HESI A2
HESI A2 Chemistry Questions
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. Aluminum (Al) has 13 protons in its nucleus. What is the number of electrons in an Al3+ ion?
- A. 16
- B. 13
- C. 10
- D. 3
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Aluminum (Al) has an atomic number of 13, which indicates it normally has 13 electrons to balance the 13 protons in its nucleus. When Al forms an Al3+ ion, it loses 3 electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration. Therefore, the Al3+ ion will have 13 - 3 = 10 electrons. Choice A (16) is incorrect as it doesn't take into account the charge of the Al3+ ion. Choice B (13) is incorrect because the Al3+ ion has lost electrons. Choice D (3) is incorrect as it doesn't reflect the total number of electrons lost by the Al atom to form the Al3+ ion.
3. What is the oxidation state of the oxygen atom in the compound NaOH?
- A. -2
- B. -1
- C. 0
- D. +2
Correct answer: B
Rationale: In the compound NaOH (sodium hydroxide), the oxidation state of the sodium ion (Na) is +1 as it commonly has a +1 charge in ionic compounds. Oxygen (O) typically has an oxidation state of -2 in most compounds. Since the compound is electrically neutral and the overall charge is zero, the sum of the oxidation states of all atoms in the compound must be zero. Therefore, considering that sodium has an oxidation state of +1, the oxygen atom in NaOH must have an oxidation state of -1 to balance the charges and overall neutrality of the compound. Choice A (-2) is incorrect as this is not the oxidation state of oxygen in this compound. Choice C (0) is incorrect as oxygen in NaOH does not have an oxidation state of 0. Choice D (+2) is incorrect as oxygen typically has a negative oxidation state in compounds, not a positive one.
4. What is the correct formula for iron III oxide?
- A. IO
- B. FeS
- C. Fe₂O₃
- D. OFe₂₃
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct formula for iron III oxide is Fe2O3. In this formula, Fe represents iron and O represents oxygen. Iron III oxide consists of two iron (Fe) ions combined with three oxygen (O) ions. Thus, the correct formula is Fe2O3. Choice A (IO) is incorrect as it does not represent the correct combination of iron and oxygen ions. Choice B (FeS) is incorrect as it represents iron sulfide, not iron III oxide. Choice D (OFe₂₃) is incorrect as it does not follow the correct chemical nomenclature for iron III oxide.
5. What is the number of protons in the atomic nucleus of an alkali metal?
- A. 9
- B. 10
- C. 11
- D. 12
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The number of protons in the atomic nucleus of an alkali metal is 11. Alkali metals, belonging to group 1 of the periodic table, have 1 electron in their outer shell, which corresponds to 1 proton in their nucleus. Therefore, the correct answer is option C: 11. Choice A (9) is incorrect because it does not match the number of protons in an alkali metal. Choice B (10) is incorrect as it is also not the correct number of protons for an alkali metal. Choice D (12) is incorrect as it is not the typical number of protons found in the nucleus of an alkali metal.
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