Chemistry Hesi A2

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.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Fluorine has a higher ionization energy than oxygen because fluorine has a larger nuclear charge. The greater number of protons in the nucleus of fluorine attracts its electrons more strongly, making it harder to remove an electron from a fluorine atom compared to an oxygen atom. Choice A is incorrect as the number of neutrons does not directly affect ionization energy. Choice B is also incorrect for the same reason. Choice C is incorrect because a smaller nuclear charge would result in lower ionization energy, not higher.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct electron configuration for carbon is 1s�2s�2p�. This configuration indicates that there are 2 electrons in the first energy level (1s�), 2 electrons in the second energy level (2s�), and 2 electrons in the second energy level (2p�). It adheres to the aufbau principle, which states that electrons fill orbitals starting from the lowest energy level, and the Pauli exclusion principle, which states that each electron in an atom must have a unique set of quantum numbers. Choice A is incorrect because it does not fill the 2p orbital correctly. Choice C is incorrect as it exceeds the number of possible electrons in the 2p orbital. Choice D is incorrect as it includes an electron in the 3s orbital, which is not part of the electron configuration for carbon.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Ozone (O3) is a triatomic allotrope of oxygen. It differs from the common diatomic oxygen molecule (O2) by having three oxygen atoms bonded together. Ozone is known for its protective role in the Earth's atmosphere, absorbing most of the Sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation. Water (H2O) is a compound composed of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. Acidic oxide and carbon dioxide are not triatomic allotropes of oxygen. Carbon dioxide consists of one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms, while acidic oxides refer to compounds where oxygen is bonded with other elements to form oxides, and they are not allotropes of oxygen.

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.