CHEM 100 SMC Chemistry in Todays World Paper
1. Greenhouse Gasses. Nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) has been increasingly used for themanufacturing of solar panels and is projected to be a $22.3 Billion market by 2027.
Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) is a synthetic fluorinated compound with an extremely stable
molecular structure. Electric utilities rely heavily on SF6 in electric power systems for
voltage electrical insulation, current interruption, and arc quenching in the transmission
and distribution of electricity. Both compounds are much stronger greenhouse gasses than
CO2 (6 points total).
Use the following Lewis structures as references to address the following questions:
a. In comparison with carbon dioxide (CO2), explain why both NF3 and SF6 have
more and stronger asymmetrical stretching and vibrations than CO2 in terms of
number of bonds and electronegativity differences within the bonds (4 points).
The electronegativity differences in the following bonds are:
C-O 0.89
N-F 0.94
S-F 1.4
b. Considering the number of bonds and electronegativity differences within the
bonds, which molecule, SF6 or NF3, would have more and stronger asymmetrical
vibrations and would therefore be a stronger greenhouse gas (2 points)? You can
refer to the electronegativity differences in the following bonds in your response:
N-F 0.94
S-F 1.4
2. Write the formulas for the following ionic compounds. Please show the cation and
polyatomic ion charges as part of your work (6 points). You may use the table below for
reference.
Name
Formula
Name
Formula
acetate
C2H3O2-
nitrite
NO2-
bicarbonate
HCO3-
phosphate
PO43-
carbonate
CO32-
sulfate
SO42-
hydroxide
OH-
sulfite
SO32-
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
Aluminum phosphate
Iron (III) sulfate
Calcium hydroxide
Lead (IV) phosphate
Tin (IV) oxide
Iron (III) sulfide
3. One of the chemicals of concern from the East Palestine, OH Train Derailment is
dioxane. Dioxane is often used as a stabilizer for the transport of chlorinated
hydrocarbons in aluminum containers, and is highly flammable. Balance the dioxane
combustion reaction below (4 points):
C4H8O2 + O2 → CO2 + H2O
4. Please explain how each molecule does not follow the octet rule. Note that each molecule
has multiple errors. Please use a numbered list or bullet points for your response. HINT:
There are nine errors total (9 points).
