 1200
C) 366
D) 600

KE = Eph – EThreshold
KE = hc/ λ - EThreshold
KE = (6.6256 x 10-34 J s) (2.998×108m/ s)/(600×10-9m) –1.95×10−19 J
KE = 3.31× 10−19 J –1.95×10−19 J
KE = 1.36×10−19 J

Next, you will need to find the velocity of the ejected electron from kinetic energy using
KE = ½ mu2 , rearrange this to find: u = (2KE/m)1/2
u = (2KE/m)1/2
u = (2×1.36×10−19 J / 9.109×10−31 kg)1/2 = (2.986×1011)1/2
u = 5.46×105 m/s
To find the wavelength of a particle you must the de Broglie equation:
λ = h/mu = (6.6256 x 10-34 J s)/(9.109×10−31 kg × 5.46×105 m/s)
λ =1.3310−9m, or, 1.33nm

©2022, Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, McMaster University Page 1 of 16

End of exam
 3. Which of the following species has the largest magnitude average formal charge on
the oxygen atoms, assuming charge minimized Lewis structures?

A) BrO2-
B) PO43-
C) ClO-
D) SO32-

©2022, Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, McMaster University Page 2 of 16

End of exam
 4. Which of the following have an atom with less than an octet?
i) CO
ii) NO
iii) HF
iv) PF5

A) i, ii
B) ii, iii
C) iii, iv
D) i,iv

The Lewis structures for all four compounds are shown below. Nitrogen in NO has an
incomplete octet, with only 7 electrons associated with it, and Hydrogen in HF contains
an incomplete octet with only 2 electrons associated with it.

5. How many charge-minimized resonance structures are required to describe the

bonding in the HTeO4 anion? (Te is the central atom and is bonded only to O).

A) 1
B) 2
C) 4
D) 3

There are 3 charge-minimized resonance structures shown below. There are 3

terminal oxygen atoms, which can each bare the negative charge.

©2022, Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, McMaster University Page 3 of 16

End of exam
 6. Determine the FALSE statement regarding bonding.

Electronegativity (EN) Data:

ENC = 2.55
ENO = 3.44
ENF = 3.98
ENS = 2.58

A) The bonds in CO2 are polar covalent.

B) The bonds in the SO42- anion are polar covalent.
C) NaF has only ionic bonding.
D) NH4 NO3 has only covalent bonding.

A)True – The difference in electronegativity between carbon and oxygen is greater then
0.5

B)True – The difference in electronegativity between sulfur and oxygen is greater then
0.5

C)True – a metal and non-metal will typically result in an ionic bond

D) False – This compound contains covalent bonds AND ionic bonds (The ammonium
(NH4+) cation associated with the Nitrate (NO3-) anion

7. A molecule, AF5, has a square pyramidal molecular geometry. Which one of the
following is a possible identity for the element A and what represents the molecular
polarity?

Electronegativity (EN) Data:

ENF = 3.98
ENAs = 2.18
ENBr = 2.96

Identity of A Molecular polarity

A) Br Non-polar
B) As Polar
C) Br Polar
D) As Non-polar

AsF5 adopts a trigonal bipyramidal geometry, where as BrF5 adopts a square pyramidal
geometry. Since the Br-F bond is polar, and square pyramidal is an asymmetric shape, the
molecule must be polar.

©2022, Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, McMaster University Page 4 of 16

End of exam
 8. If the molar solubility of solid Ag2CO3(s) is 1.27 × 10-4 M in pure water, what is its Ksp?

A) 1.30 × 10-10
B) 4.05 × 10-12
C) 8.20 × 10-12
D) 1.62 × 10-11

Ag2CO3 (s) ⇌ 2Ag+ + CO3-

Ksp = [Ag2+]2[CO32-]
Ksp = (2x)2(x)
Ksp = 4(x)3 = 4(1.27x10-4)3
Ksp = 8.20 x 10-12

9. Professor Chibba places 0.750 moles of each of the species in the following
equilibrium 3 H2S(g) + 2NO3(g) ⇌ 2NO(g) + 4 H2O(l) + 3S(s) into 1 L reaction
vessel. What is the value of Qc and which direction will the reaction proceed?

Data :
Kc = 2.45
A) Qc = 3.16, Towards the Reactants
B) Qc = 1.33, Towards the Products
C) Qc = 2.37, Towards the Products
D) Qc = 0.422, Towards the Reactants

To begin, Kc and Qc are both concentration equilibrium constants, which means we need
to be working in concentrations (mol/L) for every listed species. Therefore, if 0.750
moles of each species (meaning each compound listed in the equilibrium statement) were
placed in a 1 L container, the gases would each have a concentration of 0.750 M.

