Deck 1: Chemistry

Question 1

Which of the following was NOT a result of alchemy?

A) The philosopher's stone was successfully used to change base metals, such as lead, into gold.
B) Many new chemicals were discovered.
C) Alchemists developed techniques such as distillation and extraction that are still used today.
D) Many modern chemists inherited an interest in health and medicines from the alchemists.

Answer 1

The philosopher's stone was successfully used to change base metals, such as lead, into gold.

Question 2

Archaeological evidence indicates that ancient Egyptians were brewing beer and other fermented beverages over 4000 years ago. In the mid-19th century, French scientist Louis Pasteur discovered and explained the source of fermentation using yeast. This example illustrates that

A) scientific knowledge may come before technological knowledge.
B) technological knowledge may come before scientific knowledge.
C) science and technology mean the same thing.
D) science and technology are not related.

Answer 2

technological knowledge may come before scientific knowledge.

Question 3

Which developed first?

A) technology
B) chemistry
C) alchemy
D) natural philosophy

Answer 3

technology

Question 4

Rachel Carson was an early proponent of

A) environmental awareness.
B) conservation.
C) pesticides to improve crops.
D) using insects to improve pollination.

Question 5

A variable

A) does not change over the course of the experiment.
B) is something that can change over the course of an experiment.
C) does not affect the outcome of an experiment.
D) can be controlled.

Question 6

Green chemistry uses

A) only water as a solvent.
B) materials and processes that are intended to prevent or reduce pollution at its source.
C) only grocery store bought chemicals.
D) reactions that are not heated.

Question 7

Scientific results must be verified by

A) constructing plausible theories.
B) consulting noted scientific authorities.
C) further experiment.
D) government agencies.

Question 8

DDT was widely used as an insecticide during and following World War II. However, the egg shells of birds that live in areas where DDT was used were very thin, and the young did not hatch. This is an example of

A) Sam Kean's book, The Disappearing Spoon.
B) Dan Schwartz's book, No Cure for Nature.
C) George Orwell's book, 1984.
D) Rachel Carson's book, Silent Spring.

Question 9

A brief statement summarizing many observations of a physical phenomenon is called a

A) scientific theory.
B) hypothesis.
C) fact.
D) scientific law.

Question 10

The ancient Greek philosophers were probably the first to consider the behavior of matter in an organized way. What is the major distinction between the "Greek philosophers" and "modern scientists"?

A) observation
B) hypotheses
C) experimentation
D) logic

Question 11

A scientific hypothesis is

A) absolute.
B) complex.
C) simple.
D) tentative.

Question 12

"Better Living Through Chemistry" was a slogan used

A) by morphine users.
B) by Cheech and Chong on their television series.
C) in the television show Breaking Bad each time that a batch of meth was produced.
D) at Dupont in the 1970s.

Question 13

Science is tentative, explanatory, and

A) absolute.
B) testable.
C) unpredictable.
D) mystical.

Question 14

A scientific hypothesis is

A) explanatory.
B) predictive.
C) testable.
D) all of the above.

Question 15

Tangible items or pictures used by scientists to represent invisible processes are called

A) theories.
B) models.
C) laws.
D) experiments.

Question 16

Kim Chemist proposes that increasing the proportion of butadiene in her glue formulation will make the glue stickier. Her proposal is called a(n)

A) theory.
B) experiment.
C) law.
D) hypothesis.

Question 17

Which science is primarily concerned with the study of matter and the changes it undergoes?

A) biology
B) chemistry
C) geology
D) physics

Question 18

Chemistry is

A) the mystical search for the elixir of life.
B) the study of matter and the changes it undergoes.
C) speculation about the nature of matter.
D) none of these

Question 19

________ chemistry is designed to meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the needs of future generations.

A) Experimental
B) Green
C) Organic
D) Sustainable

Question 20

What is natural philosophy?

A) a belief in natural foods
B) an experimental approach to philosophy
C) an experimental approach to the study of nature
D) theoretical speculation about nature

Question 21

One method of rating complexity in scientific disciplines is with respect to the number of variables that are involved in experiments. Using this method, which of the following disciplines is the most complex?

A) anatomy
B) chemistry
C) mathematics
D) psychology

Question 22

Joe conducts an experiment to test the effectiveness of a new drug for cancer. Which of the following variables would be easiest to control?

A) amount of drug administered
B) patient's diet
C) exposure to air pollution
D) exposure to other people

Question 23

The evaluation of societal risk includes all of the components of individual risk plus

A) the probability that an incident will occur.
B) the degree of severity of the incident.
C) the number of people affected by the incident.
D) the benefit associated with the incident.

Question 24

Methapyrilene, once an active ingredient in certain over-the-counter sleeping pills, was found to be a potent carcinogen (a substance that causes cancer). The pills were also found to be about as effective as placebos in promoting sleep. The desirability quotient (DQ) for methapyrilene is

A) low.
B) moderate.
C) high.
D) uncertain.

