WEIVER · 401 MEHC
★
University of Wisconsin–Madison
College of Letters & Science — Department of Chemistry
NUMEN LUMEN
EST. 1848
NUMEN LUMEN · GOD, OUR LIGHT
Chemistry 104 Exam 1 Review
FO U N DAT I O N S O F C H E M I ST RY · M AT T E R · ATO M I C T H E O RY · P E R I O D I C TA B L E
INSTITUTION University of Wisconsin–Madison COURSE CODE CHEM 104
PROGRAM Bachelor of Science — General ACADEMIC YEAR
Chemistry Sequence
EXAM TITLE Chemistry 104 Exam 1 Review TOTAL QUESTIONS 53 Questions
COURSE TITLE General Chemistry II FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the
Single Best Answer
REVIEW INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question.
▸ Core topics include scientific methodology, matter classification, atomic theory, and periodic table
organization.
▸ Precision, accuracy, significant figures, and scientific notation are emphasized.
▸ Correct answers and rationales appear below each question for self-assessment.
▸ All content reflects CHEM 104 General Chemistry II foundational review objectives.
, SECTION I — FOUNDATIONS OF CHEMISTRY &
Questions 1 – 53
SCIENTIFIC PRINCIPLES
1. A student observes that a substance occupies space and registers a reading on a
laboratory balance. Which fundamental scientific term describes anything that takes up
space and has mass?
A. Energy
B. Matter
C. Atom
D. Molecule
CORRECT ANSWER B — Matter
RATIONALE Matter is defined as anything that takes up space and has mass. This is the most
fundamental definition in chemistry — all physical objects are composed of
matter. Energy (A) is the capacity to do work, not something that occupies space.
Atoms (C) and molecules (D) are the building blocks of matter, not the
overarching term for all physical substance.
2. A chemist needs to express Avogadro's number (602,200,000,000,000,000,000,000) in a
compact form. Which method of writing numbers as a decimal between 1 and 10
multiplied by a power of 10 should be used?
A. Significant figures
B. Scientific notation
C. Exact number notation
D. Derived unit expression
CORRECT ANSWER B — Scientific notation
RATIONALE Scientific notation is a method of writing or displaying numbers in terms of a
decimal number between 1 and 10 multiplied by a power of 10. For Avogadro's
number: 6.022 × 10²³. Significant figures (A) indicate measurement precision.
Exact number notation (C) is not a standard term. Derived units (D) combine base
units. Scientific notation is essential for handling very large or very small numbers
in chemistry.
, 3. A laboratory experiment consistently produces the same numerical result when
measuring the boiling point of pure water at sea level. This reproducible piece of data
obtained from experimentation is best classified as:
A. Scientific hypothesis
B. Scientific fact
C. Scientific theory
D. Observation
CORRECT ANSWER B — Scientific fact
RATIONALE A scientific fact is a reproducible piece of data about some natural phenomenon
that is obtained from experimentation. The boiling point of water at sea level
(100°C) is a reproducible measurement — anyone performing the experiment
under the same conditions will obtain the same result. A hypothesis (A) is a
testable explanation. A theory (C) is a well-tested, validated hypothesis. An
observation (D) is a singular descriptive statement.
4. A student combines sand and iron filings in a beaker. The mixture shows visibly distinct
regions and each region has different properties. How should this mixture be classified?
A. Homogeneous mixture
B. Heterogeneous mixture
C. Pure substance
D. Solution
CORRECT ANSWER B — Heterogeneous mixture
RATIONALE A heterogeneous mixture contains two or more visually distinguishable phases,
each with different properties. Sand and iron filings can be seen as distinct
components — the mixture is not uniform throughout. A homogeneous mixture
(A) has uniform properties and only one visually distinguishable phase (e.g.,
dissolved sugar water). A pure substance (C) has a single component. A solution
(D) is a type of homogeneous mixture.
★
University of Wisconsin–Madison
College of Letters & Science — Department of Chemistry
NUMEN LUMEN
EST. 1848
NUMEN LUMEN · GOD, OUR LIGHT
Chemistry 104 Exam 1 Review
FO U N DAT I O N S O F C H E M I ST RY · M AT T E R · ATO M I C T H E O RY · P E R I O D I C TA B L E
INSTITUTION University of Wisconsin–Madison COURSE CODE CHEM 104
PROGRAM Bachelor of Science — General ACADEMIC YEAR
Chemistry Sequence
EXAM TITLE Chemistry 104 Exam 1 Review TOTAL QUESTIONS 53 Questions
COURSE TITLE General Chemistry II FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the
Single Best Answer
REVIEW INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question.
▸ Core topics include scientific methodology, matter classification, atomic theory, and periodic table
organization.
▸ Precision, accuracy, significant figures, and scientific notation are emphasized.
▸ Correct answers and rationales appear below each question for self-assessment.
▸ All content reflects CHEM 104 General Chemistry II foundational review objectives.
, SECTION I — FOUNDATIONS OF CHEMISTRY &
Questions 1 – 53
SCIENTIFIC PRINCIPLES
1. A student observes that a substance occupies space and registers a reading on a
laboratory balance. Which fundamental scientific term describes anything that takes up
space and has mass?
A. Energy
B. Matter
C. Atom
D. Molecule
CORRECT ANSWER B — Matter
RATIONALE Matter is defined as anything that takes up space and has mass. This is the most
fundamental definition in chemistry — all physical objects are composed of
matter. Energy (A) is the capacity to do work, not something that occupies space.
Atoms (C) and molecules (D) are the building blocks of matter, not the
overarching term for all physical substance.
2. A chemist needs to express Avogadro's number (602,200,000,000,000,000,000,000) in a
compact form. Which method of writing numbers as a decimal between 1 and 10
multiplied by a power of 10 should be used?
A. Significant figures
B. Scientific notation
C. Exact number notation
D. Derived unit expression
CORRECT ANSWER B — Scientific notation
RATIONALE Scientific notation is a method of writing or displaying numbers in terms of a
decimal number between 1 and 10 multiplied by a power of 10. For Avogadro's
number: 6.022 × 10²³. Significant figures (A) indicate measurement precision.
Exact number notation (C) is not a standard term. Derived units (D) combine base
units. Scientific notation is essential for handling very large or very small numbers
in chemistry.
, 3. A laboratory experiment consistently produces the same numerical result when
measuring the boiling point of pure water at sea level. This reproducible piece of data
obtained from experimentation is best classified as:
A. Scientific hypothesis
B. Scientific fact
C. Scientific theory
D. Observation
CORRECT ANSWER B — Scientific fact
RATIONALE A scientific fact is a reproducible piece of data about some natural phenomenon
that is obtained from experimentation. The boiling point of water at sea level
(100°C) is a reproducible measurement — anyone performing the experiment
under the same conditions will obtain the same result. A hypothesis (A) is a
testable explanation. A theory (C) is a well-tested, validated hypothesis. An
observation (D) is a singular descriptive statement.
4. A student combines sand and iron filings in a beaker. The mixture shows visibly distinct
regions and each region has different properties. How should this mixture be classified?
A. Homogeneous mixture
B. Heterogeneous mixture
C. Pure substance
D. Solution
CORRECT ANSWER B — Heterogeneous mixture
RATIONALE A heterogeneous mixture contains two or more visually distinguishable phases,
each with different properties. Sand and iron filings can be seen as distinct
components — the mixture is not uniform throughout. A homogeneous mixture
(A) has uniform properties and only one visually distinguishable phase (e.g.,
dissolved sugar water). A pure substance (C) has a single component. A solution
(D) is a type of homogeneous mixture.
