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Quizzes > Science

Chemistry Trivia Questions: Test Your Knowledge

Quick chemistry trivia quiz with instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Carla CannonUpdated Aug 25, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Colorful paper cut illustration of chemistry quiz elements including beaker, test tubes, molecules and question mark on golden yellow background

This chemistry trivia quiz helps you check what you know across bonding, reactions, the periodic table, and atomic basics in just a few minutes. If you want extra practice, try our general chemistry quiz, dive into periodic table trivia, or review atoms with the structure of atom quiz.

What is the chemical symbol for water?
H2O
O2H
HO2
HHO
Water's chemical formula is H2O because each molecule contains two hydrogen atoms bonded to one oxygen atom. This arrangement gives water its unique properties like high boiling point and polarity. Understanding this basic formula is essential in all areas of chemistry.
What is the pH of a neutral aqueous solution at 25°C?
0
14
7
1
At 25°C, pure water dissociates into H+ and OH - equally, giving a pH of 7. This is defined as neutral on the pH scale. Deviations from this indicate acidic or basic conditions.
Which element has atomic number 6?
Carbon
Helium
Nitrogen
Oxygen
Atomic number indicates the number of protons in an element's nucleus. Carbon has six protons, giving it atomic number 6. It is the basis for organic chemistry.
What is the most abundant gas in Earth's atmosphere?
Argon
Carbon dioxide
Oxygen
Nitrogen
Nitrogen makes up about 78% of Earth's atmosphere by volume. Oxygen is the second most abundant at around 21%. The remainder consists of argon, carbon dioxide, and trace gases.
What type of bond involves sharing of electron pairs?
Metallic
Ionic
Hydrogen
Covalent
Covalent bonds form when atoms share pairs of electrons to achieve stability. This type of bonding is common in organic and many inorganic molecules. The shared electrons allow each atom to fill its valence shell.
Which of these is a noble gas?
Fluorine
Bromine
Chlorine
Argon
Argon is one of the noble gases in Group 18 of the periodic table. These elements are inert due to having full valence electron shells. They seldom form compounds under standard conditions.
What is HCl in water commonly known as?
Ethanol
Bleach
Hydrochloric acid
Baking soda
When hydrogen chloride gas dissolves in water, it forms hydrochloric acid. This strong acid dissociates completely into H+ and Cl - ions. It is widely used in industry and laboratories.
Which metal is liquid at room temperature?
Mercury
Lead
Iron
Gold
Mercury is the only metal that is liquid under standard conditions of temperature and pressure. Its low melting point of -38.83°C allows it to remain liquid at room temperature. This property made it popular in thermometers.
What color does phenolphthalein turn in a basic solution?
Green
Yellow
Pink
Colorless
Phenolphthalein is colorless in acidic to neutral solutions and turns pink in basic solutions above pH 8.2. This makes it a common indicator in titrations. Its transition range is well-defined in basic environments.
Which ion carries a single positive charge?
Na?
Cl?
Mg²?
O²?
A sodium ion (Na?) has lost one electron, resulting in a single positive charge. Chloride, oxide, and magnesium ions have different charges. Understanding ionic charges is fundamental in predicting formulae of ionic compounds.
What is the chemical formula for table salt?
NaCl
CaCl?
Na?CO?
KCl
Table salt is sodium chloride, with the formula NaCl. Sodium and chloride ions arrange in a crystalline lattice. This ionic compound is essential in food and industry.
Which element is represented by the symbol 'O'?
Silicon
Osmium
Oxygen
Gold
The chemical symbol 'O' stands for oxygen, the element critical for respiration. Osmium is represented by Os. Knowing symbols is key to reading chemical equations.
What is the name of the process of solid changing directly to gas?
Condensation
Evaporation
Sublimation
Melting
Sublimation is the direct transition of a substance from solid to gas phase. Examples include dry ice (solid CO?). It bypasses the liquid phase entirely.
Which of these compounds is an alcohol?
Acetone
Formaldehyde
Ethanol
Benzene
Ethanol has the functional group - OH characteristic of alcohols. Acetone is a ketone, formaldehyde is an aldehyde, and benzene is an aromatic hydrocarbon. Recognizing functional groups helps classify organic compounds.
What is the freezing point of water in Celsius?
-273°C
100°C
32°C
0°C
Water freezes at 0°C under standard atmospheric pressure. At this temperature, water molecules form a crystalline ice structure. This is a fundamental reference point in thermodynamics.
Which ion forms when an acid donates a proton?
Anion
Conjugate acid
Cation
Conjugate base
When an acid donates a proton (H?), the remaining species is its conjugate base. The concept of conjugate acid-base pairs is central in Brønsted - Lowry theory. This explains acid-base equilibrium in solutions.
What is the molar mass of carbon dioxide (CO?)?
28.01 g/mol
44.01 g/mol
18.02 g/mol
32.00 g/mol
The molar mass of CO? is calculated by adding atomic masses: 12.01 (C) + 2 × 16.00 (O) = 44.01 g/mol. This value is essential in stoichiometric calculations.
