Basic Chemistry Practice Test Questions

Basic Chemistry is are common on many Nursing Entrance Exams as well as on many Teacher Certification Exams which have specialty certification exams.

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Here is a quick over view of Basic Chemistry.

 

1. What are the differences, if any, between mixtures and compounds?

  1. A mixture is homogeneous, and the properties of its components are retained, while a compound is heterogeneous and its properties are distinct from those of the elements combined in its formation.
  2. A mixture is heterogeneous, and the properties of its components are retained, while a compound is homogeneous and its properties are distinct from those of the elements combined in its formation.
  3. A mixture is heterogeneous, and the properties of its components are changed, while a compound is homogeneous and its properties are similar to those of the elements combined in its formation.
  4. A compound is heterogeneous, and the properties of its components are retained, while a mixture is homogeneous and its properties are distinct from those of the elements combined in its formation.

2. What are the differences, if any, between chemical changes and physical changes?

  1. During a physical change, some aspect of the physical properties of matter are altered, but the identity of the substance remains constant. Chemical changes involve the alteration of both a substance’s composition and structure.
  2. During a chemical change, some aspect of the physical properties of matter are altered, but the identity of the substance remains constant. Physical changes involve the alteration of both a substance’s composition and structure.
  3. During a physical change, no aspects of the physical properties of matter are altered, but the identity of the substance remains constant. Chemical changes involve the alteration of both a substance’s composition and structure.
  4. There is no substantive difference between chemical and physical changes.

 3. When a measurement is recorded, it includes the _________ ________, which are all the digits that are certain plus one uncertain digit.

  1. Major figures
  2. Significant figures
  3. Relative figures
  4. Relevant figures

 4. The _______ _______ is based on the lowest theoretical temperature, called ________ _______.

  1. Kelvin scale, absolute zero
  2. Celsius scale, absolute zero
  3. Kelvin scale, boiling point of water
  4. Centigrade scale, freezing point of water

 5. Through experiments and calculations, ________  ______ has been verified to be _________o on the _________ scale.

  1. Through experiments and calculations, absolute zero has been verified to be – 273.15o on the Celsius scale.
  2. Through experiments and calculations, unconditional zero has been verified to be 0o on the Kelvin scale.
  3. Through experiments and calculations, absolute null has been verified to be -100o on the Celsius scale.
  4. Through experiments and calculations, absolute zero has been verified to be – 273.15o on the Kelvin scale.

6. When using the scientific notation system to express large numbers, move the _______ ______ until _____ digit(s) remain(s) to the left, then indicate the number of moves of the decimal point as the _______ __ ___.

  1. When using the scientific notation system to express large numbers, move the decimal point until only two digits remain to the left, then indicate the number of moves of the decimal point as the exponent of 10.
  2. When using the scientific notation system to express large numbers, move the decimal until only one digit remains to the left, then indicate the number of moves of the decimal point as the exponent of 2.
  3. When using the scientific notation system to express large numbers, move the decimal until only three digits remain to the left, then indicate the number of moves of the decimal point as the exponent of 10.
  4. When using the scientific notation system to express large numbers, move the decimal until only one digit remains to the left, then indicate the number of moves of the decimal point as the exponent of 10.

 7. In science, ________ indicates the __________ or ___________ of a measurement, while _______ indicates the ________ of a measurement to its known or accepted value.

  1. In science, accuracy indicates the reliability or reproducibility of a measurement, while precision indicates the proximity of a measurement to its known or accepted value.
  2. In science, exactitude indicates the reliability or reproducibility of a measurement, while contiguity indicates the remoteness of a measurement to its known or accepted value.
  3. In science, precision indicates the reliability or reproducibility of a measurement, while accuracy indicates the proximity of a measurement to its known or accepted value.
  4. In science, uncertainty indicates the realism or possibility of a measurement, while precision indicates the distance of a measurement to its known or accepted value.

