Names/Symbols of Common Elements & Their Phases

Al aluminum Mg magnesium
Ar argon arsenic Mn manganese
As barium Hg mercury
Ba beryllium Ne neon
Be boron Ni nickel
B bromine N nitrogen
cadmium oxygen
Br O
calcium phosphorous
Cd P
carbon cesium platinum
Ca chlorine Pt
plutonium
C chromium Pu potassium
Cs cobalt K radium radon
Cl copper Ra rubidium
Cr fluorine Rn selenium
Co francium Rb silicon
Cu germanium Se silver
F gold Si sodium
Fr helium Ag strontium
Ge Au hydrogen Na sulfur
He iodine iron Sr thorium
H krypton S tin
I lead Th uranium
Fe lithium Sn xenon
Kr U zinc
Pb Xe
Li Zn

Phases of Matter:

• All metals are solid, except for mercury, which is a liquid.

• All metalloids are solids.
• Nonmetals: carbon, phosphorus, sulfur, & selenium are solids; bromine is a liquid; and the rest are
gases.
• Diatomic elements: Br2, I2, N2, Cl2, O2, F2, H2 (7-up rule)
→
• Other elements with subscripts (they don’t exist
alone as single atoms): P4, S8

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 Common Monoatomic & Polyatomic Ions
Mastering the common ions, their formulas, and their charges, is essential to success in
AP Chemistry. You are
expected to know all of these ions on the first day of class, as part of your test. You will always be allowed a
periodic table, which makes identifying the ions on the left “automatic.” Tips on learning these ions follow.

From the Periodic Table Ions to Memorize

Cations Ion Name Cations Name
H+ Hydrogen Ag+
Silver
Li+ Lithium Zn2+ Zinc
Na+ Sodium Hg22+ Mercury(I)
K+ Potassium
+
Rb Rubidium Polyatomic Name
Cs +
Cesium Ions
Be2+ Beryllium NH4+ Ammonium
Mg2+ Magnesium NO2- Nitrite
Ca2+ Calcium NO3- Nitrate
2+
Ba Barium SO32- Sulfite
Sr2+ Strontium SO42- Sulfate
Al3+ Aluminum OH- Hydroxide
-
CN Cyanide
Anions Ion Name (-ide suffix) PO43- Phosphate
-
H Hydride CO32- Carbonate
-
F Fluoride ClO -
Hypochlorite
-
Cl Chloride ClO2- Chlorite
-
Br Bromide ClO3- Chlorate
-
I Iodide ClO4 -
Perchlorate
O2- Oxide C2H3O2- Acetate
S2- Sulfide MnO4- Permanganate
Se2- Selenide CrO42- Chromate
N3- Nitride Cr2O72- Dichromate
P3- Phosphide O22- Peroxide
C2O42- Oxalate
Type II Ion Name NH2- Amide
Cations
Fe2+ Iron(II)
Fe3+ Iron(III)
+
Cu Copper(I)

2
Cu2+ Copper(II)
Co2+ Cobalt(II)
3+
Co Cobalt(III)
Sn2+ Tin(II)
Sn4+ Tin(IV)
2+
Pb Lead(II)
Pb4+ Lead(IV)
2+
Hg Mercury(II)

3
 Tips for Learning the Mono/Polyatomics
“From the Periodic Table”
These ions can be organized into two groups:
1. Main group (Group A) metals: Their place on the table suggests the charge on the ion, since the
neutral atom gains or loses a predictable number of electrons in order to obtain a noble gas
configuration (and satisfy the octet rule). Hopefully you recall this from first year chemistry, but if you
are unsure what this means, get help or ask questions BEFORE the start of the year.
a. All Group 1 Elements (alkali metals) lose 1 electron to form an ion with a 1+ charge 

b. All Group 2 Elements (alkaline earth metals) lose 2 electrons to form an ion with a 2+ charge
c. Group 13 (or Group 3A) metals like aluminum lose 3 electrons to form an ion with a 3+ charge 

d. All Group 17 (Group 7A) elements (halogens) gain 1 electron to form an ion with a 1- charge 

e. All Group 16 (Group 6A) nonmetals gain 2 electrons to form an ion with a 2- charge 

f. All Group 15 (Group 5A) nonmetals gain 3 electrons to form an ion with a 3- charge 

Note that cations keep their name (sodium ion, calcium ion) while anions get an “-ide” ending (chloride
ion, oxide ion). 


