CHAPTER 1

Basic Concepts About Matter

Test Bank

TYPE I MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS

In each of the following multiple-choice questions, place the letter of the correct response in the blank
at the left. There is only one correct response for each question.

1.1 b Which of the following is a property of both gases and liquids?

a) definite shape
b) indefinite shape
c) definite volume
d) indefinite volume

1.2 b [Algorithmic]In which of the following pairs of properties are both properties
chemical properties?
a) melts at 73 C, flammable
b) decomposes upon heating, reacts with chlorine
c) good reflector of light, blue in color
d) has a high density, is very hard

1.3 c [Algorithmic]When a substance undergoes a chemical change, it is always true that

a) it melts.
b) it changes state.
c) its chemical composition changes.
d) heat is evolved.

1.4 a The description “two substances present, two phases present” is correct for
a) heterogeneous mixtures.
b) homogeneous mixtures.
c) elements.
d) compounds.

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Test Bank Chapter 1: Basic Concepts About Matter 3

1.5 a Which of the following statements about heterogeneous and homogeneous mixtures
is correct?
a) It is possible to have heterogeneous mixtures in which all the components are
liquids.
b) A homogeneous mixture contains visibly different parts, or phases.
c) All of the phases in a heterogeneous mixture must be in the same state.
d) No two phases in a heterogeneous mixture can be in the same state.

1.6 c Which of the following statements is correct?

a) Elements, but not compounds, are pure substances.
b) Compounds, but not elements, are pure substances.
c) Both elements and compounds are pure substances.
d) Neither elements nor compounds are pure substances.

1.7 d An element is a substance which

a) can be broken down into simpler substances by physical means.
b) cannot be broken down into simpler substances by physical means.
c) can be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means.
d) cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means.

1.8 d [Algorithmic]A pure substance A is found to change upon heating into two new
pure substances, B and C. Both B and C may be decomposed by chemical means.
From this we may conclude that
a) A is an element, B and C are compounds.
b) A is a compound, B and C are elements.
c) A, B and C are all elements.
d) A, B and C are all compounds.

1.9 b [Algorithmic]Which of the following statements concerning the known elements is

correct?
a) No new elements have been identified within the last twenty years.
b) Some of the elements are not naturally occurring.
c) 109 elements are known at present.
d) Scientists “suspect” that there are more naturally occurring elements to be
discovered.

1.10 d The most abundant elements in the universe and the earth’s crust are, respectively,
a) oxygen and iron.
b) hydrogen and helium.
c) helium and carbon.
d) hydrogen and oxygen.

1.11 b [Algorithmic]In which of the following sequences of elements do each of the

elements have a two-letter chemical symbol?
a) magnesium, nickel, phosphorus
b) bromine, iron, calcium
c) aluminum, copper, sulfur
d) boron, barium, beryllium

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4 Chapter 1: Basic Concepts About Matter Test Bank

1.12 b [Algorithmic]In which of the following sequences of elements do each of the

elements have a one-letter chemical symbol?
a) lead, nitrogen, zinc
b) potassium, fluorine, carbon
c) tin, hydrogen, iodine
d) oxygen, silicon, chlorine

1.13 c Which one of the following statements about atoms is incorrect?

a) An atom is the smallest “piece” of an element that can exist and still have the
properties of the element.
b) Free isolated atoms are rarely encountered in nature.
c) Atoms may be decomposed using chemical change.
d) Only one kind of atom may be present in a homoatomic molecule.

1.14 b Which one of the following statements about heteroatomic molecules is correct?
a) No two atoms in a heteroatomic molecule may be the same.
b) Upon chemical subdivision, heteroatomic molecules always yield two or more
kinds of atoms.
c) Heteroatomic molecules maintain the properties of their constituent elements.
d) Molecules of certain elements are heteroatomic.

