Question 1

Which of the following statements best explains why a single pebble contains more atoms than the number of pebbles at the bottom of San Francisco Bay?

Accepted Answer

Atoms are incredibly small, so even a small pebble contains an enormous number of them.

Question 2

Which experiment led to the discovery that atoms have a small, dense nucleus?

Accepted Answer

Rutherford’s gold foil experiment

Question 3

According to Dalton’s atomic theory, which of the following is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

Atoms can be divided into smaller particles.

Question 4

Which of the following best describes the charge and mass of an electron compared to a proton?

Accepted Answer

The electron has a negative charge and is nearly 2000 times less massive than a proton.

Question 5

Which property is NOT typical of metals?

Accepted Answer

Tend to gain electrons in chemical reactions

Question 6

A main-group element in Group 7A is most likely to:

Accepted Answer

Gain one electron to form a –1 ion

Question 7

Which of the following pairs of ions have the same number of electrons?

Accepted Answer

Na$$^+$$ and Mg$$^{2+}$$

Question 8

A sulfur ion with 18 electrons has what charge? (Sulfur atomic number = 16)

Accepted Answer

$$	ext{S}^{2-}$$

Question 9

Which element is a main-group metal?

Accepted Answer

Pb

Question 10

Which of the following statements is NEVER true?

Accepted Answer

An element can be both a transition element and a metalloid.

Question 11

What is the symbol for the ion formed when oxygen gains two electrons?

Accepted Answer

$$	ext{O}^{2-}$$

Question 12

A chlorine isotope has 17 protons and 18 neutrons. What is its isotope symbol?

Accepted Answer

$$^{35}	ext{Cl}$$

Question 13

Gallium has two naturally occurring isotopes: Ga-69 (mass 68.9256 amu, abundance 60.11%) and Ga-71 (mass 70.9247 amu, abundance 39.89%). What is the atomic mass of gallium? (Round to two decimal places)

Accepted Answer

$$69.72$$ amu

Question 14

Which of the following best describes why nuclear radiation can be harmful to living organisms?

Accepted Answer

Energetic particles emitted interact with and damage biological molecules.

Question 15

Which of the following elements is a metalloid?

Accepted Answer

Silicon

Question 16

A fictitious element is composed of isotopes A and B with masses of 61.9887 and 64.9846 amu, respectively. The atomic mass of the element is 64.52. What can you conclude about the natural abundances?

Accepted Answer

The natural abundance of isotope B must be greater than isotope A.

Question 17

Which of the following is a correct statement about isotopes?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 18

Which group of elements is characterized by being unreactive and having a full set of valence electrons?

Accepted Answer

Noble gases

Question 19

Which of the following best describes the periodic law as proposed by Mendeleev?

Accepted Answer

When elements are arranged in order of increasing relative mass, certain sets of properties recur periodically.

Question 20

A patient is given technetium-99 (Tc-99) for a medical scan. What is the primary benefit of using this radioactive isotope?

Accepted Answer

It emits radiation that helps doctors image internal organs or detect infection.

Atoms and Elements: Foundations of Matter and the Periodic Table

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