 8. The _________________ states that, in a chemical change, ________ can be neither _____ or ________, but only changed from _______________.

  1. The Law of the Preservation of Matter states that, in a chemical change, energy can be    neither created nor destroyed, but only changed from one form to another.
  2. The Law of the Conservation of Energy states that, in a chemical change, energy can be    neither created nor destroyed, but only changed from one atomic number to another.
  3. The Law of the Conservation of Energy states that, in a chemical change, energy can be    neither created nor destroyed, but only changed from one form to another.
  4. The Law of the Conservation of Energy states that, in a chemical change, energy can be    neither duplicated nor destroyed, but only changed from one form to another.

9.  A _________ is a process that transforms one set of chemical substances to another; the substances used are known as ________ and those formed are _________.

  1. A chemical change is a process that transforms one set of chemical substances to another; the substances used are known as products and those formed are reactants.
  2. A biological change is a process that transforms one set of chemical substances to another; the substances used are known as reactants and those formed are products.
  3. A chemical change is a process that transforms one set of chemical substances to another; the substances used are known as reactants and those formed are products.
  4. A chemical variation is a process that transforms one set of chemical substances to another; the substances used are known as reactants and those formed are products.

10.  ________ is the series of chemical reactions resulting in the ______ of organic compounds, and _________  is the series of chemical reactions that _________ larger molecules.

  1. Anabolism is the series of chemical reactions resulting in the synthesis of inorganic compounds, and catabolism is a series of chemical reactions that break down larger molecules.
  2. Anabolism is the series of chemical reactions resulting in the synthesis of organic compounds, and catabolism is a series of chemical reactions that combine larger molecules.
  3. Catabolism is the series of chemical reactions resulting in the synthesis of organic compounds, and anabolism is a series of chemical reactions that break down larger molecules.
  4. Anabolism is the series of chemical reactions resulting in the synthesis of organic compounds, and catabolism is a series of chemical reactions that break down larger molecules.

 

 

Answer Key

1. B
A mixture is heterogeneous, and the properties of its components are retained, while a         compound is homogeneous and its properties are distinct from those of the elements combined in its formation.

2. A
During a physical change, some aspect of the physical properties of matter are altered,         but the identity of the substance remains constant. Chemical changes involve the         alteration of both a substance’s composition and structure.

Note:  Examples of physical changes include breaking glass, cutting wood and melting ice. Sometimes, the process can be easily reversed. Restoration of the original form is not possible following a chemical change.

3.  B
When a measurement is recorded, it includes the significant figures, which are all the digits that are certain plus one uncertain digit.

4.  A
The Kelvin scale is based on the lowest theoretical temperature, called absolute zero.

5.  A
Through experiments and calculations, absolute zero has been verified to be – 273.15o on the Celsius scale.

6.  A
When using the scientific notation system to express large numbers, move the decimal point until only two digits remain to the left, then indicate the number of moves of the         decimal point as the exponent of 10.

7.  C
In science, precision indicates the reliability or reproducibility of a measurement, while accuracy indicates the proximity of a measurement to its known or accepted value.

Note:  Regardless of the precision or accuracy of a measurement, all measurements include a degree of uncertainty, dependent on limitations of the measuring instrument and the skill with which the measurement is completed.[i]

8.  C
The Law of the Conservation of Energy states that, in a chemical change, energy can         be neither created nor destroyed, but only changed from one form to another.

9.  C
A chemical change is a process that transforms one set of chemical substances to         another; the substances used are known as reactants and those formed are products.

10.  D
Anabolism is the series of chemical reactions resulting in the synthesis of organic compounds, and catabolism is a series of chemical reactions that break down larger molecules.

 

 

 


[i] Brimblecombe, S., Gallannaugh, D., & Thompson, C. (1998). QPB Science Encyclopedia: An A to Z Guide to Everything You Need to Know About Science. New York, NY: Helicon Publishing Group Ltd.

 

 

 

 

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