what does the term amphoteric mean

HESI A2

HESI A2 Chemistry Practice Test

1. What does the term amphoteric mean?

A. A substance that only acts as a base
B. A substance that can act as both a base and an acid
C. A substance that only acts as an acid
D. A substance that acts as neither a base nor an acid

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The term 'amphoteric' refers to substances that have the ability to act as both acids and bases depending on the surrounding conditions. This dual nature allows amphoteric substances to donate or accept protons, making them versatile in various chemical reactions. Choice A is incorrect because amphoteric substances can also act as acids. Choice C is incorrect as amphoteric substances can also act as bases. Choice D is incorrect as amphoteric substances can act as either a base or an acid.

2. How many times more acidic is a substance with a pH of 3 compared to a substance with a pH of 5?

A. 8
B. 2
C. 100
D. 1,000

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The pH scale is logarithmic, indicating that each pH unit change reflects a 10-fold difference in acidity level. Going from pH 5 to pH 3 involves a difference of 2 units, which translates to a 100-fold increase in acidity level (10^2 = 100 for each unit). Therefore, a substance with a pH of 3 is 1,000 times more acidic than a substance with a pH of 5 (100 * 10 = 1,000). Choice A (8) is incorrect as it does not consider the logarithmic nature of the pH scale. Choice B (2) is incorrect because it represents the difference in pH units, not the increase in acidity level. Choice C (100) is incorrect as it miscalculates the increase in acidity level, which is 1,000 times and not 100 times.

3. What distinguishes one allotrope from another?

A. Arrangement of atoms
B. Gram atomic mass
C. Physical state
D. Stability

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Allotropes are different forms of the same element that exist in the same physical state but have different structures. The arrangement of atoms is what distinguishes one allotrope from another, determining their unique properties and characteristics. Gram atomic mass (Choice B) is a constant value for a specific element and does not change between different allotropes. Physical state (Choice C) refers to whether a substance is a solid, liquid, or gas, which can be the same for different allotropes of an element. Stability (Choice D) can vary between different allotropes, but it is not what always differentiates one allotrope from another. Therefore, the correct answer is the arrangement of atoms, as it is the key factor that varies across different allotropes.

4. If fifty-six kilograms of a radioactive substance has a half-life of 12 days, how many days will it take the substance to decay naturally to only 7 kilograms?

A. 8
B. 12
C. 36
D. 48

Correct answer: C

Rationale: To decay from 56 kg to 7 kg, the substance needs to go through 3 half-lives (56 kg ÷ 2 ÷ 2 ÷ 2 = 7 kg). Since each half-life is 12 days, the total time required is 12 days per half-life x 3 half-lives = 36 days. Choice A is incorrect because it does not consider the concept of half-lives. Choice B is incorrect because it represents the duration of a single half-life, not the total time required for the decay. Choice D is incorrect as it does not account for the multiple half-lives needed for the substance to decay from 56 kg to 7 kg.

5. On what concept is Kelvin based?

A. Freezing point
B. Absolute zero
C. Boiling point
D. Evaporation point

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Absolute zero. Kelvin is based on the concept of absolute zero, which is the point where molecular movement ceases entirely. This temperature scale starts at absolute zero (0K), where theoretically no molecular movement occurs. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because Kelvin is not based on the freezing point, boiling point, or evaporation point, but rather on the absolute absence of molecular motion.