University Chemistry Department
LANIF · 401 MEHC
College of Arts & Sciences
UNIVERSITY
LUX ET VERITAS
CHEM 104 FINAL EXAM
O R GA N I C F U N CT I O N A L G R O U PS , T H E R M O DY N A M I CS & M O L E CU L A R O R B I TA L T H E O RY
INSTITUTION [UNVERIFIED] University PROGRAM Undergraduate — General
Chemistry Department Chemistry
COURSE CODE CHEM 104 COURSE TITLE General Chemistry I
ACADEMIC YEAR EXAM TITLE CHEM 104 FINAL EXAM
TOTAL QUESTIONS 44 Questions FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the
Single Best Answer
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question unless otherwise instructed.
▸ Organic functional groups, IUPAC nomenclature, thermodynamics, spontaneity, and molecular orbital
theory are all testable content.
▸ Correct answers and detailed rationales appear below each question for study purposes.
▸ All content is derived directly from the CHEM 104 course material.
, SECTION I — ORGANIC CHEMISTRY, THERMODYNAMICS
Questions 1 – 44
& MOLECULAR ORBITAL THEORY
1. If ∆G is negative, will the reaction be spontaneous under those conditions?
A. Yes, a negative ∆G indicates a spontaneous reaction
B. No, spontaneity depends only on ∆H
C. No, a negative ∆G means the reaction is at equilibrium
D. It depends on the temperature only
CORRECT ANSWER A — Yes, a negative ∆G indicates a spontaneous reaction
RATIONALE A negative ∆G (Gibbs free energy change) means the reaction is spontaneous
(thermodynamically favorable) under the given conditions. This is the
fundamental criterion for spontaneity: ∆G < 0 → spontaneous; ∆G = 0 → at
equilibrium; ∆G > 0 → nonspontaneous.
2. Which functional group contains a carbonyl group (C=O) with two R groups attached to
the carbonyl carbon, where neither R can be an H?
A. Aldehyde
B. Ketone
C. Carboxylic acid
D. Ester
CORRECT ANSWER B — Ketone
RATIONALE A ketone has the structure R–C(=O)–R', where both R groups are carbon-
containing groups (alkyl or aryl). Neither R can be hydrogen — if one R were H, it
would be an aldehyde. Aldehydes (A) have one R and one H. Carboxylic acids (C)
have one R and one OH. Esters (D) have one R and one OR.
, 3. What is always equal to zero when the system is at equilibrium?
A. ∆G°
B. ∆G(nonstan)
C. ∆H°
D. ∆S°
CORRECT ANSWER B — ∆G(nonstan)
RATIONALE At equilibrium, ∆G (the nonstandard Gibbs free energy change) equals zero. This
is because the forward and reverse reaction rates are equal, and there is no net
driving force in either direction. ∆G° (standard free energy change) is related to
the equilibrium constant (∆G° = −RT ln K) and is generally not zero at equilibrium.
4. Which functional group has an N attached to R or H groups, and should not be confused
with an amide?
A. Amide
B. Amine
C. Nitrile
D. Nitro
CORRECT ANSWER B — Amine
RATIONALE An amine has the general formula R–NH₂, R₂NH, or R₃N — nitrogen attached to R
groups and/or hydrogen atoms. It should not be confused with an amide (A),
which has a carbonyl group (C=O) directly bonded to nitrogen (R–CO–NR₂). The
amide's carbonyl is the distinguishing feature.
LANIF · 401 MEHC
College of Arts & Sciences
UNIVERSITY
LUX ET VERITAS
CHEM 104 FINAL EXAM
O R GA N I C F U N CT I O N A L G R O U PS , T H E R M O DY N A M I CS & M O L E CU L A R O R B I TA L T H E O RY
INSTITUTION [UNVERIFIED] University PROGRAM Undergraduate — General
Chemistry Department Chemistry
COURSE CODE CHEM 104 COURSE TITLE General Chemistry I
ACADEMIC YEAR EXAM TITLE CHEM 104 FINAL EXAM
TOTAL QUESTIONS 44 Questions FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the
Single Best Answer
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question unless otherwise instructed.
▸ Organic functional groups, IUPAC nomenclature, thermodynamics, spontaneity, and molecular orbital
theory are all testable content.
▸ Correct answers and detailed rationales appear below each question for study purposes.
▸ All content is derived directly from the CHEM 104 course material.
, SECTION I — ORGANIC CHEMISTRY, THERMODYNAMICS
Questions 1 – 44
& MOLECULAR ORBITAL THEORY
1. If ∆G is negative, will the reaction be spontaneous under those conditions?
A. Yes, a negative ∆G indicates a spontaneous reaction
B. No, spontaneity depends only on ∆H
C. No, a negative ∆G means the reaction is at equilibrium
D. It depends on the temperature only
CORRECT ANSWER A — Yes, a negative ∆G indicates a spontaneous reaction
RATIONALE A negative ∆G (Gibbs free energy change) means the reaction is spontaneous
(thermodynamically favorable) under the given conditions. This is the
fundamental criterion for spontaneity: ∆G < 0 → spontaneous; ∆G = 0 → at
equilibrium; ∆G > 0 → nonspontaneous.
2. Which functional group contains a carbonyl group (C=O) with two R groups attached to
the carbonyl carbon, where neither R can be an H?
A. Aldehyde
B. Ketone
C. Carboxylic acid
D. Ester
CORRECT ANSWER B — Ketone
RATIONALE A ketone has the structure R–C(=O)–R', where both R groups are carbon-
containing groups (alkyl or aryl). Neither R can be hydrogen — if one R were H, it
would be an aldehyde. Aldehydes (A) have one R and one H. Carboxylic acids (C)
have one R and one OH. Esters (D) have one R and one OR.
, 3. What is always equal to zero when the system is at equilibrium?
A. ∆G°
B. ∆G(nonstan)
C. ∆H°
D. ∆S°
CORRECT ANSWER B — ∆G(nonstan)
RATIONALE At equilibrium, ∆G (the nonstandard Gibbs free energy change) equals zero. This
is because the forward and reverse reaction rates are equal, and there is no net
driving force in either direction. ∆G° (standard free energy change) is related to
the equilibrium constant (∆G° = −RT ln K) and is generally not zero at equilibrium.
4. Which functional group has an N attached to R or H groups, and should not be confused
with an amide?
A. Amide
B. Amine
C. Nitrile
D. Nitro
CORRECT ANSWER B — Amine
RATIONALE An amine has the general formula R–NH₂, R₂NH, or R₃N — nitrogen attached to R
groups and/or hydrogen atoms. It should not be confused with an amide (A),
which has a carbonyl group (C=O) directly bonded to nitrogen (R–CO–NR₂). The
amide's carbonyl is the distinguishing feature.
