which ion would you expect to dominate in water solutions of bases

HESI A2

Chemistry HESI A2 Practice Test

1. Which ion would you expect to dominate in water solutions of bases?

A. MgCl₂
B. 2HCl
C. H⁺
D. OH⁻

Correct answer: D

Rationale: In water solutions of bases, the dominant ion would be OH⁻ (hydroxide ion). Bases release OH⁻ ions when dissolved in water, increasing the concentration of hydroxide ions and leading to a higher pH. This is in contrast to acids, which release H⁺ ions. Therefore, in water solutions of bases, the presence of OH⁻ ions signifies the basic nature of the solution. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because MgCl₂ is a salt, 2HCl is a compound consisting of two hydrogen ions and one chloride ion, and H⁺ represents a hydrogen ion typically associated with acids, not bases.

2. If electrons are not shared equally in a covalent bond, the bond is what?

A. Polar
B. Non-polar
C. Ionic
D. Hydrogen

Correct answer: A

Rationale: A polar covalent bond occurs when electrons are shared unequally between atoms. In this type of bond, one atom has a stronger pull on the shared electrons, leading to a partial positive and partial negative charge distribution within the molecule. Choice B, non-polar, is incorrect because in non-polar covalent bonds, electrons are shared equally between atoms. Choice C, ionic, is incorrect as ionic bonds involve a transfer of electrons rather than sharing. Choice D, hydrogen, is incorrect as it does not describe the nature of a covalent bond.

3. What charge do Group VIA elements typically have?

A. -1
B. -2
C. -3
D. 0

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Group VIA elements, also known as Group 16 elements, typically have a charge of -2. This is because they have 6 valence electrons and tend to gain 2 electrons to achieve a stable octet configuration, resulting in a -2 charge. Choice A (-1) is incorrect as Group VIA elements need to gain 2 electrons for stability, not just 1. Choice C (-3) is incorrect because Group VIA elements do not need to gain 3 electrons to achieve stability. Choice D (0) is incorrect as Group VIA elements need to gain electrons to reach a stable configuration, resulting in a negative charge.

4. Which elements are typically involved in hydrogen bonding?

A. Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen
B. Fluorine, chlorine, oxygen
C. Fluorine, chlorine, nitrogen
D. Fluorine, oxygen, nitrogen

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Hydrogen bonding occurs between hydrogen and highly electronegative atoms such as fluorine, oxygen, and nitrogen. These atoms have a strong pull on the shared electrons, leading to a partial negative charge on them, which allows them to form hydrogen bonds with hydrogen or other electronegative atoms. Choice A is incorrect because carbon is not typically involved in hydrogen bonding. Choice B is incorrect because chlorine is not as electronegative as nitrogen, and choice C is incorrect because nitrogen is more electronegative than chlorine.

5. What are negatively charged ions called?

A. Neutrons
B. Protons
C. Anions
D. Cations

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Negatively charged ions are called anions. Anions gain electrons and carry a negative charge, which distinguishes them from cations that are positively charged and neutrons and protons that are subatomic particles found in the nucleus of an atom. Choice A, Neutrons, are neutral subatomic particles found in the nucleus of an atom, not negatively charged ions. Choice B, Protons, are positively charged subatomic particles found in the nucleus of an atom, not negatively charged ions. Choice D, Cations, are positively charged ions that lose electrons, which is opposite to the behavior of negatively charged ions.