2. Transition (Group B or Type II) metals: These charges you cannot predict based on a pattern in the
periodic table, so they must be memorized. Also, most can form more than one type of ion, so will
have their positive charge denoted by a Roman numeral in parenthesis immediately next to the name
of the element (eg. Iron (II) = Fe2+). The possible charges of these Type II metals are noted in the “Type
II Cations” section above.
a. However, the charges of 3 monoatomic ions (or diatomic, for mercury) CAN be predicted—they
have only one possible charge. These are: Ag+, Zn2+, and Hg22+, in the rightmost table above.

Polyatomic Ions
Most of the needed memorization is with these ions, but there are some patterns that can greatly reduce the
amount of memorizing that one must do:
1. “-ate” anions have one more oxygen then the “-ite” ion, but the same charge. If you memorize the
“ate” ions, then you should be able to derive the formula for the “-ite” ion and vice-versa:
a. Sulfate is SO42- so sulfite has the same charge but one less oxygen (SO32-)
b. Nitrate is NO3-, so nitrite has the same charge but one less oxygen (NO3-) 

2. There is a relationship between –ate/ –ite suffixes, and hypo- and per- prefixes.
a. The prefix “hypo” means “under” or “too little” (think “hypodermic” or “hypothermia”)
i. Hypochlorite is “under” chlorite, meaning it has one less oxygen
b. The prefix “hyper” means “above” or “too much” (think “hyperactive” or “hypertension”)
i. The prefix “per” comes from “hyper” so perchlorate has one more oxygen than
chlorate.
c. Notice how this sequence increases in oxygen while retaining the same charge:
4
 ClO- ClO2- ClO3- ClO4-
hypochlorite chlorite chlorate perchlorate

Naming Molecules & Compounds

Hopefully this is review for you. Make sure you can name a molecule based on its formula, and write its
formula based on its name. This is covered in section 2.8 of the Zumdahl text. Know all 3 types of naming for
inorganic compounds:
1. Type I—Ionic bonding, with main group elements
2. Type II—Ionic bonding, with transition elements
3. Type III—Covalent bonding, with nonmetals only

Metric Prefixes
(All you need to know for AP Chem—there are more!)

Prefix Symbol Numerical Exponential

kilo k 1,000 103
no prefix (base unit): 1 100
deci d 0.1 10¯1
centi c 0.01 10¯2
milli m 0.001 10¯3
micro 0.000001 10¯6
nano n 0.000000001 10¯9

Basic Solubility Rules

Knowledge of the solubility rules is necessary to predict whether a precipitate will form in double replacement
reactions. The basic rules, along with their exceptions, can be summarized as follows:
Rule Exceptions
All compounds of alkali metals (Group 1) and None
ammonium (NH4+) are soluble.
All nitrates (NO3-), chlorates (ClO3-), perchlorates None
- - -
(ClO4 ), and acetates (CH3COO or C2H3O2 ) are soluble.
Chloride (Cl-), bromide (Br-), and iodide (I-) salts are Salts of Ag+, Pb2+, and Hg22+
soluble.
Sulfate (SO42-) compounds are soluble. Salts of Ba2+, Sr2+, Ca2+, Pb2+, Hg22+
Hydroxides (OH-) and sulfides (S2-) are insoluble. Salts of NH4, alkali metals, and Ba2+, Ca2+, and
Sr2+
All sulfites (SO3=), carbonates (CO32-), chromates Salts of NH4+ and alkali metals
(CrO42-), and phosphates (PO43-) are insoluble.

