when an acid is added to a base water and a salt form what kinds of bonds form in these two compounds

HESI A2

Chemistry HESI A2 Practice Test

1. 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.

2. If oxygen is in a compound, what would its oxidation number be?

A. 2
B. -2
C. 0
D. -1

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Oxygen typically has an oxidation number of -2 in compounds because it tends to gain electrons. This is due to its high electronegativity, which leads to oxygen attracting electrons towards itself in a chemical bond. Choice A (2) is incorrect because oxygen doesn't have a +2 oxidation number in compounds. Choice C (0) is incorrect as oxygen rarely has an oxidation number of 0 in compounds. Choice D (-1) is incorrect as oxygen's oxidation number in compounds is typically -2, not -1.

3. What are the horizontal rows of the periodic table called?

A. Periods
B. Families
C. Groups
D. Columns

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Periods. Rows in the periodic table are called periods. They are arranged horizontally from left to right and represent the energy levels of the elements. Each period starts a new energy level or shell, indicating the number of electron shells an element has. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. Families and groups refer to vertical columns in the periodic table that share similar chemical properties, while columns are vertical arrangements of elements known as groups or families.

4. What color does phenolphthalein turn in the presence of an acid?

A. Clear
B. Blue
C. Pink
D. Red

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In the presence of an acid, phenolphthalein turns pink. Phenolphthalein is a pH indicator that is colorless in acidic solutions but turns pink in basic solutions. Therefore, when added to an acidic solution, phenolphthalein will exhibit a pink coloration. Choice A, 'Clear,' is incorrect because phenolphthalein does not remain colorless in the presence of an acid. Choice B, 'Blue,' is incorrect as phenolphthalein does not turn blue in the presence of an acid. Choice D, 'Red,' is incorrect as phenolphthalein does not exhibit a red color in acidic solutions.

5. Which element has the chemical symbol 'Fe'?

A. Lead
B. Iron
C. Silver
D. Copper

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is 'Iron' as it has the chemical symbol 'Fe'. Chemical symbols are used to represent elements in the periodic table, and 'Fe' specifically refers to Iron. Choice A, Lead, is incorrect as the chemical symbol for Lead is 'Pb'. Choice C, Silver, is incorrect as the chemical symbol for Silver is 'Ag'. Choice D, Copper, is incorrect as the chemical symbol for Copper is 'Cu'. Therefore, 'Iron' is the only element among the choices with the chemical symbol 'Fe'.