Summary MCAT Section 1: Chemical and Physical Foundations – Simplified Study Sheet & Notes

MCAT Section 1: Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems


Simple Notes (Printable Sheet Format)



1. General Chemistry Topics


• Atoms and Periodic Table
• Protons (+), neutrons (0), electrons (-)
• Atomic number = # of protons
• Mass number = protons + neutrons

• Periodic trends: electronegativity, ionization energy, atomic radius


• Chemical Bonds


• Ionic: transfer of electrons (metal + non-metal)
• Covalent: sharing of electrons (non-metal + non-metal)

• Polar covalent: unequal sharing


• Stoichiometry & Reactions


• Balancing equations
• Moles = grams / molar mass

• Limiting reagent


• Acids and Bases


• pH = -log[H+]
• Acids donate H+, bases accept H+
• Strong vs weak acids/bases

• Buffer systems (e.g. bicarbonate)


• Thermochemistry


• Endothermic = absorbs heat (+ΔH), exothermic = releases heat (-ΔH)
• Enthalpy (ΔH), entropy (ΔS), Gibbs free energy (ΔG)
• ΔG = ΔH - TΔS (T in Kelvin)



2. Physics Topics


• Units & Vectors




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