5
 Common Fractions → Decimals

No calculators are allowed on the multiple-choice part of the Fraction Decimal Fraction Decimal
AP Chem Exam, and you should not use any time fully working
1/2 0.500 3/5 0.600
out long division problems. Therefore, knowing the decimal
equivalent of these fractions will let you more quickly choose 1/3 0.333 4/5 0.800
the correct answer based on estimates: 2/3 0.667 1/6 0.167
1/4 0.250 5/6 0.833
3/4 0.750 1/8 0.125
1/5 0.200 3/8 0.375
2/5 0.400 5/8 0.625
7/8 0.875 7/8 0.875
Significant Figure Rules

Here are the basic rules for what digits in a number are considered significant, and how to keep the proper sig
figs in your answer after doing calculations—if you need more guidance here, YouTube videos are your friend.
1. Non-zero digits are always significant. Eg. 322
2. Zeroes between non-zeroes are significant. Eg. 302
3. Zeroes at the beginning of a number are not significant—they are placeholder zeroes. Eg. 0.032
4. Final zeroes at the end of a number are significant IF there is a decimal point. Eg. 320. (320 zero is not)

Addition/subtraction rule: Round answer so it has the same number of digits after the decimal as there are in
the number with the least sig figs after the decimal. Eg. 35.48 + 2.4 = 37.88 → round to 37.9 (1 sig fig after)

Multiplication/division rules: Round answer so it has the same number of total sig figs as there are in the
number with the least total sig figs. Eg. 4.82 x 2.318 = 11.17276 → round to 11.2 (3 total sig figs)

Practice Problems

I. Significant Figures and Metric Conversions

1. Round each of the following numbers to four significant figures. Write the answer in decimal form
AND scientific notation.
a. 300.235800
b. 456,500
c. 0.006543210
d. 0.000957830
e. – 0.035000

6
 2. Carry out the following operations, and provide answers with the correct number of sig figs:
a. 1.24056 + 75.80
b. 23/67 - 75
c. 890,000 x 112.3
d. 78,132 / 2.50

3. Perform the following conversions. Solve each problem using dimensional analysis, SHOWING YOUR
WORK! Every number must have a unit and be expressed with proper significant figures.
a. Convert 50.0 m to mm
b. Convert 25 cm to km
c. Convert 400 mm to m
d. Convert 60 kg to mg
e. Convert 500 nm to km
f. The average speed of helium at 25 C is 1255 m/s. Convert this speed to miles per hour (mph).

4. If a megabuck is one million dollars, and a kilobuck is one thousand dollars, how many kilobucks is 342
dollars?

5. Normally the human body can endure a temperature of 105 F for only short periods of time without
permanent damage to the brain or other vital organs. What is this temperature in C?

6. The temperature on the surface of the sun is about 6300 C. What is this temperature in degrees
Fahrenheit?

II. Mental Math

7. You need practice doing mental math/paper and pencil math for the AP exam, as no calculators are
allowed on the multiple-choice section. Please do not use a calculator to do these!! a. 1.62 x 106
+ 1.9 x 105
b. 1.62 x 106 - 1.9 x 105
c. 3.72 x 10-8 + 0.211 x 10-7
d. 3.72 x 10-8 - 0.211 x 10-7 

e. (2.3 x 104)(3.1 x 104) 

f. square root of 9.0 x 10-8
g. cube root of 8.0 x 10-9
h. (0.001)(0.001)
i. 3.42/342

7
III. Structure of the Atom & Periodic Table

8. Fill in the following table, assuming each column represents a neutral atom:

Symbol (nuclear 39𝐾

notation) 19
Protons 19 25 82

Neutrons 20 30 64

Electrons 48 56

Mass # 137 207

9. Describe the contributions of the following scientists to our knowledge of atomic structure:
a. J.J. Thomson 


b. R.A. Millikan 


c. Ernest Rutherford 


d. James Chadwick 


e. Erwin Schrödinger

10. Describe where the following element groups are located on the periodic table, and give 2 element
examples:
a. Alkaline earth metals
b. Halogens
c. Alkali metals
d. Noble gases
e. Metalloids