Using the balanced equation as provided in the question we can put together our
equation for the equilibrium constant (using only gases):

𝑁𝑂
𝐾
H S NO

0.750
𝑄
0.750 0.750

1
𝑄 2.37
0.750

©2022, Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, McMaster University Page 5 of 16

End of exam
Kc = 2.45, therefore Kc > Qc, and the reaction must shift towards the products.

However, there is a correction in this question as the balanced equation should have read:
4H2S(g) + 2NO3(g) ⇌ 2NO(g) + 4 H2O(l) + 4S(s)

0.750
𝑄
0.750 0.750

1
𝑄 3.16
0.750

In this case, Qc > Kc, and the reaction would shift towards the reactants. So, if you put
either one of the options, then your answer was considered correct.

10. For the equilibrium between the fictional element Gh with water, which disturbances
will result in the production of more water?

3 𝐺ℎ 𝑠 4 𝐻 𝑂 𝑔 ⇌ 𝐺ℎ 𝑂 𝑠 4𝐻 𝑔 ∆𝐻° 780 ,

i) Adding 𝐺ℎ 𝑂 𝑠
ii) Increasing the volume of the system
iii) Increasing the temperature
iv) Partial removal of 𝐺ℎ 𝑠
v) Increasing the partial pressure of 𝐻

A) ii, iii, and v

B) i, iv and v
C) iv only
D) v only

i) Adding more solid will have no affect on equilibrium, as solids have an activity of
1
ii) Increasing the volume will have no affect as there are the same number of moles
of gas on either side
iii) This reaction is endothermic (positive ΔH), so by increasing the temperature, you
are effectively adding more “reactant”, which will push the equilibrium to the
right (decrease amount of water)
iv) Partial remove of Gh (s) will also not have any impact as solids have an activity
of 1
v) Increasing the partial pressure of H2 will push the reaction to the left to compensate
for its increased partial pressure, resulting in the creation of more gaseous water

©2022, Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, McMaster University Page 6 of 16

End of exam
 11. Consider the gas phase reaction 𝑁 𝑔 𝐶 𝐻 𝑔 ⇌ 2𝐻𝐶𝑁 𝑔 at 298 K. Rebecca fills
an evacuated vessel with N2(g) and C2H2(g) to partial pressures of 1.21 bar and 1.17 bar,
respectively. After the mixture finishes reacting, the equilibrium pressure of N2 in the
vessel is 0.84 bar. What is the Kp for the reaction at 298 K.

A) 1.2
B) 0.81
C) 1.1
D) 0.91

First, populate an ICE table with the data from the question:
𝑁 𝑔 𝐶𝐻 𝑔 ⇌ 2𝐻𝐶𝑁 𝑔
I 1.21 1.17 0
C -x -x +2x
E 0.84 2x

As the equilibrium concentration of N2 is 0.84, we can use this to determine the value of
x.
x = N2, initial – N2, equilibrium
x = 1.21 – 0.84
x = 0.370

We can now populate the entire ICE table

𝑁 𝑔 𝐶𝐻 𝑔 ⇌ 2𝐻𝐶𝑁 𝑔
I 1.21 1.17 0
C -x -x +2x
E 0.84 0.80 0.74

Kp = PHCN2 / P N2 PC2H2
Kp = (0.74)2/ (0.84)(0.80)
Kp = 0.081

©2022, Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, McMaster University Page 7 of 16

End of exam
 12. Aqueous solutions of 1M CaS and 1M barium fluoride are mixed together. What is the
precipitate that will form?

A) BaS
B) BaS and CaF2 will both precipitate out.
C) CaF2
D) No precipitate is formed

If given two aqueous ionic species, we can assume they will be fully dissociated to give
you the ions Ca2+ S2- Ba2+ and 2F-.

Referring to our solubility chart, group 2 fluorides are insoluble in water, and we can
expect that CaF2 will form a precipitate, whereas group 2 sulfides will be soluble, so BaS
will remain in solution.

13. Which of the following substances when added to water will generate an acidic solution
(pH < 7) ?

i) H3PO4
ii) HBr
iii) NaH

A) i and iii
B) ii and iii
C) i, ii and iii
D) i and ii

H3PO4 = phosphoric acid, an oxyacid.

HBr = hydrobromic acid, a binary acid
NaH = sodium hydride, a strong base (group 1 hydrides are strong bases)

©2022, Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, McMaster University Page 8 of 16

End of exam
 14. A tablet of extra strength Tylenol containing 500. mg of the active ingredient
acetaminophen (C8H9NO2) is dissolved in 500. mL of water at 25° C. Calculate the pH
and percent ionization of the solution assuming acetaminophen is the only component
of the tablet able to influence the pH.

