The chemist credited for inventing a set of symbols for writing elements and a system for writing the formulas of compounds (and for discovering selenium, silicon, and thorium) is

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Berzelius. Berzelius is credited with inventing symbols for elements and a system for writing compound formulas. He also discovered selenium, silicon, and thorium. Berzelius made significant contributions to the field of chemistry. A: Boyle is known for Boyle's Law related to gases, not for inventing chemical symbols or discovering elements. B: Lavoisier is known as the father of modern chemistry but did not invent chemical symbols or discover these elements. C: Priestly is known for discovering oxygen, but not for the specific contributions mentioned in the question.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because when alpha particles are beamed at a thin metal foil, some pass directly through due to their small size and high energy (option A), while others are reflected by direct contact with nuclei in the metal foil (option C). This is based on the Rutherford scattering experiment which showed that alpha particles can be deflected by the positive nuclei in the metal foil. Option B is incorrect as alpha particles are not diverted by attraction to electrons in the foil. Option D combines the correct explanations for the behavior of alpha particles when beamed at thin metal foil.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Alpha particles greatly deflected by the metal foil. In the Thomson model, the atom was thought to be a uniform, positively charged sphere. If this model had been correct, alpha particles would have passed through the foil with little or no deflection. However, Rutherford observed significant deflections, indicating a concentrated positive charge at the center (nucleus). This aligns with the concept of the Rutherford model of the atom. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because they do not correspond to the experimental observations made by Rutherford.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because Bromine-79 has an atomic number of 35, indicating the number of protons. Neutrons are calculated by subtracting the atomic number from the mass number, so Bromine-79 with a mass number of 79 has 44 neutrons. Electrons are equal to the number of protons in a neutral atom, so there are 35 electrons in an atom of Bromine-79. Choice B is incorrect because it does not account for the correct number of neutrons present in Bromine-79. Choice C is incorrect as it has an incorrect number of protons and electrons for Bromine-79. Choice D is incorrect as it incorrectly assigns 79 neutrons to Bromine-79, which is the total mass number, not the number of neutrons.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Ions are formed by adding or removing protons or electrons. This statement is true because ions are formed when an atom gains or loses one or more electrons, resulting in a positive or negative charge. This process does not involve changing the number of protons in the nucleus. Choice B is incorrect because solids are composed of closely packed atoms or molecules, not open space. Choice C is incorrect because heating water with a Bunsen burner does not result in a 2:1 mixture of hydrogen and oxygen gases, but rather breaks down water into hydrogen and oxygen molecules. Choice D is incorrect as only statement A is true.