Special Sub-Topic: Some Tough General Chemistry Questions Click Here To Play: Some Tough General Chemistry Questions

For atoms that contain more than one electron, the Pauli Exclusion Principle states that:

no 2 electrons in an atom can have the same four quantum numbers. The correct answer is that no 2 electrons can have the same four quantum numbers. This won Pauli the Nobel prize in 1945.

Which of the following compounds DOES NOT obey the octet rule?

sulfur hexafluoride. The octet rule states that 'atoms (other than hydrogen) tend to form bonds until it is surrounded by eight valence electrons'. However, there are a number of compounds that have more than eight valence electrons. These are known as expanded octet. SF6 (sulfur hexafluoride) is an example where the sulfur atom has 12 valence electrons. Can you think of some more?

According to Boyle's Law, if the volume of a gas decreases, its pressure will: (assuming temperature is constant)

increase. Think about it in reverse order. If you have a volume of gas in a container and you increase the pressure, the volume of the gas will decrease.

Which of the following is one of the major components of acid rain?

sulfuric acid. The two major components of acid rain are sulfuric and sulfurous acid. The are formed when pollutants such as sulfur dioxide and sulfur trioxide (both acidic oxides) react with water. Nature produces sulfur dioxide via volcanic eruptions.

Which of the following is NOT classified as a Bronsted-Lowry base?

ammonium ion. A Brønsted-Lowry base is a proton acceptor, an electron pair donor is in fact a Lewis base, not a Brønsted-Lowry base. The Brønsted-Lowry acid/base theory concerns proton donors and acceptors, whilst the Lewis acid/base theory concerns electron pair acceptors and donors. The ammonia molecule can accept a proton to form the ammonium ion, and this makes it a Brønsted-Lowry base. Also, it donates its lone electron pair to form a dative covalent bond to the hydrogen ion, making it a Lewis base.