CHEM 120 Exam 1 Study Guide 2026 | Complete Review |
Chamberlain College of Nursing | Graded A+
1. What is the definition of a hypothesis in scientific research?
A conclusion drawn from experimental data.
A statement of fact that cannot be tested.
A theory that has been proven.
A testable prediction based on observations.
2. What is the scientific notation for the number 500,000?
5.0 x 10^6
5.0 x 10^3
5.0 x 10^5
5.0 x 10^4
3. What is the definition of atomic mass?
The mass of an atom in grams.
The mass of an atom's electrons.
The weighted average mass of an atom's isotopes.
The total number of protons in an atom.
4. Describe how ions are formed and provide an example.
Ions are formed when atoms share electrons; for example, oxygen
and hydrogen form water.
Ions are formed when molecules break apart; for example, carbon
dioxide splits into carbon and oxygen.
, Ions are formed through nuclear reactions; for example, hydrogen
can become a hydrogen ion (H+) through fusion.
Ions are formed when atoms gain or lose electrons; for example,
sodium (Na) loses one electron to become a sodium ion (Na+).
5. How many cups is 150 mL?
0.150 c
90 c
0.625 c
390 c
36,000 c
6. Which choice gives the correct scientific notation for the number 67,890,000?
678.9 x 10^5
6.789 x 10^-7
6.789 x 10^7
67.890 x 10^6
7. Describe what a polyatomic cation is and provide an example.
A polyatomic cation consists of a single atom with a positive charge;
an example is Na+.
A polyatomic cation is a neutral molecule that can gain a charge.
A polyatomic cation is a positively charged ion composed of two or
more atoms; an example is NH4+.
A polyatomic cation is a negatively charged ion made of multiple
atoms; an example is OH-.
,8. Describe the role of variables in the scientific method.
Variables are fixed elements that do not change during an experiment.
Variables are irrelevant to the scientific method and do not affect
results.
Variables are essential as they allow scientists to test hypotheses by
observing how changes affect outcomes.
Variables are only used in qualitative research, not in quantitative
studies.
9. What is the charge of the valence electrons for alkali metals in group 1A?
1+
2+
0
3+
10. Which of the follow is a quantitative measurement?
Boiling water feels hot
She is tall
The table is 50 inches long
The car is driving faster than the speed limit
11. Describe how scientific notation is used to express the number 4.32 x 10^-2.
Scientific notation is only used for whole numbers.
Scientific notation expresses numbers as a product of a coefficient
and a power of ten, indicating the decimal point's movement.
, Scientific notation simplifies the addition of large numbers.
Scientific notation is a method for converting fractions to decimals.
12. Describe the relationship between the number of protons and electrons in
an anion.
An anion has no protons, making it unstable.
An anion has more electrons than protons, resulting in a negative
charge.
An anion has equal numbers of protons and electrons, making it
neutral.
An anion has more protons than electrons, resulting in a positive
charge.
13. Which is the correct formula for the calculation of density?
Volume/Mass
Mass x Volume
Mass/Volume
Weight/Volume
14. NH₄⁺ is an example of a
monoatomic anion.
monoatomic cation.
polyatomic anion.
polyatomic cation.
Chamberlain College of Nursing | Graded A+
1. What is the definition of a hypothesis in scientific research?
A conclusion drawn from experimental data.
A statement of fact that cannot be tested.
A theory that has been proven.
A testable prediction based on observations.
2. What is the scientific notation for the number 500,000?
5.0 x 10^6
5.0 x 10^3
5.0 x 10^5
5.0 x 10^4
3. What is the definition of atomic mass?
The mass of an atom in grams.
The mass of an atom's electrons.
The weighted average mass of an atom's isotopes.
The total number of protons in an atom.
4. Describe how ions are formed and provide an example.
Ions are formed when atoms share electrons; for example, oxygen
and hydrogen form water.
Ions are formed when molecules break apart; for example, carbon
dioxide splits into carbon and oxygen.
, Ions are formed through nuclear reactions; for example, hydrogen
can become a hydrogen ion (H+) through fusion.
Ions are formed when atoms gain or lose electrons; for example,
sodium (Na) loses one electron to become a sodium ion (Na+).
5. How many cups is 150 mL?
0.150 c
90 c
0.625 c
390 c
36,000 c
6. Which choice gives the correct scientific notation for the number 67,890,000?
678.9 x 10^5
6.789 x 10^-7
6.789 x 10^7
67.890 x 10^6
7. Describe what a polyatomic cation is and provide an example.
A polyatomic cation consists of a single atom with a positive charge;
an example is Na+.
A polyatomic cation is a neutral molecule that can gain a charge.
A polyatomic cation is a positively charged ion composed of two or
more atoms; an example is NH4+.
A polyatomic cation is a negatively charged ion made of multiple
atoms; an example is OH-.
,8. Describe the role of variables in the scientific method.
Variables are fixed elements that do not change during an experiment.
Variables are irrelevant to the scientific method and do not affect
results.
Variables are essential as they allow scientists to test hypotheses by
observing how changes affect outcomes.
Variables are only used in qualitative research, not in quantitative
studies.
9. What is the charge of the valence electrons for alkali metals in group 1A?
1+
2+
0
3+
10. Which of the follow is a quantitative measurement?
Boiling water feels hot
She is tall
The table is 50 inches long
The car is driving faster than the speed limit
11. Describe how scientific notation is used to express the number 4.32 x 10^-2.
Scientific notation is only used for whole numbers.
Scientific notation expresses numbers as a product of a coefficient
and a power of ten, indicating the decimal point's movement.
, Scientific notation simplifies the addition of large numbers.
Scientific notation is a method for converting fractions to decimals.
12. Describe the relationship between the number of protons and electrons in
an anion.
An anion has no protons, making it unstable.
An anion has more electrons than protons, resulting in a negative
charge.
An anion has equal numbers of protons and electrons, making it
neutral.
An anion has more protons than electrons, resulting in a positive
charge.
13. Which is the correct formula for the calculation of density?
Volume/Mass
Mass x Volume
Mass/Volume
Weight/Volume
14. NH₄⁺ is an example of a
monoatomic anion.
monoatomic cation.
polyatomic anion.
polyatomic cation.
