,CHEM 103 Module 6 Exam | General
Chemistry I w/Lab | Portage Learning | Q & A
| 2026 Edition
1. Which of the following best defines a solution?
A) A homogeneous mixture of two or more substances in a single phase
B) A heterogeneous mixture with visible particles
C) A compound formed by a chemical reaction
D) A pure substance with a fixed composition
Correct Answer: A homogeneous mixture of two or more substances in a single phase
Rationale: A solution is a homogeneous mixture, meaning it is uniform throughout and exists in a single
phase. It consists of a solute dissolved in a solvent. Heterogeneous mixtures have visible separate
phases, and compounds are pure substances, not mixtures.
2. What is the term for a substance that dissolves in a solution and is present in the lesser amount?
A) Solvent
B) Solute
C) Colloid
D) Precipitate
Correct Answer: Solute
Rationale: The solute is the component of a solution that is present in the lesser amount and is dissolved
by the solvent. The solvent is the component present in the greater amount. A colloid is a
heterogeneous mixture, and a precipitate is a solid that forms from a reaction.
3. Which of the following is an example of a gaseous solution?
A) Salt water
,B) Air
C) Brass
D) Sugar water
Correct Answer: Air
Rationale: Air is a gaseous solution, primarily composed of nitrogen and oxygen gases. Salt water and
sugar water are liquid solutions, and brass is a solid solution (alloy).
4. What is the solvent in a solution of salt water?
A) Salt
B) Water
C) Sodium
D) Chloride
Correct Answer: Water
Rationale: In a salt water solution, salt (NaCl) is the solute that dissolves, and water is the solvent,
present in the greater amount. The solvent is the substance that does the dissolving.
5. The "like dissolves like" rule is used to predict:
A) The rate of a chemical reaction
B) The solubility of materials
C) The boiling point of a solution
D) The vapor pressure of a solvent
Correct Answer: The solubility of materials
, Rationale: The "like dissolves like" rule states that polar solvents dissolve polar (and ionic) solutes, and
nonpolar solvents dissolve nonpolar solutes. This principle helps predict whether a substance will
dissolve in a given solvent.
6. According to the "like dissolves like" rule, which substance would be most soluble in water (a polar
solvent)?
A) Oil
B) Sodium chloride (NaCl)
C) Hexane
D) Benzene
Correct Answer: Sodium chloride (NaCl)
Rationale: Water is a polar solvent. Sodium chloride is an ionic compound that is polar and will dissolve
readily in polar solvents. Oil, hexane, and benzene are nonpolar substances and will not dissolve well in
polar solvents.
7. An amorphous solid is characterized by:
A) A highly ordered, repeating geometric arrangement of particles
B) A random arrangement of particles
C) A definite melting point
D) A crystalline structure
Correct Answer: A random arrangement of particles
Rationale: Amorphous solids have particles arranged in a random fashion without any long-range order.
They are often described as "supercooled liquids." Examples include plastic and rubber.
8. Which of the following is an example of an amorphous solid?
A) Table salt (NaCl)
B) Diamond
Chemistry I w/Lab | Portage Learning | Q & A
| 2026 Edition
1. Which of the following best defines a solution?
A) A homogeneous mixture of two or more substances in a single phase
B) A heterogeneous mixture with visible particles
C) A compound formed by a chemical reaction
D) A pure substance with a fixed composition
Correct Answer: A homogeneous mixture of two or more substances in a single phase
Rationale: A solution is a homogeneous mixture, meaning it is uniform throughout and exists in a single
phase. It consists of a solute dissolved in a solvent. Heterogeneous mixtures have visible separate
phases, and compounds are pure substances, not mixtures.
2. What is the term for a substance that dissolves in a solution and is present in the lesser amount?
A) Solvent
B) Solute
C) Colloid
D) Precipitate
Correct Answer: Solute
Rationale: The solute is the component of a solution that is present in the lesser amount and is dissolved
by the solvent. The solvent is the component present in the greater amount. A colloid is a
heterogeneous mixture, and a precipitate is a solid that forms from a reaction.
3. Which of the following is an example of a gaseous solution?
A) Salt water
,B) Air
C) Brass
D) Sugar water
Correct Answer: Air
Rationale: Air is a gaseous solution, primarily composed of nitrogen and oxygen gases. Salt water and
sugar water are liquid solutions, and brass is a solid solution (alloy).
4. What is the solvent in a solution of salt water?
A) Salt
B) Water
C) Sodium
D) Chloride
Correct Answer: Water
Rationale: In a salt water solution, salt (NaCl) is the solute that dissolves, and water is the solvent,
present in the greater amount. The solvent is the substance that does the dissolving.
5. The "like dissolves like" rule is used to predict:
A) The rate of a chemical reaction
B) The solubility of materials
C) The boiling point of a solution
D) The vapor pressure of a solvent
Correct Answer: The solubility of materials
, Rationale: The "like dissolves like" rule states that polar solvents dissolve polar (and ionic) solutes, and
nonpolar solvents dissolve nonpolar solutes. This principle helps predict whether a substance will
dissolve in a given solvent.
6. According to the "like dissolves like" rule, which substance would be most soluble in water (a polar
solvent)?
A) Oil
B) Sodium chloride (NaCl)
C) Hexane
D) Benzene
Correct Answer: Sodium chloride (NaCl)
Rationale: Water is a polar solvent. Sodium chloride is an ionic compound that is polar and will dissolve
readily in polar solvents. Oil, hexane, and benzene are nonpolar substances and will not dissolve well in
polar solvents.
7. An amorphous solid is characterized by:
A) A highly ordered, repeating geometric arrangement of particles
B) A random arrangement of particles
C) A definite melting point
D) A crystalline structure
Correct Answer: A random arrangement of particles
Rationale: Amorphous solids have particles arranged in a random fashion without any long-range order.
They are often described as "supercooled liquids." Examples include plastic and rubber.
8. Which of the following is an example of an amorphous solid?
A) Table salt (NaCl)
B) Diamond