Question 25

Saccharin is used in some artificial sweeteners. Saccharin has been shown to be a very weak carcinogen (a substance that causes cancer) in animal tests, but there is little evidence of carcinogenicity in humans. Studies have also shown that artificial sweeteners provide little benefit to those who want to lose weight. The DQ for saccharin is

A) low.
B) moderate.
C) high.
D) uncertain.

Question 26

Which of the following variables can be most easily controlled?

A) blood pressure
B) diet
C) humidity
D) indoor temperature

Question 27

Which of the following does NOT involve chemistry?

A) creating materials for computers
B) glycolysis
C) burning of a forest
D) All of the above involve chemistry.

Question 28

The woman who shared the 1988 Nobel prize in physiology and medicine and who in 1991 became the first woman inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame was

A) Madame Curie.
B) Rachel Carson.
C) Gertrude Elion.
D) Amelia Earhart.

Question 29

Mass is a better measure of the amount of matter than weight is because

A) mass is dependent upon location.
B) mass is independent of location.
C) mass is easier to measure.
D) mass is measured using the metric system.

Question 30

The results of an experiment are easiest to interpret when the experiment has ________ variable(s).

A) 1
B) 2
C) 4
D) 10

Question 31

A chemist employed by an airplane manufacturer investigates new adhesives for the purpose of building airplanes without rivets. She is engaged in

A) alchemy.
B) applied research.
C) basic research.
D) risk-benefit analysis.

Question 32

Which of the following variables would be the easiest to control?

A) atmospheric air pressure
B) a teenager's diet
C) amount of antibiotic added to a bacterial culture
D) political opinion

Question 33

Which of the following statements about basic research is NOT correct?

A) Basic research is conducted primarily in universities and research institutes.
B) The results of basic research are often used as the basis for technological advances.
C) Basic research is carried out to develop a particular product.
D) Basic research is the search for knowledge for its own sake.

Question 34

MRI

A) is a noninvasive diagnostic technique.
B) is nuclear magnetic resonance imaging scans of the human body.
C) has replaced many exploratory surgical operations.
D) all of the above

Question 35

When doing a risk-benefit analysis and determining DQ, which situation is often the most difficult to evaluate from both an individual and societal perspective?

A) small benefit and high risk
B) large benefit and high risk
C) large benefit and low risk
D) All are equally difficult to evaluate.

Question 36

________ is considered by many people to play a central role among the sciences.

A) Biology
B) Chemistry
C) Geology
D) Physics

Question 37

A biochemist is hired by a pharmaceutical firm to synthesize a medical remedy for cancer. This person is engaged in

A) applied research.
B) basic research.
C) natural speculation.
D) medical technology.

Question 38

Which of the following statements about chemistry is NOT true?

A) Chemistry is an important component of the economy of the United States.
B) Chemistry affects every area of our daily lives.
C) Chemical products account for 10% of U.S. exports every year.
D) All of the above are true.

Question 39

Mass is

A) the measure of the amount of space that matter occupies.
B) the measure of the amount of matter.
C) the measure of the force of gravity on matter.
D) the measure of the volume of matter.

Question 40

Which of the following is NOT true for a scientific law?

A) It summarizes observed scientific data.
B) It is often stated in mathematical terms.
C) It explains observed scientific data.
D) It is universal and will hold everywhere under the stated conditions.

Question 41

The label on a bottle of shampoo lists many ingredients, such as water, sodium laureth sulfate, lauramide DEA, sodium chloride, etc. From this information, shampoo is best classified as

A) a pure substance.
B) an element.
C) a compound.
D) a mixture.

Question 42

The gravity on Mars is one-third that on Earth. What would be the weight of an object on Earth if it has a weight of 60 kg on Mars?

A) 10 kg
B) 20 kg
C) 60 kg
D) 180 kg

Question 43

On Mars gravity is one-third that on Earth. What would be the weight on Mars of a person who has a weight of 150 pounds (lb) on Earth?

A) 50 lb
B) 150 lb
C) 450 lb
D) 300 lb

Question 44

The physical state that retains both shape and volume is

A) solid.
B) liquid.
C) gas.
D) element.

Question 45

Refined white table sugar is usually derived from either sugar cane or sugar beets. Irrespective of the source of table sugar, after refining it always has the same composition of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Sugar is best classified as which one of the following?

A) ideal mixture
B) element
C) compound
D) mixture

Question 46

Which of these does NOT involve a chemical change?

A) Cocaine causes the release of norepinephrine from nerve cells.
B) Red delicious apples taste sweet.
C) Antacids often help an upset stomach.
D) Mercury is used in barometers because it has a high density.

Question 47

Vinegar is composed of approximately 5% acetic acid and 95% water. Which one of the following is the best classification of vinegar?

A) pure substance
B) element
C) compound
D) mixture

Question 48

Molasses is a by-product of the refining of sugar from sugar cane. The specific composition of molasses varies depending upon the source of the sugar cane. Which one of the following is the best classification of molasses?

A) pure substance
B) element
C) compound
D) mixture

Question 49

Which of the following is a chemical property?