Data:
Ka (Acetaminophen) = 5.62 x 10-10

pH Percent Ionization
A) 6.25 0.0291%
B) 6.25 0.863%
C) 5.71 0.0291%
D) 5.71 0.863%

For the purposes of this question, Acetaminophen = HA, and the conjugate base of
Acetaminophen = A-

Since Acetamoniphen has a Ka value, it is a weak acid. The pH and % ionization can be
determined using a Ka equilibrium expression. This requires concentration of
Acetaminophen.

[Acetaminophen] = 500. mg = 6.62 x 10-3 mol/L

.

HA + H2O ⇌ H3O+ + A-
-3
I 6.62 x 10 0 0
C -x +x +x
E 6.62 x 10-3 - x x x

Ka = 5.62 x 10-10 =
.

.
x is small approximation  = 1.18 x 107 > > 100, therefore valid
.

5.62 x 10-10 = x = 1.92 x 10-6 = [H3O+]

.
pH = -log[H3O+] = 5.71

.
% ionization = x 100% = 𝑥 100% = 0.0291%
.

©2022, Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, McMaster University Page 9 of 16

End of exam
 15. A 5.50 x 10-3 M solution of an unknown acid has a pH of 4.61 at 25° C. Which of the
following is a possible identity of the unknown acid?

Data:
pKa (Benzoic acid) = 4.19
pKa (Hypobromous acid) = 2.87
pKa (Phenol) = 10.0
pKa (Hydrosulfuric acid) = 6.96

A) Benzoic acid
B) Hydrosulfuric acid
C) Phenol
D) Hypobromous acid

Strategy – Using the data provided, solve the pKa of the unknown acid and compare to
the provided list to identify.

HA + H2O ⇌ H3O+ + A-
-3
I 5.50 x 10 0 0
C -x +x +x
E 5.50 x 10-3- x x x

[H3O+] = 10-pH = 2.41 x 10-5 = x

. .
Ka = = 1.09 x 10-7
. .

pKa = -logKa = 6.96  hydrosulfuric acid must be the unknown acid

©2022, Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, McMaster University Page 10 of 16

End of exam
 16. A 0.10 M solution of a base is found to have a pH of 12.0. What best describes the
relationship of the Kb of the base (B) to the Ka of its conjugate acid (BH+), and their
relative concentrations?

A) Kb < Ka and [BH+] > [B]

B) Kb < Ka and [BH+] < [B]
C) Kb > Ka and [BH+] < [B]
D) Kb > Ka and [BH+] > [B]

Strategy – Using the data provided, solve the Ka of the unknown acid, compare to Kb,
then solve [BH+] and [B]

B + H2O ⇌ OH- + BH+

I 0.10 0 0
C -x +x +x
E 0.10 - x x x

pOH = 14 - pH = 2

[OH-] = 10-pOH = 0.01 = x

.
Kb = = 1.11 x 10-3
. .

.
Ka = = = 9.0 x 10-12
.

Kb > Ka

[B] = 0.10 - x = 0.09

[BH+] = x = 0.01

[BH+] < [B]

©2022, Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, McMaster University Page 11 of 16

End of exam
 17. A set of three flasks each contain a 0.01M solution of a different weak acid. The pH of
each flask is listed, along with the possible acids contained in the flasks. Which acid is
most likely contained in each flask?

Data:
Flask A: pH = 1.97
Flask B: pH = 4.76
Flask C: pH = 5.30

Possible Acids: HClO2, HClO, HBrO

Flask A Flask B Flask C

A) HBrO HClO2 HClO
B) HBrO HClO HClO2
C) HClO2 HClO HBrO
D) HClO2 HBrO HClO

Based on oxyacid trends, more terminal oxygens = more acidic

Therefore HClO2 is more acidic then HClO and HBrO

Based on trends for oxyacid with similar oxygen counts, the more electronegative the
central atom, the more acidic

Therefore HClO is more acidic then HBrO

Acidity strength trend  HClO2 > HClO > HBrO

At identical concentrations, HClO2 should produce the most acidic solution (pH = 1.97),
whereas HBrO should produce the least acidic solution (pH = 5.30). HClO will produce
an intermediate acidic solution (pH = 4.76)

18. Which of the following statements is false?

A) Work refers to a force acting over a distance

B) Change in internal energy is dependent on the path taken from initial to final state
C) Heat is energy transferred as a result of a temperature difference
D) For equal transfers of heat, species with larger heat capacities will experience a
smaller temperature increase than substances with smaller heat capacities.

A) True, that is the definition of work

B) False, internal energy is a state function, and is independent of the path taken
C) True, that is the definition of heat
D) True, all else being equal, if two substances with different heat capacities are
exposed to equal transfers of heat, the one with a larger heat capacity will have a
smaller change in temperature.

©2022, Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, McMaster University Page 12 of 16

End of exam
 19. During a lab, you are challenged by a friend to determine the mass of a sample of
McMasterium metal without using an electronic balance. You decide to use your
knowledge of thermal equilibrium to help solve the problem by dropping the sample
into a beaker of water. Use the following data to determine the mass of the sample of
McMasterium.

