if oxygen is in a compound what would its oxidation number be

HESI A2

HESI A2 Chemistry Practice Test

1. If oxygen is in a compound, what would its oxidation number be?

A. 2
B. -2
C. 0
D. -1

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Oxygen typically has an oxidation number of -2 in compounds because it tends to gain electrons. This is due to its high electronegativity, which leads to oxygen attracting electrons towards itself in a chemical bond. Choice A (2) is incorrect because oxygen doesn't have a +2 oxidation number in compounds. Choice C (0) is incorrect as oxygen rarely has an oxidation number of 0 in compounds. Choice D (-1) is incorrect as oxygen's oxidation number in compounds is typically -2, not -1.

2. Which particles are emitted during radioactivity?

A. Electrons
B. Protons
C. Radiation
D. Neutrons

Correct answer: C

Rationale: During radioactivity, radiation is emitted from an unstable nucleus. This radiation can take various forms like alpha particles, beta particles, or gamma rays. These particles or rays are emitted as a result of the unstable nucleus's attempt to achieve a more stable configuration. Therefore, the correct answer is radiation (Choice C). Electrons (Choice A), protons (Choice B), and neutrons (Choice D) are not typically emitted during radioactivity, as the emission is primarily in the form of radiation.

3. What charge do Group VA elements typically have?

A. -1
B. -2
C. -3
D. 0

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Group VA elements, also known as Group 15 elements, typically have a charge of -3. This is because they have five valence electrons and tend to gain three electrons to achieve a stable octet configuration, resulting in a -3 charge. Choice A (-1) and Choice B (-2) are incorrect because Group VA elements need to gain three electrons to reach a stable electron configuration, not just one or two. Choice D (0) is also incorrect because Group VA elements do not lose electrons to form a charge of 0.

4. What are the columns of the periodic table called?

A. Periods
B. Families
C. Groups
D. Rows

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In the periodic table, columns are referred to as groups, not periods, families, or rows. These groups share similar chemical properties due to the arrangement of elements within each group, which is based on the number of valence electrons. The vertical columns help classify elements with similar characteristics. Periods refer to the rows of the periodic table, while families or groups are the vertical columns.

5. Which of the following types of matter changes in volume with changes in temperature and pressure?

A. Liquid
B. Gas
C. Solid
D. Plasma

Correct answer: B

Rationale: A gas changes its volume with changes in temperature and pressure due to the particles moving more rapidly at higher temperatures, and pressure affects the space between particles. Liquids have a relatively fixed volume but take the shape of their container. Solids have a definite shape and volume, so they do not change volume with changes in temperature and pressure. Plasma is a state of matter where particles are highly energized and do not have a fixed volume, but it does not exhibit volume changes with temperature and pressure variations.