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What role does electronegativity play in chemical bonding?
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Electronegativity is an atom's tendency to attract shared electrons, influencing bond formation and polarity.
Why are Van der Waals forces considered the weakest form of molecular interaction?
They are weak interactions due to temporary dipoles that occur when electron distributions fluctuate.
Why is the understanding of atomic structure important in chemistry?
It is foundational for predicting chemical behavior, understanding reactions, and comprehending bond formation.
What determines the identity of an element?
The number of protons in an atom.
Explain the difference between atomic mass and atomic weight.
Atomic mass is the total number of protons and neutrons in an atom, while atomic weight is the average mass of all isotopes of an element.
How do isotopes of an element differ from each other?
Isotopes have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.
List two primary tips for preparing for an exam on atomic structure and chemical bonds.
Understand the relationships between concepts like subatomic particles and bond types, and practice calculations for atomic mass and isotopes.
How does changing the number of neutrons affect an atom?
Changing the number of neutrons transforms the atom into a different isotope of the same element.
Describe the process of forming an ionic bond.
An ionic bond forms through the transfer of electrons from one atom to another, resulting in attraction between positively and negatively charged ions.
Identify the most common elements in biological systems and their properties.
Hydrogen, Carbon, Oxygen, and Nitrogen, characterized by low atomic mass and often not having full outer electron shells.
What characterizes a covalent bond?
A covalent bond is characterized by the sharing of electrons between atoms to achieve a full outer shell.
What is the difference between an atom and an ion?
Atoms are electrically neutral with equal protons and electrons, while ions have an unequal number of protons and electrons, giving them a charge.
How does 'like dissolves like' apply to solvents and solutes?
Polar solvents dissolve polar substances, and non-polar solvents dissolve non-polar substances due to similar intermolecular forces.
Differentiate between polar and non-polar covalent bonds with examples.
Polar covalent bonds have unequal electron sharing (e.g., H2O), whereas non-polar covalent bonds have equal sharing (e.g., O2, H2).
How do hydrogen bonds affect water's properties?
Hydrogen bonds are responsible for water's cohesion, surface tension, and its high boiling point.
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