if oxygen is in a compound what would its oxidation number be

HESI A2

HESI A2 Chemistry Practice Test

1. If oxygen is in a compound, what would its oxidation number be?

A. 2
B. -2
C. 0
D. -1

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Oxygen typically has an oxidation number of -2 in compounds because it tends to gain electrons. This is due to its high electronegativity, which leads to oxygen attracting electrons towards itself in a chemical bond. Choice A (2) is incorrect because oxygen doesn't have a +2 oxidation number in compounds. Choice C (0) is incorrect as oxygen rarely has an oxidation number of 0 in compounds. Choice D (-1) is incorrect as oxygen's oxidation number in compounds is typically -2, not -1.

2. Which of these types of intermolecular force is weakest?

A. Dipole-dipole interaction
B. London dispersion force
C. Hydrogen bonding
D. Ionic bonding

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B, London dispersion force. London dispersion forces are the weakest type of intermolecular force among the options provided. These forces arise from temporary fluctuations in electron distribution within molecules, leading to temporary dipoles. London dispersion forces are present in all molecules and are generally weaker than dipole-dipole interactions, hydrogen bonding, and ionic bonding. Dipole-dipole interactions are stronger than London dispersion forces as they involve permanent dipoles in molecules. Hydrogen bonding is stronger than both London dispersion and dipole-dipole interactions as it is a special type of dipole-dipole interaction that occurs when hydrogen is bonded to highly electronegative atoms like oxygen or nitrogen. Ionic bonding is the strongest type of intermolecular force among the options, but it is not the correct answer for the weakest type of force.

3. What is the correct name of ZnSO₄?

A. Zinc sulfate
B. Zinc sulfide
C. Zinc sulfur
D. Zinc oxide

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct name of ZnSO₄ is zinc sulfate. In this compound, zinc is combined with the polyatomic ion sulfate (SO₄). Sulfate is a common anion formed from sulfur and oxygen atoms. Therefore, the correct name for ZnSO₄ is zinc sulfate. Choice B, Zinc sulfide, is incorrect because sulfide is a different anion (S²⁻) compared to sulfate (SO₄²⁻). Choice C, Zinc sulfur, is incorrect as it does not represent the correct anion in the compound. Choice D, Zinc oxide, is incorrect as it involves an oxygen anion, not sulfate.

4. What is the name of the force that holds ionic compounds together?

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

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Ionic bonds are the forces that hold ionic compounds together. In ionic compounds, positively and negatively charged ions are held together by electrostatic forces of attraction, forming a stable structure. Covalent bonds involve the sharing of electrons between atoms, not the transfer of electrons like in ionic bonds. Hydrogen bonds are a type of intermolecular force, not the primary force in holding ionic compounds together. Metallic bonds are found in metals and involve a 'sea of electrons' that hold metal atoms together, different from the electrostatic attraction between ions in ionic compounds.

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

A. 36 g/mol
B. 38 g/mol
C. 71 g/mol
D. 74 g/mol

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The molar mass of hydrogen chloride (HCl) is calculated by adding the atomic masses of hydrogen (H) and chlorine (Cl) together. The atomic mass of hydrogen is approximately 1 g/mol, and the atomic mass of chlorine is approximately 35.5 g/mol. Therefore, the molar mass of hydrogen chloride (HCl) is approximately 1 + 35.5 = 36.5 g/mol. When rounded to the nearest whole number, it is 36 g/mol. Therefore, the correct answer is 36 g/mol. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect as they do not reflect the accurate molar mass of hydrogen chloride.