Nursing Elites

1. Aluminum (Al) has 13 protons in its nucleus. What is the number of electrons in an Al3+ ion?

• A. 16
• B. 13
• C. 10
• D. 3

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Aluminum (Al) has an atomic number of 13, which indicates it normally has 13 electrons to balance the 13 protons in its nucleus. When Al forms an Al3+ ion, it loses 3 electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration. Therefore, the Al3+ ion will have 13 - 3 = 10 electrons. Choice A (16) is incorrect as it doesn't take into account the charge of the Al3+ ion. Choice B (13) is incorrect because the Al3+ ion has lost electrons. Choice D (3) is incorrect as it doesn't reflect the total number of electrons lost by the Al atom to form the Al3+ ion.

2. Which type of radiation emits helium ions and can be stopped by a piece of paper?

• A. Beta radiation
• B. Alpha radiation
• C. Gamma radiation
• D. X-ray radiation

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Alpha radiation emits helium ions, which are helium nuclei without electrons, making them positively charged. These ions are relatively large and heavy compared to beta and gamma radiation. Due to their size and charge, alpha particles interact strongly with matter and are easily stopped. A piece of paper or even human skin can effectively block alpha radiation. Therefore, alpha radiation is the type of radiation that can be stopped by a piece of paper. Beta radiation consists of fast-moving electrons and can penetrate further into materials than alpha radiation, thus not stopped by a piece of paper. Gamma radiation is highly penetrating and requires dense materials like lead or concrete to block it effectively. X-ray radiation, similar to gamma radiation, is also highly penetrating and cannot be stopped by a piece of paper.

3. What is the name of the bond formed when two atoms share electrons?

• A. Covalent bond
• B. Ionic bond
• C. Metallic bond
• D. Hydrogen bond

Correct answer: A

Rationale: A covalent bond is formed when two atoms share electrons, creating a stable electron configuration. This sharing allows both atoms to achieve a full outer shell of electrons, leading to a stable molecule. In contrast, an ionic bond involves the transfer of electrons from one atom to another, resulting in the formation of ions with opposite charges. Metallic bonds are formed between metal atoms and involve a 'sea of electrons' that are delocalized and free to move. Hydrogen bonds are a type of intermolecular force, not a true chemical bond, and occur between a hydrogen atom and a highly electronegative atom like oxygen or nitrogen.

4. How can the reaction rate of a chemical reaction be increased?

• A. Increase the temperature
• B. Increase the surface area
• C. Increase the concentration of reactants
• D. Add a catalyst

Correct answer: A

Rationale: To increase the reaction rate of a chemical reaction, one effective method is to increase the temperature. Raising the temperature provides more energy to the reacting particles, enabling them to collide more frequently and with higher energy, leading to an increase in the reaction rate. While increasing the surface area, concentration of reactants, and adding a catalyst are strategies that can also enhance the reaction rate, raising the temperature has the most direct and immediate impact. Increasing the surface area allows for more contact between reactants, increasing the concentration provides more reactant particles to collide, and adding a catalyst lowers the activation energy required for the reaction to occur. However, these methods may not have as immediate and significant an effect as increasing the temperature.

5. When an acid is added to a base, water and a salt form. What kinds of bonds form in these two compounds?

• A. Liquid and metallic
• B. Polar and nonpolar covalent
• C. Polar covalent and ionic
• D. Ionic only

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In water, the bond formed between the oxygen atom and the hydrogen atoms is a polar covalent bond. The oxygen atom attracts the shared electrons more strongly, creating a partial negative charge on the oxygen and a partial positive charge on the hydrogen atoms. In the salt formed, the bond between the metal cation and the nonmetal anion is predominantly an ionic bond. The metal cation donates electrons to the nonmetal anion, resulting in the formation of oppositely charged ions that are held together by electrostatic attractions. Choices A and B are incorrect because water and salts do not form bonds that are liquid and metallic, or polar and nonpolar covalent. Choice D is incorrect as it oversimplifies the types of bonds present in water and salts, failing to differentiate between the covalent bond in water and the ionic bond in the salt.

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