which ion would you expect to dominate in water solutions of bases

HESI A2

Chemistry HESI A2 Practice Test

1. Which ion would you expect to dominate in water solutions of bases?

A. MgCl₂
B. 2HCl
C. H⁺
D. OH⁻

Correct answer: D

Rationale: In water solutions of bases, the dominant ion would be OH⁻ (hydroxide ion). Bases release OH⁻ ions when dissolved in water, increasing the concentration of hydroxide ions and leading to a higher pH. This is in contrast to acids, which release H⁺ ions. Therefore, in water solutions of bases, the presence of OH⁻ ions signifies the basic nature of the solution. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because MgCl₂ is a salt, 2HCl is a compound consisting of two hydrogen ions and one chloride ion, and H⁺ represents a hydrogen ion typically associated with acids, not bases.

2. What is the mass number of an atom with 6 protons, 6 neutrons, and 6 electrons?

A. 12
B. 18
C. 6
D. 8

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The mass number of an atom is the sum of protons and neutrons. In this case, the atom has 6 protons and 6 neutrons, thus the mass number is 6 + 6 = 12. Therefore, choice A (12) is the correct answer. Choices B (18), C (6), and D (8) are incorrect because the mass number is determined by the sum of protons and neutrons, not the number of electrons or a different combination of particles.

3. What is the oxidation state of the nitrogen atom in the compound NH3?

A. -3
B. -1
C. +1
D. +3

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In the compound NH3, nitrogen is bonded to three hydrogen atoms. Hydrogen is always assigned an oxidation state of +1. Since the overall charge of NH3 is zero, the oxidation state of nitrogen must be -1 to balance out the hydrogen's +1 oxidation state. Therefore, the correct oxidation state of the nitrogen atom in NH3 is -1. Choice A (-3) is incorrect because it does not account for the electronegativity of hydrogen. Choice C (+1) and Choice D (+3) are incorrect as the nitrogen atom in NH3 needs to balance the +1 oxidation state of each hydrogen atom, resulting in a total of -3 to maintain the compound's charge neutrality.

4. Which of the following factors would not affect rates of reaction?

A. Temperature
B. Surface area
C. Pressure
D. Time

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Time would not directly affect rates of reaction. The rate of a chemical reaction is determined by factors that affect the frequency of successful collisions between reactant molecules, leading to a reaction. Temperature, surface area, and pressure can influence reaction rates by impacting the kinetic energy of molecules, the exposed surface for collisions, and the concentration of reactants, respectively. However, time, in the context of this question, does not alter the rate of reaction but may affect the extent of the reaction or the amount of product formed over time.

5. What are neutral particles called?

A. Neutrons
B. Protons
C. Electrons
D. Cations

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Neutral particles, which have no electric charge, are known as neutrons. Neutrons are found in the nucleus of an atom along with protons. Electrons carry a negative charge and orbit the nucleus. Cations are positively charged ions formed by losing electrons. Therefore, the correct answer is 'Neutrons' as they are the neutral particles in an atom, unlike protons, electrons, or cations.