CHEM 120 FINAL EXAM 2026/2027 | Complete Solutions
Guide | Chamberlain | Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
SECTION 1: Matter, Measurement & Unit Conversions (Q1–Q12)
Q1: Which measurement contains exactly 4 significant figures?
A. 0.00450 g
B. 450.0 g [CORRECT]
C. 450 g
D. 0.045 g
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: 450.0 g has four significant figures—the trailing zero after the decimal is
significant. A has three, C has two or three ambiguous, and D has two. Understanding
significant figures is critical for precise medication dosing in clinical settings.
Q2: Convert 250 mL to liters.
A. 0.0250 L
B. 0.250 L [CORRECT]
C. 2.50 L
D. 25.0 L
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Since 1 L = 1000 mL, divide 250 by 1000 to get 0.250 L. A incorrectly shifts
the decimal two places, C multiplies instead of dividing, and D uses the wrong
conversion factor. Accurate volume conversions are essential for preparing IV solutions.
Q3: A patient weighs 154 lb. What is their mass in kilograms? (1 lb = 0.454 kg)
A. 34.8 kg
B. 69.9 kg [CORRECT]
C. 339 kg
D. 154 kg
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: Multiply 154 lb by 0.454 kg/lb to obtain 69.9 kg. A incorrectly divides, C uses
the inverse conversion, and D fails to convert. Weight conversions between imperial and
metric units are routinely needed for medication dosing calculations.
Q4: What is the density of a substance with a mass of 45.0 g and a volume of 15.0 mL?
A. 0.333 g/mL
B. 3.00 g/mL [CORRECT]
C. 30.0 g/mL
D. 675 g/mL
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Density equals mass divided by volume: 45.0 g / 15.0 mL = 3.00 g/mL. A
inverts the calculation, C subtracts instead of divides, and D multiplies the values.
Density calculations help identify unknown substances and verify solution
concentrations in the laboratory.
Q5: The specific gravity of a urine sample is 1.025. If the density of water is 1.00 g/mL,
what is the density of the urine sample?
A. 0.975 g/mL
B. 1.025 g/mL [CORRECT]
C. 1.025 g/L
D. 1.25 g/mL
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Specific gravity is the ratio of a substance's density to water's density, so
density = specific gravity × density of water = 1.025 × 1.00 g/mL = 1.025 g/mL. A
subtracts incorrectly, C uses wrong units, and D misplaces the decimal. Specific gravity
is routinely measured in urinalysis to assess kidney function.
Q6: Which state of matter has a definite volume but takes the shape of its container?
A. Solid
B. Gas
C. Liquid [CORRECT]
D. Plasma
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A liquid has a fixed volume but conforms to the shape of its container. A solid
has both definite shape and volume, a gas has neither, and plasma is an ionized gas
,with no definite volume or shape. Understanding states of matter is fundamental for
predicting drug formulation behavior.
Q7: Express 0.000456 in scientific notation.
A. 4.56 × 10⁴
B. 4.56 × 10⁻⁴ [CORRECT]
C. 45.6 × 10⁻⁵
D. 456 × 10⁻⁶
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Scientific notation requires one non-zero digit before the decimal: 4.56 × 10⁻⁴.
A has a positive exponent, and C and D do not follow standard scientific notation format
with a single digit to the left of the decimal. Scientific notation is essential for
expressing very small concentrations like blood pH values.
Q8: A medication order requires 0.750 g of a drug. The stock solution contains 250 mg
per tablet. How many tablets are needed?
A. 0.33 tablets
B. 2 tablets
C. 3 tablets [CORRECT]
D. 30 tablets
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Convert 0.750 g to 750 mg, then divide by 250 mg/tablet to get 3 tablets. A
inverts the calculation, B results from a decimal error, and D forgets to convert grams to
milligrams. Accurate tablet calculations prevent underdosing or overdosing in clinical
practice.
Q9: Which property is classified as a chemical property?
A. Color
B. Density
C. Flammability [CORRECT]
D. Melting point
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Flammability describes a substance's ability to undergo combustion, which is
a chemical change. Color, density, and melting point are physical properties observable
, without changing chemical composition. Distinguishing chemical from physical
properties helps predict drug stability and reactivity.
Q10: Convert 37.0°C to Fahrenheit.
A. 68.0°F
B. 98.6°F [CORRECT]
C. 310.°F
D. 212°F
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Using °F = (9/5 × °C) + 32 = (9/5 × 37.0) + 32 = 98.6°F. A uses the wrong
formula, C is the Kelvin conversion, and D is water's boiling point. Temperature
conversions are necessary for interpreting body temperature and storage conditions for
temperature-sensitive medications.
Q11: What is the volume of 25.0 g of ethanol if its density is 0.789 g/mL?
A. 19.7 mL
B. 31.7 mL [CORRECT]
C. 3.17 mL
D. 197 mL
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Volume = mass / density = 25.0 g / 0.789 g/mL = 31.7 mL. A inverts the
calculation, C has a decimal error, and D multiplies instead of divides. Volume
calculations from density are used when preparing standard solutions in clinical
laboratories.
Q12: A saline solution contains 0.9 g NaCl per 100 mL. How many grams of NaCl are in
250 mL?
A. 0.36 g
B. 1.8 g
C. 2.25 g [CORRECT]
D. 9.0 g
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Set up a proportion: (0.9 g / 100 mL) = (x g / 250 mL), so x = 2.25 g. A inverts
the ratio, B uses an incorrect proportion, and D forgets to divide by 100. Normal saline
Guide | Chamberlain | Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
SECTION 1: Matter, Measurement & Unit Conversions (Q1–Q12)
Q1: Which measurement contains exactly 4 significant figures?
