CHEM134 C003 COMPREHENSIVE
EXAM PREP QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS WITH VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
2026/2027 UPDATE. JUST RELEASED
1. Which of the following elements has the highest first ionization energy?
A. Neon
B. Nitrogen
C. Fluorine
D. Oxygen
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Ionization energy increases across a period from left to right.
Neon, being a noble gas with a full valence shell, has the highest first ionization energy
among the options.
2. In a system at equilibrium, what is the effect of increasing the pressure on the reaction
N2(g) + 3H2(g) ⇌ 2NH3(g)?
A. The equilibrium shifts to the left.
,B. The equilibrium shifts to the right.
C. There is no effect on the equilibrium.
D. The value of the equilibrium constant K changes.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: According to Le Chatelier’s Principle, increasing pressure favors
the side with fewer moles of gas. The right side has 2 moles, while the left has 4.
3. What is the hybridization of the central atom in SF6?
A. sp3
B. sp3d
C. d2sp3
D. sp3d2
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Sulfur in SF6 has six bonding pairs and no lone pairs, leading to
an octahedral geometry which requires sp3d2 hybridization.
4. A solution has a pH of 3.5. What is the hydronium ion concentration [H3O+]?
A. 5.22 x 10^-3 M
B. 3.16 x 10^-4 M
C. 1.00 x 10^-7 M
, D. 3.50 x 10^-4 M
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The concentration is calculated using [H3O+] = 10^-pH. 10^-3.5
equals approximately 3.16 x 10^-4 M.
5. Which thermodynamic quantity is always negative for a spontaneous process at constant
temperature and pressure?
A. Delta G
B. Delta H
C. Delta S system
D. Delta S surroundings
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: For a process to be spontaneous at constant T and P, the change
in Gibbs Free Energy (Delta G) must be negative.
6. Calculate the standard cell potential (E°cell) for a cell based on the reaction: Zn(s) +
Cu2+(aq) -> Zn2+(aq) + Cu(s). Given E°(Zn2+/Zn) = -0.76V and E°(Cu2+/Cu) = +0.34V.
A. +1.10V
B. -0.42V
C. +0.42V
D. -1.10V
EXAM PREP QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS WITH VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
2026/2027 UPDATE. JUST RELEASED
1. Which of the following elements has the highest first ionization energy?
A. Neon
B. Nitrogen
C. Fluorine
D. Oxygen
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Ionization energy increases across a period from left to right.
Neon, being a noble gas with a full valence shell, has the highest first ionization energy
among the options.
2. In a system at equilibrium, what is the effect of increasing the pressure on the reaction
N2(g) + 3H2(g) ⇌ 2NH3(g)?
A. The equilibrium shifts to the left.
,B. The equilibrium shifts to the right.
C. There is no effect on the equilibrium.
D. The value of the equilibrium constant K changes.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: According to Le Chatelier’s Principle, increasing pressure favors
the side with fewer moles of gas. The right side has 2 moles, while the left has 4.
3. What is the hybridization of the central atom in SF6?
A. sp3
B. sp3d
C. d2sp3
D. sp3d2
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Sulfur in SF6 has six bonding pairs and no lone pairs, leading to
an octahedral geometry which requires sp3d2 hybridization.
4. A solution has a pH of 3.5. What is the hydronium ion concentration [H3O+]?
A. 5.22 x 10^-3 M
B. 3.16 x 10^-4 M
C. 1.00 x 10^-7 M
, D. 3.50 x 10^-4 M
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The concentration is calculated using [H3O+] = 10^-pH. 10^-3.5
equals approximately 3.16 x 10^-4 M.
5. Which thermodynamic quantity is always negative for a spontaneous process at constant
temperature and pressure?
A. Delta G
B. Delta H
C. Delta S system
D. Delta S surroundings
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: For a process to be spontaneous at constant T and P, the change
in Gibbs Free Energy (Delta G) must be negative.
6. Calculate the standard cell potential (E°cell) for a cell based on the reaction: Zn(s) +
Cu2+(aq) -> Zn2+(aq) + Cu(s). Given E°(Zn2+/Zn) = -0.76V and E°(Cu2+/Cu) = +0.34V.
A. +1.10V
B. -0.42V
C. +0.42V
D. -1.10V
