Question 1

Which of the following best explains why sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl) readily form an ionic bond to create table salt (NaCl)?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 2

A molecule of water (H$$_2O) is $$described as a polar molecule. Which property of water's structure is responsible for this polarity?

Accepted Answer

The oxygen atom is more electronegative, pulling shared electrons closer and creating partial charges.

Question 3

Which of the following elements is the most abundant in the human body by mass?

Accepted Answer

Oxygen

Question 4

Given the electron configuration of sodium (Na) as 2,8,1, what will be the electron configuration of the sodium ion (Na$$^+) $$after it forms an ionic bond?

Accepted Answer

2,8

Question 5

Which of the following best describes a compound?

Accepted Answer

A substance made of two or more elements in a fixed ratio, held together by chemical bonds.

Question 6

Why are noble gases like neon (Ne) and helium (He) generally unreactive?

Accepted Answer

They have a full outer electron shell, making them stable and unlikely to form bonds.

Question 7

Which of the following statements about isotopes is correct?

Accepted Answer

Isotopes of an element have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.

Question 8

During the electrolysis of water, as shown in the diagram, which gas is produced at the cathode and why?

Accepted Answer

Hydrogen, because hydrogen ions gain electrons at the cathode.

Question 9

Which of the following best describes the octet rule?

Accepted Answer

Atoms are most stable when their outermost electron shell contains eight electrons.

Question 10

Which of the following molecules contains a nonpolar covalent bond?

Accepted Answer

H$$_2$$

Question 11

A patient is found to have a deficiency in potassium (K). Which of the following is a likely consequence, given potassium's role in the body?

Accepted Answer

Disrupted nerve impulse transmission and muscle contraction.

Question 12

Which of the following best explains why water is an excellent solvent for ionic compounds?

Accepted Answer

Water molecules are polar and can surround and separate positive and negative ions.

Question 13

Which of the following best describes the difference between a molecule and a compound?

Accepted Answer

A molecule is the smallest unit of a compound, but not all molecules are compounds.

Question 14

Which of the following elements is most likely to form a cation by losing one electron?

Accepted Answer

Sodium (Na)

Question 15

Which of the following best explains why carbon is able to form a wide variety of complex molecules?

Accepted Answer

Carbon can form four covalent bonds with other atoms, allowing for diverse structures.

Question 16

If an atom has 7 electrons in its outer shell, what is its most likely behavior in a chemical reaction?

Accepted Answer

It will gain one electron to achieve a full octet.

Question 17

Which of the following is a real-world example of a polar covalent bond?

Accepted Answer

The bond between hydrogen and oxygen in H$$_2O.$$

Question 18

Which of the following best describes the process shown in the image of sodium reacting in water?

Accepted Answer

Sodium loses an electron to water, forming sodium ions and releasing hydrogen gas.

Question 19

Which of the following statements about electronegativity is correct?

Accepted Answer

Electronegativity is the tendency of an atom to attract electrons in a bond.

The Chemical Basis of Life: Elements, Compounds, and Atomic Structure

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