DAT Exam 5: Chemistry

1. Hydrogen gas and nitrogen gas react to produce ammonia. How many liters of
ammonia can be produced from 2 liters of hydrogen gas and 2 liters of nitrogen gas
at STP?
A. 1.3
B. 2.6
C. 2.0
D. 4.0
E. 6.0

Solution:
The described reaction is the Haber process:

This is a limiting reagent problem. We have to find out which reactant is going to run out
first and limit our ability to produce ammonia gas.
We can treat the liters of gas the same as mols in this case. This is because at a constant
temperature and pressure, the volume of the gas is directly proportional to the number of
mols.

So hydrogen gas is our limiting

reagent in this case. Only 1.33 mols of
ammonia can be produced before we run
out of hydrogen gas and the reaction
stops. When we have all gases, their
volumes and number of moles are proportional to each other; thus, our final answer is 1.33
L.

2. A sample of hydrated magnesium sulfate, MgSO4 • xH2O, weighs 21.0 g. It is

placed inside of an oven until all of the water is vaporized, the anhydrous form
1
 -1
weighs 12.0 g. What is the value of x in the hydrated salt? MgSO4 = 120 g•mol .

A. 3
B. 4
C. 5
D. 6
E. 7

Solution:

Hydrated salt problems can be tricky. Just remember this formula to find the value “x”:

To find the mol of H2O, we subtract the original weight of the hydrated salt (the salt +
water) by the weight of the anhydrous salt (only salt, no water).

21.0 – 12.0 = 9 grams of water.

9g / 18 (g•mol-1) = 0.5 mol of water

*The molar mass of water is 18 g•mol-1.

To find the mol of MgSO4, we use the anhydrous salt (only salt, no water).

12 / 120 = 0.10 mol of MgSO4

Finally, we plug back into the original equation to find:

0.5 / 0.1 = 5

So the formula of the hydrated salt is: MgSO4 • 5 H2O

-3
3. A student weighs 20 g of Au (density = 20 g•cm ) and 20 g of Ag (density = 10
2
 -3
g•cm ). Which metal occupies the greatest volume and how much volume does it
occupy?

A. gold, 1 cm3
B. gold, 2 cm3
C. silver, 1 cm3
D. silver, 2 cm3
E. silver, 4 cm3

Solution:

4. In which instance is a gas most likely to behave ideally?

3
 A. At high temperatures, because the molecules will always be far apart.

B. At high pressures, because the molecules will be close to each other relative to
the size of the molecules.

C. When molecules are nonpolar, because the molecules are more likely to interact.

D. At high temperatures and low pressures, because the molecules are far apart
and not likely to interact.

E. At low temperatures, because the molecules are less likely to collide with each
other.

Solution:

A gas becomes more ideal as the pressure decreases and the temperature increases. In an
ideal gas, the gas molecules do not interact with each other through intermolecular forces
and all collisions are elastic.

The high temperatures contribute to kinetic energy to allow the molecules to overcome
intermolecular forces.

The low pressure spaces out the molecules far enough that the individual size of the
molecules becomes insignificant compared to the entire volume of the gas.

Answer option [A] is true, but the reasoning is wrong. Low pressures deal with the spacing
between the molecules, not
temperature.

Answer option [B] is incorrect; we

do NOT want the molecules to be
close to each other.

Answer option [C] is somewhat true,

but nonpolar molecules would be
less likely to interact, not more
likely. Polar molecules would be
more likely to interact.

Answer option [E] is incorrect; we

want high temperatures in an ideal
gas.

5.CuO ( ) + CO2 ( )<--> CuCO3 ( )+ heat

4
At a certain temperature, Kp = 2.0. What is the partial pressure of CO2 (g) in the
above reaction?
A. 0.25 atm
B. 0.50 atm
C. 1.00 atm
D. 2.00 atm

Solution:

The Kp for this reaction is:

This is because only aqueous and gaseous compounds are included in the K values for a
chemical equation. Solids and liquids are not included. Therefore, the partial pressure of
CO2 is the only compound that is affecting the Kp.

