Page 1 of 153
Milady Nail Product Chemistry EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT VERIFIED SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR –
JUST RELEASED
Milady Nail Product Chemistry Exam
Exam Coverage at a Glance (10 Key Points)
1. Chemical Fundamentals - Everything is made of chemicals (except light/electricity);
majority of chemicals are safe if used properly; overexposure determines toxicity
2. States of Matter & Vapors - Gas particles have no defined volume or shape; vapors form
when liquids evaporate into the air; higher temperature = faster vapor formation
3. Adhesion Science - Adhesion = force making two surfaces stick together; occurs when
molecules on one surface are attracted to molecules on another surface; adhesives
cause two surfaces to stick together
4. Nail Primers & Dehydrators - Primer improves adhesion; dehydrators temporarily
remove surface moisture for about 30 minutes; acid-based primers are corrosive and
potentially dangerous to eyes
5. Polymers & Polymerization - Polymers = extremely long chains of millions of molecules;
monomers = individual molecules that join to make polymers; polymerization = chemical
reaction creating polymers
6. Curing Reactions - Chemical reaction = coatings that cure/polymerize; physical reaction
= coatings that harden upon evaporation; thermal initiators (liquid/powder) use heat;
photoinitiators (UV gels) use UV light
7. Acrylic Chemistry - Methacrylates used for all liquid/powder systems and some UV gels;
acrylates used for other UV gels; cyanoacrylates used for wraps and adhesives; MMA
banned in US
8. Cross-linking & Simple Polymers - Simple polymer chains easily stained and break under
stress; cross-linkers join different polymer chains together for increased strength and
stain resistance
9. Chemical Additives - Catalysts speed up chemical reactions; initiators trigger
polymerization; plasticizers keep products flexible; UV stabilizers prevent sunlight
discoloration
10. Safety & Overexposure - Overexposure determines toxicity; proper ventilation (local
exhaust) and N-95 masks recommended; over-filing leads to lifting/chipping/separation
250 Multiple Choice Questions with Rationales
, Page 2 of 153
Question 1
Nail technicians should have a thorough understanding of chemicals and chemistry primarily
because:
A) It helps them sell more retail products
B) It allows them to solve problems when things go wrong
C) It is required by state boards
D) It makes the job more interesting
Answer: B
Rationale: Nail technicians need chemistry knowledge to solve problems when things go wrong
during services and to have a deeper understanding of how professional products work .
Understanding chemistry also makes technicians less likely to be fooled by improper claims and
advertising . A solid grasp of product chemistry is essential for troubleshooting adhesion issues,
curing problems, and allergic reactions.
Question 2
The majority of chemical substances are:
A) Toxic and dangerous
B) Safe if used properly
C) Harmful to human health
D) Only safe when organic
, Page 3 of 153
Answer: B
Rationale: The majority of chemical substances are safe if used properly . It is incorrect to think
that all chemicals are dangerous or toxic substances . Everything we see and touch, except light
and electricity, is a chemical, including the walls in your room, your phone, food, vitamins,
oxygen, and water .
Question 3
A __________ is defined as a state of matter consisting of particles that have neither a defined
volume nor defined shape.
A) Liquid
B) Gas
C) Solid
D) Vapor
Answer: B
Rationale: A gas is a state of matter consisting of particles that have neither a defined volume
nor defined shape . Gases are very different from vapors . Gases have no fixed volume and
expand to fill their containers, unlike liquids which have defined volume.
Question 4
, Page 4 of 153
Vapors are formed when:
A) Solids dissolve in liquids
B) Gases condense
C) Liquids evaporate into the air
D) Chemicals react with each other
Answer: C
Rationale: Vapors are formed when liquids evaporate into the air . Examples include water,
alcohol, and acetone forming vapors . Any liquid at room temperature will form a vapor, and all
nail enhancements form vapors, including monomer liquids (even odorless monomer), UV gels,
wrap resins, and adhesives .
Question 5
The higher the temperature, the __________ a vapor will form.
