Chemistry HESI A2 Practice Test

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct formula for silver hydroxide is AgOH. Silver is a transition metal with a +1 charge, and hydroxide is OH⁻. To balance the charges, one silver ion combines with one hydroxide ion to form AgOH. Choice A (AgO) is incorrect because it does not include the hydroxide ion. Choice C (AgH) is incorrect as it suggests silver bonding with hydrogen, which is not the case. Choice D (AgH₂O) is incorrect as it implies silver bonding with water molecules, which is not the formula for silver hydroxide.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: -1. In HCl, hydrogen is always assigned an oxidation state of +1. Since the overall charge of HCl is 0, the oxidation state of chlorine must be -1 to balance the charge. Chlorine is more electronegative than hydrogen and tends to gain an electron in this compound. Therefore, the oxidation state of the chlorine atom in HCl is -1. Choice A: +1 - Hydrogen is always assigned an oxidation state of +1 in compounds. Choice C: +2 - Chlorine does not have an oxidation state of +2 in HCl. Choice D: -2 - Chlorine's oxidation state is not -2 in HCl.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Xe. Xenon (Xe) is a noble gas, meaning it has a full outer electron shell, making it highly stable and least likely to react with other elements. Li (A) is a highly reactive alkali metal, Cr (B) is a transition metal with varying reactivities, and Nd (C) is a rare-earth metal that can exhibit reactivity. In summary, Xe is the least reactive as noble gases tend to be chemically inert due to their stable electron configuration.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Anion. When an atom gains one or more electrons, it becomes negatively charged, forming an anion. This process is known as gaining electron(s) to achieve a stable electron configuration. A cation (A) is formed when an atom loses electron(s) and becomes positively charged. Isotope (C) refers to atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons. Electron (D) is a fundamental subatomic particle, not a term for an atom gaining electrons.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Absolute zero. Kelvin is based on the concept of absolute zero, which is the coldest possible temperature where particles have minimal kinetic energy. This forms the foundation for the Kelvin temperature scale. A: Freezing point is incorrect because Kelvin is not specifically based on the freezing point of any substance. C: Boiling point is incorrect as Kelvin is not directly linked to the boiling point of any substance. D: Evaporation point is incorrect because Kelvin does not relate to the point at which a substance undergoes evaporation.