Question 1

Which subatomic particle is responsible for the chemical behavior of an atom, and where is it located?

Accepted Answer

Electron; located in the electron shell

Question 2

What happens to an electron when it absorbs energy?

Accepted Answer

It moves to a higher energy shell

Question 3

Which of the following best describes a cation?

Accepted Answer

An atom that has lost electrons and is positively charged

Question 4

Which type of chemical bond involves the sharing of electron pairs between atoms?

Accepted Answer

Covalent bond

Question 5

A sodium atom ($$Na) $$loses one electron to become $$Na^+. $$What type of ion is $$Na^+$$ and what is its charge?

Accepted Answer

Cation; positive charge

Question 6

Which of the following is a property of neutrons?

Accepted Answer

No charge and located in the nucleus

Question 7

Which of the following best explains why water molecules are polar?

Accepted Answer

Oxygen is more electronegative than hydrogen, creating a partial negative charge near oxygen

Question 8

Which of the following is a weak chemical bond that plays a key role in the structure of DNA and proteins?

Accepted Answer

Hydrogen bond

Question 9

If an atom has 7 protons, 7 neutrons, and 7 electrons, what is its atomic number and overall charge?

Accepted Answer

Atomic number 7; neutral

Question 10

Which of the following best describes Van der Waals interactions?

Accepted Answer

Weak attractions due to transient local partial charges

Question 11

A chlorine atom ($$Cl) $$gains one electron to become $$Cl^-. $$What type of ion is $$Cl^-$$ and what is its charge?

Accepted Answer

Anion; negative charge

Question 12

Which of the following statements about energy levels of electrons is correct?

Accepted Answer

Electrons absorb energy to move to a higher shell

Question 13

Which of the following is true about ionic bonds?

Accepted Answer

They are formed when one atom donates an electron to another atom

Question 14

Which of the following best describes a polar covalent bond?

Accepted Answer

Electrons are shared unequally, creating partial charges

Question 15

Which subatomic particle determines the atomic number of an element?

Accepted Answer

Proton

Question 16

Which of the following is a real-life example of an ionic bond?

Accepted Answer

The bond between sodium and chloride in table salt

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of electrons?

Accepted Answer

Located in the nucleus

Question 18

Which of the following best explains why noble gases are generally unreactive?

Accepted Answer

They have full outer electron shells

Question 19

Which of the following is true about hydrogen bonds?

Accepted Answer

They occur between a hydrogen atom and an electronegative atom

Question 20

A molecule of methane ($$CH_4) is an $$example of which type of bond?

Accepted Answer

Nonpolar covalent bond

Chapter 2: The Chemical Context of Life – Study Notes

Study Guide - Practice Questions