HESI A2
Chemistry Hesi A2
1. What is the correct formula for sodium nitrate?
- A. NaNO
- B. Na NO
- C. NaNO₃
- D. Na NO₂
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct formula for sodium nitrate is NaNO₃. In this formula, 'Na' represents sodium, 'N' represents nitrogen, and 'O₃' represents three oxygen atoms. Sodium nitrate consists of one sodium ion (Na⁺) and one nitrate ion (NO₃⁻), which means the correct formula is NaNO₃. Choice A (NaNO) is incorrect as it lacks the subscript indicating the presence of three oxygen atoms. Choice B (Na NO) is incorrect as it includes a space between 'Na' and 'NO', which is not part of the standard chemical formula notation. Choice D (Na NO₂) is incorrect as it indicates a different compound with a nitrite ion (NO₂⁻) instead of nitrate ion.
2. In the solid state, you would expect a nonmetal to be _________.
- A. brittle
- B. lustrous
- C. malleable
- D. conductive
Correct answer: A
Rationale: In the solid state, you would expect a nonmetal to be brittle. Nonmetals generally lack the malleability and ductility of metals, which makes them prone to being brittle and easily fractured under stress. This property is due to the lack of metallic bonding in nonmetals, which results in a more rigid and less flexible structure. Choice B, 'lustrous,' is incorrect because nonmetals typically do not exhibit a shiny or reflective surface like metals do. Choice C, 'malleable,' is also incorrect as nonmetals lack the ability to be hammered or rolled into thin sheets like metals. Choice D, 'conductive,' is incorrect since nonmetals are generally poor conductors of electricity compared to metals.
3. A radioactive isotope has a half-life of 20 years. How many grams of a 6-gram sample will remain after 40 years?
- A. 8
- B. 6
- C. 3
- D. 1.5
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The half-life of a radioactive isotope is the time it takes for half of the original sample to decay. After each half-life period, half of the initial sample remains. In this case, after the first 20 years, half of the 6-gram sample (3 grams) will remain. After another 20 years (total of 40 years), half of the remaining 3 grams will remain, which is 1.5 grams. Therefore, 3 grams will be left after 40 years. Choice A is incorrect as it doesn't consider the concept of half-life and incorrectly suggests an increase in the sample. Choice B is incorrect as it assumes no decay over time. Choice D is incorrect as it miscalculates the remaining amount after two half-life periods.
4. Which compound has a nonpolar bond in which the electrons are shared equally?
- A. H₂O
- B. NH₃
- C. Cl₂
- D. CH₄
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The compound CH₄, methane, has a nonpolar bond where carbon and hydrogen share electrons equally. This occurs because carbon and hydrogen have similar electronegativities, meaning they have equal abilities to attract shared electrons. Consequently, a nonpolar covalent bond is formed due to the balanced sharing of electrons between these atoms. Choices A, B, and C do not have nonpolar bonds with electrons shared equally. In H₂O (water), there are polar covalent bonds due to the difference in electronegativity between hydrogen and oxygen. In NH₃ (ammonia), the nitrogen-hydrogen bonds are polar because of the electronegativity difference. In Cl₂ (chlorine gas), the Cl-Cl bond is nonpolar, but the question specifies a compound, not an element, and chlorine does not share its electrons equally with another element in a compound.
5. What is the correct electron configuration for carbon?
- A. 1s²2s²2p¹
- B. 1s²2s²2p²
- C. 1s²2s²2p³
- D. 1s²2s²2p⁶3s¹
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct electron configuration for carbon is 1s²2s²2p². This configuration indicates that there are 2 electrons in the first energy level (1s²), 2 electrons in the second energy level (2s²), and 2 electrons in the second energy level (2p²). It adheres to the aufbau principle, which states that electrons fill orbitals starting from the lowest energy level, and the Pauli exclusion principle, which states that each electron in an atom must have a unique set of quantum numbers. Choice A is incorrect because it does not fill the 2p orbital correctly. Choice C is incorrect as it exceeds the number of possible electrons in the 2p orbital. Choice D is incorrect as it includes an electron in the 3s orbital, which is not part of the electron configuration for carbon.
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