6. Water molecules in an aqueous solution will have the strongest interactions with
ions with which of the following characteristics?
5
 A. Small charge and small size
B. Small charge and large size
C. Large charge and small size
D. Large charge and large size

This problem can be very tricky. You may be tempted to choose answer choice [D],
because bigger ions means bigger London dispersion forces, right? Not quite.
Let’s first examine charge. A polar water molecule will be more likely to interact with an
ion with more charge. This is a stretch of the analogy “like dissolves like”. The high
polarity molecule will enjoy the company of a highly charged ion, and this will result in a
greater interaction between the two.
For size, think about the charged ion and water molecule as two tiny magnets. When
these magnets are spaced far apart, they barely have an effect on each other. As you bring
the magnets closer together, you begin to feel their force of interaction. The same principle
applies to a water molecule and a charged ion in an aqueous solution. We need to
minimize the distance between the water molecule and charged ion, and we can do that by
choosing an ion with a smaller size.
You can also use physics to solve this problem, although this is a stretch for the DAT.

Where F is the force of interaction, q1 and q2 are charges

and d is the distance. Maximizing the charge would increase the force. Minimizing the
distance between the two particles would maximize force as well.

7. At which section of the graph does a solid exist ONLY?

6
 A. A
B. B
C. C
D. D
E. E
Solution:
Let’s use the example of water. When you begin to heat ice, the ice continues to
become warmer. However, once you reach the melting point (section B, 0°C), the ice will
not warm up anymore until all of the ice has turned into liquid water. Note that both liquid
water and ice exist at section B.
Once all of the ice has become liquid water (section C), it will continue to heat up
until it reaches the boiling point (section D). Note that both liquid water and gaseous
water exists at section D. When you boil water, it does not continue to increase in
temperature past 100°C until all of the liquid water has turned into gaseous water. *Note:
It is possible to heat a liquid past the boiling point or cool it past the freezing point and
have it remain a liquid; this is called supercooling/superheating. It is unlikely to be tested
on the DAT.
Once we pass the boiling point (section D), the liquid water turns into gaseous water only
(section E).

8. As pressure decreases at a constant temperature for the phase diagram below,

which of the following can occur?
7
 I. Crystallization
II. Sublimation
III. Fusion
IV. Vaporization

A. I, II, III
B. II, III, IV
C. I, III, IV
D. II, IV
E. I, II, IV

Solution:

Be careful with phase diagram questions. This is a phase diagram of water, and we
can tell because the solid-liquid line has a negative slope. This is the attribute that gives
water its unique properties. Normally, substances will have a positive slope for their solid-
liquid line.
If we decrease pressure while keeping temperature constant, three possibilities can
happen. We can go from:
Solid to gas: Sublimation
Liquid to solid: Crystallization
Liquid to gas: Vaporization
Fusion is a fancy chemistry term for “melting”. It occurs when we go from a solid to a
liquid. This is why we use ΔH°fusion when a substance is melting.

If we decrease the pressure at a constant temperature, there is no way we can go

8
from a solid to a liquid (because the liquid will always come first), so therefore fusion is
not possible for the phase diagram of water, because water has a negative solid-liquid line
slope.

Solid Liquid = Fusion

Liquid Gas = Vaporization Solid
Gas solid = Deposition

Solid Gas = Sublimation

Gas Liquid = condensation
Liquid solid = Crystallization

9. Two separate solutions are created. One using water and KCl, and the other using

9
water and CaCl2. Assuming the molality is equal in both solutions, which of the

following is true?
A. KCl will have the lower freezing point
B. KCl will have the higher boiling point
C. CaCl2 will have the lower boiling point

D. CaCl2 will have the higher boiling point

E. KCl and CaCl2 will have the same freezing point

Solution:
The equation to calculate the change in boiling point is:
∆Tb =m×Kb ×i

Since the molality is the same for both solutions, this can be disregarded. Both compounds
are ionic and since the solvent is water, the Kb is also the same for both equations, which
for water is 0.512. The difference between the two compounds is the number of the ions
that each solution will produce, with KCl producing 2 ions and CaCl 2 producing 3 ions.

Therefore, the i or the Van’t Hoff factor is the only input that varies. Thus, CaCl 2 will

have the higher boiling point and the lower freezing point.

10
10. How much water should be added to 10 mL of 3.00 M HCl( ) in order to dilute
it to a 2.00 M solution of HCl( )?
A. 5 mL
B. 10 mL
C. 15 mL
D. 30 mL
E. 50 mL

Solution:

We can use the equation M1V1 = M2V2 to solve this problem. We are given the following
values:

M1 =3.00MHCl(aq) V1 =10mLM2 =2.00MHCl(aq)

We’ll use the above equation to solve for V2:

(3.00)(10) = (2.00)(V2) V2 =15mL

The question asks how much water should be ADDED to the original solution, so we
subtract by the original amount, V1.

