AP Chemistry : Elements and Atoms

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Chemistry

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Example Questions

Example Question #3 : Elemental Properties And Types

Which of the following elements behaves the most like calcium?

Possible Answers:

Rubidium

Scandium

Bromine

Potassium

Strontium

Correct answer:

Strontium

Explanation:

Strontium is in the same group as calcium in the periodic table, which means that they both have the same number of valence electrons; they are both alkaline earth metals with two valence electrons. This is one of the most important chemical properties, as it dictates how an element will react. Like calcium, strontium will lose its two valence electrons easily to form ionic compounds.

Example Question #1 : Elemental Properties And Types

Which of the following best explains effective nuclear charge (Zeff)?

Possible Answers:

The atomic mass of an element

The charge of an electron

An electrostatic attraction between valence electrons and the nucleus

The number of protons and neutrons of an element

The charge of any nucleon

Correct answer:

An electrostatic attraction between valence electrons and the nucleus

Explanation:

The correct answer choice is an accurate explanation of effective nuclear charge. Since electrons are negatively charged, they are attracted to protons, which are positively charged. Protons are located in the nucleus of an atom.

Example Question #9 : The Periodic Table

Which of the following elements are classified as a non-metal?

Possible Answers:

Rn

W

Na

Be

Hg

Correct answer:

Rn

Explanation:

Rn is radon, a noble gas, which is not a metal. As a rule, elements to the left are metals, elements to the right are non-metals. The barrier would be the elements that are immideately to the right of the transition metals

Example Question #21 : Elements And Atoms

Li, V

As, Nb

Ir, Mn

Hg, Au

O, S

Which of the following contains a metal and a non-metal?

Possible Answers:

Hg, Au

As, Nb

O, S

Li, V

Ir, Mn

Correct answer:

As, Nb

Explanation:

Non-metals are on the right side of the periodic table—past the metaloids and metals are on the left

As and Nb are the only combination that is a metal and non-metal

Example Question #11 : Elemental Properties And Types

Which of the following is not a property of metals?

Possible Answers:

Ductility

High ionization energies

High density and melting point

Malleability

Correct answer:

High ionization energies

Explanation:

The metals are found on the left side and the middle of the periodic table, and include the active metals, transition metals, and lanthanide and actinide series of elements. They easily give up electrons to form cations, since they have LOW ionization energies.

Example Question #25 : Elements And Atoms

What type of element is selenium?

Possible Answers:
Transition metal
Nonmetal
Noble gas
Metalloid
Correct answer: Nonmetal
Explanation:

Selenium is on the right side of the periodic table, so it is not a metal or metalloid. It is not in column 7 or 8, so it is not a halogen or noble gas. Thus, it must be a nonmetal.

Example Question #11 : The Periodic Table

Which property of metals make them a good component of wiring that conducts electricity?

Possible Answers:
They have high electronegativity values
They have high melting points
They contain valence electrons that can move around
They are shiny
Correct answer: They contain valence electrons that can move around
Explanation:

Electricity is produced and conducted by the movement of electrons, and thus the most important property that allows them to be used for wiring is their valence electrons that can move freely. 

Example Question #12 : Elemental Properties And Types

What type of bond can be expected to form between K and I?

Possible Answers:

A basic bond

An ionic bond

An acidic bond

A covalent bond

A hydrogen bond

Correct answer:

An ionic bond

Explanation:

Ionic bonds occur between metals and non-metals.  The non-metal species are often halogens, very electronegative atoms which will completely take one of the non-metal's electrons.  An ionic bond is not as much a bond as it is an association between positive and negatively charged atoms (ions).  This association leads to the formation of rigid lattice structures of ionic compounds. Which makes them very stable, as seen by their high boiling points.  When looking for ionic bonding, look for bonding between non-metals and metals, and atoms that are from opposite ends of the periodic table. 

Example Question #22 : Elements And Atoms

Which of the following is not a property of transition metals:

Possible Answers:

Transition metals have a high melting point and boiling point

Transition metals tend to have multiple possible oxidation states

When a transition metal ionizes it will always lose an electron from its s shell before its d shell

Transition metals are highly conductive

Transition metals are highly malleable

Correct answer:

When a transition metal ionizes it will always lose an electron from its s shell before its d shell

Explanation:

While many transition metals will lose an electron from the s shell before the d shell, many transition metals will lose only one electron from the s shell or none at all. The reason for this is that there is an enhanced stability when the transition metal's d shell is half filled, , so trasition metals will lose or not lose from the s shell in order to obtain a more stable electron configuration.

Example Question #23 : Elements And Atoms

Which of the following elements is a metalloid?

Possible Answers:

Mercury

Silicon

Phosphorous

Carbon

Selenium

Correct answer:

Silicon

Explanation:

Metals are on the left side of the periodic table, nonmetals on the right, and metalloids follow a diagonal line from boron down to polonium. Silicon is one of these.

In general, metallic character decreases from the left of the period to the right, with the far right of the table representing the noble gases. Metalloids represent the junction between the metals and nonmetals within the period.

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