Curly Arrow Conventions in Organic Chemistry

This video tutorial by Sal from Khan Academy explains the conventions of curly arrows in organic chemistry, focusing on the movement of electron pairs and individual electrons. Sal introduces the full arrow for electron pairs and the fish hook arrow for single electrons, often used in free radical reactions. He also discusses his slight variation in using these arrows to better account for electrons and visualize chemical reactions. The tutorial emphasizes understanding the movement of electrons in bond formation and breaking, providing a foundation for more intuitive learning of organic chemistry mechanisms.

What are the two types of curly arrows used in organic chemistry?

• Full arrow and half arrow

• Dotted arrow and dashed arrow

• Solid arrow and broken arrow

• Straight arrow and wavy arrow

What does a full arrow typically represent in organic chemistry?

• Movement of neutrons

• Movement of a single electron

• Movement of electron pairs

• Movement of protons

What is the main focus of most organic chemistry reactions?

• Movement of protons

• Movement of electron pairs

• Movement of single electrons

• Movement of neutrons

In the variation of full arrow use, what does the arrow represent?

• Movement of a neutron

• Movement of a single electron

• Movement of an electron as part of a pair

• Movement of a proton

Why does the narrator prefer to think of electrons on either side of a bond?

• To simplify calculations

• For accounting purposes

• For aesthetic reasons

• To ignore electron movement

What is the significance of electron probability in bond representation?

• It indicates the likelihood of electron location

• It affects the bond angle

• It determines the bond length

• It changes the bond strength

How does the narrator's approach differ from traditional organic chemistry notation?

• It uses more colors

• It focuses on electron pairs

• It emphasizes electron movement as part of a pair

• It ignores electron movement

What type of arrow is used to represent the movement of single electrons in free radical reactions?

• Fish hook arrow

• Half arrow

• Dotted arrow

• Full arrow

In free radical reactions, what does the fish hook arrow indicate?

• Movement of protons

• Movement of neutrons

• Movement of electron pairs

• Movement of a single electron

What should students consider when using different notations in organic chemistry?

• Their personal preference

• The length of the arrows

• The grading criteria of their course

• The color of the arrows