Nursing Elites

1. In which state of matter are particles packed tightly together in a fixed position?

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

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In a 'solid' state, particles are tightly packed in fixed positions, maintaining a definite shape and volume. This arrangement allows solids to maintain a rigid structure. Liquids have particles that are close together but can move past each other, giving them the ability to flow and take the shape of their container. Gases have particles that are far apart and move freely, leading to their ability to expand to fill any container. Plasma is an ionized gas where particles have high energy levels and are not packed tightly together, making it an uncommon state of matter on Earth.

2. 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.

3. What is the typical oxidation state of oxygen in most compounds?

• A. -1
• B. -2
• C. 0
• D. -3

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: "-2". Oxygen usually exhibits an oxidation state of -2 in most compounds. This is due to oxygen's high electronegativity, which causes it to attract electrons, leading to the gain of two electrons in chemical reactions. Choice A (-1) is incorrect because oxygen rarely has an oxidation state of -1 in compounds. Choice C (0) is incorrect as oxygen does not usually have an oxidation state of zero in compounds. Choice D (-3) is incorrect as oxygen does not commonly have an oxidation state of -3 in compounds.

4. What is the oxidation state of the chlorine atom in the compound HCl?

• A. +1
• B. -1
• C. +2
• D. -2

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In the compound HCl (hydrochloric acid), the hydrogen atom has an oxidation state of +1 based on the rules of assigning oxidation states. Since the overall compound is neutral, the oxidation state of chlorine must be -1 to balance the charge. Chlorine typically has an oxidation state of -1 in binary compounds with nonmetals, such as HCl. Therefore, the correct answer is -1. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect as the oxidation state of chlorine in HCl is -1, not +1, +2, or -2.

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.

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