Nursing Elites

1. 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.

2. What charge do Group VA elements typically have?

• A. -1
• B. -2
• C. -3
• D. 0

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Group VA elements, also known as Group 15 elements, typically have a charge of -3. This is because they have five valence electrons and tend to gain three electrons to achieve a stable octet configuration, resulting in a -3 charge. Choice A (-1) and Choice B (-2) are incorrect because Group VA elements need to gain three electrons to reach a stable electron configuration, not just one or two. Choice D (0) is also incorrect because Group VA elements do not lose electrons to form a charge of 0.

3. What is the correct electron configuration for nitrogen?

• A. 1s² 2s²
• B. 1s² 2s² 2p²
• C. 1s² 2s² 2p³
• D. 1s² 2s² 2p⁴

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The electron configuration of nitrogen is determined by its atomic number, which is 7. Nitrogen has 7 electrons. Following the order of filling orbitals, the electron configuration for nitrogen is 1s² 2s² 2p³. This means the first energy level is filled with 2 electrons in the 1s orbital, the second energy level is filled with 2 electrons in the 2s orbital, and 3 electrons in the 2p orbital. Each orbital can hold a specific number of electrons, and nitrogen, with its 7 electrons, fits this configuration. Choice A is incorrect because it does not account for all the electrons in the nitrogen atom. Choice B is incorrect as it only represents 6 electrons, not the 7 electrons in nitrogen. Choice D is incorrect as it represents 8 electrons, which is not the correct electron configuration for nitrogen.

4. What is the name of the process by which a gas turns into a liquid?

• A. Sublimation
• B. Condensation
• C. Evaporation
• D. Deposition

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Condensation. Condensation is the process where gas transforms into a liquid. When gas cools down, it loses energy and its particles come closer, leading to the formation of liquid droplets. Sublimation is the direct transition from solid to gas without passing through the liquid state. Evaporation is the process of liquid turning into a gas, and deposition is the transition of gas directly into a solid. Therefore, choices A, C, and D are incorrect as they describe different phase transitions.

5. What determines polarity in a molecule?

• A. Bond length
• B. Bond strength
• C. Electronegativity
• D. Molecular weight

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Polarity in a molecule is determined by the difference in electronegativity between the atoms forming the bond. The greater the difference in electronegativity, the more polar the bond and molecule become. This difference leads to an uneven distribution of electron density within the bond, creating partial positive and negative charges on the atoms involved. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. Bond length and strength do not determine polarity, and molecular weight is not directly related to the polarity of a molecule.

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