JEE Chemistry Fundamentals
Mole Concept — The Foundation
DEFINITIONS:
Mole: 6.022 × 10²³ particles (atoms/molecules/ions) — Avogadro's number
Molar mass: mass of 1 mole in grams = atomic/molecular weight in g
Molarity (M): moles of solute per litre of solution | M = n/V(L)
Molality (m): moles of solute per kg of solvent | m = n/w(kg)
CALCULATIONS:
Moles = given mass / molar mass
Moles = given number of particles / 6.022 × 10²³
Number of moles in V litres of gas at STP = V/22.4
STOICHIOMETRY:
Balance equation first
Find limiting reagent: the reactant that gives minimum product
Theoretical yield from limiting reagent
Percentage yield = (actual yield / theoretical yield) × 100
EMPIRICAL AND MOLECULAR FORMULA:
Step 1: Convert % to grams (assume 100g sample)
Step 2: Convert grams to moles (divide by molar mass)
Step 3: Find simplest ratio (divide by smallest)
Step 4: Empirical formula
Step 5: Molecular formula = empirical × n where n = molar mass / empirical massAtomic Structure
BOHR'S MODEL:
rₙ = n²a₀/Z where a₀ = 0.529 Å (Bohr radius)
Eₙ = -13.6Z²/n² eV (energy of nth orbit)
Energy levels for hydrogen: -13.6, -3.4, -1.51, -0.85 eV (n=1,2,3,4)
For emission: ΔE = E_higher - E_lower (positive)
Wavelength: 1/λ = RZ²(1/n₁² - 1/n₂²) where R = Rydberg constant
QUANTUM NUMBERS:
n: principal (1,2,3...) — energy level, shell
l: azimuthal (0 to n-1) — subshell (0=s, 1=p, 2=d, 3=f)
ml: magnetic (-l to +l) — orbital orientation
ms: spin (+½ or -½)
Rules: Aufbau (fill lower energy first) | Pauli (no two electrons same 4 QN)
Hund (maximize unpaired electrons in same subshell)
Electronic configuration: 1s², 2s², 2p⁶, 3s², 3p⁶, 3d¹⁰, 4s²...
Exceptions: Cr = [Ar]3d⁵4s¹ | Cu = [Ar]3d¹⁰4s¹ (stability of half-filled/full)Chemical Bonding Basics
TYPES OF BONDS:
Ionic: metal + non-metal | large EN difference (> 1.7)
Covalent: non-metals | share electrons | small EN difference
Coordinate/Dative: one atom provides both electrons (e.g., NH₄⁺, BF₃.NH₃)
Metallic: sea of electrons | delocalized | explains conductivity, luster
VSEPR THEORY:
Count: bonding pairs + lone pairs on central atom
2 bp: linear (180°) | 3 bp: trigonal planar (120°)
4 bp: tetrahedral (109.5°) | 5 bp: trigonal bipyramidal | 6 bp: octahedral
Lone pairs repel more: NH₃ (107°) | H₂O (104.5°) — reduced from 109.5°
HYBRIDISATION:
sp: linear (BeCl₂, CO₂) | sp²: trigonal planar (BF₃, ethene)
sp³: tetrahedral (CH₄, NH₃, H₂O) | sp³d: trigonal bipyramidal (PCl₅)
sp³d²: octahedral (SF₆)Study Resources
•NCERT Chemistry Class 11 and 12 — read every line, solve all examples
•OP Tandon Physical Chemistry — best for physical chemistry calculations
•PW JEE Chemistry — free video lectures covering complete syllabus
•JEE Main 2019-2024 Chemistry Papers — download from nta.ac.in

