which of the following compounds is ionic

HESI A2

Chemistry Hesi A2

1. Which of the following compounds is ionic?

A. NaCl
B. Hâ‚‚O
C. HCl
D. NHâ‚ƒ

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is NaCl (sodium chloride). Ionic compounds are formed by the transfer of electrons between a metal and a nonmetal. In NaCl, sodium (Na) is a metal, and chlorine (Cl) is a nonmetal. Sodium donates an electron to chlorine, leading to the formation of the ionic bond between them. This results in the formation of an ionic compound, where positively charged sodium ions are attracted to negatively charged chloride ions, creating a crystal lattice structure. Choices B, C, and D are not ionic compounds. Hâ‚‚O (water) is a covalent compound formed by the sharing of electrons between two nonmetals (oxygen and hydrogen). HCl (hydrogen chloride) and NHâ‚ƒ (ammonia) are also covalent compounds involving nonmetals sharing electrons, not transferring them.

2. Where would you expect tap water to fall on the pH scale?

A. Between 1 and 3
B. Between 4 and 6
C. Between 6 and 8
D. Between 8 and 10

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Tap water typically falls within the pH range of 6 to 8, making it slightly acidic to neutral. Most municipal water systems aim to provide water that is safe for consumption and falls within this pH range. A pH level of 7 is considered neutral, so tap water may vary slightly on either side of this number but typically remains within the 6 to 8 range to ensure it is safe for consumption. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because tap water is not expected to have a pH as low as 1-3 (highly acidic) or as high as 8-10 (alkaline); it usually falls within the slightly acidic to neutral range, hence falling between 6 and 8 on the pH scale.

3. Carbon-12 and carbon-14 are isotopes. What do they have in common?

A. Number of nuclear particles
B. Number of protons
C. Number of neutrons
D. Mass number

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Isotopes are atoms of the same element with the same number of protons (which determines the element) but different numbers of neutrons. Both carbon-12 and carbon-14 have 6 protons (hence they are both carbon atoms) but different numbers of neutrons: carbon-12 has 6 neutrons, while carbon-14 has 8 neutrons. Therefore, the correct answer is the number of neutrons. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because isotopes may have different numbers of nuclear particles (protons + neutrons), protons, and mass numbers, respectively.

4. What effect does increasing the surface area of a reactant have?

A. Decreases the reaction rate
B. Has no effect
C. Increases the reaction rate
D. Stops the reaction

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Increasing the surface area of a reactant leads to more particles being exposed to the reaction, which in turn increases the reaction rate. This is because a larger surface area provides more sites for collisions between reacting particles, resulting in a higher frequency of successful collisions and thus accelerating the reaction. Choice A, 'Decreases the reaction rate,' is incorrect because increasing surface area actually accelerates the reaction. Choice B, 'Has no effect,' is incorrect as increasing surface area does have a significant effect on the reaction rate. Choice D, 'Stops the reaction,' is incorrect as increasing surface area does not stop the reaction but rather enhances it.

5. What are the products of the combustion of a hydrocarbon?

A. Water and carbon dioxide
B. Water and oxygen
C. Hydrogen and carbon monoxide
D. Carbon dioxide and oxygen

Correct answer: A

Rationale: When a hydrocarbon undergoes combustion, it reacts with oxygen to produce water and carbon dioxide as the main products. The general chemical equation for the combustion of a hydrocarbon is hydrocarbon + oxygen â†’ carbon dioxide + water. Therefore, the correct answer is 'Water and carbon dioxide.' Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because water and carbon dioxide are the primary products of hydrocarbon combustion, not water and oxygen, hydrogen and carbon monoxide, or carbon dioxide and oxygen.