Which scientist proposed the periodic law?
Marie Curie
John Dalton
Isaac Newton
Dmitri Mendeleev
Dmitri Mendeleev arranged elements by increasing atomic weight and recurring chemical properties. His Periodic Law predicted the existence of undiscovered elements. This framework became the modern periodic table.
What is the oxidation number of sulfur in H?SO??
+6
+1
+4
+2
In H?SO?, hydrogen is +1 and oxygen is - 2. The total sum must equal zero: 2(+1) + S + 4( - 2) = 0, so S = +6. This is vital for redox reaction balancing.
Which of these is a reducing sugar?
Sucrose
Starch
Glucose
Cellulose
Reducing sugars have free aldehyde or ketone groups that can reduce reagents like Benedict's. Glucose is a monosaccharide with an open-chain form. Sucrose, starch, and cellulose do not react in the same way.
What type of reaction is CH? + 2O? ? CO? + 2H?O?
Decomposition
Neutralization
Synthesis
Combustion
This reaction of methane with oxygen producing carbon dioxide and water is combustion. Combustion releases heat and light. It's a key reaction in fuel chemistry.
What is the IUPAC name for H?O?
Water
Oxidane
Dihydrogen monoxide
Hydrogen oxide
IUPAC recommends the systematic name oxidane for H?O. Dihydrogen monoxide is common informal usage. 'Water' remains the traditional trivial name.
Which of these pH values indicates a strong acid?
13
7
8
1
A pH of 1 indicates a very high hydrogen ion concentration, typical of strong acids. Neutral is pH 7. Values above 7 indicate basic solutions.
In which state of matter are particles most tightly packed?
Plasma
Solid
Liquid
Gas
In solids, particles are held in fixed positions by strong intermolecular forces. This gives solids definite shape and volume. Liquids and gases have more freedom of movement.
What is Avogadro's number?
3.00×10^8
9.81
1.60×10^-19
6.022×10^23
Avogadro's number is the number of particles in one mole, defined as 6.022×10^23. This constant links atomic scale to macroscopic measurements. It's fundamental to stoichiometry.
The reaction rate increases with increasing...
Polarity
Volume
Temperature
Mass
Raising temperature increases molecular kinetic energy and collision frequency, speeding up reactions. Other factors include concentration and catalysts. Mass and volume alone don't directly affect rate.
What is the principal quantum number represented by?
l
s
n
m
The principal quantum number n determines the energy level and size of an orbital. The azimuthal quantum number is l, magnetic is m, and spin is s. n must be a positive integer.
Which law states that pressure and volume of a gas are inversely proportional?
Avogadro's law
Boyle's law
Dalton's law
Charles's law
Boyle's law holds that for a fixed amount of gas at constant temperature, P×V is constant. Charles's law relates volume to temperature. Avogadro's law involves volume and moles.
Which element is an alkali metal?
Silicon
Calcium
Sodium
Aluminum
Sodium is in Group 1 of the periodic table, known as the alkali metals. These are highly reactive, especially with water. Calcium is an alkaline earth metal in Group 2.
What is the product of a neutralization reaction?
Metal oxide
Hydrogen gas
Acid and base
Salt and water
Neutralization between an acid and a base yields a salt and water. The specific salt depends on the reactants involved. This reaction is exothermic in many cases.
What is the main type of intermolecular force in noble gases?
Dipole-dipole
Ionic
Hydrogen bonding
London dispersion forces
Noble gases are nonpolar atoms, so their only intermolecular attractions are London dispersion forces. These arise from transient fluctuations in electron distribution. Stronger forces appear in more polarizable atoms.
What is the hybridization of the carbon atoms in ethene (C?H?)?
sp³d
sp²
sp³
sp
In ethene, each carbon forms three sigma bonds and has one unhybridized p orbital for the ? bond. This corresponds to sp² hybridization. The trigonal planar geometry follows from this.
Which compound exhibits optical isomerism?
Ethanol
2-Butanol
Propene
Methane
2-Butanol has a chiral center at the second carbon, giving rise to non-superimposable mirror images. Ethanol, propene, and methane lack such centers. Optical isomerism affects physical and biological properties.
What is the overall order of the reaction rate law rate = k[A]²[B]?
Zero order
First order
Third order
Second order
The reaction order is the sum of powers of concentrations: 2 (for A) + 1 (for B) = 3. This third-order behavior influences rate dependence on concentration. Knowing orders is key to mechanism inference.
What is the molecular geometry of NH? according to VSEPR theory?
Octahedral
Tetrahedral
Trigonal pyramidal
Linear
NH? has three bonding pairs and one lone pair on nitrogen. VSEPR predicts a trigonal pyramidal shape. The lone pair repels bonding pairs, distorting the tetrahedral model.
In an electrochemical cell, the cathode is where:
Electrons are produced
Reduction occurs
Oxidation occurs
Heat is absorbed
By definition, reduction (gain of electrons) occurs at the cathode. Oxidation (loss) takes place at the anode. This holds true for galvanic and electrolytic cells.
Which species is the stronger acid: HClO? or HClO?
HClO
HClO?
They are equal
Neither is acidic
