Science, Tech, Math › Science Introduction to Chemistry Quiz Prove You Know These Concepts Before Taking Chemistry Share Flipboard Email Take this quiz before you take a chemistry class to see if you know the key concepts needed to pass the course. Mike Kemp / Getty Images Science Chemistry Basics Chemical Laws Molecules Periodic Table Projects & Experiments Scientific Method Biochemistry Physical Chemistry Medical Chemistry Chemistry In Everyday Life Famous Chemists Activities for Kids Abbreviations & Acronyms Biology Physics Geology Astronomy Weather & Climate By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Facebook Twitter Chemistry Expert Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on July 03, 2019 1. First let's start with a few metric-to-metric conversions. 1.2 mg is: 0.0012 g 0.012 g 1200 g 12000 g Correct Wrong There are 1000 mg in a gram, so you move the decimal point three places to the left. The value in grams should be a thousand times smaller than the equivalent in milligrams, or the value in mg is 1000 times larger than the one in grams. Chemistry is full of metric unit conversions. If you had trouble with this question, you can review how to cancel units 2. 7.3 cm is: 0.073 mm 0.73 mm 73 mm 730 mm Correct Wrong There are 10 mm in 1 cm. Metric conversions are all factors of ten. When you think you're ready, you can test yourself with a metric conversion quiz. 3. 22.3 L is: 0.0223 mL 2.3 mL 2230 mL 22300 mL Correct Wrong There are 1000 ml in 1 L. Remember, the value in milliliters should be a thousand times larger than the number in liters. Here's an example liter to milliliter conversion, if you need review. 4. Chemists use scientific notation. The number 0.00442 would be written in scientific notation as: 0.442 x 10⁻² 4.42 x 10⁻³ 442 x 10 4.42 x 10³ Correct Wrong You want one digit before the decimal point followed by a factor of ten. Because you move the decimal point to the right, you know the exponent is negative. Chemists use scientific notation to express very large or very small numbers, Also, it's a more accurate way to enter data into a calculator. If you had trouble with this one, you should review scientific notation. 5. Multiplying (2 x 10²) and (3 x 10³) will give you: 5 x 10⁶ 6 x 10⁶ 5 x 10⁵ 6 x 10⁵ Correct Wrong To do this calculation, you multiply the number part, like normal, and then add the exponents together to get the answer. 6. A liquid has: a definite shape and volume a definite volume, but not a definite shape a definite shape, but not a definite volume a variable shape and volume Correct Wrong If you have trouble remembering the properties of the states of matter, it may help to keep familiar examples in mind: solid (brick), liquid (water), gas (air). Water has a volume, but it can change shape. 7. Which of the following is a list of compounds? water, carbon dioxide, benzene gold, silver, brass brick, sand, concrete hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen Correct Wrong There are two concepts to master here. First, you should be able to recognize the names of the chemical elements. Atoms of one type of element may combine to form molecules, but not compounds. Compounds consist of two or more different types of atoms. 8. Combustion (burning) is an example of: a physical change a chemical change an endothermic reaction Correct Wrong A physical change alters the appearance of matter, but not its composition. A chemical change makes new products (like fire turns wood into ash). Exothermic reactions release heat, while endothermic reactions absorb it. 9. Here is a question about significant figures. How many significant figures are there in the number 0.060? 1 2 3 4 Correct Wrong Significant figures are critical to getting answers correct in chemistry. It's best to master them before you set foot in the classroom. Leading zeros are not significant, but ones after both the decimal point and a nonzero digit are significant. You may wish to review the rules. 10. Which substance cannot be further decomposed by a normal chemical reaction? air water sugar brass copper Correct Wrong Copper is the only member of the list that is a chemical element. Elements are the fundamental building blocks of matter because they cannot be broken into smaller pieces using any chemical reaction. Introduction to Chemistry Quiz You got: % Correct. Expect to Review Chemistry Concepts Carlo Amoruso / Getty Images It's okay that you missed some questions. The point of the quiz is to show you the strong and weak areas of these introductory topics. In a high school chemistry class, the instructor may review these topics, but if you go into college chemistry, they'll assume you know them. It's much easier to succeed if you understand basic principles of matter, units, and conversions! From here, get a head start on chemistry topics or try another quiz. See if you understand chemistry in the real world. Share Your Results Share Flipboard Email Introduction to Chemistry Quiz You got: % Correct. Ready to Ace a Chemistry Class Brand New Images / Getty Images Good job! You're comfortable with the topics you need to know to learn chemistry, rather than backtracking into basic units and math. If you had trouble with some areas, you can review them. Otherwise, the future looks bright for you in chemistry! Here are the reasons people fail chemistry. If you avoid these traps, you'll be fine. Ready for another quiz? See if you understand the chemistry that explains how stuff works. Share Your Results Share Flipboard Email