Inorganic Chemistry Supplementary Review 1 (Practice Questions)

A covalent bond is unlikely to exist in the product of which of the following reactions?

(A) H⁺ + H⁺ → H₂

(B) Br⁻ + Br⁻ → Br₂

(C) Se + H₂ → SeH₂

(D) Si + 2F₂ → SiF₄

(E) Ca + ½O₂ → CaO

(E) Ca + ½O₂ → CaO

Which of the following best describes ionization energy?

(A) Energy needed to remove the most loosely bound electron from its ground state.

(B) It is represented by x + e⁻ → x⁻ + energy.

(C) It decreases from left to right across a period.

(D) It increases down the periodic table.

(A) Energy needed to remove the most loosely bound electron from its ground state.

Every atom consists of electrons, protons and neutrons except

(A) helium atom

(B) sodium atom

(C) ordinary hydrogen atom

(D) boron atom

(C) ordinary hydrogen atom

Which of the following is true for isotopes of an element?

(A) They are atoms of the same atomic number with different masses.

(B) The only difference in composition between isotopes of the same element is in the number of neutrons in the nucleus.

(C) The atomic weight of an element is an average of the weights of the isotopes of the element in the proportions in which they normally occur in nature.

(D) (A) and (C) only

(E) (A), (B) and (C)

(E) (A), (B) and (C)

The type of precipitate that is most difficult to filter in quantitative analysis is

(A) curdy

(B) insoluble

(C) isomorphous

(D) crystalline

(E) gelatinous

(E) gelatinous

Which of the following represents the same net reaction as the electrolysis of aqueous sulfuric acid?

(A) Electrolysis of water

(B) Electrolysis of aqueous HCl

(C) Electrolysis of aqueous NaCl

(D) Electrolysis of molten NaCl

(A) Electrolysis of water

Titanium dioxide is an excellent white pigment used in the

(A) preparation of white rubber

(B) preparation of white leather

(C) preparation of certain types of paints

(D) All of the above

(D) All of the above

The excitation of outer electrons in atoms and molecules is associated with which of the following bands of radiation?

(A) X-rays

(B) Gamma rays

(C) Ultra violet

(D) Infrared

(C) Ultra violet

Which of the following is not true for metalloids?

(A) They are borderline elements that exhibit both metallic and non-metallic properties to some extent.

(B) They usually act as electron donors with non-metals and as electron acceptors with metals.

(C) Some of these elements are Boron, silicon and Germanium.

(D) They are all solids at room temperature.

(E) They are good conductors of heat and electricity.

(E) They are good conductors of heat and electricity.

The group IA oxides of the M₂O type (Na₂O, K₂O, etc.) are white solids that are extremely sensitive to moisture and carbon dioxide, reacting to form which of the following?

(A) hydroxides (MOH) and carbonates (M₂CO₃)

(B) hydroxides (M₂OH) and carbonates (MCO₃)

(C) hydroxides (M(OH)₂) and carbonates (MCO₃)

(D) hydroxides (MOH) and carbonates (MCO₃)

(A) hydroxides (MOH) and carbonates (M₂CO₃)

Which of the following ions can act as both a Bronsted acid and base in water?

(A) HCO₃⁻ (B) SO₄²⁻ (C) NO₃⁻ (D) CN⁻

(A) HCO₃⁻

The orbitals providing the most efficient overlap are

(A) s-s (B) p-p (C) sp-sp (D) sp²-sp²

(C) sp-sp

What is the bond order of F₂ according to the molecular orbital theory?

(A) 1 (B) 2 (C) 4 (D) 3

(A) 1

Which of the following is not a polymer?

(A) Plastic (B) Petroleum (C) Glycogen (D) Starch

(B) Petroleum

One would expect to find the term isotactic used in connection with which one of the following?

(A) Crystals (B) Dyes (C) Textiles (D) Metals (E) Plastics

(E) Plastics

Which of the following nuclear reactions is INCORRECT?

(A) ¹⁴₇N + ⁴₂He → ¹⁷₈O + ¹₁H

(B) ⁹₄Be + ⁴₂He → ¹²₆C + ¹₀n

(C) ³⁰₁₅P → ³⁰₁₄Si + ⁰₊₁β

(D) ³₁H → ³₂He + ⁰₋₁e

(E) None of the above

(E) None of the above

A compound that has been used as a rocket fuel is

(A) NH₂OH (B) NH₂NH₂ (C) N₂F₂ (D) NO₂ (E) NF₃

(B) NH₂NH₂

The most basic species among the following is

(A) H₂O (B) CH₃⁻ (C) NH₂⁻ (D) OH⁻ (E) F⁻

(B) CH₃⁻

The first scientist to publish on the periodic table was

(A) Moseley (B) Fisher (C) Mendeleev (D) Dalton

(C) Mendeleev

Which of the following compounds has the highest melting point?

