3.16.1: How to answer an “Explain” Question

Last updated
Save as PDF

Page ID: 19239

\( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \) \( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)\(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)\(\newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)

(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.