how many protons does potassium have

HESI A2

HESI A2 Chemistry

1. 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.

2. How much concentrated HCl should be used to prepare 500 mL of a 0.100 M HCl solution?

A. 75 mL
B. 100 mL
C. 125 mL
D. 150 mL

Correct answer: B

Rationale: To prepare a 0.100 M HCl solution with a volume of 500 mL, you can use the formula C1V1 = C2V2, where C1 is the concentration of the concentrated HCl solution, V1 is the volume of concentrated HCl solution used, C2 is the desired concentration (0.100 M), and V2 is the final volume (500 mL). Rearranging the formula to solve for V1, you get V1 = (C2V2) / C1. Plugging in the values (0.100 M)(500 mL) / C1 = 100 mL, which means 100 mL of concentrated HCl should be used to prepare 500 mL of a 0.100 M HCl solution. Therefore, the correct answer is 100 mL. Choice A (75 mL), Choice C (125 mL), and Choice D (150 mL) are incorrect as they do not match the calculated volume needed to prepare the desired concentration of HCl solution.

3. What is the oxidation state of the potassium ion in the compound KCl?

A. +1
B. -1
C. +2
D. -2

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In the compound KCl (potassium chloride), potassium is in Group 1 of the periodic table, which means it has a valence electron of 1. Chlorine is in Group 17 and gains one electron to achieve a stable electron configuration by forming an ionic bond with potassium. As a result, the potassium ion in KCl has a +1 oxidation state. Therefore, the correct answer is +1. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they do not reflect the oxidation state of the potassium ion in KCl.

4. Which of the following represents a hydride ion?

A. H⁻
B. H⁺
C. OH⁻
D. HCl

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The hydride ion is denoted by H⁻, indicating that it has gained an extra electron to complete its valence shell, resulting in a full octet and a net charge of -1. This ion is commonly found in metal hydrides and plays a significant role in various chemical reactions. Option B, H⁺, represents a proton with a positive charge. Option C, OH⁻, represents the hydroxide ion, consisting of oxygen and hydrogen. Option D, HCl, is a compound composed of hydrogen and chlorine ions, not a hydride ion.

5. Which two functional groups would you expect an amino acid to contain?

A. R-NH2 and R-COOH
B. R-CHO and R-CO-NH
C. R-OH and R-COOR
D. R-O-R and R-COOH

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Amino acids are organic compounds that are characterized by the presence of an amino group (NH2) and a carboxylic acid group (COOH) in their chemical structure. These two functional groups, found in option A, are fundamental components of amino acids and play crucial roles in their classification and biological functions. Option B contains an aldehyde group (CHO) and an amide group (CO-NH), which are not characteristic functional groups of amino acids. Option C includes a hydroxyl group (OH) and an ester group (COOR), which are not typically present in amino acids. Option D presents ether (R-O-R) and carboxylic acid (COOH) functional groups, which do not represent the functional groups commonly found in amino acids.