IV. Naming Inorganic Compounds

11. Write the formula of the common ion derived from each of the following atoms:
a. Li d. N g. Mg
b. S e. Al h. Xe
c. I f. Cs
8
12. Give the name for each of the following ionic compounds:

a. AlF3 e. Li3PO4
b. Fe(OH)2 f. Hg2S
c. Cu(NO3)2 g. Ca(C2H3O2)2
d. Ba(ClO4)2 h. (NH4)2SO4

13. Write the chemical formula for each of the following compounds:
a. copper (I) oxide d. zinc nitrate
b. potassium peroxide e. mercury (I) bromide
c. aluminum hydroxide f. iron (III) carbonate

14. Fill in the blanks in the following table:

Cation Anion Formula Name
Magnesium bicarbonate
SrCl2
Fe3+ NO2-
Manganese (II) chlorate
SnBr4
Co2+
PO43-
I-
Hg22+
CuCO3
Lithium nitride
Al3+
S2-

15. Give the name or chemical formula, as appropriate, for each of the following acids:
a. HBrO3 d. hypochlorous acid
b. HBr e. iodic acid
c. H3PO4 f. sulfurous acid

16. Give the name or chemical formula, as appropriate, for each of the following molecular substances:
a. dinitrogen tetroxide d. XeO3
b. SF6 e. hydrogen cyanide
c. IF5 f. tetraphosphorous hexasulfide

17. Give the name or chemical formula, as appropriate, for the following (types of naming are mixed up
here! Make sure you can determine how to name each when the type is not specifi):
a. sodium hypochlorite d. Iron(III) oxide
9
 b. Cr2(CO3)3 e. nitrogen dioxide
c. CO f. K2CrO4

V. Molecular Masses

18. Determine the molar mass of each of the following compounds. For extra math practice, don’t use a
calculator—remember you can’t use one on the multiple-choice section of the exam.
a. N2O5
b. FeCO3
c. disilicon hexabromide

19. Calculate the percentage by mass of oxygen in the following compounds.

a. NO2
b. Cr(NO3) 3
c. H2CO3

20. The empirical formula of a compound is CH. If the molar mass of this compound is about 78 g, what
is the molecular formula?



21. Find the empirical formulas of the compounds with the following compositions:
a. 40.1% C, 6.6% H, 53.3% O 


b. 18.4% C, 21.5% N, 60.1% K

VI. Balancing Equations

22. Balance the following equations:

a. NaH2PO4 → NaPO3 + H2O
b. Ca(OH)2 + CO2 → Ca(HCO3)2
c. SrBr2 + (NH4)2CO3 → SrCO3 + NH4Br
d. Mn2O3 + Al → Al2O3 + Mn
e. S + N2O → SO2 + N2
f. N2 + H2 → NH3
10
 g. AgNO3 + FeCl3 → Fe(NO3)3 + AgCl
h. Fe2(SO4)3 + KOH → K2SO4 + Fe(OH)3
i. Al2(SO4)3 + KOH → Al(OH)3 + K2SO4
j. C7H16 + O2 → CO2 + H2 O

VII. Stoichiometry
Show your work, and box/circle in your final answer please. Keep in mind that your first step with
stoichiometry is always to make sure your equation is balanced (if there is an equation)!! (See 3.10 in
Zumdahl)

23. How many molecules of ethane (C2H6) are present in 0.334 g of ethane? 


24. How many moles of cobalt (Co) atoms are there in 6.00 x 109 cobalt atoms? 


25. How many moles of calcium (Ca) atoms are in 77.4 g of calcium?

26. How many atoms are present in 3.14 g of copper (Cu)?

27. How many moles of oxygen are necessary to react completely with four moles of propane (C3H8)?
C3H8 + O2 → CO2 + H2O

28. The fermentation of glucose, C6H12O6, produces ethyl alcohol, C2H5OH, and CO2 as shown here:
C6H12O6 (aq) → 2 C2H5OH(aq) + 2 CO2 (g)
a. How many moles of CO2 are produced when 0.300 mol of C6H12O6 fully reacts?

b. How many grams of C6H12O6 are needed to form 2.00 g of C2H5OH?

c. How many molecules of CO2 form when 2.00 g of C2H5OH are produced?

