MSU CEM 141: EXAM 3 REVIEW
(CHAPTER 3 OBJECTIVES)
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS LATEST
UPDATE 2026
3.5 Differentiate between properties of atoms and larger macroscale materials. -
ANSWERS- Materials on a larger scale observable properties such as melting and
boiling point, distinct colors, conductivity, density, elasticity, etc.
- Atoms' properties are its nucleus, protons, electrons, neutrons,
Diamond is hard and has a high melting/boiling point because it is a 3d network of
strong bonds, you would have to break the bonds to disrupt the crystal. diamond doesn't
conduct electricity because electrons are located in bonds between atoms and are not
free to roam; there is a large band gap between the bonding and antibonding orbital.
Diamond is translucent because light passes through or is reflected; to absorb light an
electron much be promoted to a higher energy level; there is a large band gap between
the bonding and antibonding orbitals. graphite conducts electricity because electrons
can move freely over the entire sheet within its delocalized pi molecular orbitals. it is
shiny because it can absorb and emit photons of many wavelengths (just like metals). it
is slippery because the sheets can slide over each other and are only held together by
LDFs
3.5 Explain why is that atoms don't have macroscopic properties like melting point,
boiling point, and color, while macroscopic materials do (and can be identified by them).
- ANSWERSAtoms are single units, and they cannot have melting points because those
properties are dependent on interactions and bond formation, which end up creating
additional properties such as melting points.
3.7 What determines whether a bond or interaction is stable? Explain how temperature
influences the stability of bonds and interactions. - ANSWERSThe stability of atoms
depends on whether or not their outer-most shell is filled with electrons. If the outer shell
is filled, the atom is stable.
3.10 Describe the bonding in metals. Explain on the on the atomic/molecular level why
metals are malleable (you can make them into different shapes), ductile (you can draw
them out into wires), shiny, and conduct electricity. - ANSWERSA photon is absorbed
promoting movement to higher energy level, it immediately moves back down emitting a
(CHAPTER 3 OBJECTIVES)
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS LATEST
UPDATE 2026
3.5 Differentiate between properties of atoms and larger macroscale materials. -
ANSWERS- Materials on a larger scale observable properties such as melting and
boiling point, distinct colors, conductivity, density, elasticity, etc.
- Atoms' properties are its nucleus, protons, electrons, neutrons,
Diamond is hard and has a high melting/boiling point because it is a 3d network of
strong bonds, you would have to break the bonds to disrupt the crystal. diamond doesn't
conduct electricity because electrons are located in bonds between atoms and are not
free to roam; there is a large band gap between the bonding and antibonding orbital.
Diamond is translucent because light passes through or is reflected; to absorb light an
electron much be promoted to a higher energy level; there is a large band gap between
the bonding and antibonding orbitals. graphite conducts electricity because electrons
can move freely over the entire sheet within its delocalized pi molecular orbitals. it is
shiny because it can absorb and emit photons of many wavelengths (just like metals). it
is slippery because the sheets can slide over each other and are only held together by
LDFs
3.5 Explain why is that atoms don't have macroscopic properties like melting point,
boiling point, and color, while macroscopic materials do (and can be identified by them).
- ANSWERSAtoms are single units, and they cannot have melting points because those
properties are dependent on interactions and bond formation, which end up creating
additional properties such as melting points.
3.7 What determines whether a bond or interaction is stable? Explain how temperature
influences the stability of bonds and interactions. - ANSWERSThe stability of atoms
depends on whether or not their outer-most shell is filled with electrons. If the outer shell
is filled, the atom is stable.
3.10 Describe the bonding in metals. Explain on the on the atomic/molecular level why
metals are malleable (you can make them into different shapes), ductile (you can draw
them out into wires), shiny, and conduct electricity. - ANSWERSA photon is absorbed
promoting movement to higher energy level, it immediately moves back down emitting a
