A student wants to determine whether an unknown solid is an ionic compound. He puts some in water and finds that it does not dissolve. He says that this proves the solid is ionic. Which best evaluates the student's reasoning? He is incorrect, because water can dissolve ionic solids. The test proves nothing, because water dissolves all solids. He is correct, because polar liquids cannot dissolve ionic solids. The test proves nothing, because it only shows that the solid is a compound.

Which of the following correctly describes what happens when an atomic bomb explodes? small pieces of fissionable material are joined and form a body with a mass greater than the critical mass, the relative number of neutrons escaping decreases, and a chain reaction and explosion result. large pieces of fissionable matter are brought together quickly and form a body with a mass smaller than the critical mass, the relative number of escaping neutrons increases, and a chain reaction and explosion result.