11
 29. How many grams of Al(OH)3 (molar mass = 78.0 g/mol) can be produced from the reaction of 48.6 mL
of .15 M KOH with excess Al2(SO4)3?
Al2(SO4)3 + 6KOH → 2Al(OH)3 + 3K2SO4

30. Nitrogen gas and hydrogen gas react to produce ammonia (NH3).
a. What volume of hydrogen gas is necessary to react completely with 5 L of nitrogen gas to
produce ammonia at STP? (Hint: What is the conversion factor for moles to L of a gas at STP?)
b. What volume (in L) of ammonia is produced in this reaction?

31. If 20 L of oxygen are consumed in this reaction, how many liters of carbon dioxide are produced?
C3H8 + 5O2 → 3CO2 + 4H2O

32. How many grams of silver chloride are produced from 5.0 g of barium chloride reacting with an excess
of silver nitrate?
AgNO3 + BaCl2 → AgCl + Ba(NO3)2

VIII. Limiting Reactants

Show your work, and box/circle your final answer please. Again, remember to make sure you have a balanced
equation first!

33. The fizz produced when an Alka-Seltzer tablet is dissolved in water is due to the reaction between
sodium bicarbonate, NaHCO3, and citric acid, H3C6H5O7:
3 NaHCO3 (aq) + H3C6H5O7 (aq) → 3 CO2 (g) + 3 H2O(l) + Na3C6H5O7 (aq)
In an experiment, 2.50 g of sodium bicarbonate and 5.00 g of citric acid are allowed to react.
a. Which reactant is the limiting reactant? You must show work to support your answer.
b. How many grams of carbon dioxide are formed? How many liters is this if we assume STP
conditions?
12
 c. How much of the limiting reactant is left when the reaction is complete?
d. How much of the excess reactant remains after the reaction is complete?

34. At high temperatures, sulfur combines with iron to form the brown-black iron (II) sulfide. In an
experiment, 7.62 g of Fe are allowed to react with 8.67 g of S.
Fe (s) + S (l) → FeS (s)
a. What is the limiting reagent, and what is the reactant in excess?
b. Calculate the mass of FeS formed.

35. Acrylonitrile, C3H3N, is the starting material for the production of a kind of synthetic fiber
acrylics) and can be made from propylene, C3H6 by a reaction with nitric oxide, NO, as
follows:

4 C3H6 (g) + 6 NO (g) → 4 C3H3N (s) + 6 H2O (l) + N2 (g)

What mass of C3H3N can be made when 21.6 g of C3H6 react with 21.6 g of nitric oxide?

36. Calculate the percent yield for the reaction below, if 75.0 g of phosphorus reacts with excess
chlorine gas to produce 111.0 g of phosphorus trichloride. (See page 121 in Zumdahl if you need
assistance with percent yield.)
P4 (s) + 6 Cl2 (g) → 4 PCl3 (l)
13
IX. Solutions, Replacement Reactions, & Solubility

37. Calculate the molarity of each of the following solutions:

a. 29.0 g of ethanol (C2H5OH) in 545 mL of solution
b. 15.4 g of sucrose (C12H22O11) in 74.0 mL of solution
c. 9.00 g of sodium chloride (NaCl) in 86.4 mL of solution

38. Predict the outcomes of the single replacement reactions below by using the activity series (you’ll have
to look up the activity series online). Then balance the equations.
a. Cu (s) + HCl (aq) →

b. I2 (s) + NaBr (aq)→ 


c. Mg (s) + CuSO4 (aq) → 


d. Cl2 (g) + KBr (aq)→ 


39. Characterize the following compounds as soluble or insoluble in water:

a. Ca3 (PO4)2 d. K2S g. Hg(NO3)2
b. Mn(OH)2 e. CaCO3 h. HgSO4

c. AgClO3 f. ZnSO4 
 i. NH4ClO4 


40. Write the net ionic equations for the following reactions:
a. AgNO3 (aq) + Na2SO4 (aq) →

b. BaCl2 (aq) + ZnSO4 (aq) →

c. (NH4)2CO3 (aq) + CaCl2 (aq) →

14