what is the role of a catalyst in a chemical reaction

HESI A2

Chemistry HESI A2 Quizlet

1. What is the role of a catalyst in a chemical reaction?

A. Slows down the reaction
B. Has no effect
C. Speeds up the reaction
D. Stops the reaction

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A catalyst speeds up a chemical reaction by lowering the activation energy required for the reaction to occur. It does not get consumed in the reaction and remains unchanged at the end, allowing it to facilitate multiple reaction cycles. Choice A is incorrect because a catalyst actually speeds up the reaction. Choice B is incorrect because catalysts do have an effect by accelerating the reaction. Choice D is incorrect because catalysts do not stop the reaction, but rather increase the reaction rate.

2. When an acid is added to a base, water and a salt form. What kinds of bonds form in these two compounds?

A. Liquid and metallic
B. Polar and nonpolar covalent
C. Polar covalent and ionic
D. Ionic only

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In water, the bond formed between the oxygen atom and the hydrogen atoms is a polar covalent bond. The oxygen atom attracts the shared electrons more strongly, creating a partial negative charge on the oxygen and a partial positive charge on the hydrogen atoms. In the salt formed, the bond between the metal cation and the nonmetal anion is predominantly an ionic bond. The metal cation donates electrons to the nonmetal anion, resulting in the formation of oppositely charged ions that are held together by electrostatic attractions. Choices A and B are incorrect because water and salts do not form bonds that are liquid and metallic, or polar and nonpolar covalent. Choice D is incorrect as it oversimplifies the types of bonds present in water and salts, failing to differentiate between the covalent bond in water and the ionic bond in the salt.

3. A chemist takes 100 mL of a 40 g NaCl solution and dilutes it to 1L. What is the concentration (molarity) of the new solution?

A. 0.04 M NaCl
B. 0.25 M NaCl
C. 0.40 M NaCl
D. 2.5 M NaCl

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Initially, the chemist has 40 g of NaCl in 100 mL of solution. To find the initial molarity, we need to calculate the number of moles of NaCl using the molar mass of NaCl (58.44 g/mol). After dilution to 1 L, the molarity of the new solution can be calculated by dividing the moles of NaCl by the total volume in liters. Therefore, the concentration (molarity) of the new solution is 0.40 M NaCl. Choice A (0.04 M NaCl) is incorrect because it doesn't consider the correct molar concentration after dilution. Choice B (0.25 M NaCl) is incorrect as it also doesn't account for the correct molar concentration post-dilution. Choice D (2.5 M NaCl) is incorrect as it is too concentrated given the initial amount of NaCl and the dilution factor.

4. What is the coefficient of O after the following equation is balanced?

A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In a balanced chemical equation, the coefficient of oxygen (O) in O2 is already 2, so there is no need to adjust its coefficient further. Therefore, the coefficient of O remains as 1. Since the coefficient of O2 is 2, each O atom is represented by the coefficient of 1, and it does not change during the balancing process. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they suggest changing the coefficient of oxygen, which is not necessary for O2 in a balanced equation.

5. How does increasing the concentration of reactants affect a chemical reaction?

A. Decreases the reaction rate
B. Increases the reaction rate
C. Stops the reaction
D. Has no effect

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Increasing the concentration of reactants leads to more reactant particles being available, which, in turn, increases the likelihood of successful collisions between particles. This higher frequency of collisions results in a higher reaction rate. Therefore, option B, 'Increases the reaction rate,' is the correct answer. Choice A, 'Decreases the reaction rate,' is incorrect because higher reactant concentration usually speeds up the reaction. Choice C, 'Stops the reaction,' is incorrect as increasing concentration promotes more collisions, enhancing the reaction. Choice D, 'Has no effect,' is incorrect because changing reactant concentration directly impacts the reaction rate in most cases.