Chemistry 141 Name __________________

Hour Exam 4
Fall, 2004

There are 120 points on this exam. All multiple choice questions are worth five points
each. For all other questions, the point value is in parentheses at the end of the question.

1. a. Arrange the following in order of increasing ionization energy: (6)

He Pt P Na S F

Pt < Na < S < P < F < He

b. Arrange the following in order of increasing size: (6)

Mg+2 H Se-2 F-1 Se I

H < Mg+2 < F-1 < Se < Se-2 < I

2. In which of the following compounds is the bonding ionic?

a. HF
b. CH4
c. H2O
d. N2O5
e. NaH

3. Given the species: N2 , CO , CN-1 , NO+1, which of the following statements is

false?
a. The species are all diatomic.
b. The atoms in each species are joined by a triple bond
c. The species are all linear.
d. The bond in each case is polar.
e. The species are all isoelectronic.

4. How many of the following is/are planar (all atoms in the same plane) ?
SO3 PH3 BrF4-1 BCl3 SiH4

a. 4
b. 3
c. 2
d. 1
e. 0
5. a. PF5 exists but NF5 does not. Using complete sentences, suggest an
explanation for this. (5)
P is in period 3. The third shell (n = 3) has s, p, and d orbitals available.
So P is able to utilize empty valence shell d orbitals in some way to expand the octet. But
N is in period 2. The valence shell (n = 2) has only s and p orbitals and so cannot
accommodate more than 8 electrons. Both PF5 and NF5 would require 10 electrons on the
central atom. N cannot do this so NF5 does not form.

b. Some chemists do NOT classify Zn as a transition element even though

it is in the same section of the periodic table as transition elements. Using
complete sentences explain what makes Zn DIFFERENT than the
transition elements. (5)
2 10
30Zn has the configuration [Ar]4s 3d . All the other transition elements
in period 4 have only partially filled (n – 1) d orbitals. As a result, Zn tends to form only
the +2 ion, losing the valence shell s electrons, and has only white or black cpds. Only
species with partially filled d orbitals have colors. The difference on the atomic/ionic
level is the electron configuration which in turn results in the observed differences in
chemical behavior.

6. On the axes below, sketch and label a p – p σ overlap and a p – p π overlap.

(5)

Notice that only the overlap labeled “in-phase” is the one requested in this question.

In this case again only the ‘in-phase’ overlap is

requested.
7. Answer the questions about the molecule represented below: (2 each)

H H
 _ 
H - C = C - C - O - C - C - C≡N:
   ¯  
H H H :O: H
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

a. How many sigma (σ ) bonds are in the molecule? ___15______

b. What is the C - O - C bond angle in the center of the molecule? 109.5°
c. How many pi (π ) bonds are there in the molecule? ___4____
d. What is the C1 - C2 - H angle? ___120°______
e. Is the molecule polar or nonpolar? ____polar_____
f. Calculate the formal charge on atoms 5 and 8 in the chain.
F.C.(atom 5): C: 4 – 4 = 0 F.C.(atom 8): N: 5 – 5 = 0

8. In each pair of bonds indicate the more polar bond and use an arrow to show the
direction of polarity in each bond. The point of the arrow should be towards the negative
end of the bond. (3 each)

a. C-O C-N
→ →
b. B-H B–I Either accepted. Using trends of
electronegativity an argument can be made
for either.
c. B-O P–S
→ →

9. Draw any Lewis structures you use to arrive at an answer. Explain. (5 each)
a. Which has the strongest ionic bond: MgO or RbI
Two factors control the strength of an ionic bond: the size of the ions and
the charges on the ions. As charges increase, bond strength increases. As size decreases
bond strength increases. In this case MgO contains smaller, more highly charged (+2,-2)
ions than RbI which has larger, lower charged (+1,-1) ions.
b. Which nitrogen- oxygen bond will require the most energy to completely
break: NO2+1 or H2NOH [:N=N=O:]+1 and _ _
H–N–O–H
‌
H
The N – O bond in NO2+ is a double bond while that in H3NOH is a single
bond. In general when comparing single, double and triple bonds between the same 2
atoms, the single bonds are weakest, requiring the least energy to break. Therefore the
bond in NO2+ will require more energy to break.
 c. Which molecule has the higher bond order? CO3-2 or CO2
Explain. (5)
_ _
:O = C = O: bond order = 2

bond order = 1⅓
The C – O bond order is higher in CO2 because of the double bond. Carbonate has
resonance structures showing that one of the bonding pairs is ‘shared’ among three bonds
so the bond order is 1⅓.

10. For each of the following draw the Lewis structure and answer the questions. If
resonance structures are possible, draw them. The first LDS is worth 5 points.
Each question is worth one point. A resonance structure is 3 points.

a. ICl4+ electronic geometry: trigonal bipyramid

_ _
:Cl: :Cl: molecular geometry: distorted tetrahedron
[ _ \ / _ ]+ bond angles: (list all) 180, 90, 120
:Cl – I – Cl: resonance? no

b. XeOF4 (Xe is central) electronic geometry: octahedral

polar or nonpolar: polar molecular geometry: square pyramid

bond angles: (list all) 90, 180

c. CNO-1 electronic geometry: linear; bond angle: 180

_ _ resonance? Yes
[:C = N – O:]-1 ↔ [:C = N = O:]-1 ↔ [:C – N = O:]-1 molecular geometry: linear

d. CH3CH(OH)COOH Electronic geometry: at C #3 trigonal planar

H H :O: Molecular geometry: at C #3 trigonal planar
| | || _ Bond angles: at C#3 120
H–C–C–C–O–H Polar or nonpolar: polar
| |
H :O – H