3.16.1: How to answer an “Explain” Question
- Page ID
- 19239
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)(This is useful for science, business, law, policy, debating with friends and family…)
- Do not memorize answers, but think about how to frame a logical argument with supporting key words or facts.
- Do not just restate the fact or the question given. For example, if the question asks you to explain why alcohol X has a higher boiling point than amine Y, you cannot just restate that alcohols have higher boiling points than amine.
- Do not provide information that is not directly related to the question. For example, if the question is about boiling points, discussing resonance stability or delocalization is unrelated.
- Drawing a good/correct structure can often be more effective then trying to describe something in a sentence. If you have a good/correct structure (conjugate base, resonance, etc), then a simple phrase or sentence may be the only thing needed.
- Make sure to read the question and give the information requested. If the question indicates that you need to include a structure, then make sure to do this.
| General | Example with a boiling point question (such as #3 from quiz 3A) | Example with an acidity question (such as #6a from quiz 3A) | |
| Sentence 1 | State the connection of the question to a concept | Boiling point is based on the strength of the intermolecular forces between molecules. | A stronger acid is more willing to give up an acidic proton and has a more stable conjugate base. |
| Sentence 2 | Present your argument, using key words or descriptions for support (this might actually be two sentences if needed) | Both molecules A and B have an electronegative oxygen, but molecule B has an alcohol (OH) group with hydrogen-bonding forces between molecules, while molecule A is an ether with only dipoledipole interactions between molecules. | When comparing the conjugate base for molecules A and B, the conjugate base of molecule B will have the negative charge on an oxygen atom, which is more electronegative and can better stabilize a negative charge. |
| Sentence 3 | State the conclusion | Hydrogen-bonding forces between molecules are stronger than dipole-dipole interactions, so molecule B has a higher boiling point. | Therefore, molecule B has a more stable conjugate base, making it a stronger acid. |
| Organic structures | Many times it is helpful to include an organic structure as part of the support for your answer. (For example, a conjugate base or resonance structure) Sometimes this will be required. | Although a structure is not required, you could show the dipole of the O-H bond, or the C-O bond, or you could show hydrogen bonding between two OH groups. | Some questions will specifically ask you to draw the conjugate base or use structures to support your answer. Even if not equired, showing the structure of a conjugate base is always helpful. If your argument specifically relies on resonance stabilization as part of your answer, then it is especially good to show this. |