which element would you expect to be least reactive

HESI A2

Chemistry HESI A2 Practice Test

1. Which element would you expect to be least reactive?

A. Li
B. Cr
C. Nd
D. Xe

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Xenon (Xe) is a noble gas located in Group 18 of the periodic table. Noble gases are known for their stable and unreactive nature due to having a full outer shell of electrons. Therefore, xenon would be expected to be the least reactive among the given elements. Choice A (Li) is a metal in Group 1 of the periodic table, which tends to be reactive, especially with water. Choice B (Cr) is a transition metal known for its reactivity in some forms. Choice C (Nd) is a rare earth element, which can exhibit varying reactivity depending on the compound or environment.

2. Which type of radiation emits helium ions and can be stopped by a piece of paper?

A. Beta radiation
B. Alpha radiation
C. Gamma radiation
D. X-ray radiation

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Alpha radiation emits helium ions, which are helium nuclei without electrons, making them positively charged. These ions are relatively large and heavy compared to beta and gamma radiation. Due to their size and charge, alpha particles interact strongly with matter and are easily stopped. A piece of paper or even human skin can effectively block alpha radiation. Therefore, alpha radiation is the type of radiation that can be stopped by a piece of paper. Beta radiation consists of fast-moving electrons and can penetrate further into materials than alpha radiation, thus not stopped by a piece of paper. Gamma radiation is highly penetrating and requires dense materials like lead or concrete to block it effectively. X-ray radiation, similar to gamma radiation, is also highly penetrating and cannot be stopped by a piece of paper.

3. What does the mass number minus the atomic number equal?

A. Number of electrons
B. Number of neutrons
C. Number of protons
D. Number of isotopes

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The mass number of an atom represents the total number of protons and neutrons in its nucleus. The atomic number indicates the number of protons in the nucleus. The difference between the mass number and the atomic number provides the number of neutrons present in the nucleus of an atom. Therefore, mass number minus atomic number equals the number of neutrons. Choice A is incorrect because the number of electrons is not determined by the mass number and atomic number. Choice C is incorrect as it represents the number of protons, not the difference between the mass number and atomic number. Choice D is incorrect as isotopes refer to atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons, not the difference between mass number and atomic number.

4. Which of these intermolecular forces might represent attraction between atoms of a noble gas?

A. Dipole-dipole interaction
B. London dispersion force
C. Keesom interaction
D. Hydrogen bonding

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Noble gases are non-polar molecules without a permanent dipole moment. The only intermolecular force applicable to noble gases is the London dispersion force, also known as Van der Waals forces. This force is a temporary attractive force resulting from the formation of temporary dipoles in non-polar molecules. Dipole-dipole interactions, Keesom interactions, and hydrogen bonding involve significant dipoles or hydrogen atoms bonded to electronegative atoms, which do not apply to noble gases.

5. Which one does not name a polar molecule?

A. NH₃
B. H₂S
C. SO₂
D. CO₂

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is NH₃. The molecule NH₃ does not represent a polar molecule because nitrogen and hydrogen in this molecule have a small difference in electronegativity that does not result in a significant polar covalent bond. In contrast, molecules H₂S, SO₂, and CO₂ have polar covalent bonds due to larger electronegativity differences, making them polar molecules. Therefore, options B, C, and D are polar molecules, unlike option A.