15 – 10 = 5 mL, or answer choice [A].

11
11. 100 mL of 0.50 M CaCl2( ) is mixed with 100 mL of 0.25 M H2SO4( ). What
2+
is the final concentration of [Ca ] in this solution? CaSO4 is insoluble in solution.
A. 0.025 M
B. 0.050 M
C. 0.075 M
D. 0.125 M
E. 0.250 M

Solution:
This is a very tricky problem. First we have to examine the reaction that is occurring when
we mix these two solutions:
2+ + SO -2 CaSO4
Ca 4

Since Ca2+ and SO42- are in a 1:1 ratio in the above balanced equation, then we have to

see how much calcium will react with the sulfate to produce insoluble CaSO4.

(100 mL)(0.25 M) = 0.025 mol SO42-

(100 mL)(0.50 M) = 0.050 mol Ca2+

0.050 mol Ca2+ – 0.025 mol SO42- = 0.025 mol Ca2+ remaining free in the solution.

Now that we have the mols of Ca2+ remaining, we divide by the final volume (100 mL +
100 mL) = 200 mL to find the concentration:

0.025 mol [Ca2+] / 0.200 L = 0.125 M [Ca2+].

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 -5
12. If the Ka of acetic acid is 1.8 × 10 , what is the pKb of acetate?

A. 14 – log (1.8 × 10-5)

B. 14 + log (1.8 × 10-5)

C. – log (1.8 × 10-5)

D. –14 + log (1.8 × 10-5)

E. –14 – log (1.8 × 10-5)

Solution:

The “p” in pKa and pH stands for “–log”. Here are some useful equations to know for this
problem.

(Ka)(Kb) = Kw = 10-14

pKa + pKb = 14

pKb = 14 – pKa

pKb = 14 – (–log(Ka))

pKb = 14 – (–log(1.8 × 10-5))

The two negatives cancel to form our final equation.

pKb = 14 + log (1.8 × 10-5)

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13. A Lewis acid can be described as a species that:

A. can accept an electron pair.

B. can donate an electron pair.
C. can accept a proton.
D. can donate a proton.
E. increases the concentration of [H+].

Solution:

The Lewis definition of acids revolves around electrons pairs. Those species that
can accept an electron pair (ex. H+) are deemed acids, and those species that can donate an
electron pair (ex. OH–) are bases.
Answer choices [C] and [D] are Bronsted-Lowry definitions of acids and bases and
revolve around protons. Molecules that can accept a proton are deemed bases, and
molecules that can donate a proton are deemed acids.

14
14. 2A( )+B( ) 3C( )

The above reaction is at equilibrium at STP and the molar concentrations found are
[A] = 2.0 M, B = 2.0 mol, and [C] = 4.0 M. What is the equilibrium constant for this
reaction at STP?

A. 1
B. 2
C. 8
D. 16
E. 32

Solution

The equilibrium constant of this reaction can be solved by:

Note that B is not included because B is a solid. Solids are not included in equilibrium
constant equations. Only gases and aqueous states of matter are used to solve equilibrium
constant equations. Next, we just plug in the values of the concentrations and simplify
until we arrive at an answer.

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15. A 1.0 L sample of an aqueous solution contains 0.20 mol of NaCl and 0.10 mol of
MgCl2. What is the minimum amount of moles of AgNO3 that must be added to the

-
solution to precipitate all of the Cl ions as AgCl( )?

A. 0.10 mol

B. 0.20 mol

C. 0.30 mol

D. 0.40 mol

E. 0.50 mol

Solution:

In this problem, we assume that all of the Cl – dissociates in NaCl and MgCl2. Since
NaCl only has one chlorine atom, when it dissociates it will produce 0.20 mol of Cl –.
Since MgCl2 has 2 chlorines, it will produce 0.20 mol of Cl – (0.10 mol x 2 mol of Cl–). In
total, we will have 0.40 mol of Cl – in the solution. Since there is only one silver atom in
AgNO3, we will need 0.40 mol of Ag to react with all 0.40 mol of Cl–.

16
16. The ΔH for which of the following reactions is the standard enthalpy of formation
(ΔH°f) for sodium chloride?

