HESI A2
Chemistry HESI A2 Practice Test Questions
Question 1 of 9
How many neutrons are in an atom of uranium-235?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: '92'. To determine the number of neutrons in an atom, you subtract the atomic number (number of protons) from the atomic mass number. For uranium-235, the atomic number is 92, and the atomic mass number is 235. Subtracting 92 from 235 gives us 143 neutrons in an atom of uranium-235. Therefore, options B, C, and D are incorrect as they do not represent the correct number of neutrons in an atom of uranium-235.
Question 2 of 9
On what concept is Kelvin based?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Absolute zero. Kelvin is based on the concept of absolute zero, which is the point where molecular movement ceases entirely. This temperature scale starts at absolute zero (0K), where theoretically no molecular movement occurs. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because Kelvin is not based on the freezing point, boiling point, or evaporation point, but rather on the absolute absence of molecular motion.
Question 3 of 9
What is the oxidation state of the chlorine atom in the compound HCl?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In the compound HCl (hydrochloric acid), the hydrogen atom has an oxidation state of +1 based on the rules of assigning oxidation states. Since the overall compound is neutral, the oxidation state of chlorine must be -1 to balance the charge. Chlorine typically has an oxidation state of -1 in binary compounds with nonmetals, such as HCl. Therefore, the correct answer is -1. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect as the oxidation state of chlorine in HCl is -1, not +1, +2, or -2.
Question 4 of 9
The molar mass of glucose is 180 g/mol. If an IV solution contains 5 g of glucose in 100 g of water, what is the molarity of the solution?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: To calculate the molarity of the solution, we first need to determine the moles of solute (glucose) and solvent (water) separately. The molar mass of glucose is 180 g/mol. First, calculate the moles of glucose: 5 g / 180 g/mol = 0.02778 mol of glucose. Next, calculate the moles of water: 100 g / 18 g/mol = 5.56 mol of water. Now, calculate the total moles in the solution: 0.02778 mol glucose + 5.56 mol water = 5.5878 mol. Finally, calculate the molarity: Molarity = moles of solute / liters of solution. Since the total mass of the solution is 100 g + 5 g = 105 g = 0.105 kg, which is equal to 0.105 L, the molarity is 5.5878 mol / 0.105 L = 53.22 M, which rounds to 2.8M. Therefore, the correct answer is 2.8M. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because they do not reflect the accurate molarity calculation based on the moles of solute and volume of the solution.
Question 5 of 9
How many times more acidic is a substance with a pH of 3 compared to a substance with a pH of 5?
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.
Question 6 of 9
A salt solution has a molarity of 5 M. How many moles of this salt are present in 0 L of this solution?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Molarity is defined as the number of moles of solute per liter of solution. A molarity of 5 M indicates there are 5 moles of salt in 1 liter of the solution. Since the volume of the solution is 0 liters, multiplying the molarity by 0 liters results in 0 moles of salt (5 moles/L x 0 L = 0 moles). Therefore, the correct answer is 0. Option B, 1.5, is incorrect because it doesn't consider the volume being 0 liters. Options C and D, 2 and 3 respectively, are also incorrect as they do not account for the zero volume of the solution. Hence, there are no moles of salt present in 0 liters of the solution.
Question 7 of 9
If gas A has four times the molar mass of gas B, you would expect it to diffuse through a plug ___________.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: When comparing the diffusion rates of two gases, according to Graham's law of diffusion, the rate of diffusion is inversely proportional to the square root of the molar mass. If gas A has four times the molar mass of gas B, the square root of the molar masses ratio (4:1) is 2. This means that gas A would diffuse through a plug at half the rate of gas B. Therefore, the correct answer is A, at half the rate of gas B. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they do not reflect the correct relationship between the molar masses and the rates of diffusion according to Graham's law.
Question 8 of 9
Radioactive isotopes are frequently used in medicine. What kind of half-life would a medical isotope probably have?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Medical isotopes used in diagnosis and treatment need to have a relatively short half-life to minimize radiation exposure to patients. If the half-life were too long (such as many years) or even years-long, the radiation would persist for too long and could be harmful to the patient. Seconds-long half-lives would not provide enough time for the isotope to be effective. Days-long half-lives strike a balance between providing enough time for the isotope to be used effectively and minimizing radiation exposure.
Question 9 of 9
How many neutrons does carbon-14 have?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: 8. Carbon-14 is an isotope of carbon with 6 protons and 8 neutrons. To determine the number of neutrons in an atom, subtract the atomic number (number of protons) from the mass number. In this case, the mass number of carbon-14 is 14, and the atomic number of carbon is 6. Therefore, 14 (mass number) - 6 (atomic number) = 8 neutrons. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because they do not reflect the correct number of neutrons in a carbon-14 atom.