what is the oxidation state of oxygen in most compounds
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HESI A2

HESI A2 Chemistry Practice Test

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

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 effect does increasing the surface area of a reactant have?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Increasing the surface area of a reactant leads to more particles being exposed to the reaction, which in turn increases the reaction rate. This is because a larger surface area provides more sites for collisions between reacting particles, resulting in a higher frequency of successful collisions and thus accelerating the reaction. Choice A, 'Decreases the reaction rate,' is incorrect because increasing surface area actually accelerates the reaction. Choice B, 'Has no effect,' is incorrect as increasing surface area does have a significant effect on the reaction rate. Choice D, 'Stops the reaction,' is incorrect as increasing surface area does not stop the reaction but rather enhances it.

3. What is the correct formula for sodium nitrate?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct formula for sodium nitrate is NaNO₃. In this formula, 'Na' represents sodium, 'N' represents nitrogen, and 'O₃' represents three oxygen atoms. Sodium nitrate consists of one sodium ion (Na⁺) and one nitrate ion (NO₃⁻), which means the correct formula is NaNO₃. Choice A (NaNO) is incorrect as it lacks the subscript indicating the presence of three oxygen atoms. Choice B (Na NO) is incorrect as it includes a space between 'Na' and 'NO', which is not part of the standard chemical formula notation. Choice D (Na NO₂) is incorrect as it indicates a different compound with a nitrite ion (NO₂⁻) instead of nitrate ion.

4. What type of reaction involves atoms attempting to achieve stable electron configurations?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In a chemical reaction, atoms interact to achieve stable electron configurations through the formation of new chemical bonds or the breaking of existing ones. This process aims to reach a more stable state by filling or emptying electron orbitals, leading to the formation of new substances with more stable configurations. Choice B, nuclear reactions, involve changes in the atomic nucleus rather than electron configurations. Choice C, physical reactions, involve changes in physical state or appearance without changing the chemical makeup. Choice D, mechanical reactions, do not involve the rearrangement of electrons to achieve stable configurations.

5. What are the products of the combustion of a hydrocarbon?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: When a hydrocarbon undergoes combustion, it reacts with oxygen to produce water and carbon dioxide as the main products. The general chemical equation for the combustion of a hydrocarbon is hydrocarbon + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water. Therefore, the correct answer is 'Water and carbon dioxide.' Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because water and carbon dioxide are the primary products of hydrocarbon combustion, not water and oxygen, hydrogen and carbon monoxide, or carbon dioxide and oxygen.

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