which element would you expect to be least reactive

HESI A2

Chemistry HESI A2 Practice Test

1. Which element would you expect to be least reactive?

A. Li
B. Cr
C. Nd
D. Xe

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Xenon (Xe) is a noble gas located in Group 18 of the periodic table. Noble gases are known for their stable and unreactive nature due to having a full outer shell of electrons. Therefore, xenon would be expected to be the least reactive among the given elements. Choice A (Li) is a metal in Group 1 of the periodic table, which tends to be reactive, especially with water. Choice B (Cr) is a transition metal known for its reactivity in some forms. Choice C (Nd) is a rare earth element, which can exhibit varying reactivity depending on the compound or environment.

2. When an acid is added to a base, water and a salt form. What kinds of bonds form in these two compounds?

A. Liquid and metallic
B. Polar and nonpolar covalent
C. Polar covalent and ionic
D. Ionic only

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In water, the bond formed between the oxygen atom and the hydrogen atoms is a polar covalent bond. The oxygen atom attracts the shared electrons more strongly, creating a partial negative charge on the oxygen and a partial positive charge on the hydrogen atoms. In the salt formed, the bond between the metal cation and the nonmetal anion is predominantly an ionic bond. The metal cation donates electrons to the nonmetal anion, resulting in the formation of oppositely charged ions that are held together by electrostatic attractions. Choices A and B are incorrect because water and salts do not form bonds that are liquid and metallic, or polar and nonpolar covalent. Choice D is incorrect as it oversimplifies the types of bonds present in water and salts, failing to differentiate between the covalent bond in water and the ionic bond in the salt.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. What is the chemical symbol for sodium?

A. N
B. Na
C. Cl
D. H

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct chemical symbol for sodium is 'Na.' In the periodic table, sodium is represented by the symbol 'Na,' derived from its Latin name 'natrium.' The symbol 'N' represents nitrogen, not sodium. 'Cl' is the symbol for chlorine, and 'H' is the symbol for hydrogen. Therefore, 'Na' is the correct chemical symbol for sodium.