A. Na+ (aq) + Cl- (aq) --> NaCl (aq)

B. Na (s) + 1/2 Cl2 (g) --> NaCl (s)
C. Na (g) + 1/2 Cl2 (g) --> NaCl (g)
D. 2Na (s) + Cl2 (g) --> 2NaCl (s)
E. 2Na(g)+Cl2 (g)-->2NaCl(s)

Solution:

The ΔH°f for a compound is the enthalpy change for the formation of one mole of the
compound from reactants in their most stable forms at standard conditions (298K and 1
atm). Sodium is solid and chlorine is a gas at standard conditions. To form one mole of the
compound we must use 1 mole of Na (s) and 1/2 a mole of Cl2 (g).

17
17. 10 kJ of heat was applied to a 150 g sample of copper at 50°C. The specific heat of
-1 -1
copper is 0.39 J·g ·°C . What is the final temperature of the copper after the heat is
applied in °C?

A.

B.

C.

D.

E.

Solution:
The equation we have to use here is: q = mCpΔT

 q = heat
 m = mass
 Cp = specific heat
 ΔT = change in temperature

It is important to make sure all the units agree with the constant, the specific heat. In this
case, we must convert the 10 kJ to 10,000 J. We don’t convert the copper into moles
because the specific heat’s unit for mass is grams.

We can break the ΔT down into (Tf – Ti).

Ti = 50°C, as stated in the problem.

18
18. An exothermic reaction at equilibrium will proceed at a:
A. slower rate while its Kc increases at higher temperatures.
B. slower rate while its Kc decreases at higher temperatures.
C. faster rate while its Kc increases at higher temperatures.
D. faster rate while its Kc decreases at higher temperatures.

Solution:

Let’s solve this by making up an example exothermic reaction (shown below). The general
concept of an exothermic reaction is that heat is released, or heat is a product:

A + B C + D + heat

From Le Chatelier’s principle, increasing the temperature would increase the heat, so
therefore the reaction would shift to the left (towards the reactants, [A] and [B]).
If the concentrations of [A] and [B] increase, then the overall Kc of the reaction would
decrease at higher temperatures, eliminating answer choices A and C.
Lastly, increasing the temperature will increase the rates of both the forward and the
reverse reactions, so the reaction will proceed at a faster rate. Thus we arrive at answer
choice D.

19
19. Which of the following is true for the energy diagram of a reversible exothermic
reaction?

A. The forward reaction proceeds slower than the reverse reaction.

B. The enthalpy of the products is greater than the enthalpy of the reactants.
C. The reverse reaction has a higher activation energy than the forward
reaction.
D. The reverse reaction has a lower activation energy than the forward reaction.
E. The forward reaction has a higher activation energy than the reverse reaction.

Solution:

The energy diagram for an exothermic reaction is shown above. As we can see, the
activation energy for the reverse reaction is larger than the forward reaction. A larger
activation energy means the reaction would proceed slower, so therefore choice [A] is
incorrect (the forward reaction is faster). The enthalpy of the reactants is larger than the
20
products, which is why exothermic reactions have a negative ΔH, so choice [B] is
incorrect. Choices [D] and [E] can be eliminated as well by looking at the energy diagram
for an exothermic reaction.

20. The step that determines the overall speed of the reaction is called the:

A. rate-determining step.

B. elementary step.

C. activated complex step.

D. intermediate step.

E. catalytic step.

Solution:

In mechanisms, the entire reaction cannot proceed faster than the slowest step. This step is

21
called the rate-determining step. Intermediates are species that are found during the
mechanism, but are canceled out in the balanced equation. The activated complex is the
species with the highest amount of energy, found at the tip of the activation energy peak.

22
21. Which of the following can act as both an oxidizing agent and a reducing agent?

A. NO3-1
B. Co
C. F-1
D. MnO4-1
E. H2O2

Solution:

An oxidizing agent becomes reduced. A reducing agent becomes oxidized. This is just
one of those weird things about chemistry, you have to remember that things

To be able to be oxidized, the species cannot be at its maximum oxidation state. Similarly,
to be reduced, the species cannot be at its minimum oxidation state.

H2O2 can act as either an oxidizing agent or a reducing agent. This is because the oxygen
in H2O2 is at a -1 oxidation state. The oxygen can become further reduced into a -2
oxidation state, such as in H2O, or it can become oxidized to a 0 oxidation state in O2.

All the other species are at either their minimum or maximum oxidation state.

-1
NO3

N = +5

Nitrogen is at its maximum oxidation state and cannot be oxidized anymore and cannot act
as a reducing agent. However, it can still act as an oxidizing agent.