Perchloric acid (HClO?) is a strong acid that dissociates completely. Hypochlorous acid (HClO) is weak and only partially dissociates. The oxidation state and resonance stabilization explain the strength difference.
What does Hess's law state?
Enthalpy increases with temperature
Energy is quantized
Enthalpy change is independent of the reaction path
Entropy change depends on pressure
Hess's law says total enthalpy change for a reaction is the same regardless of the steps taken. This allows calculation of difficult heats of reaction by combining known ones. It relies on enthalpy being a state function.
Which element has the highest electronegativity on the Pauling scale?
Oxygen
Chlorine
Nitrogen
Fluorine
Fluorine has the highest Pauling electronegativity (3.98). This makes F - H and other bonds with fluorine highly polar. Electronegativity trends decrease down a group and increase across a period.
What is the molality of a solution containing 1 mole of solute in 1 kilogram of solvent?
0.1 m
1 m
10 m
100 m
Molality (m) is defined as moles of solute per kilogram of solvent. Here, 1 mole in 1 kg gives 1 m. Molality is temperature-independent.
Which spectroscopy technique measures vibrational transitions?
Mass spectrometry
UV-Vis spectroscopy
NMR spectroscopy
Infrared spectroscopy
Infrared spectroscopy probes molecular vibrations by measuring IR absorption. Each functional group absorbs at characteristic frequencies. It's essential for structural identification.
Which statement best expresses Le Chatelier's principle?
Reactions always yield heat
Equilibrium constants change with pressure
Temperature always lowers pressure
A system shifts to oppose applied changes
Le Chatelier's principle predicts that a system at equilibrium will adjust to counter external changes. This applies to concentration, temperature, and pressure shifts. It helps predict reaction behavior.
What is the electronic configuration of Fe²??
[Ar] 3d?
[Ar] 3d? 4s¹
[Ar] 3d?
[Kr] 4d?
Neutral iron is [Ar] 3d? 4s². Losing two electrons removes the 4s electrons first, yielding [Ar] 3d?. Electron configurations of ions are key in coordination chemistry.
What is the standard electrode potential of the standard hydrogen electrode (SHE)?
0 V
1.23 V
- 0.76 V
0.34 V
By convention, the SHE is assigned 0.00 V at all temperatures. Other electrode potentials are measured relative to this reference. It underpins electrochemical series.
Which element exhibits allotropy with diamond and graphite forms?
Calcium
Sodium
Carbon
Argon
Carbon exists in multiple solid forms, including diamond and graphite. These allotropes have different bonding arrangements and properties. Allotropy illustrates how structure affects material behavior.
What is the pH of a 0.01 M HCl solution?
4
7
1
2
HCl is a strong acid, so [H?] = 0.01 M. pH = - log[H?] = 2. This straightforward calculation is common in acid-base chemistry.
What is the molecular geometry of sulfur hexafluoride (SF?)?
Square planar
Tetrahedral
Octahedral
Trigonal bipyramidal
SF? has six bonding pairs around sulfur with no lone pairs, giving an octahedral shape by VSEPR. This geometry minimizes electron-pair repulsion. SF? is a classic example of hypervalent molecules.
What is the oxidation state of chromium in dichromate ion (Cr?O?²?)?
+2
+3
+4
+6
In Cr?O?²?, oxygen is - 2 and total charge is - 2: 2(Cr) + 7( - 2) = - 2, so Cr = +6. Dichromate is a strong oxidizing agent in acidic solution. Oxidation states guide redox chemistry.
What is the point group of methane (CH?)?
O_h
T_d
D?h
C?v
Methane has four equivalent C - H bonds arranged tetrahedrally, corresponding to the T_d point group. This high symmetry influences its spectroscopic and chemical behavior. Group theory is essential in advanced molecular analysis.
Which type of reaction mechanism involves a cyclic, concerted electron movement seen in Diels - Alder reactions?
Free radical reaction
SN2 reaction
SN1 reaction
Pericyclic reaction
Pericyclic reactions proceed via a concerted cyclic transition state without intermediates. Diels - Alder is a classic [4+2] cycloaddition pericyclic process. These reactions follow orbital symmetry rules (Woodward - Hoffmann).
What characterizes an electrophilic aromatic substitution reaction?
Elimination of a ring substituent by heat
Free radical addition to a ring
Attack of an electrophile on an aromatic ring
Attack of a nucleophile on an aromatic ring
In electrophilic aromatic substitution, an electrophile replaces a hydrogen on an aromatic ring. The ? system stabilizes the Wheland intermediate. Examples include nitration, sulfonation, and halogenation.
In NMR spectroscopy, what does a quartet splitting pattern indicate?
No coupling
Coupling with four equivalent protons
Coupling with two equivalent protons
Coupling with three equivalent protons
According to the n+1 rule, coupling with three equivalent neighboring protons gives a quartet. Each split line corresponds to different spin alignments. Quartet patterns help deduce molecular structure.
Which element is known for forming a stable +1 oxidation state in its compounds?
Thallium
Lead
Bismuth
Arsenic
Thallium commonly exhibits a +1 oxidation state due to the inert pair effect of its 6s electrons. Lead more often shows +2 and +4 states. Understanding these trends is important in heavy element chemistry.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Recall Fundamental Chemistry Concepts -

