Question 1

Which of the following best explains why sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl) form an ionic bond when they react to produce sodium chloride (NaCl)?

Accepted Answer

Sodium donates an electron to chlorine, resulting in the formation of oppositely charged ions that attract each other.

Question 2

Which subatomic particle is responsible for determining the chemical behavior of an atom?

Accepted Answer

Electron

Question 3

A neutral atom of sodium has 11 protons, 12 neutrons, and 11 electrons. What is the atomic mass of this atom?

Accepted Answer

$23$

Question 4

Which group on the periodic table contains elements that are highly reactive and readily form salts with metals?

Accepted Answer

Halogens

Question 5

If an atom has 8 protons, 8 neutrons, and 10 electrons, what is its net charge?

Accepted Answer

$-2$

Question 6

Which of the following statements about neutrons is correct?

Accepted Answer

Neutrons have no charge and contribute to the atomic mass.

Question 7

Which of the following best describes the electron configuration of a neon atom ($Ne$) with atomic number $10$?

Accepted Answer

Two electrons in the first shell, eight electrons in the second shell

Question 8

Which of the following elements is most likely to form a cation in a chemical reaction?

Accepted Answer

Sodium

Question 9

What is the main reason noble gases are generally unreactive?

Accepted Answer

They have full outer electron shells.

Question 10

Which of the following best describes a nonpolar covalent bond?

Accepted Answer

Electrons are shared equally between atoms.

Question 11

A chlorine atom has 17 protons and 18 neutrons. What is its atomic number and mass number?

Accepted Answer

Atomic number $17$, mass number $35$

Question 12

Which of the following is a property of alkali metals?

Accepted Answer

They are highly reactive and have one electron in their outer shell.

Question 13

Which equation correctly represents the formation of sodium chloride from its elements?

Accepted Answer

$Na + Cl \rightarrow NaCl$

Question 14

Which of the following best explains why isotopes of the same element have different mass numbers?

Accepted Answer

They have different numbers of neutrons.

Question 15

Which of the following elements is a halogen?

Accepted Answer

Chlorine

Question 16

If an atom loses one electron, what is the resulting charge?

Accepted Answer

$+1$

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the role of protons in an atom?

Accepted Answer

They determine the identity of the element.

Question 18

Which of the following is true about the electron shells of atoms?

Accepted Answer

The second shell can hold up to 8 electrons.

Question 19

Which of the following is a correct statement about ionic bonds?

Accepted Answer

Ionic bonds result from the transfer of electrons from one atom to another.

Question 20

A student claims that helium can easily form chemical bonds with other elements. Based on its position in the periodic table, is this claim correct?

Accepted Answer

No, because helium is a noble gas with a full outer shell.

Atoms, Elements, and Chemical Bonds: Foundations for General Biology

Study Guide - Practice Questions