Question 1

Which of the following statements best describes the difference between an element and a compound?

Accepted Answer

An element is a pure substance made of only one kind of atom, while a compound is a substance made of two or more different elements chemically bonded together.

Question 2

Which subatomic particle determines the atomic number of an element?

Accepted Answer

Proton

Question 3

A neutral atom of oxygen has 8 protons, 8 neutrons, and 8 electrons. If it gains two electrons, what is the resulting charge and what is this species called?

Accepted Answer

It becomes a negatively charged ion (anion) with a charge of $$-2.$$

Question 4

Which of the following best explains why ice floats on water?

Accepted Answer

Water molecules are further apart in ice than in liquid water, making ice less dense.

Question 5

Which type of chemical bond involves the sharing of electrons between atoms?

Accepted Answer

Covalent bond

Question 6

A solution has a pH of 4. How does its hydrogen ion concentration compare to a solution with a pH of 7?

Accepted Answer

It has $$10^3 (1$$,000) times higher hydrogen ion concentration.

Question 7

Which of the following is an example of the Law of Conservation of Matter?

Accepted Answer

When wood burns, the total mass of the ash, gases, and energy released equals the mass of the original wood and oxygen.

Question 8

Which property of water allows it to moderate Earth's climate by absorbing and releasing large amounts of heat with little temperature change?

Accepted Answer

High specific heat capacity

Question 9

Which of the following best describes the difference between kinetic and potential energy?

Accepted Answer

Kinetic energy is energy of motion, while potential energy is stored due to position or composition.

Question 10

Which of the following is a consequence of the second law of thermodynamics in natural systems?

Accepted Answer

Energy transformations increase disorder (entropy) in the system.

Question 11

Which of the following best describes a radioisotope?

Accepted Answer

An isotope that emits radiation as it decays to become more stable.

Question 12

Which of the following is a hydrocarbon?

Accepted Answer

Methane ($$CH_4)$$

Question 13

Which of the following best explains why salt (NaCl) dissolves easily in water?

Accepted Answer

Water is a polar molecule, so it surrounds and separates the positive and negative ions in salt.

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT a macromolecule found in living organisms?

Accepted Answer

Salt

Question 15

Which of the following best describes the process of chemosynthesis?

Accepted Answer

Bacteria use energy from inorganic chemicals to produce organic molecules.

Question 16

Which of the following statements about plate tectonics is correct?

Accepted Answer

Plate movements can cause earthquakes, volcanoes, and mountain formation.

Question 17

A hydrogen atom loses one electron. What is the resulting particle called?

Accepted Answer

A hydrogen ion ($$H^+)$$

Question 18

Which of the following best describes why the pH scale is logarithmic?

Accepted Answer

Each step represents a tenfold change in hydrogen ion concentration.

Question 19

Which of the following is an example of an ionic bond?

Accepted Answer

The bond between sodium and chlorine in table salt ($$NaCl)$$

Question 20

Which of the following best explains why energy conversions are never 100% efficient?

Accepted Answer

Some energy is always lost as heat or light due to the second law of thermodynamics.

Earth’s Physical Systems: Chemistry Foundations for Biology

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