ACS Inorganic Chemistry Exam Practice
Questions with Answers
Question 1
Which acids on this list are hard? Which are soft?
Al3+
Zn2+
Ag+
H+
Tl+
Sn4+
Hg2+
Correct Answer
Hard:
Al3+, Sn4+, H+
Soft:
Hg2+, Tl+, Ag+
Borderline: Zn2+
Question 2
even orbital; in phase
Correct Answer
Gerade
Question 3
the different ways in which electrons can occupy orbitals.
Correct Answer
Microstates
Page 1 of 139
,Question 4
what is the stability field of water?
Correct Answer
the range of values of potential for which water is thermodynamically stable toward
both oxidation and reduction, stable between pH 4 and pH 9, between redox
potentials of H+/H2, O2/H2O
Question 5
2 e- groups, 2 bonds, 0 lone pairs, 180 degrees
what is the shape and the hybridization?
Correct Answer
linear shape (sp)
Question 6
What is the rule for removing electrons?
Correct Answer
Electrons in the highest energy levels are removed first (e.g., Zr2+, the 4s electrons
are removed, 3d electrons remain)
Page 2 of 139
,Question 7
What are the coefficients for the different valence electrons in the different subshells
that contribute to the shielding constant?
Correct Answer
For s and p valence electrons, (n-2) groups or lower contribute 1.00 to si (weighting
coefficient of 100%).
(n-1) groups contribute 0.85 to si.
N(s,p) groups (the valence groups) contribute 0.35 to si.
For d and f valence electrons:
- electrons in the valence shell contribute 0.35 to si. 0.35xne
- electrons in any lower group contribute 1.00 to si.
Question 8
How do large charges affect water solubility and lattice energy for ionic solids?
Correct Answer
Large charges produce large lattice energies and lower water solubilities
Question 9
different atoms take the place of existing atoms in the crystal lattice
Correct Answer
Substitution defect
Question 10
A type of color center in ionic crystals, where an anion vacancy (usually a chloride ion)
is filled with one or more free electrons. These electrons are trapped at the vacancy,
and their presence can cause the crystal to absorb visible light, giving the material a
distinct color..
Correct Answer
F centers
Page 3 of 139
, Question 11
self-ionization of water; the proton transfer from one water molecule to another
Correct Answer
autoprotolysis
Question 12
Describe the Born Haber Cycle
Correct Answer
A series of steps used to calculate the lattice energy of an ionic compound. It
involves:
Sublimation of the metal (separating solid to elemental states)
Ionization of the metal atom.
Dissociation of the non-metal molecule.
Electron affinity of the non-metal atom.
The formation of the ionic lattice.
The total energy change is the sum of all these steps, which helps determine the
overall energy required to form the ionic compound. For a complete cycle, this
total change in enthalpy will be zero.
Question 13
What are the HOMO-LUMO interactions?
Correct Answer
When an excited state is formed, an electron is promoted from the HOMO to the
LUMO. The bonding and antibonding characteristics of the frontier orbitals are of
great importance to the stability of the molecule
Page 4 of 139
Questions with Answers
Question 1
Which acids on this list are hard? Which are soft?
Al3+
Zn2+
Ag+
H+
Tl+
Sn4+
Hg2+
Correct Answer
Hard:
Al3+, Sn4+, H+
Soft:
Hg2+, Tl+, Ag+
Borderline: Zn2+
Question 2
even orbital; in phase
Correct Answer
Gerade
Question 3
the different ways in which electrons can occupy orbitals.
Correct Answer
Microstates
Page 1 of 139
,Question 4
what is the stability field of water?
Correct Answer
the range of values of potential for which water is thermodynamically stable toward
both oxidation and reduction, stable between pH 4 and pH 9, between redox
potentials of H+/H2, O2/H2O
Question 5
2 e- groups, 2 bonds, 0 lone pairs, 180 degrees
what is the shape and the hybridization?
Correct Answer
linear shape (sp)
Question 6
What is the rule for removing electrons?
Correct Answer
Electrons in the highest energy levels are removed first (e.g., Zr2+, the 4s electrons
are removed, 3d electrons remain)
Page 2 of 139
,Question 7
What are the coefficients for the different valence electrons in the different subshells
that contribute to the shielding constant?
Correct Answer
For s and p valence electrons, (n-2) groups or lower contribute 1.00 to si (weighting
coefficient of 100%).
(n-1) groups contribute 0.85 to si.
N(s,p) groups (the valence groups) contribute 0.35 to si.
For d and f valence electrons:
- electrons in the valence shell contribute 0.35 to si. 0.35xne
- electrons in any lower group contribute 1.00 to si.
Question 8
How do large charges affect water solubility and lattice energy for ionic solids?
Correct Answer
Large charges produce large lattice energies and lower water solubilities
Question 9
different atoms take the place of existing atoms in the crystal lattice
Correct Answer
Substitution defect
Question 10
A type of color center in ionic crystals, where an anion vacancy (usually a chloride ion)
is filled with one or more free electrons. These electrons are trapped at the vacancy,
and their presence can cause the crystal to absorb visible light, giving the material a
distinct color..
Correct Answer
F centers
Page 3 of 139
, Question 11
self-ionization of water; the proton transfer from one water molecule to another
Correct Answer
autoprotolysis
Question 12
Describe the Born Haber Cycle
Correct Answer
A series of steps used to calculate the lattice energy of an ionic compound. It
involves:
Sublimation of the metal (separating solid to elemental states)
Ionization of the metal atom.
Dissociation of the non-metal molecule.
Electron affinity of the non-metal atom.
The formation of the ionic lattice.
The total energy change is the sum of all these steps, which helps determine the
overall energy required to form the ionic compound. For a complete cycle, this
total change in enthalpy will be zero.
Question 13
What are the HOMO-LUMO interactions?
Correct Answer
When an excited state is formed, an electron is promoted from the HOMO to the
LUMO. The bonding and antibonding characteristics of the frontier orbitals are of
great importance to the stability of the molecule
Page 4 of 139
