Nursing Elites

1. How does the stability of an atom's nucleus influence its radioactive decay?

• A. Stable nuclei never undergo radioactive decay.
• B. Unstable nuclei are more likely to decay through various processes.
• C. Decay releases energy, making stable nuclei more prone to it.
• D. The element's position on the periodic table determines its decay rate.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Unstable nuclei are more likely to decay through various processes. The stability of an atom's nucleus is a key factor in determining whether it will undergo radioactive decay. Unstable nuclei have an excess of either protons or neutrons, leading to an imbalance in the nucleus. To achieve a more stable configuration, these nuclei will undergo radioactive decay by emitting particles or energy. Stable nuclei, on the other hand, are less likely to undergo radioactive decay as they have a balanced number of protons and neutrons.

2. The property of a substance that resists a change in its shape is called:

• A. Density
• B. Mass
• C. Inertia
• D. Elasticity

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Elasticity - This refers to a material's ability to resist deformation and return to its original shape after stress is applied. Density, mass, and inertia are related to the substance itself, while viscosity reflects resistance to flow, not shape change.

3. The van't Hoff factor (i) accounts for the number of particles a solute dissociates into in solution. For a compound that dissociates completely in water, i would be...

• A. 0
• B. Less than 1
• C. 1
• D. More than 1

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The van't Hoff factor (i) is used to account for the number of particles a solute dissociates into in solution. For a compound that dissociates completely in water, such as a strong electrolyte, i would be equal to the total number of ions produced by the dissociation. Since the compound dissociates completely, it forms an equal number of ions, resulting in an i value of 1. Therefore, the correct answer is C: 1.

4. The rigid structure that provides shape and support to plant cells is called the:

• A. Cell wall
• B. Plasma membrane
• C. Nucleus
• D. Cytoplasm

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Cell wall. The cell wall is a rigid structure found in plant cells, providing support and shape to the cell. It is composed mainly of cellulose, a tough and fibrous substance that helps plants maintain their structure. The plasma membrane, option B, is a semi-permeable membrane that surrounds the cell and regulates the passage of substances in and out of the cell. The nucleus, option C, is the control center of the cell that contains genetic material. Cytoplasm, option D, is the jelly-like substance that fills the cell and houses organelles. In this context, the function of providing shape and support points specifically to the cell wall, making it the correct choice.

5. A prism separates white light into its constituent spectral components because:

• A. It absorbs certain colors
• B. Different colors experience varying speeds within the prism
• C. It bends all colors with the same magnitude
• D. It reflects specific colors

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because different colors experience varying speeds when passing through a prism due to their differing wavelengths. This causes them to refract at different angles, resulting in the separation of white light into its constituent spectral components. The phenomenon of dispersion occurs as a result of this wavelength-dependent refraction, allowing us to see the full spectrum of colors. Absorbing certain colors (option A) or reflecting specific colors (option D) would not explain how a prism separates white light. Additionally, if a prism were to bend all colors with the same magnitude (option C), it would not result in the distinct separation of colors that we observe.

6. The microscopic units responsible for muscle contraction are called

• A. Neurons
• B. Myofibrils
• C. Tendons
• D. Sarcomeres

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Sarcomeres. Sarcomeres are the fundamental contractile units of skeletal muscle. They are composed of overlapping actin and myosin filaments that slide past each other during muscle contraction, resulting in muscle shortening. Neurons (A) are nerve cells that transmit signals to and from the brain. Myofibrils (B) are thread-like structures within muscle fibers that contain sarcomeres. Tendons (C) are fibrous connective tissues that attach muscles to bones, but they are not directly involved in muscle contraction like sarcomeres are.

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