Chapter 1 Practice Questions

12) Who discovered the atomic theory? A) John Dalton B) Antoine Lavoisier C) Nivaldo Tro D) John Dalton and Antoine Lavoisier E) none of the above

A) John Dalton

3) A good definition of chemistry is: A) the science that seeks to understand what matter does by studying what atoms and molecules do. B) the science that seeks to understand what living organisms do by studying the molecules that make up the organism. C) the science that seeks to understand what the universe does by studying interactions of molecules with atoms. D) the science that seeks to understand the interactions of molecules for the sake of advancing human control over nature. E) none of the above

A) the science that seeks to understand what matter does by studying what atoms and molecules do.

9) Who discovered the law of conservation of mass? A) John Dalton B) Antoine Lavoisier C) Nivaldo Tro D) John Dalton and Antoine Lavoisier E) none of the above

B) Antoine Lavoisier

10) Which of the following is an example of a scientific law? A) All matter is composed of small, indestructible particles called atoms. B) In a chemical reaction, matter is neither created nor destroyed. C) When a can of soda pop is opened, a fizzing sound is heard. D) Flammable objects contain phlogiston. E) none of the above

B) In a chemical reaction, matter is neither created nor destroyed.

14) A sample of wood with a mass of 3.0 grams was burned in an open dish. The ashes weighed 1.2 grams. What happened to the rest of the wood? A) The remaining mass was destroyed. B) The remaining 1.8 grams was converted into gaseous compounds. C) Nothing, the burned wood simply has a mass of 1.2 grams. D) The remaining 1.8 grams was converted into heat. E) none of the above

B) The remaining 1.8 grams was converted into gaseous compounds.

11) What is the definition of a scientific theory? A) a brief statement that summarizes past observations and predicts future ones B) a model that explains the underlying reasons for observations and laws C) the equivalent of a scientific opinion which others may disagree with D) a method of learning that emphasizes reason as the way to understand the world E) none of the above

B) a model that explains the underlying reasons for observations and laws

1) Which of the following statements about soda pop is FALSE? A) Soda pop is a chemical mixture of mostly sugar, water and carbon dioxide. B) The molecules important to fizzing are carbon dioxide and water. C) The carbon dioxide is forced to mix with the water by the presence of sugars. D) When a can is opened, the pressure release allows carbon dioxide to form bubbles. E) All of the above statements are true.

C) The carbon dioxide is forced to mix with the water by the presence of sugars.

4) Which statement about the scientific method is TRUE? A) The scientific method emphasizes reason as the way to understand the world. B) The scientific method emphasizes observation and reason as the way to understand the world. C) The scientific method emphasizes observation and experimentation as the way to understand the world. D) The scientific method emphasizes scientific laws as the way to understand the world. E) All of the above statements are false.

C) The scientific method emphasizes observation and experimentation as the way to understand the world.

13) Which of the following is an example of an observation? A) All matter is composed of small, indestructible particles called atoms. B) Reactions occur due to the transfer of electrons. C) When a can of soda pop is opened, a fizzing sound is heard. D) Flammable objects contain phlogiston. E) none of the above

C) When a can of soda pop is opened, a fizzing sound is heard.

8) What term best describes a brief statement that summarizes many past observations and predicts new ones? A) experiment B) hypothesis C) scientific law D) theory E) none of the above

C) scientific law

15) Which statement accurately describes the purpose of experiments? A) Experiments are designed to produce the results predicted by a theory. B) Experiments can be replaced by a simple, logical reasoning of known facts. C) Experiments are designed to produce unexplainable results for further investigation. D) Experiments look for other observable predictions of a theory. E) none of the above

D) Experiments look for other observable predictions of a theory.

16) Which of the following would be considered a theory? A) Glass is fragile. B) Hot air rises. C) Gasoline has a very strong odor. D) Helium balloons float because helium is less dense than air.

D) Helium balloons float because helium is less dense than air.

7) The definition of a scientific law is: A) the same as a hypothesis. B) a way of learning that emphasizes observation and experimentation. C) the underlying reason for a scientific theory. D) a number of similar observations generalized into a brief statement summarizing past observations and predicting new ones. E) none of the above

D) a number of similar observations generalized into a brief statement summarizing past observations and predicting new ones.

2) Which of the following items does NOT contain chemicals? A) drain cleaner B) organically grown vegetables C) air D) insecticides E) All of the above contain chemicals.

E) All of the above contain chemicals.

6) Which statement about a hypothesis is TRUE? A)It is a tentative interpretation or explanation. B) It has the potential to be proven wrong. C)It can be tested by experiments. D) It is part of the scientific method. E) All of the above statements are true.

E) All of the above statements are true.

5) Which of the statements below is NOT part of the scientific method? A) observation and measurement B) formation of a hypothesis C) testing of a hypothesis by experimentation D) refinement of a hypothesis as needed E) All of the above steps are part of the scientific method.

E) All of the above steps are part of the scientific method.

17) The key to success in chemistry is: A) curiosity. B) mathematical skills. C) commitment. D) practice. E) all of the above

E) all of the above

A hypothesis can never be proven as wrong.

false

A theory is always true and can never be proven as wrong.

false

A theory is the equivalent of an opinion.

false

Antoine Lavoisier observed that burning objects in a closed container resulted in a loss of mass.

false

Antoine Lavoisier proposed the atomic theory.

false

Both carbon dioxide molecules and water molecules consist of three atoms bonded together in a straight line.

false

Chemistry is the science that seeks to understand what matter does by studying living organisms.

false

If a hypothesis is falsifiable, it means that the hypothesis was once considered true but is now considered false.

false

Lavoisier developed the law of conservation of mass.

false

The Greek philosophers used observation and experimentation to understand the world.

false

The law of conservation of mass states, "In a chemical reaction matter can be created and destroyed."

false

The phlogiston theory of combustion is still considered correct today.

false

The properties of water do not depend on how the atoms are bonded together in the molecule.

false

The scientific method emphasizes reason as the way to understand the world.

false

A scientific law is a brief statement that summarizes past observations and predicts future ones.

true

A scientific theory describes the underlying reasons for observations and laws.

true

A theory can only exist after many experiments have validated a hypothesis.

true

An established theory is the pinnacle of scientific understanding.

true

Atoms and molecules determine how matter behaves.

true

Chemicals make up everything around you, including your own body.

true

Chemists study the properties of substances and the particles that compose those substances.

true

If experimental results contradict a hypothesis, the hypothesis must be either revised or discarded.

true

John Dalton proposed the atomic theory.

true

Molecules are responsible for scattering light which causes the colors of the sunset.

true

Observations from experiments are used to test theories.

true

Quantification involves measurement as part of an observation.

true

Quantification is an important tool in understanding chemistry.

true

Scientific theories are also called models.

true

The atomic theory explains why the law of conservation of mass is true.

true

The first step in acquiring scientific knowledge is often the observation or measurement of some aspect of nature.

true

The scientific method ensures that poor theories are eliminated over time and good theories remain.

true

Theories can be tested and validated through experimentation.

true

When a sealed can of soda pop is opened, the carbon dioxide gas fizzes out because the pressure is released.

true