1.15 d [Algorithmic]Which of the following pairings of chemical formulas and “molecular

descriptions” is incorrect?
a) HCN and “triatomic”
b) SO2 and “heteroatomic”
c) O3 and “homoatomic”
d) CO2 and “diatomic”

1.16 d In which of the following pairs of chemical formulas do both formulas represent
compounds?
a) O2 and O3
b) CO2 and O2
c) HCN and N2
d) N2O4 and NO2

1.17 c Which of the following is a correct description for a sample of ice cubes in water?
a) one phase present, one substance present
b) one phase present, two substances present
c) two phases present, one substance present
d) two phases present, two substances present

1.18 c [Algorithmic]Consider the chemical formulas CoCl2 and COCl2. It is true that they
a) contain the same number of elements.
b) are identical in meaning.
c) contain different numbers of atoms.
d) are both examples of homoatomic molecules.

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Test Bank Chapter 1: Basic Concepts About Matter 5

1.19 d [Algorithmic]In which of the following pairs of chemical formulas do the two
members of the pair contain the same number of elements as well as the same
number of atoms?
a) Hf and HF
b) CoCl2 and COCl2
c) SO2 and SO3
d) NH4Cl and BaSO4

1.20 d [Algorithmic]The total number of atoms present in one formula unit of Al 2(SO4)3 is
a) 14.
b) 15.
c) 16.
d) 17.

TYPE II MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS

In each of the following multiple-choice questions, place the letter of the correct response in the blank
at the left. There may be more than one correct response for a question (choice d) or no correct
response for a question (choice e).

1.21 e Which of the following is a property of both the liquid state and the solid state?
a) a definite shape
b) an indefinite volume
c) an indefinite shape and a definite volume
d) more than one correct response
e) no correct response

1.22 d In which of the following pairs of properties are both properties physical properties?
a) melts at 73 C, decomposes upon heating
b) good reflector of light, blue in color
c) has a high density, is very hard
d) more than one correct response
e) no correct response

1.23 c Which of the following changes is a chemical change?

a) melting of ice
b) pulverizing of hard sugar cubes
c) rusting of iron
d) more than one correct response
e) no correct response

1.24 b The description “two substances present, two phases present” is correct for
a) a mixture of ice and water.
b) a mixture of oil and water.
c) a mixture of milk and water.
d) more than one correct response
e) no correct response

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6 Chapter 1: Basic Concepts About Matter Test Bank

1.25 c Which of the following statements concerning mixtures is correct?

a) The composition of a homogeneous mixture cannot vary.
b) A homogeneous mixture can have components present in two physical states.
c) A heterogeneous mixture containing only one phase is an impossibility.
d) more than one correct response
e) no correct response

1.26 c Which of the following statements concerning pure substances is correct?

a) Elements, but not compounds, are pure substances.
b) A pure substance can never be separated into simpler pure substances using
chemical means.
c) Pure substances cannot have a variable composition.
d) more than one correct response
e) no correct response

1.27 d A substance which cannot be separated into two or more substances using physical
means
a) must be an element.
b) could be a compound.
c) must be a pure substance.
d) more than one correct response
e) no correct response

1.28 d When substance A reacts with substance B, a new substance C is formed. Based on
this information
a) both A and B are elements.
b) B could be a compound.
c) C must be a compound.
d) more than one correct response
e) no correct response

1.29 a Which of the following statements about compounds and mixtures is correct?
a) Both mixtures and compounds must contain two or more kinds of atoms.
b) Mixtures must always contain at least one compound.
c) Both mixtures and compounds can have a variable composition.
d) more than one correct response
e) no correct response

1.30 a Which of the following statements concerning elemental abundances in Earth’s crust
is correct?
a) One element accounts for over one-half of all atoms present.
b) Silicon and aluminum are the two most abundant elements in terms of atom
percent.
c) Elemental abundances in Earth’s crust closely parallel elemental abundances in
the universe as a whole.
d) more than one correct response
e) no correct response

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Test Bank Chapter 1: Basic Concepts About Matter 7

1.31 b In which of the following sequences of elements do all members of the sequence
have chemical symbols starting with the same letter?
a) sulfur, silicon, sodium
b) gold, silver, aluminum
c) potassium, phosphorus, lead
d) more than one correct response
e) no correct response

