Org 1, Midterm Number 1

Org 1, Midterm 1: 10 Common Types of Exam Problems

I’ve looked at a lot of first midterms for Org 1 at North American schools.  Here, I’ll share some of the common types of questions that come up, with examples. There won’t be much commentary here, mostly just a problem dump for now.

• Hybridization questions (crucial!)
• Lewis structures
• Formal charges
• Geometry / bond angles
• Bond types
• Dipole moment
• Simple nomenclature
• Boiling points / melting points
• Resonance questions
• Acid-base questions

1. Hybridization (*crucial*)

Expect to be able to determine the hybridization at pretty much any atom. One form this commonly takes is to be shown a large molecule and your job is to assign hybridization at various atoms. Remember the hybridization shortcut, which involves counting the number of attached (atoms + lone pairs).

• If it’s 4, the atom is sp³,
• If 3, it’s sp²,
• If 2, it’s sp. (If it’s 1, it’s probably hydrogen.)  Just be on the lookout for atoms with lone pairs adjacent to pi bonds.