Tutorial Questions
1. What is environmental chemistry and how is it applied in environmental science?
2. State the main processes that move chemicals between the different spheres in the environment.
3. State the major types of pollutants in the environment and how these pollutants move between the
different spheres in the environment.
4. Differentiate between an atom, element, compound, molecule and ion and give an example of each.
5. Differentiate, atomic number, atomic mass, isotope and give an example of each.
6. Differentiate between major, minor and trace elements.
7. What the periodic table and state the various ways elements are classified on the periodic table?
8. How are elements classified in Goldschmidt’s classification and explain each group.
9. Why are electron important in chemistry and how are they arranged in an atom? Why is Aufbau
principle important here?
10. Write the electron configuration of, K, Mg, O, Fe, Mn, Pb, Cr, Cl, S, Si4+, Si4-
, Cu+
, Cu2+, S2-
11. Why are some metals put in the group transition metals?
12. What is the difference between physical and chemical properties of matter? Provide examples of each.
13. Explain the difference between exothermic and endothermic reactions. Provide examples of each.
14. What is the Law of Conservation of Mass and how does it apply to chemical reactions?
15. Define a catalyst and explain how it affects the rate of a chemical reaction.
16. What is a chemical equilibrium and how is it achieved in a reaction?
17. Explain the concept of pH and how it is related to acids and bases.
18. What is a buffer solution and why is it important in maintaining pH levels?
19. Define oxidation and reduction reactions. Provide examples of each.
20. What is stoichiometry and how is it used in chemical reactions? Provide an example.