(A) NaCl (B) KCl (C) RbCl (D) CsCl

(A) NaCl

smaller ions → stronger lattice energy → higher melting point.

How many moles of Al₂O₃ can be formed when a mixture of 0.36 moles of aluminum and 0.36 moles of oxygen gas is ignited?

(A) 0.72 moles (B) 0.28 moles (C) 0.18 moles (D) 0.12 moles

(C) 0.18 moles

Which one of the following characteristics is not usually attributable to ionic substances?

(A) high melting point

(B) fragility

(C) crystalline (in the solid state)

(D) deform when struck

(E) well defined three-dimensional structure

(D) deform when struck

Members of this group (of the periodic table) are used in the manufacture of plastics, and insecticides. They are used to produce aerosol propellants, and to prepare gasoline additives. The name of this group is:

(A) alkaline earth metals

(B) noble gases

(C) actinides

(D) halogens

(E) alkali metals

(D) halogens

Which of the following bonds (•••) is the least polar?

(A) B•••Cl (B) H•••I (C) P•••Br (D) C•••Cl (E) C•••I

(E) C•••I

The stability of a molecule is related to the strength of its covalent bonds. Based on this, select the most stable molecule.

(A) O₂ (B) CH₄ (C) H₂O (D) Cl₂ (E) HF

(B) CH₄

HF has the strongest individual bond, but CH₄ has four strong covalent bonds, giving it the greatest total bond strength among the choices.

Nonmetals when compared to metals:

(A) are less electronegative and have smaller atomic radii.

(B) have greater ionization energies and larger atomic radii.

(C) are more electronegative and have smaller atomic radii.

(D) have larger atomic radii and are more electronegative.

(C) are more electronegative and have smaller atomic radii.

Which of the following statements is true of isotopes?

(A) They have different atomic numbers and the same atomic masses.

(B) Their electronic configurations differ.

(C) Slight differences in chemical behavior of isotopes (called isotope effects) influence rather the kind of reaction than the rate of reaction itself.

(D) They have identical chemical behaviors.

(E) The first ones discovered were those of neon.

(E) The first ones discovered were those of neon.

The Bohr theory for "hydrogenlike" atoms consists (in part), of which of the following postulate(s)?

I. the electron moves around the nucleus of charge +Ze in an elliptical orbit.

II. the orbit has constant energy.

III. transitions between orbits generate spectral lines.

IV. the frequency of the spectral lines is given by h/ΔE.

(A) I, II and III

(B) I and IV

(C) II and III

(D) II only

(C) II and III

II. the orbit has constant energy.

III. transitions between orbits generate spectral lines.

What type of orbital hybridization and geometry is used by the central atom of NH₂⁻?

(A) sp² hybridization and trigonal planar.

(B) sp² hybridization and tetrahedral geometry.

(C) sp³ hybridization and trigonal planar.

(D) sp³ hybridization and tetrahedral geometry.

(D) sp³ hybridization and tetrahedral geometry.

The charge on an electron was determined by measurement of the effect of an electric field on the rate at which charged oil droplets fell under the influence of gravity. This discovery was made by

(A) J.J. Thomson.

(B) E. Rutherford.

(C) R. Millikan.

(D) H. Becquerel.

(E) W.C. Roentgen.

(C) R. Millikan.

Which of the following elements is not a component of Wood's metal?

(A) Bismuth (B) Lead (C) Tin (D) Titanium

(D) Titanium

The strongly repulsive interaction that takes place when an α particle closely approaches a gold nucleus is best explained by:

(A) Dalton's theory.

(B) Marsden's rule.

(C) Thomson's model.

(D) Gauss's law.

(E) Coulomb's law.

(E) Coulomb's law.

What is the right configuration of an element with 24 electrons?

(A) 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d⁶

(B) 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s² 3d⁴

(C) 1s² 2s² 3s² 2p⁶ 3p⁶ 4s¹ 4p⁵

(D) 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s¹ 3d⁵

(D) 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s¹ 3d⁵

In laboratory work, when small quantities of hydrogen are required, the following method is most often used to prepare it:

(A) the reaction of certain acid solutions with metals.

(B) the liquefaction and subsequent distillation of air.

(C) the pyrolyzation of specific inorganic compounds.

(D) the passing of steam over hot coke.

(A) the reaction of certain acid solutions with metals.

The Halogens are best described by which of the following statements?

(A) They are members of Group VIII in the periodic table.

(B) Their outer electron shells are complete.

(C) They are all oxidizing agents.

(D) Most of them are colorless.

(E) They are all gases at room temperature and pressure.

(C) They are all oxidizing agents.

Of the five chlorides listed below which does not readily dissociate to form ions in water?