A. 0.00450 g
B. 450.0 g [CORRECT]
C. 450 g
D. 0.045 g
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: 450.0 g has four significant figures—the trailing zero after the decimal is
significant. A has three, C has two or three ambiguous, and D has two. Understanding
significant figures is critical for precise medication dosing in clinical settings.
Q2: Convert 250 mL to liters.
A. 0.0250 L
B. 0.250 L [CORRECT]
C. 2.50 L
D. 25.0 L
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Since 1 L = 1000 mL, divide 250 by 1000 to get 0.250 L. A incorrectly shifts
the decimal two places, C multiplies instead of dividing, and D uses the wrong
conversion factor. Accurate volume conversions are essential for preparing IV solutions.
Q3: A patient weighs 154 lb. What is their mass in kilograms? (1 lb = 0.454 kg)
A. 34.8 kg
B. 69.9 kg [CORRECT]
C. 339 kg
D. 154 kg
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: Multiply 154 lb by 0.454 kg/lb to obtain 69.9 kg. A incorrectly divides, C uses
the inverse conversion, and D fails to convert. Weight conversions between imperial and
metric units are routinely needed for medication dosing calculations.
Q4: What is the density of a substance with a mass of 45.0 g and a volume of 15.0 mL?
A. 0.333 g/mL
B. 3.00 g/mL [CORRECT]
C. 30.0 g/mL
D. 675 g/mL
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Density equals mass divided by volume: 45.0 g / 15.0 mL = 3.00 g/mL. A
inverts the calculation, C subtracts instead of divides, and D multiplies the values.
Density calculations help identify unknown substances and verify solution
concentrations in the laboratory.
Q5: The specific gravity of a urine sample is 1.025. If the density of water is 1.00 g/mL,
what is the density of the urine sample?
A. 0.975 g/mL
B. 1.025 g/mL [CORRECT]
C. 1.025 g/L
D. 1.25 g/mL
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Specific gravity is the ratio of a substance's density to water's density, so
density = specific gravity × density of water = 1.025 × 1.00 g/mL = 1.025 g/mL. A
subtracts incorrectly, C uses wrong units, and D misplaces the decimal. Specific gravity
is routinely measured in urinalysis to assess kidney function.
Q6: Which state of matter has a definite volume but takes the shape of its container?
A. Solid
B. Gas
C. Liquid [CORRECT]
D. Plasma
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A liquid has a fixed volume but conforms to the shape of its container. A solid
has both definite shape and volume, a gas has neither, and plasma is an ionized gas
,with no definite volume or shape. Understanding states of matter is fundamental for
predicting drug formulation behavior.
Q7: Express 0.000456 in scientific notation.
A. 4.56 × 10⁴
B. 4.56 × 10⁻⁴ [CORRECT]
C. 45.6 × 10⁻⁵
D. 456 × 10⁻⁶
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Scientific notation requires one non-zero digit before the decimal: 4.56 × 10⁻⁴.
A has a positive exponent, and C and D do not follow standard scientific notation format
with a single digit to the left of the decimal. Scientific notation is essential for
expressing very small concentrations like blood pH values.
Q8: A medication order requires 0.750 g of a drug. The stock solution contains 250 mg
per tablet. How many tablets are needed?
A. 0.33 tablets
B. 2 tablets
C. 3 tablets [CORRECT]
D. 30 tablets
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Convert 0.750 g to 750 mg, then divide by 250 mg/tablet to get 3 tablets. A
inverts the calculation, B results from a decimal error, and D forgets to convert grams to
milligrams. Accurate tablet calculations prevent underdosing or overdosing in clinical
practice.
Q9: Which property is classified as a chemical property?
A. Color
B. Density
C. Flammability [CORRECT]
D. Melting point
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Flammability describes a substance's ability to undergo combustion, which is
a chemical change. Color, density, and melting point are physical properties observable
, without changing chemical composition. Distinguishing chemical from physical
properties helps predict drug stability and reactivity.
Q10: Convert 37.0°C to Fahrenheit.
A. 68.0°F
B. 98.6°F [CORRECT]
C. 310.°F
D. 212°F
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Using °F = (9/5 × °C) + 32 = (9/5 × 37.0) + 32 = 98.6°F. A uses the wrong
formula, C is the Kelvin conversion, and D is water's boiling point. Temperature
conversions are necessary for interpreting body temperature and storage conditions for
temperature-sensitive medications.
Q11: What is the volume of 25.0 g of ethanol if its density is 0.789 g/mL?
A. 19.7 mL
B. 31.7 mL [CORRECT]
C. 3.17 mL
D. 197 mL
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Volume = mass / density = 25.0 g / 0.789 g/mL = 31.7 mL. A inverts the
calculation, C has a decimal error, and D multiplies instead of divides. Volume
calculations from density are used when preparing standard solutions in clinical
laboratories.
Q12: A saline solution contains 0.9 g NaCl per 100 mL. How many grams of NaCl are in
250 mL?
A. 0.36 g
B. 1.8 g
C. 2.25 g [CORRECT]
D. 9.0 g
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Set up a proportion: (0.9 g / 100 mL) = (x g / 250 mL), so x = 2.25 g. A inverts
the ratio, B uses an incorrect proportion, and D forgets to divide by 100. Normal saline
