what is the pauli exclusion principle

ATI TEAS 7

TEAS Test 7 science

1. What is the Pauli exclusion principle?

A. The principle that electrons fill orbitals in order of increasing energy.
B. The principle that electrons cannot occupy the same orbital with the same spin.
C. The principle that the maximum number of electrons in an orbital is 2n^2, where n is the energy level of the orbital.
D. The principle that the attractive force between an electron and the nucleus is inversely proportional to the distance between them.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The Pauli exclusion principle states that no two electrons in an atom can have the same set of four quantum numbers. This principle leads to the rule that electrons must have opposite spins when occupying the same orbital. Therefore, electrons cannot occupy the same orbital with the same spin, as stated in option B. Option A is incorrect as it refers to the Aufbau principle, which describes the order in which electrons fill orbitals based on increasing energy. Option C is incorrect as it provides the formula for the maximum number of electrons in an orbital based on the energy level, not the Pauli exclusion principle. Option D is incorrect as it describes Coulomb's law, which deals with the electrostatic force between charged particles, not the Pauli exclusion principle.

2. An uncharged atom has an electron configuration of 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² and a mass number of 14. How many protons does it have?

A. 14
B. 6
C. 8
D. 12

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The number of protons in an atom is determined by the atomic number, which is equal to the number of protons in the nucleus. The electron configuration given corresponds to carbon (C) with 6 protons. The atomic number of an element is the same as the number of protons in its nucleus, so in this case, the atom has 6 protons. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because they do not correspond to the correct number of protons for an atom with the given electron configuration and mass number. Therefore, option B, 6 protons, is the correct answer.

3. Which enzyme breaks down carbohydrates like starches and sugars in the mouth?

A. Pepsin
B. Lipase
C. Amylase
D. Trypsin

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is Amylase. Amylase is the enzyme responsible for breaking down carbohydrates like starches and sugars in the mouth. Pepsin is a digestive enzyme that breaks down proteins in the stomach, lipase breaks down fats, and trypsin is another enzyme that breaks down proteins in the small intestine. Therefore, choices A, B, and D are incorrect for this question.

4. Which of the following is NOT a part of a plant cell?

A. Cell wall
B. Plasma membrane
C. Vacuole
D. Mitochondria

Correct answer: D

Rationale: A) Cell wall: This is a structure found in plant cells that provides support and protection. B) Plasma membrane: Also known as the cell membrane, it surrounds the cell and regulates the passage of substances in and out of the cell. C) Vacuole: This is a storage organelle found in plant cells that stores water, nutrients, and waste products. D) Mitochondria: Mitochondria are membrane-bound organelles found in both plant and animal cells. They are responsible for producing energy in the form of ATP through cellular respiration. Therefore, the correct answer is D) Mitochondria, as it is a part of a plant cell.

5. An object is initially at rest. Which of the following will definitely NOT cause it to move?

A. A constant force acting on it
B. No force acting on it
C. A force that increases in magnitude over time
D. A force that decreases in magnitude over time

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because if an object is initially at rest and no force is acting on it, it will remain at rest due to Newton's First Law of Motion. This law states that an object at rest will stay at rest unless acted upon by an external force. Choices A, C, and D all involve forces acting on the object, which would cause it to move according to Newton's laws of motion. Choice A, a constant force acting on the object, would cause it to move at a constant velocity. Choice C, a force that increases in magnitude over time, would accelerate the object. Choice D, a force that decreases in magnitude over time, would decelerate the object.