(A) NaCl (B) LiCl (C) BeCl₂ (D) CaCl₂ (E) AgCl

(E) AgCl

Which of the following halides is not likely to be present in sea water?

(A) KBr (B) NaBr (C) MgBr₂ (D) CaBr₂ (E) AgBr

(E) AgBr

Identify the compound below which has bonds formed by an overlap of sp and p orbitals.

(A) BF₃ (B) BeCl₂ (C) CH₄ (D) NH₃

(B) BeCl₂

Consider the following statements concerning the atom, then indicate which is(are) correct?

I. The mass number of an atom and the mass of a nucleus in a.m.u. are the same.

II. An atom of a stable isotope has the same weight as the sum of masses of electrons, protons and neutrons from which it is built.

III. There are 2 isotopes of the hydrogen atom.

(A) I only

(B) I and II

(C) II and III

(D) I, II and III

(E) Neither I, II or III is correct

(E) Neither I, II or III is correct

Which statement below is not true for the reaction?

Fe³⁺ + e⁻ → Fe²⁺

(A) Fe³⁺ is being reduced.

(B) The oxidation state of Fe has changed.

(C) Fe³⁺ could be referred to as an oxidizing agent in this reaction.

(D) The above reaction is similar (in type) to that of an oxide losing oxygen.

(E) Both Fe³⁺ and Fe²⁺ are called anions.

(E) Both Fe³⁺ and Fe²⁺ are called anions.

Which of the statements below is not a property of ammonia?

(A) Ammonia is a Brønsted base.

(B) It has the ability to form complex molecules.

(C) Ammonia may display acidic behavior.

(D) The ammonia molecule is trigonal pyramidal in shape.

(E) Ammonia cannot be easily liquefied by cooling and/or compressing.

(E) Ammonia cannot be easily liquefied by cooling and/or compressing.

Ammonia can be liquefied fairly easily by cooling and/or compression because NH₃ molecules have relatively strong intermolecular forces, especially hydrogen bonding.

The most electronegative of these group (I) elements is:

(A) K (B) Li (C) Na (D) Rb (E) Cs

(B) Li

Which of the following statements below concerning carbon and its compounds is/are true?

I. Carbon monoxide is produced when carbon is burnt with insufficient oxygen.

II. Carbon dioxide may undergo sublimation.

III. Carbonic acid may be referred to as a diprotic acid.

(A) I and II only

(B) I and III only

(C) II and III only

(D) III only

(E) I, II and III

(E) I, II and III

Which of the following statements concerning the noble gases helium (He) and neon (Ne) is correct? (Atomic numbers are He = 2, Ne = 10)

(A) The boiling point of He is greater than the boiling point of Ne.

(B) Both have their outer shells completed with 8 electrons.

(C) Both He and Ne solidify when enough cooling is applied to their liquid form.

(D) Both helium and neon have low (sub-zero°C) boiling points.

(E) Both are used for filling electric gas lamps.

(D) Both helium and neon have low (sub-zero°C) boiling points.

Which of the elements below is the most powerful oxidizing agent?

(A) Fluorine (B) Hydrogen (C) Carbon (D) Iodine (E) Phosphorous

(A) Fluorine

An element mixes safely with hydrogen in the dark, but reacts rather explosively with hydrogen in light, the element is

(A) chlorine

(B) phosphorous

(C) fluorine

(D) nitrogen

(E) potassium

(A) chlorine

Which of the following elements is used for filling observation balloons and lighter-than-air crafts?

(A) Ne (B) Ar (C) He (D) CO₂ (E) Ra

(C) He

Which of the following gases is a component of the volcanic gases?

(A) CO₂ (B) SO₂ (C) NO₂ (D) NO

(B) SO₂

Below are statements about the chemical behavior of metallic elements. One of the statements is incorrect. Indicate the incorrect statement.

(A) Metals are reducing agents.

(B) Metals form basic hydroxides.

(C) Metals exhibit higher electronegativities than non-metals.

(D) Metals exhibit low ionization potentials.

(E) Metals generally have one to five electrons in their outermost shell.

(C) Metals exhibit higher electronegativities than non-metals.

Assume that the compound francium astatide existed. Which of the formulas below would best represent this compound?

(A) FrAt (B) Fr₂At (C) FrAt₂ (D) Fr₂At₃

(A) FrAt

Which of the compounds below is a strong base?

(A) Cu(OH)₂ (B) Fe(OH)₃ (C) KOH (D) NH₄OH (E) Cr(OH)₃

(C) KOH

Which of the salts below will produce an alkaline solution when dissolved in water?

(A) NH₄Cl (B) NaCl (C) Na₂CO₃ (D) NaNO₃ (E) Na₂SO₄

(C) Na₂CO₃

An ionic bond is formed between two ions. Which of the following has no effect on the strength of the bond?