Data:
TInitial,McMasterium = 92.32 °C
TInitial,water = 21.21 °C
TFinal = 22.76 °C
cMcMasterium = 0.763 J/g°C
cwater = 4.18 J/g°C
masswater = 51.63 g

A) 1.59 g
B) 6.30 g
C) 1.37 g
D) 21.0 g

In this instance, the heat gained by the water was lost by the McMasterium sample. So,
qMcMasterium = -qwater or m cMcMasterium ΔT = - m cwater ΔT

Fill in the formula with the information provided in the question.

mcMcMasterium ΔT = - masswater cwater ΔT

m 0.763 J/g°C (22.76 °C - 92.32 °C) = - (51.63 g)(4.18 J/g°C)( 22.76 °C - 21.21 °C)

m(- 53.07 J/g) = -334.5 J

m= 6.30 g

20. In trial 1 of an experiment, students react Fe3+ (aq) and SCN- (aq) to form FeSCN2+ (aq)
and observe that the reaction tube is warm to the touch. In trial 1 they determine the
equilibrium constant to be K1. In trial 2, the students repeat the same procedure but on
ice. They determine the second equilibrium constant to be K2. What is the magnitude of
K1 relative to K2, and which trial will have a higher concentration of Fe3+ (aq) at
equilibrium?

A) K1 < K2 , trial 2 will have higher [Fe3+]

B) K1 > K2 , trial 1 will have higher [Fe3+]
C) K1 < K2 , trial 1 will have higher [Fe3+]
D) K1 > K2 , trial 2 will have higher [Fe3+]

©2022, Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, McMaster University Page 13 of 16

End of exam
The first step to this question is determining what affect changing the temperature will
have on the system. If in trial one the reaction tube is warm, it is exothermic and we can
consider heat a product.

If the same procedure (same amount of each reagent and same protocol) is repeated
except on ice, you would expect the reaction to shift to the right (toward the products), as
you have removed a “product” by carrying out the experiment on ice. Therefore, you
would expect K2 to favour the products, and greater amount of FeSCN2+ to be formed at
equilibrium. Therefore, the value of K2 > K1

Knowing that the students used the same initial amounts of reagents in each trial and that
in comparison to trial 2, trial 1 should favour the reactants, we would expect trial one to
have a greater concentration of Fe3+ (aq) at equilibrium.

21. In experiment 2, the Cycles of Copper, a student calculates a percent yield less than
100%. Which statement below is not a plausible cause for their low percent yield?

A) After decanting water from the copper oxide, black precipitate was observed in the
waste beaker
B) The actual mass of Cu (s) that was reacted was 0.2404 g but the student recorded an
initial value of 0.2440 g
C) After the addition of Zn and HCl, the solution was slightly blue
D) There was black solid in their recovered copper

A) If black precipitate is observed in the waste beaker, that is CuO which was lost
and disposed. This could result in a decreased (< 100%) yield

B) If the recorded mass was 0.2440 g, that value is greater than the actual mass
0.2404 g, which could easily make the mass appear as though it were much
smaller (even if the student had a 100% yield and got out 0.2404 g of copper, if
they compared it to their recorded value of 0.2440 g it would still appear to be a <
100% yield.) This could result in a decreased (< 100%) yield

C) The Zn displaces the Cu2+ out of solution so that we can recover solid copper, and
the HCl removes any left over Zn. Aqueous copper ions appear blue in solution,
so this indicates that not all the copper was displaced and therefore would have
been lost. This could result in a decreased (< 100%) yield

D) If there is black solid in their recovered copper, there is CuO in their final
product, which would likely result in an inflated (> 100%) yield – as you are
weighing the mass of both copper and oxygen and is not a plausible cause for the
low percent yield.

©2022, Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, McMaster University Page 14 of 16

End of exam
 Version # 2
Question # Answer
1. D
2. D
3. B
4. B
5. D
6. A
7. A
8. D
9. D
10. A
11. A or D
12. A
13. C
14. B
15. D
16. C
17. B
18. B
19. A
20. A
21. B

Version # 3
Question # Answer
1. B
2. D
3. C
4. C
5. D
6. A
7. C
8. D or C
9. D
10. C
11. D

©2022, Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, McMaster University Page 15 of 16

End of exam
 12. B
13. D
14. A
15. C
16. A
17. C
18. A
19. A
20. A
21. D

Version # 4
Question # Answer
1. C
2. D
3. B
4. C
5. A
6. A
7. A
8. C
9. D
10. D or C
11. A
12. A
13. A
14. D
15. B
16. C
17. A
18. A
19. D
20. B
21. C

©2022, Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, McMaster University Page 16 of 16

End of exam