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HESI A2

Chemistry.

Chemistry questions from the HESI A2 track. Drill the ones you don't know yet. Skip what you've mastered.

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Post-NGN questions with verified answers and rationales. This is the core drill.

Normal body temperature is considered to be 98.6oF. What is the normal body temperature in degrees Celsius?

Accuracy reviewed
  • a37° CCorrect
  • b32° F
  • c21° C
Rationale

37° C To convert between Fahrenheit and Celsius scales, use the formula, [°C] = ([°F], 32) × 5/9. Inserting 98.6oF for the [oF] term, you get 37oC as the answer. [°C] = (98.6°F, 32) × 5/9 [°C] = (66.6) × 5/9 [°C] = 37

Source recency: 2026

The mass of a grain of sand is 1.672 × 10-4 kg. Express this number in standard notation.

Accuracy reviewed
  • a0.0001672 kgCorrect
  • b0.00001672 kg
  • c1,672 kg
  • d1,672,000 kg
Rationale

0.0001672 kg Scientific notation is a way to write very large or very small numbers. This method of notation is useful to scientists when they are writing very large or very small numbers, so they don’t have to write so many zeroes. To convert from scientific notation to standard notation, look at the exponent: The value of the exponent tells you how many spaces to move the decimal. Since the value of the exponent in 1.672 × 10-4 is 4, this tells us we will need to move the decimal 4 spaces. The sign of the exponent tells you which direction we are going. A positive exponent tells us to move the decimal to the right. A negative decimal tells us to move the decimal to the left. Since the sign of the exponent in 1.672 × 10-4 is negative, this means we will be moving the decimal to the left. So, since the exponent is negative and has a value of 4, so we just need to move the decimal 4 places to the left to arrive at the answer, 0.0001672.

Source recency: 2026

Which of the following is the SI unit used to measure the amount of a substance?

Accuracy reviewed
  • aGram
  • bMoleCorrect
  • cKilogram
  • dMeter
Rationale

Mole The International System of Units (SI, abbreviated from the French Système international) is the modern form of the metric system and is the most widely used system of measurement in the world. It comprises a system of units of measurement built on seven base units, which are: Unit Symbol Quantity meter m length second s time kilogram kg mass ampere A electric current kelvin K temperature mole mol amount of substance candela cd luminous intensity (brightness) As you can see in the chart above, the SI Unit to measure the amount of a substance is the mole and is generally used to represent atoms. The kilogram is the SI base unit of mass, while a meter is the SI base unit of length. A gram is an SI unit of mass, but note that it is not a base unit. The base unit for mass is the kilogram.

Source recency: 2026

What is the name given to a negatively-charged atom?

Accuracy reviewed
  • aCation
  • bAnionCorrect
  • cIon
  • dIsotope
Rationale

Anion An ion is an atom with a net positive or negative charge due to an unequal number of protons and electrons. More electrons than protons = negatively charged ion (this is called an anion). More protons than electrons = positively charged ion (this is called a cation). When there are a same number of protons but a different number of neutrons, this is called an isotope.

Source recency: 2026

Which of the following correctly defines the term isotope?

Accuracy reviewed
  • aAtoms with the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons.Correct
  • bAtoms that have the same number of protons and neutrons, but a different number of electrons.
  • cAtoms with the same number of neutrons and electrons, but a different number of protons.
  • dAtoms that have different numbers of neutrons, electrons, and protons.
Rationale

Isotopes are atoms of the same element (same number of protons) with different numbers of neutrons. The number of protons defines the element. The number of electrons is not part of the isotope definition because electrons can be gained or lost (forming ions) independently of isotope identity. A neutral atom will have electrons equal to protons, but that is a property of charge neutrality, not of being an isotope. Isotopes can be stable or radioactive. Many radioactive isotopes undergo decay because an imbalanced neutron-to-proton ratio makes the nucleus unstable.

Source recency: 2026

Which of the following is represented by the atomic number of an element?

Accuracy reviewed
  • aAn element’s number of protons and neutrons
  • bAn element’s number of protons, neutrons, and electrons
  • cAn element’s number of protonsCorrect
  • dAn element’s number of neutrons
Rationale

An element’s number of protons The atomic number of an element shows the number of protons located in the nucleus of the atom. The number of protons determines the identity of the atom. For example, if an atom has 6 protons, it is Carbon. Therefore, the atomic number for carbon is 6.

Source recency: 2026

Which of the following phase transition describes the change from ice into steam?

