Question
This was the first theory to classify transition metal complexes as "high-spin" or "low-spin." For 10 points each:
[10h] Name this theory that models the breaking of orbital degeneracy in transition metals due to the static electric field of surrounding anions.
ANSWER: crystal field theory [or CFT] (The other theory is ligand field theory.)
[10e] Crystal field theory is most commonly applied to these orbitals, whose "z-squared" example is the only one without four lobes. Transition metals can store up to 10 electrons in these atomic orbitals.
ANSWER: d orbitals
[10m] Ligands higher on the spectrochemical series form lower-spin complexes; one of the highest ligands is this ion, equivalent to a nitrile group, that complexes with iron to form Prussian blue.
ANSWER: cyanide [or CN-]
<Science - Chemistry>
Data
| Team | Opponent | Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit Catholic Central A | Lambert A | 0 | 10 | 10 | 20 |
| Fremd | Adlai E. Stevenson A | 10 | 10 | 10 | 30 |
| Strake Jesuit B | Alabama Cyber Tech | 0 | 10 | 10 | 20 |
Summary
| Tournament | Edition | Exact Match? | Heard | PPB | Easy % | Medium % | Hard % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 PACE NSC | 06/07/2025 | Y | 3 | 23.33 | 100% | 100% | 33% |