HESI A2
HESI A2 Chemistry Practice Questions
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. What charge do Group IIA elements typically have?
- A. 1
- B. +2
- C. -3
- D. 0
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Group IIA elements belong to the alkaline earth metals group in the periodic table. These elements typically have a charge of +2 because they readily lose two electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration. Therefore, the correct answer is B - +2. Choice A (1) is incorrect because Group IIA elements lose two electrons, not one. Choice C (-3) is incorrect because Group IIA elements do not gain electrons to have a negative charge. Choice D (0) is incorrect because Group IIA elements do lose electrons and have a positive charge, not a neutral charge.
3. How many neutrons are in an atom of uranium-235?
- A. 92
- B. 125
- C. 143
- D. 235
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: '92'. To determine the number of neutrons in an atom, you subtract the atomic number (number of protons) from the atomic mass number. For uranium-235, the atomic number is 92, and the atomic mass number is 235. Subtracting 92 from 235 gives us 143 neutrons in an atom of uranium-235. Therefore, options B, C, and D are incorrect as they do not represent the correct number of neutrons in an atom of uranium-235.
4. Which element is a metalloid?
- A. Silicon
- B. Lead
- C. Helium
- D. Aluminum
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is 'Silicon.' Silicon is a metalloid, which means it has properties of both metals and nonmetals. It is commonly used in electronic devices due to its semiconductor properties. Lead (Choice B) is a metal, Helium (Choice C) is a noble gas, and Aluminum (Choice D) is a metal.
5. How many neutrons are in an atom of carbon-12?
- A. 2
- B. 4
- C. 6
- D. 24
Correct answer: C
Rationale: An atom of carbon-12 has 6 neutrons. The atomic number of carbon is 6, representing the number of protons. The atomic mass of carbon-12 is 12. To find the number of neutrons, subtract the atomic number from the atomic mass: 12 - 6 = 6 neutrons. Choice A, 2, is incorrect as it does not reflect the correct calculation for neutrons in carbon-12. Choice B, 4, is incorrect as it does not match the correct number of neutrons in carbon-12. Choice D, 24, is incorrect as it is significantly higher than the actual number of neutrons in carbon-12.
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