HESI A2
Chemistry Hesi A2 Questions
Question 1 of 9
What is the oxidation state of the nitrogen atom in the compound NH3?
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.
Question 2 of 9
To the nearest whole number, what is the mass of one mole of hydrogen chloride?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The molar mass of hydrogen chloride (HCl) is calculated by adding the atomic masses of hydrogen (H) and chlorine (Cl) together. The atomic mass of hydrogen is approximately 1 g/mol, and the atomic mass of chlorine is approximately 35.5 g/mol. Therefore, the molar mass of hydrogen chloride (HCl) is approximately 1 + 35.5 = 36.5 g/mol. When rounded to the nearest whole number, it is 36 g/mol. Therefore, the correct answer is 36 g/mol. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect as they do not reflect the accurate molar mass of hydrogen chloride.
Question 3 of 9
What is the correct name of MgO?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct name of MgO is Magnesium oxide. Mg represents the chemical symbol for magnesium, and O represents the chemical symbol for oxygen. When these elements combine, they form magnesium oxide. Option A, Manganese oxide, is incorrect as it refers to a compound of manganese and oxygen, not magnesium. Option C, Magnesium oxate, is not a valid chemical compound name. Option D, Magnesium hydroxide, refers to a different compound consisting of magnesium, oxygen, and hydrogen.
Question 4 of 9
The molar mass of some gases is as follows: carbon monoxide-28.01 g/mol; helium-4.00 g/mol; nitrogen-28.01 g/mol; and oxygen-32.00 g/mol. Which would you expect to diffuse most rapidly?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The rate of diffusion is inversely proportional to the molar mass of the gas. Helium has the lowest molar mass among the given gases, making it the lightest and fastest gas to diffuse. Therefore, helium would be expected to diffuse most rapidly compared to carbon monoxide, nitrogen, and oxygen. Carbon monoxide, nitrogen, and oxygen have higher molar masses than helium, so they would diffuse more slowly. Therefore, the correct answer is helium.
Question 5 of 9
A radioactive isotope has a half-life of 20 years. How many grams of a 6-gram sample will remain after 40 years?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The half-life of a radioactive isotope is the time it takes for half of the original sample to decay. After each half-life period, half of the initial sample remains. In this case, after the first 20 years, half of the 6-gram sample (3 grams) will remain. After another 20 years (total of 40 years), half of the remaining 3 grams will remain, which is 1.5 grams. Therefore, 3 grams will be left after 40 years. Choice A is incorrect as it doesn't consider the concept of half-life and incorrectly suggests an increase in the sample. Choice B is incorrect as it assumes no decay over time. Choice D is incorrect as it miscalculates the remaining amount after two half-life periods.
Question 6 of 9
Which substance causes a drop to rapidly turn litmus dye from blue to red?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Lemon juice is the correct answer as it is acidic in nature. Acids like lemon juice release hydrogen ions when dissolved in water, which causes litmus dye to change color from blue to red. Milk (Choice A) is neutral, sea water (Choice B) is slightly alkaline, and ammonia (Choice C) is a base. Therefore, these substances do not cause litmus dye to change from blue to red.
Question 7 of 9
What is the correct formula for sodium nitrate?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct formula for sodium nitrate is NaNO₃. In this formula, 'Na' represents sodium, 'N' represents nitrogen, and 'O₃' represents three oxygen atoms. Sodium nitrate consists of one sodium ion (Naâº) and one nitrate ion (NO₃â»), which means the correct formula is NaNO₃. Choice A (NaNO) is incorrect as it lacks the subscript indicating the presence of three oxygen atoms. Choice B (Na NO) is incorrect as it includes a space between 'Na' and 'NO', which is not part of the standard chemical formula notation. Choice D (Na NOâ‚‚) is incorrect as it indicates a different compound with a nitrite ion (NOâ‚‚â») instead of nitrate ion.
Question 8 of 9
If 5 g of NaCl (1 mole of NaCl) is dissolved in enough water to make 500 L of solution, what is the molarity of the solution?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Molarity is defined as the number of moles of solute per liter of solution. In this case, 5 g of NaCl represents 1 mole of NaCl. Given that this 1 mole is dissolved in 500 L of solution, the molarity of the solution can be calculated as follows: Molarity = moles of solute / liters of solution = 1 mole / 500 L = 0.002 M. However, the molarity is usually expressed in moles per liter, so to convert to M, you divide by 0.085 L (which is 500 L in liters) to get 11.7 M. Choice A is incorrect because the molarity is not 1.0 M. Choice B is incorrect because the molarity is not 2.0 M. Choice D is incorrect because the molarity can be determined from the information provided.
Question 9 of 9
On the periodic table, where are atoms with the largest atomic radius located?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Atoms with the largest atomic radius are located at the bottom of their group on the periodic table. This is because atomic radius increases down a group due to the addition of more energy levels or shells of electrons. As you move down a group, the outermost electrons are further away from the nucleus, leading to an increase in atomic radius. Choice A 'At the top of their group' is incorrect because atomic radius decreases going up within a group. Choice B 'In the middle of their group' is incorrect as the atomic radius generally increases as you go down a group, not in the middle. Choice D 'Along the right-hand side' is incorrect because atomic radius tends to decrease from left to right across a period on the periodic table due to increased nuclear charge and effective nuclear charge.