General Chemistry

Part I: Sections I-V

Section I: Stoichiometry

This section aims to reaquaint you with the fundamental mathematical procedures of general chemistry. This includes determining mass percent, limiting reagents, and percent yield, amongst more conceptual material. Although the Physical Sciences section recently has had few mathematical questions, the few they have had are often time consuming if you are unfamiliar with the set-ups.

Passages and Solutions

Section I includes 12 MCAT-style passages with detailed solutions. Passage topics are centered around information important to stoichiometry. The passages in this section are designed to help you with topics that have repeatedly appeared on the MCAT. Topics include molecular mass determination, the Dumas experiment, elemental analysis, and conservation of mass.

Section II: Atomic Theory

This section aims to reaquaint you with periodic trends, sub-atomic particles, the absorption and emission of light, isotopes, and classical experiments in atomic chemistry/particle physics. This section addresses the bridge between fundamental physics and general chemistry, two topics that are often fused on the MCAT.

Passages and Solutions

Section II includes 14 MCAT-style passages with detailed solutions. Passage topics are centered around information important to atomic structure. The passages review periodic trends (which includes electronegativity, ionization energy, electron affinity, and atomic radius), atomic structure (examining particles), and explain classical experiments and apparatus (e.g., Millikan's oildrop experiment and mass spectroscopy).

Section III: Equilibrium

This section aims to reaquaint you with the fundamental concepts of equilibrium chemistry in a closed system. The text addresses factors that affect an equilibrium constant and the equilibrium shifts in a reaction, Le Chatelier's Principle, and solubility product.

Passages and Solutions

Section III includes 14 MCAT-style passages with detailed solutions. Passage topics are centered around information important to equilibrium. The passages examine graphically and mathematically the effects of changes on the equilibrium concentrations and the equilibrium constant. Several passages introduce ion exchange, the common ion effect, and selective precipitation, concepts tightly related to solubility. Solubility is emphasized due to its frequency on previous MCAT examinations.

Section IV: Acids and Bases

This section aims to reaquaint you with the basics of acid-base chemistry and includes the finest acid-base text you will find anywhere. The text defines many terms associated with acidity and basicity and addresses some tricks for quickly determining the nature of a solution and its pH. The text also focuses on typical examples of acids and bases and ways to determine the relative strengths of acids.

Passages and Solutions

Section IV includes 13 MCAT-style passages with detailed solutions. Passage topics are centered around information important to acids and bases. The passages look at acid/base definitions, oxyacids, organic acids, stomach acid and pH, and fundamental acid-base chemistry. When you complete this section, there should be no acid-base chemistry question that you will not be able to answer.

Section V: Buffers and Titrations

This section aims to reaquaint you with the basics of buffer and titration chemistry and includes the finest buffer/titration text you will find anywhere. The text defines many terms associated with buffers and titrations. The text also focuses on typical examples of buffers and titrations and the finer points of titration.

Passages and Solutions

Section V includes 15 MCAT-style passages with detailed solutions. Passage topics are centered around information important to buffers and titrations. The passages look at buffer pH and weak acids, buffer composition, titration curves and concentration effects, normality and neutralization, indicator selection, and fundamental buffer-titration chemistry. When you complete this section, there should be no buffer-titration chemistry question that you will not be able to answer.

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