which of the following compounds is ionic

HESI A2

Chemistry Hesi A2

1. Which of the following compounds is ionic?

A. NaCl
B. H₂O
C. HCl
D. NH₃

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. H₂O (water) is a covalent compound formed by the sharing of electrons between two nonmetals (oxygen and hydrogen). HCl (hydrogen chloride) and NH₃ (ammonia) are also covalent compounds involving nonmetals sharing electrons, not transferring them.

2. How many neutrons are in an atom of helium-4?

A. 2
B. 3
C. 4
D. 6

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The atomic number of helium is 2, indicating it has 2 protons. Helium-4, the most common isotope of helium, has 2 neutrons in addition to its 2 protons. Therefore, the correct answer is 2 neutrons in an atom of helium-4. Choice B, C, and D are incorrect as they do not match the correct composition of helium-4, which consists of 2 protons and 2 neutrons.

3. What type of radiation is high-energy electromagnetic radiation that lacks charge and mass?

A. Beta
B. Alpha
C. Gamma
D. Delta

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Gamma radiation is a form of high-energy electromagnetic radiation that does not possess charge or mass. This type of radiation is commonly used in various fields due to its penetrating ability and lack of charge or mass, making it different from alpha and beta radiation, which consist of charged particles. Therefore, the correct answer is C - Gamma. Choices A and B are incorrect as they refer to alpha and beta radiation, which are composed of charged particles. Choice D, Delta, is not a type of radiation.

4. Which two functional groups would you expect an amino acid to contain?

A. R-NH2 and R-COOH
B. R-CHO and R-CO-NH
C. R-OH and R-COOR
D. R-O-R and R-COOH

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Amino acids are organic compounds that are characterized by the presence of an amino group (NH2) and a carboxylic acid group (COOH) in their chemical structure. These two functional groups, found in option A, are fundamental components of amino acids and play crucial roles in their classification and biological functions. Option B contains an aldehyde group (CHO) and an amide group (CO-NH), which are not characteristic functional groups of amino acids. Option C includes a hydroxyl group (OH) and an ester group (COOR), which are not typically present in amino acids. Option D presents ether (R-O-R) and carboxylic acid (COOH) functional groups, which do not represent the functional groups commonly found in amino acids.

5. To the nearest whole number, what is the mass of one mole of water?

A. 16 g/mol
B. 18 g/mol
C. 20 g/mol
D. 22 g/mol

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The molar mass of water (H₂O) is calculated by adding the atomic masses of two hydrogen atoms (each with a molar mass of approximately 1 g/mol) and one oxygen atom (with a molar mass of approximately 16 g/mol). Therefore, the molar mass of water is approximately 18 g/mol, making choice B the correct answer. Choice A (16 g/mol) is incorrect because it represents the molar mass of oxygen, not water. Choices C (20 g/mol) and D (22 g/mol) are incorrect as they do not correspond to the molar mass of water.