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. To the nearest whole number, what is the mass of one mole of sodium chloride?

A. 36 g/mol
B. 43 g/mol
C. 58 g/mol
D. 72 g/mol

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The molar mass of sodium chloride (NaCl) is calculated by adding the atomic masses of sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl). The atomic mass of sodium is approximately 23 g/mol and chlorine is approximately 35.5 g/mol. Adding these two atomic masses gives us a molar mass of approximately 58 g/mol for sodium chloride (NaCl). Therefore, the correct answer is C, 58 g/mol. Choice A (36 g/mol) is incorrect as it does not account for the individual atomic masses of sodium and chlorine. Choice B (43 g/mol) and choice D (72 g/mol) are also incorrect as they do not reflect the accurate molar mass of sodium chloride.

3. On the periodic table, where are atoms with the largest atomic radius located?

A. At the top of their group
B. In the middle of their group
C. At the bottom of their group
D. Along the right-hand side

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Atoms with the largest atomic radius are located at the bottom of their group on the periodic table. This is because atomic radius increases down a group due to the addition of more energy levels or shells of electrons. As you move down a group, the outermost electrons are further away from the nucleus, leading to an increase in atomic radius. Choice A 'At the top of their group' is incorrect because atomic radius decreases going up within a group. Choice B 'In the middle of their group' is incorrect as the atomic radius generally increases as you go down a group, not in the middle. Choice D 'Along the right-hand side' is incorrect because atomic radius tends to decrease from left to right across a period on the periodic table due to increased nuclear charge and effective nuclear charge.

4. Among the following elements, which is a nonmetal?

A. Mercury
B. Magnesium
C. Sulfur
D. Potassium

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Sulfur is a nonmetal as it is located on the right side of the periodic table. Nonmetals generally exhibit properties such as being brittle, poor conductors of heat and electricity, and having lower melting points compared to metals. Mercury (A), Magnesium (B), and Potassium (D) are all metals due to their metallic properties. Mercury is a liquid metal at room temperature, Magnesium is a solid metal, and Potassium is a solid metal as well. Therefore, the correct answer is C, Sulfur.

5. 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.