(I) doubling the charge on both ions

(II) doubling the temperature

(III) doubling the radii of both ions

(A) (I) only (B) (II) only (C) (I) and (II) (D) (I), (II) and (III)

(B) (II) only

(II) doubling the temperature

Based on the following half-cell reactions, which of the following statements are correct?

Mg²⁺ + 2e⁻ → Mg E° = −2.38 V (1)

Cu²⁺ + 2e⁻ → Cu E° = 0.34 V (2)

Ag⁺ + e⁻ → Ag E° = 0.80 V (3)

(I) Magnesium is a better reducing agent.

(II) Under standard conditions, a reaction will occur spontaneously when half-cell (2) is coupled with a hydrogen half-cell.

(III) When copper metal is added to a solution of AgNO₃, silver metal will precipitate.

(IV) If 2Ag⁺ + 2e⁻ → 2Ag, then E = 2(0.80) = 1.60 V.

(A) I, II, and III

(B) I and II

(C) II and III

(D) I, III and IV

(A) I, II, and III

(I) Magnesium is a better reducing agent.

(II) Under standard conditions, a reaction will occur spontaneously when half-cell (2) is coupled with a hydrogen half-cell.

(III) When copper metal is added to a solution of AgNO₃, silver metal will precipitate.

Which of the following regions of the spectrum would be used to determine the structure of crystalline solids?

(A) microwave (B) infrared (C) visible (D) ultraviolet (E) X-ray

(E) X-ray

Which of the following elements has the highest ionization potential?

(A) H (B) Li (C) Na (D) F (E) Cl

(D) F

Metallic potassium could not be prepared from a potassium iodide solution by means of a chemical reducing agent because

(A) metallic potassium is unstable.

(B) potassium ion is strongly hydrated.

(C) potassium is a strong oxidant.

(D) potassium ion is a strong oxidizing agent.

(E) potassium is a strong reducing agent.

(E) potassium is a strong reducing agent.

Which of the following salts is the most basic in aqueous solution?

(A) Al(CN)₃ (B) KC₂H₃O₂ (C) FeCl₃ (D) KCl

(B) KC₂H₃O₂

KC₂H₃O₂ (potassium acetate) is the most basic because it comes from a:

strong base + weak acid → basic salt

KOH + HC₂H₃O₂ → KC₂H₃O₂ + H₂O

Which of the following metals is not found in Roses's metal (a low melting alloy used in fuses and fire alarms)?

(A) Sn (B) Pb (C) Cu (D) Bi

(C) Cu

Rutherford's scattering experiment demonstrated:

(A) the existence of X-rays.

(B) the existence of α-particles.

(C) the nature of blackbody radiation.

(D) the mass-to-charge ratio of the electron.

(E) the nuclear model of the atom.

(E) the nuclear model of the atom.

For octahedral complexes of Fe²⁺, the difference in ligand field splitting energy for the high-spin and low-spin states is which of the following? (Assume Dq to be equal in both cases.)

(A) −4Dq (B) −16Dq (C) −20Dq (D) −24Dq

(C) −20Dq

For ligand substitution reactions, a D (dissociative) stoichiometric mechanism can be distinguished from an I_d (dissociative interchange) stoichiometric mechanism by:

(A) the order of the entering ligand in the rate law.

(B) the order of the original complex in the rate law.

(C) the effect on rate of changing the leaving ligand.

(D) the detection of an intermediate of reduced coordination number.

(D) the detection of an intermediate of reduced coordination number.

All of the following share the same crystal structure except:

(A) LiCl (B) NaCl (C) KCl (D) RbCl (E) CsCl

(E) CsCl

Which of the following does not show a tetrahedral structure?

(A) diamond (B) LiF (C) ice (D) zinc blende (ZnS)

(B) LiF

Which of the following has the smallest ionic radius?

(A) Li⁺ (B) Na⁺ (C) K⁺ (D) Rb⁺

(A) Li⁺

The Madelung constant for a crystal could be changed by varying:

(A) the radii of the ions in the crystal.

(B) the geometry of the crystal.

(C) the electron density surrounding the ions in the crystal.

(D) the heat of formation of the crystal.

(B) the geometry of the crystal.

An electrician's solder is generally an alloy of:

(A) iron and mercury

(B) zinc and copper

(C) copper and lead

(D) tin and lead

(D) tin and lead

Which of the following elements would you expect to have the highest electronegativity?

(A) Boron (B) Carbon (C) Aluminum (D) Silicon

(B) Carbon

Which of the following pairs of elements does not have approximately the same electronegativity?

(A) C, S (B) Co, Ni (C) B, Al (D) U, Pu

(C) B, Al

Light of wavelength 3 × 10⁻³ cm falls in which band?

(A) Microwave (B) Infrared (C) Visible (D) Ultraviolet

(B) Infrared