HESI A2
HESI A2 Chemistry Practice Test
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Which number represents the number of protons in an element?
- A. Atomic mass
- B. Mass number
- C. Atomic number
- D. Proton number
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Atomic number. The atomic number corresponds to the number of protons in an element. Protons are positively charged subatomic particles found in the nucleus of an atom. Each element has a unique atomic number, which defines its identity based on the number of protons it contains. Choice A, Atomic mass, is incorrect as it refers to the average mass of an atom of an element. Choice B, Mass number, represents the total number of protons and neutrons in an atom's nucleus. Choice D, Proton number, is not a commonly used term in chemistry to indicate the number of protons.
4. What is the correct name of AgNO₃?
- A. Argent nitrous
- B. Argent oxide
- C. Silver nitrite
- D. Silver nitrate
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The correct name for AgNO₃ is silver nitrate. In chemical nomenclature, the element symbol Ag represents silver, and the polyatomic ion NO₃ is known as nitrate. Therefore, when the silver ion (Ag⁺) combines with the nitrate ion (NO₃⁻), the resulting compound is named silver nitrate (AgNO₃). Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because they do not accurately represent the composition of AgNO₃. Argent nitrous (Choice A) and Argent oxide (Choice B) do not reflect the correct anion, and Silver nitrite (Choice C) uses a different anion altogether.
5. What is the product of the decomposition of water?
- A. Hydrogen and oxygen
- B. Carbon dioxide
- C. Nitrogen and hydrogen
- D. Methane
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Hydrogen and oxygen. When water undergoes decomposition, it breaks down into hydrogen and oxygen gases through a process known as electrolysis. This reaction is represented by 2H₂O → 2H₂ + O₂. Choice B, carbon dioxide, is incorrect as it is not a product of water decomposition. Choice C, nitrogen and hydrogen, is incorrect as water decomposes into hydrogen and oxygen, not nitrogen. Choice D, methane, is incorrect as methane is not a product of water decomposition.
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