Co
23
Co = 0

-1
Cobalt cannot be reduced because it is at its minimum oxidation state. Co does not
2+
normally exist. However, it can act as a reducing agent and become oxidized into Co .

Fluorine is at its minimum oxidation state and cannot be reduced anymore.

MnO -1
4

Mn = +7

Manganese is at its maximum oxidation state and cannot be oxidized any further.

24
22. ZnCl2 is electrolyzed with a current of 7.00 amperes for 3 minutes. Which of the
following is equal to the maximum amount of Zn(s) that is produced in grams? (1
faraday = 96,500 coulombs).

A.

B.

C.

D.

E.

Solution: (Use periodic table to cross reference element)

In quantitative electrolytic cell calculations, remember the following formulas (above).

*Note that the only difference is the inclusion of molecular weight in the first equation if
you want grams. If you want moles, just delete the molecular weight from the equation.

(amps) = amperes, or the current(seconds) = the amount of time the reaction took place in
seconds (MW) = molecular weight of the product(n) = moles of electrons in the reaction
(F) = Faraday constant
25
In this question, we have to convert the 3 minutes into 180 seconds. Next, we use the
atomic weight of Zn(s) because it is our product. Lastly, in this reaction Zn goes from a +2
to a 0 oxidation state, indicating that 2 electrons were moved in the reaction, therefore we
will use 2 moles of electrons in the equation. Just plug in our numbers and we’re done!

23. Which of the following are the correct quantum numbers for the 13th electron in
chlorine’s electron configuration?

A. 3, 0, -1, 1/2
B. 3, -1, 1, 1/2
C. 3, 1, -1, 1/2
D. 4, 2, -1, 1/2
E. 4, 0, 2, 1/2

Solution:

To assign quantum numbers the following rules must be applied:

n = energy level of the electron
l = this identifies the shape of the orbital that the electron occupies. S orbital = 0, p
orbital = 1, d orbital = 2, f orbital = 3.ml = this helps to identify the suborbital that is being
occupied. This runs from –l to +l. ms = -1/2 if the electron is spinning down; 1/2 if the
electron is spinning up
The 13th electron of chlorine’s electron configuration is in the last suborbital of the p
orbital, spinning upwards. Assigning the numbers as described results in the quantum
numbers 3, 1, -1, 1/2.

26
 2+
24. Which of the following is the ground state electron configuration for Cr ?

A. [Ar] 4s23d2

B. [Ar] 4s13d3

C. [Ar] 4s23d8

D. [Ar] 4s03d4

E. [Ar] 4s13d2

Solution:

We have a special case here, the ground state electron configuration for normal Cr is [Ar]
4s13d5. This leads to both the 4s and the 3d subshells being half-filled, which they prefer.
Other commonly tested exceptions in electron configuration in addition to Chromium are:
Copper, Silver, Gold, and Molybdenum.

When an atom becomes ionized, we remove electrons from the highest level (n-value)
first. Therefore, Cr will lose 1 electron from the 4s orbital before it loses 1 electron from
the 3d orbital. This leaves us with an electron configuration of:

27
25. How would the bond energy and bond length of a carbon-carbon bond in C2H6

compare to C2H4?

A. The bond energy for C2H4 would be greater, but the bond length would be

shorter.
B. The bond energy and bond length for C2H4 would be greater than C2H6.

C. The bond energy for C2H4 would be smaller, but the bond length would be

greater.
D. The bond energy and bond length for C2H4 would be smaller than C2H6.

E. The bond energy and bond length for C2H4 would be the same in C2H6.

Solution:

C2H6 has a single bond between the two carbons, while C 2H4 has a double bond between

the two carbons. Double bonds have more energy between them and are shorter than
normal single bonds. Triple bonds are even shorter and their bond energies are even
higher.

C2H6 C2H4
28
26. Which of the following would be strongly attracted to magnetic fields?

A. He

B. H2
C. Zn

D. O2
E. N2

Solution

This question is asking about the properties of diamagnetic and paramagnetic atoms and
molecules. A paramagnetic atom or molecule has at least one unpaired electron, which
will result in a tiny magnetic field that can interact with a larger magnetic field.

If all of the electrons are paired within their orbitals, then the molecule is said to be
diamagnetic (di- for two) and will not interact with magnetic fields (some diamagnetic
molecules may repel magnetic fields).

