Nursing Elites

1. 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.

2. What can stop the penetration of gamma radiation?

• A. Aluminum foil
• B. Glass
• C. Several feet of concrete
• D. Piece of paper

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Gamma radiation is highly penetrative and requires dense materials to block it effectively. While aluminum foil and glass are not sufficient to stop gamma radiation, several feet of concrete is needed due to its high density and ability to absorb gamma radiation effectively. A piece of paper is too thin and lacks the density required to block gamma radiation, making it an ineffective shield.

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. Which of the following elements is a halogen?

• A. Oxygen
• B. Fluorine
• C. Sodium
• D. Carbon

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is 'Fluorine' (Choice B) as it is a halogen. Halogens are a group of elements that include fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, and astatine. They are highly reactive nonmetals located in Group 17 of the periodic table. Oxygen (Choice A) is a nonmetal but not a halogen. Sodium (Choice C) is a metal, and Carbon (Choice D) is a nonmetal, neither of which belong to the halogen group.

5. Which two elements are most alike in reactivity?

• A. He and H
• B. K and Ar
• C. Cl and P
• D. Ba and Mg

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Chlorine (Cl) and Phosphorus (P) are most alike in reactivity among the given pairs. Both elements are nonmetals and belong to Group 7 (halogens) and Group 15 (nitrogen group), respectively. They have similar electronic configurations and can form compounds by gaining or sharing electrons. Chlorine is highly reactive and can easily form ionic compounds, while phosphorus also shows a range of reactivity in its compounds. Choice A (He and H) is incorrect because helium (He) is a noble gas and hydrogen (H) is a nonmetal, so they are not similar in reactivity. Choice B (K and Ar) is incorrect as potassium (K) is a metal and argon (Ar) is a noble gas, having different reactivities. Choice D (Ba and Mg) is incorrect because barium (Ba) and magnesium (Mg) are both metals, but their reactivities differ due to their positions in the periodic table.

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