CHEM 210 Module 2 Exam (Portage Learning
2025/2026) — 30 High-Level Questions with
100% Correct Answers
1. Which set of quantum numbers (n, l, m_l, m_s) is valid for an electron in a ground-state
arsenic atom?
A. 3, 3, 0, +½
B. 4, 2, –1, –½
C. 4, 1, 2, +½
D. 3, 2, –3, –½
Correct Answer: B
Short Explanation: l must be < n, |m_l| ≤ l, and m_s = ±½. Only B satisfies all constraints (l = 2 <
n = 4; |m_l| = 1 ≤ 2).
2. The first ionization energy of aluminum is 578 kJ mol⁻¹. What is the minimum frequency
of light that can ionize a single Al atom?
A. 8.69 × 10¹⁴ s⁻¹
B. 1.45 × 10¹⁵ s⁻¹
,C. 2.90 × 10¹⁵ s⁻¹
D. 5.78 × 10¹⁴ s⁻¹
Correct Answer: B
Calculation: E_per_atom = 578 000 J / 6.022 × 10²³ = 9.60 × 10⁻¹⁹ J; ν = E/h = 9.60 × 10⁻¹⁹ J /
6.626 × 10⁻³⁴ J·s = 1.45 × 10¹⁵ s⁻¹.
3. Arrange the following ions in order of increasing ionic radius: Mg²⁺, Na⁺, F⁻, O²⁻.
A. Mg²⁺ < Na⁺ < F⁻ < O²⁻
B. O²⁻ < F⁻ < Na⁺ < Mg²⁺
C. Na⁺ < Mg²⁺ < F⁻ < O²⁻
D. Mg²⁺ < O²⁻ < F⁻ < Na⁺
Correct Answer: A
Trend: Isoelectronic series 10 e⁻; radius increases as Z decreases: Mg²⁺ (Z=12) smallest, O²⁻
(Z=8) largest.
4. How many nodes (total) does a 4d orbital possess?
A. 3
B. 4
, C. 5
D. 2
Correct Answer: A
Formula: total nodes = n – 1 = 4 – 1 = 3.
5. Which element has the largest third ionization energy?
A. Al
B. Si
C. Mg
D. Na
Correct Answer: C
Reason: Removing the third electron from Mg breaks the stable neon core (2p⁶), whereas Al and
Si remove 3p electrons; Na has only one valence electron.
6. What is the electron configuration of the Co³⁺ ion?
A. [Ar] 3d⁶
B. [Ar] 3d⁷
2025/2026) — 30 High-Level Questions with
100% Correct Answers
1. Which set of quantum numbers (n, l, m_l, m_s) is valid for an electron in a ground-state
arsenic atom?
A. 3, 3, 0, +½
B. 4, 2, –1, –½
C. 4, 1, 2, +½
D. 3, 2, –3, –½
Correct Answer: B
Short Explanation: l must be < n, |m_l| ≤ l, and m_s = ±½. Only B satisfies all constraints (l = 2 <
n = 4; |m_l| = 1 ≤ 2).
2. The first ionization energy of aluminum is 578 kJ mol⁻¹. What is the minimum frequency
of light that can ionize a single Al atom?
A. 8.69 × 10¹⁴ s⁻¹
B. 1.45 × 10¹⁵ s⁻¹
,C. 2.90 × 10¹⁵ s⁻¹
D. 5.78 × 10¹⁴ s⁻¹
Correct Answer: B
Calculation: E_per_atom = 578 000 J / 6.022 × 10²³ = 9.60 × 10⁻¹⁹ J; ν = E/h = 9.60 × 10⁻¹⁹ J /
6.626 × 10⁻³⁴ J·s = 1.45 × 10¹⁵ s⁻¹.
3. Arrange the following ions in order of increasing ionic radius: Mg²⁺, Na⁺, F⁻, O²⁻.
A. Mg²⁺ < Na⁺ < F⁻ < O²⁻
B. O²⁻ < F⁻ < Na⁺ < Mg²⁺
C. Na⁺ < Mg²⁺ < F⁻ < O²⁻
D. Mg²⁺ < O²⁻ < F⁻ < Na⁺
Correct Answer: A
Trend: Isoelectronic series 10 e⁻; radius increases as Z decreases: Mg²⁺ (Z=12) smallest, O²⁻
(Z=8) largest.
4. How many nodes (total) does a 4d orbital possess?
A. 3
B. 4
, C. 5
D. 2
Correct Answer: A
Formula: total nodes = n – 1 = 4 – 1 = 3.
5. Which element has the largest third ionization energy?
A. Al
B. Si
C. Mg
D. Na
Correct Answer: C
Reason: Removing the third electron from Mg breaks the stable neon core (2p⁶), whereas Al and
Si remove 3p electrons; Na has only one valence electron.
6. What is the electron configuration of the Co³⁺ ion?
A. [Ar] 3d⁶
B. [Ar] 3d⁷