To solve this question, we have to draw out the atomic or molecular orbital diagrams of
each answer and determine which one has at least one unpaired electron (or is
paramagnetic).

MO diagram of He (diamagnetic): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1wzgky77hs MO

29
diagram of H2 (diamagnetic): http://youtu.be/DyL5pQc0Hsw?t=5m30s

Zinc has 10 electrons in its 3d orbital and 2 electrons in its 4s orbital, so every electron is
paired up. It is thus diagmagnetic.

MO diagram of O2 (paramagnetic): http://youtu.be/dVWtvG9ztMQ?t=3m11s MO diagram

of N2 (diamagnetic):

http://youtu.be/1Bgjka4kLYo?t=17m40s

A popular demonstration of this principle is pouring liquid nitrogen through a magnetic

field and watching nothing spectacular happen, and then pouring liquid oxygen through a
magnetic field and watching it stick to the magnets. http://youtu.be/KcGEev8qulA? t=40s

Note: Diamagnetism and paramagnetism usually only show up in reference to single

atoms on the DAT. However, it is possible that they can be asked in reference to simple
molecules as well. For the sake of efficiency, I would recommend just memorizing that N2
is diamagnetic and O2 is paramagnetic, these are the two most common examples used in
college chemistry courses.

30
27. Electron affinity measures the:

A. tendency to attract electrons towards the atom and form a bond.

B. chemical reactivity of the valence electrons of the atom.

C. amount of energy absorbed when an electron is added to an atom.

D. ease with which an atom gains an electron.

E. average distance between the electrons and nucleus.

31
Solution:
Electron affinity is the measured change in energy (how much energy is ) when an atom
gains an electron. This can be restated as the ease with which a neutral atom gains an
electron. The tendency to attract electrons towards the atom and form bonds is known as
electronegativity, and this value is estimated based on ionization energies and electron
affinities. The amount of energy it takes to remove an electron from an atom is known as
the ionization energy.

Electron affinity generally increases as we move across the periods from left to right.
Depending on the textbook you read, it may or may not say that moving down the groups
will decrease electron affinity. Since there are conflicting statements, you won’t be tested
on the periodic trends of electron affinities down a group on the DAT. Generally though,
electron affinity trends follow electronegativity (fluorine is the most electronegative
element).

28. emits two alpha particles and one beta particle. Which of the following is
the resulting nuclide?

A.

B.

C.
32
 D.

E.

Solution:

An alpha particle is represented by and a beta particle is represented by Notice

that alpha particles are actually helium nuclei. We can solve radioactive decay problems

by setting up a simple equation.

As seen, all we have to do is subtract the mass numbers (the top numbers, the amount of
protons and neutrons, or nucleons) from each other and subtract the proton numbers (the
bottom numbers) from each other. We subtract because the problem says the lead isotope
emits radioactive particles.

Mass number: 206 – 4 – 4 – 0 = 198

Proton number: 82 – 2 – 2 – (-1) = 79

All together, we find that gold (Au) has a proton number of 79, so our final answer is

The balanced chemical equation is written below. Notice that both sides of the equation
balance each other in terms of proton number and mass number.

29. Parallax error may occur when:

A. an experiment does not account for changes in altitude.

B. a measurement is not properly converted between the metric and customary
systems.
C. a meniscus in a buret is not observed directly straight on.

33
 D. an object under water is observed at an angle from above the surface.
E. the concentration of an acid to be used in a titration is not first checked against a
standard.

Solution:

All options are common laboratory errors, but parallax error may occur when a pointer on
a meter or surface of a liquid in a buret or pipette is not observed from directly straight on.
If they are observed from above or below then the liquid surface or pointer will not be seen
to line up with the scale. It will result in a positive mistake if the meniscus is viewed from
below, and a negative mistake if the meniscus is viewed from above.

30. Why should one always slowly add acid to a beaker of water rather than water to
a beaker of acid?

A. To ensure the acid does not react with impurities in beaker

B. To prevent the water from sinking beneath the acid and remain unmixed

34
 C. To maximize the ionization of the acid being diluted

D. To ensure there is enough water to absorb the heat released

E. To solvate the conjugate base to prevent a reaction

Solution:

This is an important rule in chemistry safety. You always add acid to water, never the
other way around. If you add water to acid, so much heat will be released that the water
cannot contain it and the reaction may violently boil and splash. Adding acid to water
ensures that the large volume of water will absorb the heat produced and prevents
splashing.

35