1.32 b Which of the following statements concerning the chemical symbols for the elements
is correct?
a) All chemical symbols start with the first letter of the element’s English name.
b) Most elements have two-letter chemical symbols.
c) Synthetic elements have one-letter symbols and naturally-occurring elements
have two-letter symbols.
d) more than one correct response
e) no correct response

1.33 e Which of the following pairings of terms/concepts is correct?

a) atom; limit of physical subdivision
b) molecule; limit of chemical subdivision
c) compound; homoatomic molecule
d) more than one correct response
e) no correct response

1.34 c In which of the following pairs of chemical formulas do both members of the pair
have the same number of atoms per molecule?
a) NaSCN and H2CO3
b) CoCl2 and COCl2
c) H3N and NH3
d) more than one correct response
e) no correct response

1.35 b In which of the following sequences of chemical formulas do all members of the
sequence fit the description “heteroatomic and triatomic”?
a) HCN, H2O and O3
b) CO2, NO2 and N2O
c) S2O, SO2, and SO3
d) more than one correct response
e) no correct response

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8 Chapter 1: Basic Concepts About Matter Test Bank

MULTIPLE-CHOICE FORMAT TRUE-FALSE QUESTIONS

In each of the following multiple-choice questions, characterize EACH of the three given statements
as being TRUE or FALSE and then indicate the collective true-false status of the statements using the
choices a) All three statements are true.
b) Two of the three statements are true.
c) Only one of the statements is true.
d) None of the statements is true.

1.36 b - FTT Statements:

(1) No more than two visibly distinct phases may be present in a homogeneous
mixture.
(2) Elements are chemically rather than physically combined in a compound.
(3) A common characteristic for both solids and liquids is a definite volume.
a) All three statements are true.
b) Two of the three statements are true.
c) Only one of the statements is true.
d) None of the statements is true.

1.37 c - TFF Statements:

(1) The determination of a physical property of a substance causes no change in
the identity of the substance.
(2) Matter is anything that has mass, occupies space, and can be seen by the naked
eye.
(3) The two most abundant elements in the earth’s crust are oxygen and carbon.
a) All three statements are true.
b) Two of the three statements are true.
c) Only one of the statements is true.
d) None of the statements is true.

1.38 a - TTT Statements:

(1) A basis for distinguishing between an element and a compound is whether the
substance can be decomposed into other substances using chemical means.
(2) Current chemical theory strongly suggests that all naturally occurring elements
have been identified.
(3) The elements silver, gold, and aluminum all have chemical symbols that start
with the letter A.
a) All three statements are true.
b) Two of the three statements are true.
c) Only one of the statements is true.
d) None of the statements is true.

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Test Bank Chapter 1: Basic Concepts About Matter 9

1.39 d - FFF Statements:

(1) The classification “triatomic molecule” denotes molecules in which three
different elements are present.
(2) Common physical properties for a substance include color, melting point,
boiling point, flammability and hardness.
(3) The chemical formulas HN3 and NH3 represent two ways for denoting the
same compound.
a) All three statements are true.
b) Two of the three statements are true.
c) Only one of the statements is true.
d) None of the statements is true.

1.40 c - FTT Statements:

(1) The first letter in a chemical symbol is always the same as the first letter in the
element’s name.
(2) Two element’s account for over 75% of the atoms in the earth’s crust.
(3) The limit of chemical subdivision for a compound is a molecule.
a) All three statements are true.
b) Two of the three statements are true.
c) Only one of the statements is true.
d) None of the statements is true.

1.41 b - TFT Statements:

(1) A molecule is a group of two or more atoms that functions as a unit because
the atoms are bound together by chemical forces.
(2) The crushing of ice to make ice chips is a physical procedure that involves a
chemical change.
(3) Most naturally occurring samples of matter are mixtures rather than pure
substances.
a) All three statements are true.
b) Two of the three statements are true.
c) Only one of the statements is true.
d) None of the statements is true.

1.42 c - FTF Statements:

(1) When the formula for a compound contains parentheses this is an indication
that the compound is unstable and subject to decomposition.
(2) The fact that an unknown substance reacts with chlorine is insufficient basis
for classifying the unknown as a compound.
(3) All chemical symbols use a two-letter notation to represent the name of an
element.
a) All three statements are true.
b) Two of the three statements are true.
c) Only one of the statements is true.
d) None of the statements is true.