Accuracy reviewed
  • aFreezing
  • bMelting
  • cEvaporation
  • dSublimationCorrect
Rationale

Sublimation The transition in the question involves going directly from ice (a solid) into steam (a gas), without going through a transition to a liquid first. This is called sublimation. Freezing is going from a liquid to a solid. Melting is from a solid to a liquid. Evaporation is from a liquid to a gas.

Source recency: 2026

Which of the following pH values is acidic?

Accuracy reviewed
  • a5Correct
  • b7
  • c11
  • d13
Rationale

5 The pH scale is centered around a pH of 7, which is considered to be neutral. Values below 7 are considered to be acidic, while values greater than 7 are basic. Since 5 is less than 7, it is an acidic pH value.

Source recency: 2026

Which of the following describes a single covalent bond?

Accuracy reviewed
  • aA bond that shares one electron pairCorrect
  • bA bond that shares no electron pairs
  • cA bond that shares a single proton
  • dA bond that shares two electron pairs
Rationale

A bond that shares one electron pair In covalent bonds, electrons are shared between two atoms. This differs from ionic bonds, where electrons are completely donated from one atom to another. In a single covalent bond, one electron pair is shared, while in a double covalent bond, two electron pairs are shared.

Source recency: 2026

Which of the following describes a catalyst?

Accuracy reviewed
  • aA substance that increases the rate of a chemical reactionCorrect
  • bA solid that precipitates out of a reaction
  • cA gas that evolves from the reaction
  • dA substance that slows down a reaction.
Rationale

A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction A catalyst increases the rate of a chemical reaction by lowering the activation energy. A catalyst is not consumed in a chemical reaction and is regenerated after each reaction it catalyzes.

Source recency: 2026

What type of bonding exists in NaCl?

Accuracy reviewed
  • aIsotopic
  • bStoic
  • cSynthetic
  • dIonicCorrect
Rationale

Ionic NaCl is an ionic compound, which consists of a metal (Na) and a nonmetal (Cl). In this type of compound, ionic bonds are formed between the two atoms where the metal completely donates its electrons to the nonmetal.

Source recency: 2026

What is the percent concentration of benzene in a solution containing 59 mL of benzene and 150 mL toluene?

Accuracy reviewed
  • a56.4 %
  • b28.2 %Correct
  • c39.3 %
  • d14.1 %
Rationale

28.2 % In order to get this answer, we need to first divide the volume of benzene (59 mL) by the total volume of the solution ( 59 + 150 = 209 mL). 59 ÷ 209 = 0.282 We then multiply by 100 to convert the decimal in a percent 0.282 × 100 = 28.2%.

Source recency: 2026

In a redox reaction, oxidation is the _______ of electrons and reduction is the _______ of electrons.

Accuracy reviewed
  • again, gain
  • bgain, loss
  • closs, gainCorrect
  • dloss, loss
Rationale

loss, gain In a redox reaction, oxidation is the loss of electrons, and reduction is the gain of electrons. OIL RIG: Oxidation Is Loss Reduction Is Gain

Source recency: 2026

Which of the following is not likely to have a dipole?

Accuracy reviewed
  • aIonic compound
  • bPolar compound
  • cSalt
  • dNonpolar compoundCorrect
Rationale

Nonpolar compound A dipole occurs when there is an unequal sharing of electrons between two atoms in a molecule. In the dipole, there will be both a partially, positive and a partially-negative side. The more electronegative atom will be on the partially-negative side since it will be able to attract more electrons to itself.

Source recency: 2026

How many total amino acids are needed for the human body to produce all the proteins it needs?

Accuracy reviewed
  • a9
  • b11
  • c10
  • d20Correct
Rationale

20 Amino acids, which contain an amine and a carboxylic acid, are needed by the body to produce proteins. There are 20 amino acids that the body needs for protein synthesis, and they are grouped into two categories: essential and non-essential.

Source recency: 2026

What is the oxidation number of oxygen?

Accuracy reviewed
  • a1+
  • b1-
  • c2-Correct
Rationale

2– Oxygen is part of the Group 16 of the periodic table and carries a 2- charge. This is because it prefers to gain two electrons to form a full octet to adopt the electron configuration of the closest noble gas (Neon).

Source recency: 2026

Which of the following correctly represents the general chemical formula of a carbohydrate?

Accuracy reviewed
  • a(CH2O)nCorrect
  • bC6H12O6
  • c(CH4O)n
  • d(CHO)n
Rationale

(CH2O)n Carbohydrates are molecules that are made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. In the general formula, n can be any number between 3 and 8. (CH₄O)ₙ→ Incorrect ratio (1:4:1), too many hydrogens. C₆H₁₂O₆→ This is the specific formula for glucose (a monosaccharide), not the general formula for all carbohydrates. (CHO)ₙ→ Missing the proper hydrogen-to-oxygen ratio (should be 2:1).

