Which subatomic particle has a negative charge?
A. Proton
B. Neutron
C. Electron
D. Nucleus
Electron
Why: Electrons carry a negative electrical charge.
The valence shell of an atom is important because it:
A. Contains protons and neutrons
B. Determines how atoms bond
C. Stores genetic information
D. Produces energy
Determines how atoms bond
Why: The outer electrons control how an atom reacts with other atoms.
A molecule formed by sharing electrons between atoms is held together by a:
A. Ionic bond
B. Hydrogen bond
C. Covalent bond
D. Metallic bond
Covalent bond
Why: Covalent bonds are formed when atoms share electrons.
In an ionic bond, electrons are:
A. Shared equally
B. Shared unequally
C. Transferred from one atom to another
D. Not involved
Transferred from one atom to another
Why: One atom gives up electrons and another atom gains them.
Water is a polar molecule because:
A. It has no electrical charge
B. Oxygen shares electrons equally with hydrogen
C. Oxygen pulls electrons more strongly than hydrogen
D. It has no hydrogen atoms
Oxygen pulls electrons more strongly than hydrogen
Why: This creates slight positive and negative charges in the molecule.
A hydrogen bond forms due to attraction between:
A. Two positive charges
B. Two negative charges
C. Slightly positive and slightly negative regions
D. Neutral atoms
Slightly positive and slightly negative regions
Why: Opposite charges attract each other, even when the charges are weak.
Which of the following is an example of an ionic compound?
A. H₂O
B. CO₂
C. NaCl
D. O₂
NaCl
Why: Sodium gives up an electron and chlorine gains one.
Hydrogen bonds are best described as:
A. Strong bonds within a molecule
B. Weak attractions between molecules
C. Bonds that share electrons
D. Bonds that transfer electrons
Weak attractions between molecules
Why: Hydrogen bonds form from weak electrical attractions, not shared electrons.
Why are hydrogen bonds important for life?
A. They create ATP
B. They help cells divide
C. They stabilize water and protein structure
D. They break down glucose
They stabilize water and protein structure
Why: Hydrogen bonds help water and proteins keep their shape and function.
Which statement correctly compares ionic and covalent bonds?
A. Both involve sharing electrons
B. Ionic bonds transfer electrons; covalent bonds share electrons
C. Covalent bonds are weaker than hydrogen bonds
D. Ionic bonds occur only in water
Ionic bonds transfer electrons; covalent bonds share electrons
Why: The main difference is whether electrons are given away or shared.
The atomic number of an atom is determined by the number of:
A) electrons
B) protons
C) neutrons
D) protons + neutrons
E) protons + electrons
protons
Why: The number of protons defines the element’s identity.
Isotopes of an element differ in the number of:
A) protons
B) electrons
C) neutrons
D) electron clouds
E) electrons in energy shells
neutrons
Why: Isotopes have the same protons but different neutrons
The mass number represents the number of:
A) protons
B) electrons
C) neutrons
D) protons + neutrons
E) neutrons + electrons
protons + neutrons
Why: Mass number counts all particles in the nucleus.
The chemical behavior of an atom is determined by:
A) the number of protons
B) the number of neutrons
C) the outermost electron shell
D) the size of the atom
E) the mass of the nucleus
the outermost electron shell
Why: Chemical reactions depend on valence electrons.
If an isotope of oxygen has 8 protons, 10 neutrons, and 8 electrons, its mass number is:
A) 26
B) 16
C) 18
D) 8
E) 12
18
Why: Mass number equals protons plus neutrons: 8 + 10 = 18.
The mass of an atom is largely determined by the number of:
A) electrons
B) protons
C) neutrons
D) protons + neutrons
E) protons + electrons
protons + neutrons
Why: Most of an atom’s mass comes from its nucleus.
The weakest bond between two atoms is the:
A) ionic
B) covalent
C) polar
D) nonpolar
E) hydrogen
hydrogen
Why: Hydrogen bonds are weaker than other bonds.
The smallest stable units of matter are:
A) atoms
B) molecules
C) protons
D) neutrons
E) electrons
atoms
Why: Atoms are the smallest units that retain the properties of matter.
The reaction A + B + energy → AB is an example of a(n):
A) exergonic
B) endergonic
C) equilibrium
D) decomposition
E) exchange
endergonic
Why: Endergonic reactions absorb energy to occur
Ionic bonds are formed when:
A) atoms share electrons
B) electrons are completely transferred
C) a pair of electrons is shared unequally
D) hydrogen forms bonds with negative atoms
E) two or more atoms lose electrons simultaneously
electrons are completely transferred
Why: One atom gives and another takes electrons.
If a pair of electrons is unequally shared between two atoms, a(n):
A) single covalent bond
B) double covalent bond
C) triple covalent bond
D) polar covalent bond
E) hydrogen bond
polar covalent bond
Why: Unequal sharing creates a molecule with partial charges.
AB → A + B is decomposition; A + B → AB is:
A) exchange
B) synthesis
C) combustion
D) replacement
E) metabolism
synthesis
Why: Synthesis reactions combine substances to form a new compound.
When atoms complete their outer electron shell by sharing electrons, they form:
A) ionic bonds
B) covalent bonds
C) hydrogen bonds
D) anions
E) cations
covalent bonds
Why: Sharing electrons fills the outer shell.
Chemical reactions that yield energy, such as heat, are:
A) endergonic
B) activated
C) exergonic
D) neutral
E) thermonuclear
exergonic
Why: Exergonic reactions release energy