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10 Chapter 1: Basic Concepts About Matter Test Bank

1.43 d - FFF Statements:

(1) Temperature and pressure are the major factors that determine the state of
matter (solid, liquid, gas) observed for a particular substance.
(2) The components of a mixture maintain their identity if the mixture is
heterogeneous but lose their identity if the mixture is homogeneous.
(3) No more than six atoms may be present in a heteroatomic molecule.
a) All three statements are true.
b) Two of the three statements are true.
c) Only one of the statements is true.
d) None of the statements is true.

1.44 b - TTF Statements:

(1) A compound must always contain two or more types of atoms.
(2) The description “one substance present, two phases present, all molecules are
homoatomic” is consistent with a sample that is an element.
(3) The number of known elements is less than one hundred.
a) All three statements are true.
b) Two of the three statements are true.
c) Only one of the statements is true.
d) None of the statements is true.

1.45 b - TTF Statements:

(1) The isolation of the metal iron from its ores involves a series of high
temperature reactions in which carbon monoxide is one of the reactants.
(2) Carbohydrates, fats, and proteins all contain the elements hydrogen, oxygen,
and carbon.
(3) Substances whose molecules are both diatomic and heteroatomic must be
heterogeneous mixtures.
a) All three statements are true.
b) Two of the three statements are true.
c) Only one of the statements is true.
d) None of the statements is true.

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Test Bank Chapter 1: Basic Concepts About Matter 11

MATCHING QUESTIONS

For each set of elements on the left, choose the appropriate characterization of the set’s chemical
symbols from the response list on the right. Responses on the right may be used more than once or
need not be used at all.

1.46 b Calcium, iron, beryllium a) All symbols have one letter.

b) All symbols have two letters.
1.47 d Silver, sodium, potassium c) All symbols start with the same letter.
d) All symbols start with a letter not the first
1.48 a Iodine, fluorine, nitrogen letter of the element’s English name.

1.49 b Gold, lead, bromine

1.50 c Silicon, sulfur, tin

For each characterization of matter on the left, choose the appropriate classification from the response
list on the right. Responses on the right may be used more than once or need not be used at all.

1.51 a 2 substances present, a) heterogeneous mixture

3 phases present b) homogeneous mixture
c) compound
1.52 a 2 substances present, d) element
2 phases present

1.53 b 2 substances present,

1 phase present

1.54 d 1 substance present, 2 phases present,

substance cannot be decomposed by chemical
means

1.55 c 1 substance present,

heteroatomic molecules present

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12 Chapter 1: Basic Concepts About Matter Test Bank

For each of the properties or characterizations on the left, choose the appropriate classification from
the response list on the right. Responses on the right may be used more than once or need not be used
at all.

1.56 a Silvery-gray in color a) could be an element or a compound

b) could be an element but not a compound
1.57 c Decomposes upon heating c) could be a compound but not an element
d) could not be an element nor a compound
1.58 a Diatomic molecules are
present

1.59 a Reacts vigorously with

chlorine

1.60 d Has a variable composition

For each of the characterizations or behaviors for a substance given on the left, choose the appropriate
classification from the response list on the right. Responses on the right may be used more than once
or need not be used at all.

1.61 a A substance has a freezing point of -20 C. a) physical property

b) chemical property
1.62 c A substance is melted. c) physical change
d) chemical change
1.63 a A substance has a high density.

1.64 b A substance will explode if exposed to light.

1.65 d A substance is reacted with chlorine gas.

For each of the molecular descriptions on the left, choose the appropriate chemical formula from the
response list on the right. Responses on the right may be used more than once or need not be used at
all.

1.66 c Homoatomic and tetraatomic a) HCN

b) H2O2
1.67 a Heteroatomic and triatomic c) P4
d) H2CO3
1.68 a Contains same number of elements as atoms

1.69 d Contains fewer atoms of one kind than other kinds

1.70 d Number of elements present and number of atoms

present differ by a factor of 2

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