which is true of a saturated solution

HESI A2

HESI A2 Chemistry Practice Questions

1. Which statement is true of a saturated solution?

A. It has more solute than can dissolve in the solvent.
B. It has less solute that can dissolve in the solvent.
C. It has the maximum concentration of the solute dissolved in the solvent.
D. It contains a precipitate that lowers the concentration of the solute in the solvent.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A saturated solution contains the maximum concentration of solute that can be dissolved in a specific amount of solvent at a particular temperature. Once a solution is saturated, adding more solute will not increase its concentration since the excess solute will not dissolve and will instead form a precipitate, indicating that the solution is at its maximum capacity. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because a saturated solution has reached its limit in dissolving solute, so it cannot contain more solute than it can dissolve (choice A), less solute than it can dissolve (choice B), or a precipitate that lowers the concentration of the solute in the solvent (choice D).

2. How many moles of potassium bromide are in 25 mL of a 4 M KBr solution?

A. 0.035 mol
B. 0.1 mol
C. 0.18 mol
D. 1.6 mol

Correct answer: B

Rationale: To find the moles of potassium bromide in 25 mL of a 4 M KBr solution, we first need to convert the volume from milliliters to liters. 25 mL is equal to 0.025 L. Then, we use the formula moles = molarity x volume in liters. Substituting the values, moles = 4 M x 0.025 L = 0.1 mol. Therefore, there are 0.1 moles of KBr in 25 mL of a 4 M solution. Choice A, 0.035 mol, is incorrect as it does not properly calculate the moles. Choice C, 0.18 mol, and choice D, 1.6 mol, are also incorrect as they are not the result of the correct calculation based on the given molarity and volume.

3. What is atomic mass?

A. Number of protons in an atom
B. Sum of protons and neutrons
C. Number of neutrons in an atom
D. Average weight of an element

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Atomic mass, also known as atomic weight, is the sum of the number of protons and neutrons in an atom. It represents the average mass of an atom of an element, taking into account the different isotopes and their relative abundance. Neutrons contribute to the atomic mass alongside protons, while the number of neutrons alone is not the definition of atomic mass. Choice A is incorrect because it refers only to the number of protons, not the complete atomic mass. Choice C is incorrect as it focuses solely on the number of neutrons, excluding the contribution of protons. Choice D is incorrect as it mentions the 'average weight of an element,' which is related to atomic mass but does not encapsulate the specific definition of atomic mass as the sum of protons and neutrons.

4. What are the three types of intermolecular forces?

A. Ionic, covalent, hydrogen
B. Hydrogen bonding, dipole interactions, dispersion forces
C. Van der Waals, ionic, covalent
D. Hydrogen, Van der Waals, dispersion forces

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The three types of intermolecular forces are hydrogen bonding, dipole interactions, and dispersion forces. Option A includes ionic and covalent bonds, which are intramolecular forces, not intermolecular. Option C includes van der Waals forces, which encompass dipole interactions and dispersion forces, but also includes ionic and covalent bonds. Option D is close but misses dipole interactions, which are distinct from hydrogen bonding and dispersion forces. Therefore, option B is the correct choice as it includes the three specific types of intermolecular forces.

5. What is the number of protons in the atomic nucleus of an alkali metal?

A. 9
B. 10
C. 11
D. 12

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The number of protons in the atomic nucleus of an alkali metal is 11. Alkali metals, belonging to group 1 of the periodic table, have 1 electron in their outer shell, which corresponds to 1 proton in their nucleus. Therefore, the correct answer is option C: 11. Choice A (9) is incorrect because it does not match the number of protons in an alkali metal. Choice B (10) is incorrect as it is also not the correct number of protons for an alkali metal. Choice D (12) is incorrect as it is not the typical number of protons found in the nucleus of an alkali metal.