HESI A2
Chemistry HESI A2 Practice Test
1. What is the term used when an atom gains one or more electrons?
- A. Cation
- B. Anion
- C. Isotope
- D. Electron
Correct answer: B
Rationale: When an atom gains electrons, it becomes negatively charged and is called an anion. An anion is formed when an atom gains one or more electrons, leading to an excess of negative charge. Choice A, 'Cation,' is incorrect because a cation is formed when an atom loses electrons, resulting in a positively charged ion. Choice C, 'Isotope,' refers to atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons and is not related to gaining electrons. Choice D, 'Electron,' is the particle that an atom gains to become an anion, not the term for the atom itself after gaining electrons.
2. How many electrons are shared in a single covalent bond?
- A. 1
- B. 2
- C. 3
- D. 4
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: '2'. In a single covalent bond, two electrons are shared between two atoms. Each atom contributes one electron to form the bond, resulting in the sharing of a total of two electrons. Choice A is incorrect because a single covalent bond involves the sharing of two electrons, not one. Choices C and D are incorrect as they do not represent the correct number of electrons shared in a single covalent bond.
3. If fifty-six kilograms of a radioactive substance has a half-life of 12 days, how many days will it take the substance to decay naturally to only 7 kilograms?
- A. 8
- B. 12
- C. 36
- D. 48
Correct answer: C
Rationale: To decay from 56 kg to 7 kg, the substance needs to go through 3 half-lives (56 kg ÷ 2 ÷ 2 ÷ 2 = 7 kg). Since each half-life is 12 days, the total time required is 12 days per half-life x 3 half-lives = 36 days. Choice A is incorrect because it does not consider the concept of half-lives. Choice B is incorrect because it represents the duration of a single half-life, not the total time required for the decay. Choice D is incorrect as it does not account for the multiple half-lives needed for the substance to decay from 56 kg to 7 kg.
4. Which substance causes a drop to rapidly turn litmus dye from blue to red?
- A. Milk
- B. Sea water
- C. Ammonia
- D. Lemon juice
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Lemon juice is the correct answer as it is acidic in nature. Acids like lemon juice release hydrogen ions when dissolved in water, which causes litmus dye to change color from blue to red. Milk (Choice A) is neutral, sea water (Choice B) is slightly alkaline, and ammonia (Choice C) is a base. Therefore, these substances do not cause litmus dye to change from blue to red.
5. Radioactive isotopes are frequently used in medicine. What kind of half-life would a medical isotope probably have?
- A. Seconds-long
- B. Days-long
- C. Years-long
- D. Many years long
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Medical isotopes used in diagnosis and treatment need to have a relatively short half-life to minimize radiation exposure to patients. If the half-life were too long (such as many years) or even years-long, the radiation would persist for too long and could be harmful to the patient. Seconds-long half-lives would not provide enough time for the isotope to be effective. Days-long half-lives strike a balance between providing enough time for the isotope to be used effectively and minimizing radiation exposure.
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