Author Archives: Marsha Massey

This site on chemguide gives examples and explains changes in solution color based on ligand identity around transition metal ions in complexes.

http://www.chemguide.co.uk/inorganic/complexions/colour.html

View the site in the link above or copy and paste the URL.

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Chemistry blog Compound Interest overviews the color of first row transition metal ions in aqueous solutions. A brief explaination is provided for what gives these complexes the colors we perceive.

http://www.compoundchem.com/2014/03/05/colours-of-transition-metal-ions-in-aqueous-solution/

View the picture and more in the link above or copy and paste the URL.

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The chemistry of hydrangea color change can be understood in the context of acid/base chemistry. Specifically inorganic chemistry explains the shift from red/pink to blue blooming flowers under acidic soil conditions. Do you know what is key to changing the color of these flowers?

Prof. Henry Schreiber and his group studied and reported on hydrangea color change chemistry. To find out the key to hydrangea color change chemistry read the article in American Scientist which summarizes Schreiber’s findings: Curious Chemistry Guides Hydrangea Colors

For more details and specifics to the research see the references noted in the articles bibliography.

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Download the below PDF document for a quick reference guide on thermodynamic properties used in calculations of enthalpy of reactions.

The following properties summarized: enthalpy of formation, ionization energy, electron affinity, bond dissociation energy, lattice enthalpy, enthalpy of vaporization, enthalpy of sublimation, enthalpy of fusion, enthalpy of atomization and enthalpy of combustion.

ThermoQuickReference

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A problem generator for Born-Haber Cycle practice can be found in the link below. Strongly recommended to draw cycle diagrams as presented in class based on the given information.

Don’t forget to keep track of signs & stoichiometry too!

http://www.sciencegeek.net/Activities/bornhaber.html

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University of Sydney has created a practice website for reviewing different parts of molecular orbital diagrams. Using this resource you can add pieces to pre-drawn MO diagrams for over 20 different molecules.

The site includes opportunities to practice filling in electrons, attaching the names/symbols of MOs, and matching orbital overlap drawings to MOs.

Give them a try here:

https://scilearn.sydney.edu.au/fychemistry/calculators/mo_diagrams.shtml

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For help in understanding orbital changes upon mixing view this video from Oxford University Press:

Note: The video uses nomenclature u and g labels for the orbitals. For the CHEM 251 course you can ignore those symbols.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoYEOMMJCXc

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Chemistry blog Compound Interest maps out a beautiful image on a variety of common gemstones and the inorganic components which contribute to their observed color.

http://www.compoundchem.com/2014/06/29/what-causes-the-colour-of-gemstones/

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A quick video reviewing Fajans’ Rules for determining covalent versus ionic bonding.

A couple of examples given and also an example relating to the melting point of substances.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-bF5cQqhnI

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Here’s another way to look at writing electron configurations and thinking of atomic structure of atoms:

Atoms’ Motel Model

http://fyeahchemistrycat.tumblr.com/post/13793803678/the-motel-deep-in-the-depths-of-the-atomic-realm

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