    After completing the quiz, you'll be able to recall essential principles and definitions that commonly appear in chemistry trivia questions.

  2. Identify Clinical Laboratory Techniques -

    You'll learn to recognize and describe key lab methods used in clinical chemistry, from spectrophotometry to chromatography.

  3. Explain Analyte Functions -

    You'll understand the roles and biochemical significance of major analytes measured in diagnostic tests.

  4. Differentiate Diagnostic Markers -

    You'll distinguish between various biomarkers and interpret their clinical relevance in health assessments.

  5. Apply Chemical Reasoning -

    You'll sharpen problem-solving skills by applying chemical principles to answer trivia questions accurately.

  6. Evaluate Knowledge Gaps -

    By reviewing your quiz performance, you'll pinpoint areas for further study and build confidence in your chemistry trivia expertise.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Henderson - Hasselbalch Equation -

    Review the Henderson - Hasselbalch equation (pH = pKa + log([A−]/[HA])) for calculating buffer pH. Mnemonic "pH equals pKa plus cute ratio" helps recall that when [A−] equals [HA], pH equals pKa. Mastering this link is essential for predicting acid - base changes in clinical samples.

  2. Michaelis - Menten Kinetics -

    Understand the Michaelis - Menten equation (v = Vmax [S] / (Km + [S])) for enzyme”catalyzed reactions. Remember that Km is the substrate concentration at half-maximum velocity and gives insight into enzyme affinity. A handy tip is "low Km means high affinity," which helps in interpreting diagnostic enzyme assays.

  3. Beer - Lambert Law -

    Apply the Beer - Lambert law (A = ε·l·c) to relate absorbance (A) with concentration (c), path length (l), and molar absorptivity (ε). For example, in spectrophotometric bilirubin assays, a 1 cm cuvette and known ε let you calculate c directly. Visualize "A equals elephant length concentration" to lock in the formula.

  4. Nernst Equation for Redox Potential -

    Use the Nernst equation (E = E° - (RT/nF)·ln Q) to determine electrode potentials under nonstandard conditions. This is crucial for interpreting blood gas analyzer readings and ion”selective electrode measurements. Think "E minus RT over nF times log reaction quotient" to remember each term's order.

  5. Anion Gap Calculation -

    Calculate the anion gap (AG = [Na❺] - ([Cl❻] + [HCO₃❻])) to detect unmeasured ions in metabolic acidosis diagnostics. A normal AG of 8 - 12 mEq/L suggests balanced electrolytes, while an elevated gap flags pathological acids like lactate or ketones. Recall "Na minus (Cl plus HCO₃) equals gap" to streamline your labs review.

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