2017 Competition

 Individual Round

This exam may test a broad set of general chemical concepts, requiring both numerical answers or written justification. The span of topics will closely follow that of the individual exams from WUCT 2016, but condensed into a single 1-hour exam.

Corrections

• Question 2b) : Two answers will be accepted for this problem. The current posted answer will be accepted. Additionally, students who circled nitrogen as \(sp^2\) hybridized will also receive credit, due to a resonance form of the molecule.
• Question 5c) : This question has been eliminated because equilibrium conditions were not specified in the problem, making the given solution incorrect.
• Question 1a) ii. : The answer has has been changed. Molecular oxygen is the oxidizing agent and glucose is the reducing agent.

Sample Problems

Solutions

 Chemistry of Life

A group of two students will work together on this exam. Basic chemical principles will be applied to the study of biomolecules (proteins, lipids, nuclei acids, and carbohydrates). Knowledge of organic chemistry or biochemistry will not be required because we will focus on concepts from introductory chemistry in the context of biological systems.

Sample Problems

Solutions

 Chemistry of Coffee

A group of two students will work together on this exam. Everyone knows coffee is one of the most important tools of a functional chemist. This exam will test basic chemical principles as they relate to the drink itself and the process of growing, processing, or brewing coffee.

Corrections

• Question 2b) : The posted solution uses an incorrect temperature of \(273.15 \space K\), however, the problem states that the temperature should be \(298 K\). The graders will use the correct value of \(298 \space K\). Appeals specific to this do not need to be submitted.

Sample Problems

Solutions

 Chemistry of Industry

A group of two students will work together on this exam. Popular processes and concepts related to chemical engineering and industrial chemistry will be examined, including but not limited to synthetic processes and processes associated with energy generation.

Corrections

• Question 4b) : The posted solution states that the reduction potential is \((-0.771 - 1.33)\), however, the correct reduction potential should be \((-0.771 + 1.33)\). Thus, the reduction potential is positive. Therefore, \(\Delta G\) will be negative, and the reaction will be favorable. The graders will use this correct answer in grading the exams. Appeals specific to this do not need to be submitted.
• Question 4d) : The posted solution has an incorrect form of the Nernst equation because its forgets to divide by the number of moles of electrons. The corrected form of the equation will be used in grading.

Sample Problems

Solutions

 Team Round

Like the individual round, this exam may test a broad set of general chemical concepts. As all six students are allowed to work on this exam, though, the questions will require more in-depth interrogation of the ideas behind each problem.

Corrections

• Question 1a) : The correct answer is \(+97\) rather than \(-97\).
• Question 1a.v) : Since teams were informed to use information from part a, and the first part incorrectly flipped sodium and potassium intercellular concentrations, answers that stated that potassium depolarized the membrane while sodium repolarized are accepted if they invoke the incorrect conch gradients given in part a.
• Question 1iv.c) : The correct answer is \(92.7 \space ms\).

Sample Problems

Solutions

 Breaking Bonds

In place of the relay round from the previous year, WUCT 2017 will be implementing the Breaking Bonds Round. This will be a fast-paced, 60 minute round. Each team will receive a packet of 3 questions, of their chosen level of difficulty (easy, medium, hard). This question set will be completed at the team’s own pace and organization. Upon completion of the questions, the entire packet will be turned in and a new question set can be chosen, at the same or different difficulty. These questions will be drawn from a broad range of general chemistry topics.

Breaking Bonds Sample Problems

Breaking Bonds Solutions