what is the ph of acids

HESI A2

Chemistry HESI A2 Practice Test

1. What is the pH of acids?

A. 7.5
B. < 7
C. > 7
D. 7

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: < 7. Acids have a pH lower than 7, indicating higher acidity. A pH below 7 signifies an acidic solution, with lower values indicating stronger acids. Choice A (7.5) is incorrect as it is greater than 7, which is alkaline. Choice C (> 7) is incorrect as values greater than 7 represent alkaline/basic solutions. Choice D (7) is incorrect because a pH of 7 is neutral, not acidic.

2. 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.

3. To the nearest whole number, what is the mass of one mole of sodium chloride?

A. 36 g/mol
B. 43 g/mol
C. 58 g/mol
D. 72 g/mol

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The molar mass of sodium chloride (NaCl) is calculated by adding the atomic masses of sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl). The atomic mass of sodium is approximately 23 g/mol and chlorine is approximately 35.5 g/mol. Adding these two atomic masses gives us a molar mass of approximately 58 g/mol for sodium chloride (NaCl). Therefore, the correct answer is C, 58 g/mol. Choice A (36 g/mol) is incorrect as it does not account for the individual atomic masses of sodium and chlorine. Choice B (43 g/mol) and choice D (72 g/mol) are also incorrect as they do not reflect the accurate molar mass of sodium chloride.

4. What does the mass of one mole of a substance represent?

A. Atomic mass
B. Mass number
C. Molecular weight
D. Molar mass

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The mass of one mole of a substance is represented by its molar mass. Molar mass is the mass of one mole of a substance and is expressed in grams per mole. It is calculated by summing the atomic masses of all atoms in a molecule. Therefore, the correct answer is D - 'Molar mass'. Choice A, 'Atomic mass', refers to the average mass of an atom of an element. Choice B, 'Mass number', is the total number of protons and neutrons in an atom's nucleus. Choice C, 'Molecular weight', is the average mass of a molecule relative to 1/12 of the mass of an atom of carbon-12.

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.