Chemistry and Periodic Table for Nursing School Entrance Exam Practice Problems

Questions

1. If the electron configuration of an element is written 1s² 2s² 2p_x² 2p_y² 2p_z² 3s¹, the element's atomic
   1. number is 11.
   2. number is 12.
   3. weight is 11.
   4. weight is 12.
2. Choose the proper group of symbols for the following elements: potassium, silver, mercury, lead, sodium, iron.
   1. Po, Ar, Hr, Pm, So, Fm
   2. Pb, Sl, Me, Le, Su, Io
   3. Pt, Sr, My, Pd, Sd, In
   4. K, Ag, Hg, Pb, Na, Fe
3. What is the maximum number of electrons that each p orbital can hold?
   1. 8
   2. 2
   3. 6
   4. 4
4. What is the maximum number of electrons that the second energy level can hold?
   1. 8
   2. 6
   3. 2
   4. 16
5. What is the name of the individual who proposed that the atom was similar to a solar system, with a dense nucleus and concentric circles around it?
   1. Hund
   2. Dalton
   3. Pauli
   4. Bohr
6. The horizontal rows of the periodic table are called
   1. families.
   2. groups.
   3. representative elements.
   4. periods.
7. Which of the following is an alkali metal (group IA)?
   1. calcium
   2. sodium
   3. aluminum
   4. alkanium
8. Who stated that an orbital can hold as many as two electrons if they have opposite spins, one clockwise and one counterclockwise?
   1. Hund
   2. Dalton
   3. Pauli
   4. Bohr
9. Which elements conduct electricity?
   1. metals
   2. nonmetals
   3. metalloids
   4. ions
10. If the electron configuration of an element is written: 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p³, the element's atomic
    1. number is 15.
    2. number is 5.
    3. weight is 15.
    4. weight is 5.

Answers

1. a.   Since there are 11 electrons in the element's electron configuration, the element has 11 protons and, therefore, an atomic number of 11.
2. d.   See the periodic table.
3. b.   Each p orbital holds two electrons. There are three p orbitals, holding a total of six electrons.
4. a.   The second energy level has one s orbital and three p orbitals, holding a total of eight electrons.
5. d.   Bohr proposed the model defined in the question.
6. d.   By definition, the periods are the horizontal rows on the periodic table.
7. b.   Sodium is an alkali metal.
8. c.   The question defines Pauli's exclusion principle.
9. a.   Metals, by definition, conduct electricity.
10. a.   Since the element has 15 electrons, it also has 15 protons and an atomic number of 15.