balance this equation zn hcl zncl h 2 2

HESI A2

Chemistry Hesi A2

1. Balance this equation: Zn + HCl → ZnCl + H2.

A. Zn + 2HCl → ZnCl + H2
B. Zn + HCl → 2ZnCl + H2
C. 2Zn + 2HCl → 2ZnCl + H2
D. Zn + 4HCl → ZnCl + H2

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The given unbalanced equation is Zn + HCl → ZnCl + H2. To balance it, we need to have equal atoms on both sides of the equation. The balanced equation is 2Zn + 2HCl → 2ZnCl + H2. This balanced equation shows that two atoms of Zn combine with two molecules of HCl to form two molecules of ZnCl and one molecule of H2. Choice A is incorrect because it does not balance the equation. Choice B is incorrect as it does not have the same number of atoms on both sides. Choice D is incorrect because it does not balance the equation properly, resulting in an unequal number of atoms on both sides.

2. Which of the following elements is a halogen?

A. Oxygen
B. Fluorine
C. Sodium
D. Carbon

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is 'Fluorine' (Choice B) as it is a halogen. Halogens are a group of elements that include fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, and astatine. They are highly reactive nonmetals located in Group 17 of the periodic table. Oxygen (Choice A) is a nonmetal but not a halogen. Sodium (Choice C) is a metal, and Carbon (Choice D) is a nonmetal, neither of which belong to the halogen group.

3. Which ion would you expect to dominate in water solutions of bases?

A. MgCl₂
B. 2HCl
C. H⁺
D. OH⁻

Correct answer: D

Rationale: In water solutions of bases, the dominant ion would be OH⁻ (hydroxide ion). Bases release OH⁻ ions when dissolved in water, increasing the concentration of hydroxide ions and leading to a higher pH. This is in contrast to acids, which release H⁺ ions. Therefore, in water solutions of bases, the presence of OH⁻ ions signifies the basic nature of the solution. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because MgCl₂ is a salt, 2HCl is a compound consisting of two hydrogen ions and one chloride ion, and H⁺ represents a hydrogen ion typically associated with acids, not bases.

4. Which of the following compounds is ionic?

A. NaCl
B. H₂O
C. HCl
D. NH₃

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is NaCl (sodium chloride). Ionic compounds are formed by the transfer of electrons between a metal and a nonmetal. In NaCl, sodium (Na) is a metal, and chlorine (Cl) is a nonmetal. Sodium donates an electron to chlorine, leading to the formation of the ionic bond between them. This results in the formation of an ionic compound, where positively charged sodium ions are attracted to negatively charged chloride ions, creating a crystal lattice structure. Choices B, C, and D are not ionic compounds. H₂O (water) is a covalent compound formed by the sharing of electrons between two nonmetals (oxygen and hydrogen). HCl (hydrogen chloride) and NH₃ (ammonia) are also covalent compounds involving nonmetals sharing electrons, not transferring them.

5. Which of these intermolecular forces might represent attraction between atoms of a noble gas?

A. Dipole-dipole interaction
B. London dispersion force
C. Keesom interaction
D. Hydrogen bonding

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Noble gases are non-polar molecules without a permanent dipole moment. The only intermolecular force applicable to noble gases is the London dispersion force, also known as Van der Waals forces. This force is a temporary attractive force resulting from the formation of temporary dipoles in non-polar molecules. Dipole-dipole interactions, Keesom interactions, and hydrogen bonding involve significant dipoles or hydrogen atoms bonded to electronegative atoms, which do not apply to noble gases.