Nursing Elites

1. Cobalt-60 has a half-life of 5 years. If you start with 20 g of cobalt-60, how much is left after 10 years?

• A. 15 g
• B. 10 g
• C. 5 g
• D. 2.5 g

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Cobalt-60's half-life of 5 years means that after 5 years, half of the initial amount remains. Therefore, after 10 years, a quarter (half of a half) of the initial amount will remain. Starting with 20 g, after 10 years, 5 g of cobalt-60 will be left. Choice A (15 g) is incorrect because it assumes a linear decrease, not considering the exponential decay characteristic of radioactive substances. Choice B (10 g) is incorrect as it overlooks that after 10 years, more decay has occurred. Choice D (2.5 g) is incorrect as it represents only an eighth of the initial amount after 10 years, not a quarter.

2. Which law states that matter can neither be created nor destroyed during a chemical reaction?

• A. Law of Conservation of Energy
• B. Law of Conservation of Mass
• C. Law of Constant Composition
• D. Law of Multiple Proportions

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B, the Law of Conservation of Mass. This law, formulated by Antoine Lavoisier, states that matter cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction. It is a fundamental principle in chemistry that explains the preservation of mass during chemical reactions, indicating that the total mass of the reactants is equal to the total mass of the products. The other choices are incorrect because: A: The Law of Conservation of Energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, not matter. C: The Law of Constant Composition refers to compounds having the same composition by mass regardless of their source or how they were prepared, not about the conservation of matter in reactions. D: The Law of Multiple Proportions describes the ratios in which elements combine to form compounds, not the conservation of mass.

3. How many protons does Potassium have?

• A. 18
• B. 19
• C. 20
• D. 21

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Potassium, with the atomic symbol K, has 19 protons, which is equal to its atomic number. The number of protons determines the element's identity, and in the case of Potassium, it is 19. Choice A (18) is incorrect as it does not correspond to Potassium's proton number. Choice C (20) and Choice D (21) are also incorrect as they do not match the actual number of protons in Potassium.

4. Which type of chemical reaction involves an active metal reacting with an ionic compound to create a new compound?

• A. Combustion
• B. Single replacement
• C. Synthesis
• D. Decomposition

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is 'Single replacement.' In a single replacement reaction, an active metal replaces another element in an ionic compound, resulting in the formation of a new compound. Option A, 'Combustion,' involves a substance rapidly reacting with oxygen to release energy in the form of heat and light. Option C, 'Synthesis,' involves the combination of two or more substances to form a more complex product. Option D, 'Decomposition,' involves the breakdown of a compound into simpler substances.

5. What does a blood sample with a pH of 3 indicate?

• A. It is strongly acidic.
• B. It is strongly basic.
• C. It is weakly acidic.
• D. It is weakly basic.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: A blood pH of 3 is significantly low, indicating a strong acidity level. The normal blood pH range is 7.35 to 7.45; therefore, a pH of 3 is far below the normal range, showing a highly acidic condition in the blood sample. Choice B is incorrect because a pH of 3 is not basic at all. Choice C is incorrect as a pH of 3 is not weakly acidic but strongly acidic. Choice D is wrong as a blood pH of 3 does not indicate a weakly basic condition.

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