General Chemistry

Part II: Sections VI - X

Section VI: Phases and Phase Changes

This section aims to reacquaint you with the fundamental definitions of gases. The text addresses gas movement, including effusion, infusion, and diffusion, and the gas laws. The properties of real gases are compared to ideal gases.

Passages and Solutions

Section VI includes 13 MCAT-style passages with detailed solutions. Passage topics are centered around information important to gases. The passages in this section are designed to help you with topics that have repeatedly appeared on the MCAT. Topics include gas flow (effusion), the fundamental gas laws, and real gases.

Section VII: Phases and Phase Changes

This section aims to reacquaint you with the fundamental definitions of the three major phases. In addition, the text focuses on conversion between two phases, and the energetics and conditions needed to carry the transformation out. Phase diagrams are evaluated, with special attention given to vapor pressure and boiling.

Passages and Solutions

Section VII includes 13 MCAT-style passages with detailed solutions. Passage topics are centered around information important phases and phase changes. The passages in this section are designed to help you with topics that have repeatedly appeared on the MCAT. Topics include phase diagrams, the fundamental gas laws, and Raoult's law (vapor pressure and distillation).

Section VIII: Thermochemistry

This section aims to reacquaint you with the fundamental concepts of thermochemistry and thermodynamics. The text addresses factors of heat absorption, heat emission, and heat transfer. The fundamental thermochemical values such as enthalpy, entropy, and free energy are discussed. Hess' law, bond energies, and heating curves are thoroughly discussed.

Passages and Solutions

Section VIII includes 13 MCAT-style passages with detailed solutions. Passage topics are centered around information important to thermochemistry. The passages examine calorimetry experiments, reaction favorability, and practical applications of heat producing reactions. Some passages intertwine heat transfer from physics with enthalpy from general chemistry. Hess' law is emphasized due to its frequency on previous MCAT examinations.

Section IX: Kinetics

This section aims to reacquaint you with the basics of reaction rates. The text defines many concepts associated with kinetics, such as catalysts, rate determining steps, and steady states. The text presents some tricks for quickly determining the reaction rate and reaction order. The text also focuses on half-lives, and the dependence of half-life on reaction order.

Passages and Solutions

Section IX includes 10 MCAT-style passages with detailed solutions. Passage topics are centered around information important to kinetics. The passages look at reaction order, effects of a catalyst, determination of the reaction rate, activation energy, and half-lives. After completing this section, you should be able to answer any kinetics question presented to you on the MCAT.

Section X: Electrochemistry

This section aims to reacquaint you with determining oxidation states and balancing oxidation-reduction reactions. This section addresses the bridge between circuit elements in physics and electrochemical cells in general chemistry, two topics that may be fused on the MCAT. The text presents practical applications of electrochemistry, such as electrolysis, galvanizing and electroplating.

Passages and Solutions

Section X includes 14 MCAT-style passages with detailed solutions. Passage topics are centered around information important to electrochemistry. The passages review different types of electrochemical cells, the Nernst equation, and redox titration. Some of the questions attempt to link circuits from physics with the components of an electrochemical cell.

HOME | WHO | WHERE | MCAT | TBR | HOME-STUDY
MCATprep@Berkeley-Review.com ©2009 The Berkeley Review