Source recency: 2026

Which of the following does pH measure?

Accuracy reviewed
  • aThe concentration of hydroxide ions
  • bAcid concentration
  • cThe concentration of hydrogen ionsCorrect
  • dThe strength of an acid
Rationale

The concentration of hydrogen ions pH is defined mathematically as -log[H+]. As you can see, it is a measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions. Although we use pH to determine the acidity of a solution, it does not give any indication as to the strength of an acid (that is what pka does).

Source recency: 2026

Which of the following is emitted during beta decay?

Accuracy reviewed
  • aProton
  • bElectronCorrect
  • cNeutron
  • dNucleus
Rationale

Electron Beta particles are high-energy, high-speed electrons that are emitted from an atomic nucleus. Beta decay can also emit a positron, and this is called β+ decay.

Source recency: 2026

Which of the following represents the general form of a decomposition reaction?

Accuracy reviewed
  • aA + O2 → H2O + CO2
  • bAB + C → AC + B
  • cAB → A + BCorrect
  • dAB + CD → AD + BC
Rationale

AB → A + B A decomposition reaction occurs when a compound breaks apart to form its constituent atoms. It looks like this: AB → A + B A combustion reaction occurs when fuel and oxygen yield water and carbon dioxide. A + O2 → H2O + CO2 A single replacement reaction occurs when one element replaces another in a single compound. AB + C → AC + B A double replacement reaction (also called a metathesis reaction) occurs when the cations and anions switch between two reactants to form new products. AB + CD → AD + BC

Source recency: 2026

Which of the following is not an intermolecular force?

Accuracy reviewed
  • aMetallic bondCorrect
  • bHydrogen bond
  • cDispersion force
  • dDipole-dipole interaction
Rationale

Metallic bond Metallic bonds hold metal lattices together and are an intramolecular force. Other examples of intramolecular forces are covalent bonds and ionic bonds. The other options are intermolecular forces that determine how other molecules interact with one another. Hydrogen bonds, dispersion forces, and dipole-dipole interactions are all types of intermolecular forces. Intermolecular forces are the forces that act between molecules, influencing the physical properties of substances. Each of these forces acts between molecules, not within them, and thus they are classified as intermolecular forces. They play a crucial role in determining physical properties like boiling and melting points, solubility, and viscosity.

Source recency: 2026

Which of the following states of matter take the shape of the container they are placed in?

Accuracy reviewed
  • aLiquid and gasCorrect
  • bLiquid and solid
  • cGas and solid
  • dGas, liquid, and solid
Rationale

Liquid and gas Liquids and gases can spread out to adopt the shape of whatever container they are placed into. A solid has a definite shape, so it will remain in its original shape no matter what container it is placed into.

Source recency: 2026

Which of the following is the correct term for chemicals on the left side of the reaction arrow?

Accuracy reviewed
  • aReactantsCorrect
  • bProducts
  • cIons
  • dEquation
Rationale

Reactants The reactants are the chemical species that are used to generate the products. Reactants are always on the left side of the reaction arrow, and products are always on the right side.

Source recency: 2026

How many days will it take 128 kilograms of a radioactive substance to decay to 16 kilograms if it has a half-life of 32 days?

Accuracy reviewed
  • a4
  • b48
  • c3
  • d96Correct
Rationale

96 For a radioactive substance to decay from 128 kilograms to 16 kilograms, it must undergo 3 half-lives (128 → 64 → 32 → 16). When the half-life of a radioactive substance is 32 days, then 3 half-lives would equal 96 days (3 × 32 = 96).

Source recency: 2026

Why does increasing the surface area of reactants or catalysts increase the rate of a reaction?

Accuracy reviewed
  • aThe activation energy of the reaction is lowered.
  • bIt increases the likelihood of molecules encountering one another.Correct
  • cIt introduces charges on the surface of the particles, which makes them more reactive.
  • dIt reduces the amount of precipitate that is formed during the reaction.
Rationale

It increases the likelihood of molecules encountering one another. Increased surface area increases the opportunity for reactants to collide with one another. The more surface area that something possesses, the more sites it has available to react. Activation energy lowered → true for a catalyst, but surface area increase alone doesn’t necessarily lower activation energy. Introduces charges → incorrect; surface area doesn’t add charges. Reduces precipitate → unrelated to surface area effect on reaction rate.

Source recency: 2026

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