Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Reactivity refers to a substance's ability to undergo a change that transforms it into a different substance through a chemical reaction. In this context, reactivity specifically refers to the chemical behavior of a substance. Density, mass, and volume are physical properties of a substance and do not describe its ability to undergo a chemical change. Density is the mass per unit volume, mass is the amount of matter in an object, and volume is the amount of space occupied by an object. Therefore, reactivity is the most appropriate term to describe a substance's ability to undergo a transformation into a different substance.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Vaccines primarily function by stimulating the immune system to develop immunological memory to a specific pathogen. When a vaccine is administered, it exposes the immune system to a harmless version of a pathogen or a piece of it. This exposure triggers the immune response, leading to the production of antibodies and memory cells specific to that pathogen. Choice A is incorrect because vaccines do not create a physical barrier; rather, they prepare the immune system to recognize and fight specific pathogens. Choice B is incorrect as vaccines do trigger an immune response, but the primary goal is to create memory rather than inflammation. Choice D is incorrect as vaccines do not directly activate phagocytes; instead, they stimulate the immune system to generate a targeted response against a particular pathogen.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Elements within the same group share similar electron configurations in their outermost shell. The periodic table is organized based on the number of electrons in the outermost energy level, known as valence electrons, which significantly influence an element's chemical properties. Elements within the same group have the same number of valence electrons, leading to comparable chemical behaviors. Choices A and D are incorrect because elements within the same period, not group, have identical electron configurations, and an element's group is primarily determined by the number of valence electrons and not the number of electron shells. Choice C is incorrect because while electron configuration is crucial for understanding an element's properties, it is not the sole factor determining its position on the periodic table.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: When an object is compressed, its potential energy increases. This is because work is done on the object to compress it, resulting in an increase in potential energy stored in the object as it is compressed against an opposing force. The potential energy is transformed and stored within the object due to the work done during the compression process, leading to an increase in its potential energy. Choice A is incorrect because compression involves doing work on the object, increasing its potential energy. Choice C is incorrect because compression involves a change in position and potential energy. Choice D is incorrect because compression does not reduce potential energy to zero; rather, it increases it due to the work done in compressing the object.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Activation energy is the energy required to break a chemical bond and initiate a chemical reaction. It is the minimum amount of energy needed to start a chemical reaction by breaking bonds in the reactant molecules. Kinetic energy (option A) is the energy of motion and is not directly related to breaking chemical bonds. Potential energy (option B) is stored energy that can be converted into other forms of energy but is not specifically about breaking chemical bonds. Bond energy (option D) refers to the energy required to break a particular chemical bond in a molecule and is not the general term for the energy needed to break any chemical bond. Activation energy is crucial in determining the rate of a chemical reaction as it affects the probability of reactant molecules colliding with sufficient energy to surpass the energy barrier and form products.