Nursing Elites

1. If fifty-six kilograms of a radioactive substance has a half-life of 12 days, how many days will it take the substance to decay naturally to only 7 kilograms?

• A. 8
• B. 12
• C. 36
• D. 48

Correct answer: C

Rationale: To decay from 56 kg to 7 kg, the substance needs to go through 3 half-lives (56 kg ÷ 2 ÷ 2 ÷ 2 = 7 kg). Since each half-life is 12 days, the total time required is 12 days per half-life x 3 half-lives = 36 days. Choice A is incorrect because it does not consider the concept of half-lives. Choice B is incorrect because it represents the duration of a single half-life, not the total time required for the decay. Choice D is incorrect as it does not account for the multiple half-lives needed for the substance to decay from 56 kg to 7 kg.

2. The three important allotropic forms of phosphorus are red, white, and ___________.

• A. green
• B. gray
• C. black
• D. silver

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The three important allotropic forms of phosphorus are red, white, and black. These forms indicate the different physical properties and reactivity of phosphorus under various conditions. Red phosphorus is more stable and less reactive than white phosphorus, while black phosphorus is the least reactive form. Choice C, 'black,' is the correct answer as it completes the sequence of allotropic forms of phosphorus. Choices A, 'green,' B, 'gray,' and D, 'silver,' are incorrect as they do not represent recognized forms of phosphorus.

3. 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.

4. What color does phenolphthalein turn in the presence of an acid?

• A. Clear
• B. Blue
• C. Pink
• D. Red

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In the presence of an acid, phenolphthalein turns pink. Phenolphthalein is a pH indicator that is colorless in acidic solutions but turns pink in basic solutions. Therefore, when added to an acidic solution, phenolphthalein will exhibit a pink coloration. Choice A, 'Clear,' is incorrect because phenolphthalein does not remain colorless in the presence of an acid. Choice B, 'Blue,' is incorrect as phenolphthalein does not turn blue in the presence of an acid. Choice D, 'Red,' is incorrect as phenolphthalein does not exhibit a red color in acidic solutions.

5. Cobalt-60 has a half-life of 5 years. If you start with 20 g of cobalt-60, how much is left after 10 years?

• A. 15 g
• B. 10 g
• C. 5 g
• D. 2.5 g

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Cobalt-60's half-life of 5 years means that after 5 years, half of the initial amount remains. Therefore, after 10 years, a quarter (half of a half) of the initial amount will remain. Starting with 20 g, after 10 years, 5 g of cobalt-60 will be left. Choice A (15 g) is incorrect because it assumes a linear decrease, not considering the exponential decay characteristic of radioactive substances. Choice B (10 g) is incorrect as it overlooks that after 10 years, more decay has occurred. Choice D (2.5 g) is incorrect as it represents only an eighth of the initial amount after 10 years, not a quarter.

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