Question 1

Which of the following statements best describes an atom?

Accepted Answer

An atom is the smallest unit of a chemical element that retains the properties of that element.

Question 2

Which subatomic particle is responsible for the atomic number of an element?

Accepted Answer

Proton

Question 3

A neutral atom of oxygen has an atomic number of 8 and a mass number of 16. How many neutrons does it have?

Accepted Answer

$$8$$

Question 4

Which of the following best explains why neon (Ne) is chemically unreactive?

Accepted Answer

Its valence shell is full of electrons.

Question 5

How many valence electrons does a nitrogen atom (atomic number 7) have?

Accepted Answer

$$5$$

Question 6

Which of the following is true about isotopes?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 7

The isotope Carbon-14 has a half-life of 5,730 years. How many years must pass for a sample to decay to $$\frac{1}{4} of $$its original amount?

Accepted Answer

$$11,460$$ years

Question 8

Which of the following best describes a covalent bond?

Accepted Answer

A bond formed by the sharing of electrons between two atoms.

Question 9

What makes a covalent bond nonpolar?

Accepted Answer

The bonded atoms have equal electronegativities and share electrons equally.

Question 10

Which of the following is a property of hydrogen bonds?

Accepted Answer

They are weak individually but strong collectively, and are important in the structure of water and macromolecules.

Question 11

Which of the following statements is true of all anions?

Accepted Answer

The atom has more electrons than protons.

Question 12

Which of the following best describes an ionic bond?

Accepted Answer

A bond formed by the attraction between oppositely charged ions.

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT a use of radioactive isotopes?

Accepted Answer

Increasing the stability of atoms in living organisms.

Question 14

Which of the following best explains why water molecules are attracted to each other?

Accepted Answer

Water molecules are polar and form hydrogen bonds.

Question 15

Which of the following neutral atoms would be most likely to lose an electron and become a cation of +1?

Accepted Answer

An atom with one valence electron.

Question 16

Which of the following is true about electron energy shells?

Accepted Answer

They represent regions around the nucleus in which the electrons orbit.

Question 17

How many electrons does an oxygen atom need to fulfill the octet rule by filling its valence shell?

Accepted Answer

$$2$$

Question 18

Which of the following best describes the difference between intramolecular and intermolecular bonds?

Accepted Answer

Intramolecular bonds occur within a molecule, while intermolecular bonds occur between different molecules.

Question 19

Which of the following is a trace element required for life in small amounts?

Accepted Answer

Iron

Question 20

Which of the following best describes the octet rule?

Accepted Answer

Atoms are more stable when their valence shells are fully occupied with 8 electrons.

Atoms, Elements, and Chemical Bonding: General Chemistry Study Guide

Study Guide - Practice Questions