HESI A2
HESI A2 Chemistry Practice Test
1. How are elements arranged in the periodic table?
- A. Order of increasing atomic number
- B. Alphabetical order
- C. Order of increasing metallic properties
- D. Order of increasing neutron content
Correct answer: A
Rationale: In the periodic table, the elements are arranged in order of increasing atomic number. This organization is based on the number of protons in the nucleus of each element. It provides a systematic way to classify elements and predict their properties. Knowing the atomic number of an element helps determine its placement in the periodic table and its characteristics. Therefore, the correct answer is the order of increasing atomic number as it is fundamental to the structure and properties of the elements. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. Alphabetical order does not reflect any underlying property of the elements, metallic properties vary across the table, and neutron content alone is not the basis for the arrangement in the periodic table.
2. Which of the following lists four factors that affect rates of reaction?
- A. Barometric pressure, particle size, concentration, and the presence of a facilitator
- B. Temperature, particle size, concentration, and the presence of a catalyst
- C. Temperature, container material, elevation, and the presence of instability
- D. Volatility, particle size, concentration, and the presence of a catalyst
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. The factors that influence rates of reaction are temperature, particle size, concentration, and the presence of a catalyst. Temperature affects the speed of molecules, particle size impacts the available surface area for reactions, concentration influences the collision frequency between reactant molecules, and catalysts accelerate reactions by providing an alternative pathway with lower activation energy. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect as they either include irrelevant factors that do not affect reaction rates (barometric pressure, container material, elevation, and volatility) or lack important factors that do influence reaction rates (like a catalyst).
3. What is the typical oxidation state of oxygen in most compounds?
- A. -1
- B. -2
- C. 0
- D. -3
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: "-2". Oxygen usually exhibits an oxidation state of -2 in most compounds. This is due to oxygen's high electronegativity, which causes it to attract electrons, leading to the gain of two electrons in chemical reactions. Choice A (-1) is incorrect because oxygen rarely has an oxidation state of -1 in compounds. Choice C (0) is incorrect as oxygen does not usually have an oxidation state of zero in compounds. Choice D (-3) is incorrect as oxygen does not commonly have an oxidation state of -3 in compounds.
4. A molecule of water contains hydrogen and oxygen in a 1:8 ratio by mass. This is a statement of _____.
- A. The law of multiple proportions
- B. The law of conservation of mass
- C. The law of conservation of energy
- D. The law of constant composition
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The statement that a molecule of water contains hydrogen and oxygen in a 1:8 ratio by mass is an example of the law of constant composition. This law states that all samples of a given chemical compound have the same elemental composition. In the case of water (H2O), no matter where you obtain a sample of water, it will always be composed of hydrogen and oxygen in a 1:8 ratio by mass. The law of multiple proportions deals with compounds that can be formed by the combination of elements in different ratios. The law of conservation of mass states that mass is neither created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction. The law of conservation of energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred or converted.
5. What type of starch is glycogen?
- A. Plant starch
- B. Animal starch
- C. Glucose
- D. Cellulose
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Glycogen is classified as animal starch, not plant starch. It is the storage form of glucose in animals, primarily found in the liver and muscles. Choice A (Plant starch) is incorrect because glycogen is not derived from plants. Choice C (Glucose) is incorrect as glucose is a monosaccharide and not a type of starch. Choice D (Cellulose) is incorrect as cellulose is a structural polysaccharide found in plant cell walls, not the same as glycogen.
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