Memorizing constants?

[alfheimr]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

For the chemistry section of the PCAT, are we expected to memorize all the constants (i.e. Planck's constant, Avogadro's number, etc.), or will they be provided on the PCAT? Thanks!

 

[ffpickle]

I couldn't find anything specifically written about knowing the constants, and it doesn't seem any of the prep tests expect you to know them either.

Nonetheless, I would know Avogadro's number (6 x 10^23 molecules per mole), and the ideal gas constant (0.082 L*atm/(mol*K)).
I would also know STP (0 deg C = 273.15K, 1 atm) and standard conditions (25 deg C = 298.15K, 1 atm). You should also know things like the boiling and freezing points of water (100 deg C, 0 deg C, respectively).

Also, it might be a good idea to have some knowledge of molar mass of a few elements (H, O, N, C, etc.).

Beyond these things, I can't think of any numbers you may want to know but it can only help, IMO. Know things like the mass on e- is to the order of 10^-31, and the speed of light is 3x10^8 m/s....etc.

 

[alfheimr]

Oh, ok, thank you. I did find it odd how a lot of the PCAT prep books give us constants, yet don't seem to require us to have them memorized for the practice questions, but never mention whether it's a good idea to memorize them for the actual test or not.