A) Slower
B) More slowly
C) Faster
D) Less likely
Answer: C
Milady Nail Product Chemistry EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT VERIFIED SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR –
JUST RELEASED
Milady Nail Product Chemistry Exam
Exam Coverage at a Glance (10 Key Points)
1. Chemical Fundamentals - Everything is made of chemicals (except light/electricity);
majority of chemicals are safe if used properly; overexposure determines toxicity
2. States of Matter & Vapors - Gas particles have no defined volume or shape; vapors form
when liquids evaporate into the air; higher temperature = faster vapor formation
3. Adhesion Science - Adhesion = force making two surfaces stick together; occurs when
molecules on one surface are attracted to molecules on another surface; adhesives
cause two surfaces to stick together
4. Nail Primers & Dehydrators - Primer improves adhesion; dehydrators temporarily
remove surface moisture for about 30 minutes; acid-based primers are corrosive and
potentially dangerous to eyes
5. Polymers & Polymerization - Polymers = extremely long chains of millions of molecules;
monomers = individual molecules that join to make polymers; polymerization = chemical
reaction creating polymers
6. Curing Reactions - Chemical reaction = coatings that cure/polymerize; physical reaction
= coatings that harden upon evaporation; thermal initiators (liquid/powder) use heat;
photoinitiators (UV gels) use UV light
7. Acrylic Chemistry - Methacrylates used for all liquid/powder systems and some UV gels;
acrylates used for other UV gels; cyanoacrylates used for wraps and adhesives; MMA
banned in US
8. Cross-linking & Simple Polymers - Simple polymer chains easily stained and break under
stress; cross-linkers join different polymer chains together for increased strength and
stain resistance
9. Chemical Additives - Catalysts speed up chemical reactions; initiators trigger
polymerization; plasticizers keep products flexible; UV stabilizers prevent sunlight
discoloration
10. Safety & Overexposure - Overexposure determines toxicity; proper ventilation (local
exhaust) and N-95 masks recommended; over-filing leads to lifting/chipping/separation
250 Multiple Choice Questions with Rationales
, Page 2 of 153
Question 1
Nail technicians should have a thorough understanding of chemicals and chemistry primarily
because:
A) It helps them sell more retail products
B) It allows them to solve problems when things go wrong
C) It is required by state boards
D) It makes the job more interesting
Answer: B
Rationale: Nail technicians need chemistry knowledge to solve problems when things go wrong
during services and to have a deeper understanding of how professional products work .
Understanding chemistry also makes technicians less likely to be fooled by improper claims and
advertising . A solid grasp of product chemistry is essential for troubleshooting adhesion issues,
curing problems, and allergic reactions.
Question 2
The majority of chemical substances are:
A) Toxic and dangerous
B) Safe if used properly
C) Harmful to human health
D) Only safe when organic
, Page 3 of 153
Answer: B
Rationale: The majority of chemical substances are safe if used properly . It is incorrect to think
that all chemicals are dangerous or toxic substances . Everything we see and touch, except light
and electricity, is a chemical, including the walls in your room, your phone, food, vitamins,
oxygen, and water .
Question 3
A __________ is defined as a state of matter consisting of particles that have neither a defined
volume nor defined shape.
A) Liquid
B) Gas
C) Solid
D) Vapor
Answer: B
Rationale: A gas is a state of matter consisting of particles that have neither a defined volume
nor defined shape . Gases are very different from vapors . Gases have no fixed volume and
expand to fill their containers, unlike liquids which have defined volume.
Question 4
, Page 4 of 153
Vapors are formed when:
A) Solids dissolve in liquids
B) Gases condense
C) Liquids evaporate into the air
D) Chemicals react with each other
Answer: C
Rationale: Vapors are formed when liquids evaporate into the air . Examples include water,
alcohol, and acetone forming vapors . Any liquid at room temperature will form a vapor, and all
nail enhancements form vapors, including monomer liquids (even odorless monomer), UV gels,
wrap resins, and adhesives .
Question 5
The higher the temperature, the __________ a vapor will form.
A) Slower
B) More slowly
C) Faster
D) Less likely
Answer: C
