Correct Answer: A

Rationale: In a chemical reaction, atoms interact to achieve stable electron configurations through the formation of new chemical bonds or the breaking of existing ones. This process aims to reach a more stable state by filling or emptying electron orbitals, leading to the formation of new substances with more stable configurations. Choice B, nuclear reactions, involve changes in the atomic nucleus rather than electron configurations. Choice C, physical reactions, involve changes in physical state or appearance without changing the chemical makeup. Choice D, mechanical reactions, do not involve the rearrangement of electrons to achieve stable configurations.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: An ionic bond forms when one atom transfers electrons to another, resulting in the formation of positively and negatively charged ions. The attraction between these oppositely charged ions creates an electrostatic bond, known as an ionic bond. Choice A, covalent bonds, involve the sharing of electrons, not the transfer. Choice B, metallic bonds, occur between metal atoms and involve a 'sea of electrons' that are delocalized. Choice D, hydrogen bonds, are much weaker interactions between hydrogen atoms and other electronegative atoms like oxygen or nitrogen.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Beta radiation particles are high-energy, fast-moving electrons or positrons. Aluminum foil is effective in stopping beta radiation due to its ability to absorb and block these particles. When beta particles interact with the aluminum foil, they lose energy and are absorbed, preventing their penetration. Plastic and glass are not as effective as aluminum foil in stopping beta radiation. While concrete provides some shielding against beta particles, aluminum foil is a more suitable material for this purpose as it offers better absorption and blocking capabilities.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: To increase the reaction rate of a chemical reaction, one effective method is to increase the temperature. Raising the temperature provides more energy to the reacting particles, enabling them to collide more frequently and with higher energy, leading to an increase in the reaction rate. While increasing the surface area, concentration of reactants, and adding a catalyst are strategies that can also enhance the reaction rate, raising the temperature has the most direct and immediate impact. Increasing the surface area allows for more contact between reactants, increasing the concentration provides more reactant particles to collide, and adding a catalyst lowers the activation energy required for the reaction to occur. However, these methods may not have as immediate and significant an effect as increasing the temperature.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The mass number of an atom represents the total number of protons and neutrons in its nucleus. The atomic number indicates the number of protons in the nucleus. The difference between the mass number and the atomic number provides the number of neutrons present in the nucleus of an atom. Therefore, mass number minus atomic number equals the number of neutrons. Choice A is incorrect because the number of electrons is not determined by the mass number and atomic number. Choice C is incorrect as it represents the number of protons, not the difference between the mass number and atomic number. Choice D is incorrect as isotopes refer to atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons, not the difference between mass number and atomic number.