Chem 120- Exam #1 Questions With Complete Solutions

What is a good scientific definition of a chemical? correct answer: Chemical- any substance made up of one or more elements from the periodic table What is the difficulty in defining the chemical industry in terms of the periodic chart? correct answer: The definition of a chemical is too broad. Too much would be included in the chemical industry. What is the chief source of the chemicals known as inorganic chemicals? correct answer: Inorganic chemicals come from ores and minerals mined from the ground. What is the chief source of the chemicals known as organic chemicals? correct answer: Organic chemicals are primarily derived from oil. How would you distinguish between organic and inorganic chemicals based on their chemical formulas? correct answer: Organic chemicals contain the element carbon, while inorganic chemicals do not. The exceptions to this rule are carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and metal carbonates. What is the generic term for compounds joining together to form a polymer? correct answer: The molecules joined are called monomers and the reaction to join them is known as a polymerization. Some polymers are important for their ability to readily snap back to their original shape after being stretched. What is the appropriate term for this type of polymer? correct answer: Polymers that can be stretched and return to their original shape are known as elastomers. The largest volume of polymers as a group belongs to what class of polymers? What general characteristic has made these polymers so popular? correct answer: The largest volume polymers produced are addition polymers. The addition polymers are the least expensive type of polymer to produce.