which of the following is a property of acids

HESI A2

HESI A2 Chemistry Questions

1. Which of the following is a characteristic property of acids?

A. Sour taste
B. Bitter taste
C. Reacts with bases
D. Slippery feel

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is 'A: Sour taste.' Acids are known to have a sour taste, which is a fundamental characteristic property of acids. This taste distinguishes acids from bases, which are more likely to have a bitter taste. The sour taste of acids is due to the presence of hydrogen ions in them. Therefore, when identifying an acid based on taste, the sour taste serves as a key indicator. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. Bitter taste is associated with bases, not acids. While acids do react with bases (Choice C), this is not a characteristic property of acids but rather a chemical behavior. Slippery feel (Choice D) is a property of bases, not acids.

2. Which classification best describes B, Si, As, Te, At, Ge, and Sb that form a staircase pattern on the right side of the periodic table?

A. Metals
B. Semimetals
C. Nonmetals
D. Ultrametals

Correct answer: B

Rationale: B, Si, As, Te, At, Ge, and Sb are located in a staircase pattern on the periodic table's right side. Elements in this region are known as metalloids or semimetals because they exhibit properties of both metals and nonmetals. They possess characteristics of both metallic and non-metallic elements, making them valuable semiconductors with diverse applications in electronics. Choice A is incorrect because these elements are not considered true metals. Choice C is incorrect as these elements do not display typical nonmetal properties exclusively. Choice D, 'Ultrametals,' is not a recognized classification in chemistry and is therefore incorrect.

3. How many times more acidic is a substance with a pH of 3 compared to a substance with a pH of 5?

A. 8
B. 2
C. 100
D. 1,000

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The pH scale is logarithmic, indicating that each pH unit change reflects a 10-fold difference in acidity level. Going from pH 5 to pH 3 involves a difference of 2 units, which translates to a 100-fold increase in acidity level (10^2 = 100 for each unit). Therefore, a substance with a pH of 3 is 1,000 times more acidic than a substance with a pH of 5 (100 * 10 = 1,000). Choice A (8) is incorrect as it does not consider the logarithmic nature of the pH scale. Choice B (2) is incorrect because it represents the difference in pH units, not the increase in acidity level. Choice C (100) is incorrect as it miscalculates the increase in acidity level, which is 1,000 times and not 100 times.

4. How much concentrated HCl should be used to prepare 500 mL of a 0.100 M HCl solution?

A. 75 mL
B. 100 mL
C. 125 mL
D. 150 mL

Correct answer: B

Rationale: To prepare a 0.100 M HCl solution with a volume of 500 mL, you can use the formula C1V1 = C2V2, where C1 is the concentration of the concentrated HCl solution, V1 is the volume of concentrated HCl solution used, C2 is the desired concentration (0.100 M), and V2 is the final volume (500 mL). Rearranging the formula to solve for V1, you get V1 = (C2V2) / C1. Plugging in the values (0.100 M)(500 mL) / C1 = 100 mL, which means 100 mL of concentrated HCl should be used to prepare 500 mL of a 0.100 M HCl solution. Therefore, the correct answer is 100 mL. Choice A (75 mL), Choice C (125 mL), and Choice D (150 mL) are incorrect as they do not match the calculated volume needed to prepare the desired concentration of HCl solution.

5. What is stoichiometry?

A. The study of energy changes in chemical reactions
B. The study of the mass relationships in chemical reactions
C. The study of atomic structure
D. The study of molecular geometry

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Stoichiometry is the branch of chemistry that deals with the quantitative relationships between reactants and products in chemical reactions. It focuses on the calculation of the amounts of substances consumed and produced in a reaction based on the balanced chemical equation. Choice A is incorrect because the study of energy changes in chemical reactions falls under thermodynamics. Choice C is incorrect as atomic structure is related to the arrangement of atoms within molecules. Choice D is incorrect as molecular geometry deals with the spatial arrangement of atoms within molecules.