HESI A2
HESI A2 Chemistry Practice Questions
1. What is the oxidation state of the potassium ion in the compound KCl?
- A. +1
- B. -1
- C. +2
- D. -2
Correct answer: A
Rationale: In the compound KCl (potassium chloride), potassium is in Group 1 of the periodic table, which means it has a valence electron of 1. Chlorine is in Group 17 and gains one electron to achieve a stable electron configuration by forming an ionic bond with potassium. As a result, the potassium ion in KCl has a +1 oxidation state. Therefore, the correct answer is +1. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they do not reflect the oxidation state of the potassium ion in KCl.
2. What is the name of the force that holds ionic compounds together?
- A. Covalent bonds
- B. Ionic bonds
- C. Hydrogen bonds
- D. Metallic bonds
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Ionic bonds are the forces that hold ionic compounds together. In ionic compounds, positively and negatively charged ions are held together by electrostatic forces of attraction, forming a stable structure. Covalent bonds involve the sharing of electrons between atoms, not the transfer of electrons like in ionic bonds. Hydrogen bonds are a type of intermolecular force, not the primary force in holding ionic compounds together. Metallic bonds are found in metals and involve a 'sea of electrons' that hold metal atoms together, different from the electrostatic attraction between ions in ionic compounds.
3. 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.
4. What form of radiation is composed of electrons traveling at around 16,000 km/sec?
- A. Alpha radiation
- B. Beta radiation
- C. Gamma radiation
- D. Delta radiation
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Beta radiation is composed of high-energy electrons (β- particles) or positrons (β+ particles) traveling at considerable speeds. In this case, the electrons traveling at around 16,000 km/sec align with the characteristics of beta radiation, making it the correct choice. Alpha radiation consists of helium nuclei, gamma radiation is electromagnetic radiation of high frequency, and delta radiation is not a recognized form of radiation, making them all incorrect choices.
5. What is the oxidation state of the nitrogen atom in the compound NH3?
- A. -3
- B. -1
- C. +1
- D. +3
Correct answer: B
Rationale: In the compound NH3, nitrogen is bonded to three hydrogen atoms. Hydrogen is always assigned an oxidation state of +1. Since the overall charge of NH3 is zero, the oxidation state of nitrogen must be -1 to balance out the hydrogen's +1 oxidation state. Therefore, the correct oxidation state of the nitrogen atom in NH3 is -1. Choice A (-3) is incorrect because it does not account for the electronegativity of hydrogen. Choice C (+1) and Choice D (+3) are incorrect as the nitrogen atom in NH3 needs to balance the +1 oxidation state of each hydrogen atom, resulting in a total of -3 to maintain the compound's charge neutrality.
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