what does the sum of protons and neutrons in an element represent

HESI A2

Chemistry HESI A2 Quizlet

1. What does the sum of protons and neutrons in an element represent?

A. Atomic number
B. Mass number
C. Atomic mass
D. Neutron number

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The sum of protons and neutrons in an element is known as the mass number. The mass number is an important concept in chemistry as it represents the total number of nucleons (protons and neutrons) in an atom's nucleus. It is different from the atomic number, which represents the number of protons in an atom. The atomic mass is the average mass of an element's isotopes, taking into account the abundance of each isotope. Neutron number, on the other hand, specifically refers to the number of neutrons in an atom's nucleus. Therefore, the correct answer is B, mass number.

2. 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.

3. What are proteins made up of?

A. Fatty acids
B. Amino acids
C. Nucleotides
D. Sugars

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Proteins are made up of amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, essential for various biological processes in the body such as enzyme function, transport, and structural support. Fatty acids (Choice A) are components of lipids, not proteins. Nucleotides (Choice C) are the building blocks of nucleic acids like DNA and RNA, not proteins. Sugars (Choice D) are carbohydrates and are not the primary components of proteins.

4. Balance this equation: Zn + HCl → ZnCl + H2.

A. Zn + 2HCl → ZnCl + H2
B. Zn + HCl → 2ZnCl + H2
C. 2Zn + 2HCl → 2ZnCl + H2
D. Zn + 4HCl → ZnCl + H2

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The given unbalanced equation is Zn + HCl → ZnCl + H2. To balance it, we need to have equal atoms on both sides of the equation. The balanced equation is 2Zn + 2HCl → 2ZnCl + H2. This balanced equation shows that two atoms of Zn combine with two molecules of HCl to form two molecules of ZnCl and one molecule of H2. Choice A is incorrect because it does not balance the equation. Choice B is incorrect as it does not have the same number of atoms on both sides. Choice D is incorrect because it does not balance the equation properly, resulting in an unequal number of atoms on both sides.

5. Which element has the highest atomic number?

A. Uranium
B. Hydrogen
C. Radon
D. Bismuth

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is Uranium. The atomic number represents the number of protons in an atom's nucleus. Among the options provided, Uranium has the highest atomic number, which is 92. Hydrogen has an atomic number of 1, Radon has an atomic number of 86, and Bismuth has an atomic number of 83. Therefore, Uranium is the element with the highest atomic number in the given choices.