A) Potassium reacts with water to form potassium hydroxide.
B) Sugar dissolves in water.
C) Sugar is a solid at room temperature.
D) Gasoline and water do not mix.

Question 50

The label on a can of sparkling mineral water lists the following ingredients: carbonated water and natural lime flavor. Which one of the following best classifies the beverage?

A) mixture
B) element
C) compound
D) pure substance

Question 51

Which of these is a chemical change?

A) The hair stylist cuts your hair.
B) Bleaching powder dissolves in water.
C) Silkworms convert mulberry leaves into silk.
D) Wool is spun into yarn.

Question 52

On Mars, gravity is one-third that on Earth. What would be the mass on Mars of a person who has a mass of 90 kilograms (kg) on Earth?

A) 30 kg
B) 270 kg
C) 90 kg
D) 180 kg

Question 53

The gravity on the moon is one-sixth that on Earth. What would be the weight of an object on Earth if it has a weight of 40 kg on the moon?

A) 6.7 kg
B) 13.3 kg
C) 40 kg
D) 240 kg

Question 54

A mixture of iron, salt and sand can be separated using a magnet, water, a filter and a hot plate. Think about this separation. The separation of this mixture

A) uses only physical changes or processes.
B) uses only chemical changes or processes.
C) uses both chemical and physical changes or processes.
D) cannot be done with the materials listed.

Question 55

Pure water is an excellent substance for dissolving many other substances. Given this, the tap water that you drink is best classified as a(n)

A) pure substance.
B) mixture.
C) element.
D) compound.

Question 56

A chemical change always involves a change in the ________ of matter.

A) state
B) composition
C) volume
D) temperature

Question 57

On Mars, gravity is one-third that on Earth. What would be the weight on Mars of a person who has a weight of 200 pounds (lb) on Earth?

A) 66.7 lb
B) 133 lb
C) 200 lb
D) 600 lb

Question 58

A gas is characterized by a(n)

A) definite shape and definite volume.
B) definite shape and indefinite volume.
C) indefinite shape and definite volume.
D) indefinite shape and indefinite volume.

Question 59

Which of the following is a physical change?

A) Carbon combines with oxygen to form carbon dioxide.
B) Ice melts at 0°C.
C) A red substance is decomposed by heat to form mercury and oxygen.
D) Water is decomposed by electricity into hydrogen and oxygen.

Question 60

A substance that cannot be broken down by chemical means into simpler substances is called a(n)

A) solid.
B) element.
C) compound.
D) mixture.

Question 61

How many meters are in 10.0 cm?

A) 0.0100
B) 0.100
C) 1.00
D) 1,000

Question 62

What is the name of the element with the symbol Hg?

A) silver
B) gold
C) mercury
D) antimony

Question 63

The species represented by CO is

A) an atom of cobalt.
B) an atom made up of carbon and oxygen.
C) a molecule of cobalt.
D) a molecule made up of carbon and oxygen.

Question 64

Which of the following represents a compound?

A) Co
B) Mn
C) CO₂
D) Na

Question 65

What is the name of the element with the symbol Au?

A) silver
B) gold
C) plutonium
D) nickel

Question 66

What is the name of the element with the symbol Ag?

A) silver
B) gold
C) mercury
D) antimony

Question 67

What is the chemical symbol for potassium?

A) P
B) Po
C) Pu
D) K

Question 68

In the SI system of measurement the unit of mass is the

A) kilogram.
B) kilometer.
C) liter.
D) yard.

Question 69

A molecule

A) is a charged atom.
B) consists of one proton.
C) is the smallest characteristic part of a compound.
D) consists of a mixture of two ions.

Question 70

What is the chemical symbol for sodium?

A) Na
B) K
C) S
D) Sm

Question 71

After a yellow solid is dissolved in water, the liquid appears to be uniformly yellow throughout. This yellow liquid is best classified as a(n)

A) compound.
B) heterogeneous mixture.
C) homogeneous mixture.
D) ideal mixture.

Question 72

In the SI system of measurement, the unit of length is the

A) kilogram.
B) meter.
C) liter.
D) yard.

Question 73

A mixture of sand and salt is a(n)

A) element.
B) heterogeneous mixture.
C) homogeneous mixture.
D) molecule.

Question 74

A solution is another name for a(n)

A) compound.
B) element.
C) heterogeneous mixture.
D) homogeneous mixture.

Question 75

What is the chemical symbol for chromium?

A) C
B) Cr
C) Ch
D) Cm

Question 76

What is the chemical symbol for iron?

A) Fe
B) I
C) In
D) Ir

Question 77

Which of the following CANNOT be the chemical symbol for an element?

A) Ca
B) Se
C) B
D) H₂

Question 78

________ are pure substances.

A) Homogeneous mixtures and elements
B) Elements and compounds
C) Heterogeneous mixtures and compounds
D) Homogeneous and heterogeneous compounds

Question 79

What is the chemical symbol for iodine?

A) I
B) Id
C) In
D) Io

Question 80

Which of the following represents an element?

A) HF
B) Se
C) F₂
D) CO₂