which of these factors would not affect rates of reaction

HESI A2

Chemistry HESI A2 Practice Test

1. Which of the following factors would not affect rates of reaction?

A. Temperature
B. Surface area
C. Pressure
D. Time

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Time would not directly affect rates of reaction. The rate of a chemical reaction is determined by factors that affect the frequency of successful collisions between reactant molecules, leading to a reaction. Temperature, surface area, and pressure can influence reaction rates by impacting the kinetic energy of molecules, the exposed surface for collisions, and the concentration of reactants, respectively. However, time, in the context of this question, does not alter the rate of reaction but may affect the extent of the reaction or the amount of product formed over time.

2. Which type of chemical bond is the strongest?

A. Ionic
B. Hydrogen
C. Covalent
D. Metallic

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Covalent bonds, especially those formed between non-metals, are the strongest type of chemical bond. In covalent bonds, atoms share electrons, creating a strong bond that requires a significant amount of energy to break. Choice A, ionic bonds, are strong but generally weaker than covalent bonds as they involve the transfer of electrons rather than sharing. Choice B, hydrogen bonds, are relatively weak intermolecular forces, not true chemical bonds. Choice D, metallic bonds, are strong but typically not as strong as covalent bonds. Metallic bonds involve a 'sea of electrons' shared between metal atoms, providing strength but with less directional bonding compared to covalent bonds.

3. Which compound has a nonpolar bond in which the electrons are shared equally?

A. Hâ‚‚O
B. NHâ‚ƒ
C. Clâ‚‚
D. CHâ‚„

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The compound CHâ‚„, methane, has a nonpolar bond where carbon and hydrogen share electrons equally. This occurs because carbon and hydrogen have similar electronegativities, meaning they have equal abilities to attract shared electrons. Consequently, a nonpolar covalent bond is formed due to the balanced sharing of electrons between these atoms. Choices A, B, and C do not have nonpolar bonds with electrons shared equally. In Hâ‚‚O (water), there are polar covalent bonds due to the difference in electronegativity between hydrogen and oxygen. In NHâ‚ƒ (ammonia), the nitrogen-hydrogen bonds are polar because of the electronegativity difference. In Clâ‚‚ (chlorine gas), the Cl-Cl bond is nonpolar, but the question specifies a compound, not an element, and chlorine does not share its electrons equally with another element in a compound.

4. How many protons does Potassium have?

A. 18
B. 19
C. 20
D. 21

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Potassium, with the atomic symbol K, has 19 protons, which is equal to its atomic number. The number of protons determines the element's identity, and in the case of Potassium, it is 19. Choice A (18) is incorrect as it does not correspond to Potassium's proton number. Choice C (20) and Choice D (21) are also incorrect as they do not match the actual number of protons in Potassium.

5. How many neutrons are in an atom of uranium-235?

A. 92
B. 125
C. 143
D. 235

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: '92'. To determine the number of neutrons in an atom, you subtract the atomic number (number of protons) from the atomic mass number. For uranium-235, the atomic number is 92, and the atomic mass number is 235. Subtracting 92 from 235 gives us 143 neutrons in an atom of uranium-235. Therefore, options B, C, and D are incorrect as they do not represent the correct number of neutrons in an atom of uranium-235.