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Intro to Chemistry Quiz: Check Your Basics in 15 Questions

Quick, 15-question chemistry basics quiz. Instant results and study tips.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Zita KempfUpdated Aug 23, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
Questions: 15
Study OutcomesAdditional Reading
3D voxel art representing Introductory Chemistry course material

This intro to chemistry quiz helps you check your grasp of atoms, formulas, equations, and lab basics in 15 quick questions. Get instant answers with clear explanations, and go deeper with our chemistry chapter 1 quiz, chemistry chapter 2 quiz, or a set of basic chemistry questions.

Which of the following best describes matter?
Energy that is only visible during reactions
An abstract concept with no physical form
A force that acts upon objects
A substance that has mass and occupies space
Matter is defined as any substance that has both mass and occupies space. This distinguishes it from energy and abstract ideas.
Which of the following best defines an element?
A pure substance made of only one type of atom
A compound composed of two or more different atoms
A collection of molecules bonded together
A mixture of homogeneous substances
An element is a substance composed of only one type of atom, which differentiates it from compounds and mixtures. This concept is fundamental to understanding the periodic table and chemical reactions.
How is the periodic table organized?
By increasing atomic number
By alphabetical order of element names
By grouping elements with similar colors
By decreasing atomic weight
The periodic table is arranged by increasing atomic number, which reveals periodic trends in the properties of elements. This organization helps predict chemical behavior based on an element's electron configuration.
What is a chemical reaction?
A physical mixing of substances without bond changes
An energy exchange without any substance transformation
A change only in the state of matter, such as melting
A process that transforms reactants into products by rearranging atoms
A chemical reaction involves the transformation of reactants into products by breaking and forming chemical bonds. This differentiates it from physical changes, which only affect the state of a substance.
What unit is used to measure the amount of substance in chemistry?
Kelvin
Mole
Liter
Gram
The mole is the SI unit that measures the amount of substance, linking the macroscopic and atomic scales. It is essential for calculations in stoichiometry and for understanding chemical reactions.
Calculate the empirical formula for a compound with 40% carbon, 6.7% hydrogen, and 53.3% oxygen by mass.
C2H4O2
C3H8O3
CH2O
CH4O
Assuming a 100 g sample, the masses convert to approximately 3.33 moles of carbon, 6.7 moles of hydrogen, and 3.33 moles of oxygen. Dividing by the smallest value yields a 1:2:1 ratio, giving the empirical formula CH2O.
What is the approximate molar mass of one water molecule (H2O)?
16 g/mol
17 g/mol
18 g/mol
20 g/mol
The molar mass of water is calculated by adding the mass of two hydrogen atoms (approximately 1 g/mol each) to that of one oxygen atom (approximately 16 g/mol), which totals approximately 18 g/mol. This value is crucial for many stoichiometric calculations in chemistry.
Which of the following best describes an isotope?
Atoms of different elements that have the same atomic mass
Atoms with the same number of neutrons but different protons
Atoms with identical electron configurations
Atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons
Isotopes are variants of the same element that differ in the number of neutrons they contain, leading to different atomic masses. Their chemical properties remain largely similar since they have the same number of protons and electrons.
What is the balanced chemical equation for the reaction between sodium (Na) and chlorine gas (Cl2) to form sodium chloride (NaCl)?
2 Na + 2 Cl â†' 2 NaCl
Na + Cl2 â†' NaCl2
2 Na + Cl2 â†' 2 NaCl
Na + 2 Cl â†' NaCl
The balanced chemical equation for the formation of sodium chloride is 2 Na + Cl2 â†' 2 NaCl. This equation adheres to the law of conservation of mass, ensuring the same number of each type of atom on both sides of the reaction.
Which statement correctly describes covalent bonding?
They involve the sharing of electron pairs between atoms
They involve the complete transfer of electrons from one atom to another
They result in the formation of ionic compounds
They involve free electrons moving through a lattice of atoms
Covalent bonds are formed when atoms share electrons in order to achieve a full valence shell. This type of bonding is common in molecular compounds and is distinctly different from ionic bonding, where electrons are transferred.
If a 10.0 g sample of a compound contains 3.0 g of element A, what is the percent composition of element A?
33%
3%
30%
0.3%
The percent composition is calculated by dividing the mass of element A by the total mass of the compound and then multiplying by 100. Here, (3.0 g / 10.0 g) Ã- 100 equals 30%.
At standard temperature and pressure (STP), 2.0 liters of a gas is collected. How many moles of the gas are present?
22.4 moles
2.0 moles
0.089 moles
11.2 moles
At STP, one mole of an ideal gas occupies 22.4 liters. Dividing the collected volume (2.0 L) by 22.4 L/mol gives approximately 0.089 moles.
What is primarily responsible for the periodic trends observed in atomic radius and ionization energy?
Differences in molecular mass
Differences in the physical state of elements at room temperature
Variations in effective nuclear charge and electron configurations
Variations in elemental color and luster
Periodic trends such as atomic radius and ionization energy are influenced by the effective nuclear charge and the electron configuration of an atom. These factors dictate the strength of the attraction between the nucleus and the electrons, thereby affecting the chemical properties.
How is Avogadro's number best described?
It is the conversion factor between mass and volume in gases
It is the atomic number of carbon
It is the number of protons in a standard atom
It is the number of atoms or molecules in one mole of a substance, approximately 6.022 x 10^23
Avogadro's number, approximately 6.022 x 10^23, defines the number of atoms or molecules in one mole of a substance. This constant is fundamental in converting between the mass of a substance and the number of its constituent particles.
Which statement best explains the law of conservation of mass in a chemical reaction?
Mass changes unpredictably during chemical reactions
Mass is neither created nor destroyed, so the total mass of reactants equals the total mass of products
Mass increases due to the production of energy during the reaction
Mass decreases as some of it is converted into energy during the reaction
The law of conservation of mass states that within a closed system, mass remains constant during a chemical reaction. This principle ensures that the mass of the reactants equals the mass of the products.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Define and explain fundamental chemical concepts and terminology.
  2. Apply basic mathematical principles to solve chemical problems.
  3. Interpret and analyze simple chemical reactions and equations.
  4. Demonstrate understanding of the properties and structure of matter.

Introductory Chemistry Additional Reading

Embarking on your chemistry journey? Here are some top-notch resources to guide you through the fascinating world of atoms and molecules:

  1. This Coursera course from Rice University offers a comprehensive introduction to chemistry, covering topics from atomic structure to chemical reactions, all presented in an engaging and accessible manner.
  2. Developed by Montgomery College, this textbook is tailored for beginners, providing clear explanations, colorful graphics, and a plethora of practice problems to solidify your understanding.
  3. Hosted on Chemistry LibreTexts, this resource delves into the fundamentals of chemistry, offering detailed chapters on topics like measurements, matter, and chemical reactions, complete with examples and exercises.
  4. Khan Academy provides a series of free video lessons and practice exercises covering a wide range of chemistry topics, perfect for self-paced learning and review.
  5. This free, peer-reviewed textbook offers a comprehensive overview of chemistry concepts, complete with real-world examples and practice problems to enhance your learning experience.
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