1 | Page
Michigan State University
CEM 141 CEM 141-Exam 1 Questions and
Answers 2026 Latest Update
Atoms Ans: Matter is made up of
Atom Ans: The the smallest distinguishable part of an element
Theories Ans: Can change overtime according to the evidence available
Electrostatic forces Ans: ALL atoms/molecules attract to one another due to
Attractions Ans: ________ lower potential energy of a system
Repulsions Ans: _____ raise potential energy of a system
The attractive and repulsive forces are EQUAL or the potential energy is at a
minimum Ans: Stable systems form where
The well Ans: The most stable part of a graph is
The strength of the inter molecular forces Ans: The temperature of a phase
change depends on
? Ans: Why do two isolated atoms attract each other as they approach and
repel after coming too close together?
? Ans: Predict and explain the changes in the potential energy, the kinetic
energy and the total energy as two isolated helium (or another noble gas)
atoms approach each other.
? Ans: Construct a diagram/picture and use it to explain how energy is
transferred at the atomic level (by collisions that can either add energy to
the system or remove it)
? Ans: Predict/rank the relative London Dispersion Forces between atoms
and molecules of different sizes
© 2026 All rights reserved
, 2 | Page
? Ans: ?Relate the strength of London Dispersion Forces to relative melting
and boiling points for the noble gases or simple diatomic molecules (H2, N2,
O2,F2, Cl2, Br2, and I2)
H2, N2, O2, F2, Cl2, Br2, I2 Ans: List all the diatomic molecules
? Ans: Contrast the energy change that occurs when two helium atoms or
two hydrogen atoms combine
LDFs occur between two atoms, covalent bonding occurs IN a molecule Ans:
Differentiate between London Dispersion Forces and covalent bonding
Law Ans: Described phenomenon, tells WHAT
Theory Ans: Explains phenomenon, tells WHY
Ions Ans: Charged atoms are
Positive Ans: Protons have a ____ charge
Negative Ans: Electrons have a ____ charge
Neutral Ans: Neutrons have a ____ charge
Neutral Ans: as a WHOLE atoms have a ____ charge
Scientific theory Ans: BEST available explanation of existing
evidence/data/oberservations
Greeks Ans: The ____ developed the earliest atomic theories; based
philosophy
Brownian motion Ans: Atoms are in constant motion is called
Element Ans: 2+ atoms, ONE TYPE of atom
Compound Ans: 2+ atoms, MORE THAN ONE TYPE of atom
Protons Ans: The atomic number tells us the # of _______
1) Atoms were NOT divisible
2) Atoms were in constant motion
© 2026 All rights reserved
Michigan State University
CEM 141 CEM 141-Exam 1 Questions and
Answers 2026 Latest Update
Atoms Ans: Matter is made up of
Atom Ans: The the smallest distinguishable part of an element
Theories Ans: Can change overtime according to the evidence available
Electrostatic forces Ans: ALL atoms/molecules attract to one another due to
Attractions Ans: ________ lower potential energy of a system
Repulsions Ans: _____ raise potential energy of a system
The attractive and repulsive forces are EQUAL or the potential energy is at a
minimum Ans: Stable systems form where
The well Ans: The most stable part of a graph is
The strength of the inter molecular forces Ans: The temperature of a phase
change depends on
? Ans: Why do two isolated atoms attract each other as they approach and
repel after coming too close together?
? Ans: Predict and explain the changes in the potential energy, the kinetic
energy and the total energy as two isolated helium (or another noble gas)
atoms approach each other.
? Ans: Construct a diagram/picture and use it to explain how energy is
transferred at the atomic level (by collisions that can either add energy to
the system or remove it)
? Ans: Predict/rank the relative London Dispersion Forces between atoms
and molecules of different sizes
© 2026 All rights reserved
, 2 | Page
? Ans: ?Relate the strength of London Dispersion Forces to relative melting
and boiling points for the noble gases or simple diatomic molecules (H2, N2,
O2,F2, Cl2, Br2, and I2)
H2, N2, O2, F2, Cl2, Br2, I2 Ans: List all the diatomic molecules
? Ans: Contrast the energy change that occurs when two helium atoms or
two hydrogen atoms combine
LDFs occur between two atoms, covalent bonding occurs IN a molecule Ans:
Differentiate between London Dispersion Forces and covalent bonding
Law Ans: Described phenomenon, tells WHAT
Theory Ans: Explains phenomenon, tells WHY
Ions Ans: Charged atoms are
Positive Ans: Protons have a ____ charge
Negative Ans: Electrons have a ____ charge
Neutral Ans: Neutrons have a ____ charge
Neutral Ans: as a WHOLE atoms have a ____ charge
Scientific theory Ans: BEST available explanation of existing
evidence/data/oberservations
Greeks Ans: The ____ developed the earliest atomic theories; based
philosophy
Brownian motion Ans: Atoms are in constant motion is called
Element Ans: 2+ atoms, ONE TYPE of atom
Compound Ans: 2+ atoms, MORE THAN ONE TYPE of atom
Protons Ans: The atomic number tells us the # of _______
1) Atoms were NOT divisible
2) Atoms were in constant motion
© 2026 All rights reserved
