Nursing Elites

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. What is the name of the device that separates gaseous ions by their mass-to-charge ratio?

• A. mass spectrometer
• B. interferometer
• C. magnetometer
• D. capacitance meter

Correct answer: A

Rationale: A mass spectrometer is a device specifically designed to separate gaseous ions based on their mass-to-charge ratio. This separation process involves ionization, acceleration of the sample, and the deflection of ions in a magnetic field according to their mass-to-charge ratio. The other options, 'interferometer,' 'magnetometer,' and 'capacitance meter,' do not perform the specific function of separating gaseous ions based on their mass-to-charge ratio, making them incorrect choices.

4. Which substance is a product of photosynthesis?

• A. Carbon dioxide
• B. Oxygen
• C. Water
• D. Glucose

Correct answer: D

Rationale: During photosynthesis, plants and other organisms convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. Glucose is a carbohydrate produced by plants as a result of photosynthesis, serving as their main source of energy. Oxygen is released as a byproduct of this process, while carbon dioxide and water are the raw materials used to produce glucose. Therefore, the correct answer is 'Glucose,' making it a vital product of the photosynthesis process. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect as carbon dioxide and water are the reactants needed for photosynthesis, and oxygen is released as a byproduct.

5. Which of the following is the weakest intermolecular force?

• A. Dipole interactions
• B. Hydrogen bonding
• C. Van der Waals forces
• D. Dispersion forces

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Dispersion forces, also known as London dispersion forces, are the weakest intermolecular forces. They are temporary attractive forces that occur due to momentary shifts in electron distribution within molecules. While dipole interactions, hydrogen bonding, and Van der Waals forces are stronger intermolecular forces, dispersion forces are the weakest because they arise from short-lived fluctuations in electron density. Dipole interactions involve permanent dipoles in molecules, making them stronger than dispersion forces. Hydrogen bonding is stronger than dipole interactions and involves hydrogen atoms bonded to highly electronegative atoms. Van der Waals forces encompass dipole-dipole interactions and dispersion forces, making them stronger than dispersion forces alone.

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