Question 1

Which of the following best describes a hypothesis in the context of scientific inquiry?

Accepted Answer

A tentative explanation that can be tested by experimentation or observation.

Question 2

A student is investigating the effect of temperature on the rate of a chemical reaction. Which variable should be kept constant to ensure a fair test?

Accepted Answer

The concentration of the reactants.

Question 3

Which of the following is an example of a physical change?

Accepted Answer

Dissolving salt in water.

Question 4

A sample of gas occupies 2.0 L at a pressure of 1.0 atm. If the pressure is increased to 2.0 atm at constant temperature, what will be the new volume of the gas? (Use Boyle's Law: $P_1V_1 = P_2V_2$)

Accepted Answer

$1.0\ \mathrm{L}$

Question 5

Which of the following statements about metals is correct?

Accepted Answer

Metals tend to lose electrons to form positive ions.

Question 6

A student mixes hydrochloric acid ($\mathrm{HCl}$) with sodium hydroxide ($\mathrm{NaOH}$). Which type of reaction occurs?

Accepted Answer

Neutralization reaction

Question 7

Which of the following best explains why salt is spread on icy roads in winter?

Accepted Answer

Salt decreases the freezing point of water, causing ice to melt.

Question 8

Which of the following is the correct balanced equation for the combustion of methane ($\mathrm{CH_4}$) in oxygen?

Accepted Answer

$\mathrm{CH_4} + 2\mathrm{O_2} \rightarrow \mathrm{CO_2} + 2\mathrm{H_2O}$

Question 9

A student is asked to identify an unknown white powder. Which of the following is the most scientific approach?

Accepted Answer

Perform a series of chemical tests and record the results.

Question 10

Which of the following is a property of acids?

Accepted Answer

They turn blue litmus paper red.

Question 11

A 100 W light bulb is left on for 10 hours. How much energy in kilojoules does it use? (1 W = 1 J/s)

Accepted Answer

$3,600\ \mathrm{kJ}$

Question 12

Which of the following best describes the function of a catalyst in a chemical reaction?

Accepted Answer

It speeds up the reaction by lowering the activation energy.

Question 13

Which of the following is an example of a sustainable practice in chemistry?

Accepted Answer

Using renewable resources to produce biofuels.

Question 14

A student measures the mass of a sample three times and gets values of 2.01 g, 2.00 g, and 2.02 g. The true mass is 2.50 g. Which statement best describes the measurements?

Accepted Answer

The measurements are precise but not accurate.

Question 15

Which of the following is a correct statement about the law of conservation of mass?

Accepted Answer

The total mass of reactants equals the total mass of products.

Question 16

Which of the following best explains why metals are good conductors of electricity?

Accepted Answer

Metals have free-moving electrons that carry charge.

Question 17

A solution has a pH of 3. Which of the following best describes the solution?

Accepted Answer

It is an acidic solution.

Question 18

Which of the following is a real-world example of an exothermic reaction?

Accepted Answer

Combustion of gasoline in a car engine.

Question 19

A student wants to separate a mixture of sand and salt. Which sequence of steps would be most effective?

Accepted Answer

Add water, filter to remove sand, then evaporate water to recover salt.

Question 20

Which of the following best describes the difference between a compound and a mixture?

Accepted Answer

A compound is formed by chemical bonding of elements, while a mixture is a physical combination of substances.

General Chemistry Study Notes: Scientific Inquiry, Materials, and Chemical Reactions

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards