Multiple Choice

|!|EM03001|!|
Which of the following substances is an element?
A. Steel
B. Water
C. Air
D. Iron
□
##D Steel is an alloy containing iron and small amount of carbon; water is a compound and air is a
mixture of compounds and elements.##

|!|EM03002|!|
How many atoms are present in a glucose molecule, C6H12O6?
A. 1
B. 3
C. 12
D. 24
□
##D There are 6 carbon atoms, 12 hydrogen atoms and 6 oxygen atoms in a glucose molecule.##

|!|EM03003|!|
Which of the following substances is a metalloid?
A. Silicon
B. Beryllium
C. Chlorine
D. Phosphorus
□
##A Beryllium is a metal while chlorine and phosphorus are non-metals.##

|!|EM03004|!|
Which of the following statements about the structure of an atom is INCORRECT?
A. The nucleus is composed of electrons and neutrons, for which surrounding the nucleus is a
cloud of protons.
B. Most of the atom is empty space.
C. Electrons move around the nucleus at a high speed.
D. Neutrons and protons are much heavier than electrons.
□
##A In an atom, a small nucleus containing neutrons and protons locates at the center; around the
nucleus is a cloud of fast-moving electrons. There is much empty space in an atom.##
|!|EM03005|!|
Which of the following statements is correct?
A. Elements are made up of molecules.
B. An atom has no charge because the masses of its protons and electrons are equal.
C. A proton has a similar mass as a neutron.
D. All elements can form molecules.
□
##C A is incorrect as elements are made up of atoms; B is incorrect as the neutrality of atoms is due to
the equal number of protons and electrons; D is incorrect as metals, are elements as well, cannot form
molecules.##

|!|EM03006|!|
Which of the following combinations about the atomic structure of a sulphur atom is correct? (Look up
the Periodic Table for the atomic number of sulphur.)
NeutronsProtons Electrons
A 15 16 17
B. 15 15 16
C. 16 16 16
D. 18 17 17
□
##C The atomic number of sulphur is 16. Therefore, B and D are wrong. The number of protons and that
of electrons must be equal in any atoms. Hence A is wrong.##

|!|EM03007|!|
Which of the following pairs of elements has the same number of occupied electron shells in their atoms?
(1) Aluminum and argon
(2) Silicon and calcium
(3) Boron and oxygen
A. (1) only
B. (2) only
C. (1) and (3) only
D. (2) and (3) only
□
##C The electronic configurations of aluminum and argon are 2, 8, 3 and 2, 8, 8 respectively. They both
have three electron shells; the electronic configurations of boron and oxygen are 2,3 and 2,6 respectively.
Both have two electron shells. However, silicon is 2,8,4 and calcium is 2,8,8,2. Thus they have different
numbers of electron shell.##
|!|EM03008|!|
Which of the following descriptions about the electric charges on neutron, proton and electron is correct?
Neutron Proton Electron
A. Positive Positive Negative
B. Positive Neutral Positive
C. Neutral Neutral Positive
D. Neutral Positive Negative
□
##D Protons are +1 charged; electrons are –1 charged; but neutron is neutral.##

|!|EM03009|!|
Which of the following statements about an atom is/are correct?
(1) Nucleus carries no charge.
(2) The mass of an atom concentrates at the nucleus.
(3) Electrons are moving at high speed around an atom.
A. (1) only
B. (2) only
C. (1) and (3) only
D. (2) and (3) only
□
##B Nucleus contains protons and neutrons. Protons have +1 charge while neutrons have no charge.
Therefore, nucleus carries positive charge, and (1) is false. The mass of an electron is extremely small
compared to neutrons and protons. As neutrons and protons are located at the centre of atom, the mass of
an atom concentrates at the centre. Hence (2) is true. (3) is false because electrons are moving at high
speed around the nucleus, not around the atom.##

|!|EM03010|!|
Number of electrons in a molecule of water is
A. 6
B. 8
C. 10
D. 12
□
##C One molecule of water contains one oxygen atom (with 8 electrons) and two hydrogen atoms (each
with one electron).##
|!|EM03011|!|
Which of the following pairs of elements would have the same number of outermost electrons?
A. X, Y
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B. X, Y
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C. X, Y
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D. X, Y
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□
##C The number of electrons in X and Y are 4 and 12 respectively. Their electronic configurations are
2,2 and 2,8,2. So both of them have 2 outermost electrons.##

|!|EM03012|!|
Isotopes must have the same number of
(1) protons.
(2) neutrons.
(3) electron shells.
A. (1) and (2) only
B. (1) and (3) only
C. (2) and (3) only
D. (1), (2) and (3)
□
##B Isotopes have the same number of protons but different number of neutrons. Equal atomic number
means equal number of electrons and hence the same electronic configuration and the same number of
electron shells.##
|!|EM03013|!|
Which of the following statements about the isotope Y is/are correct?
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(1) Y has 5 outermost electrons.

(2) Y has 15 neutrons.
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(3) Y is in Group V in the Periodic Table.

A. (1) only
B. (2) only
C. (1) and (3) only
D. (2) and (3) only
□
##C Element Y has 15 protons and therefore has 15 electrons. Its electronic configuration is 2,8,5.
Elements with five outermost shell electrons are in Group V. Thus (1) and (3) are correct. (2) is incorrect
as its neutron number is 31 –15 = 16##

|!|EM03014|!|
U and U are two isotopes of uranium. Which of the following statements about them is correct?
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A. An U atom has a mass number of 235, which is the sum of its number of protons and
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number of electrons.
B. An U atom has 3 more electrons in the nucleus than an U atom.
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C. An U atom has 3 more electrons than an U atom.

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D. An U atom has 146 neutrons and 92 protons.

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□
##D 238 is the mass number of U and 92 is the proton number. Mass number is the sum of proton
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number and neutron number. Therefore, the number of neutron = 238 – 92 =146##

|!|EM03015|!|
The relative atomic masses of elements are seldom whole numbers because
A. atoms of some element have different atomic numbers.
B. atoms of some element have different masses.
C. atoms of some element have different numbers of electrons.
D. atoms of some element can form ions.
□
##B Relative atomic mass of an element is the average relative atomic mass (relative isotopic mass) of
atoms with different masses (i.e. isotopes) in the element.##

|!|EM03016|!|
Which of the following statements about isotopes is/are correct?
(1) They have same electronic configurations.
(2) They have same chemical properties.
(3) They have the same mass number.
A. (1) only
B. (2) only
C. (1) and (2) only
D. (2) and (3) only
□
##C Isotopes have the same atomic number but different mass numbers. They have same number of
electrons and electronic configuration, and therefore the same chemical properties.##

|!|EM03017|!|
Chlorine has 2 isotopes Cl and Cl. Which of the following statements about the isotopes of chlorine is
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true?
A. Cl has two more protons than Cl.
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B. They have the same number of neutrons but different numbers of electrons.
C. Cl has 2 fewer neutrons than Cl.
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D. They have different numbers of electron shells.

□
##C In an atomic symbol, X, Z represents the number of protons and A represents its mass number,
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which is the sum of proton and neutron numbers.

Cl and Cl therefore have the same number of protons and Cl has two more neutrons than Cl does.##
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|!|EM03018|!|
Chlorine has a relative atomic mass of 35.5 and has two isotopes with relative isotopic masses of 35 and
37. Which of the following statements about chlorine are INCORRECT?
(1) It has two atomic numbers.
(2) It contains the two isotopes in a ratio of 1:1.
(3) The two isotopes have different numbers of outermost electrons.
A. (1) and (2)
B. (1) and (3)
C. (2) and (3)
D. (1), (2) and (3)
□
##D Isotopes are atoms with same atomic number (number of protons) but with different mass numbers.
Hence, (1) is incorrect. The number of electrons and the number of protons are equal in an atom. As the
two isotopes have the same number of protons, they have the same number of electrons and the same
electronic configuration, and thus they have equal number of outermost electrons. Hence, (3) is wrong. As
the relative atomic mass of chlorine is 35.5, not 36 [(35+37)/2], there should be more Cl. Therefore, (2)
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is also wrong.##

|!|EM03019|!|
The electronic configuration of an element Y is
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A. 15, 31
B. 2, 8, 5
C. 2,8, 6
D. 2,8,18,3
□
##B The atomic number of the element Y is 15 and hence the number of electrons is also 15. The
electronic configuration of Y is thus 2,8,5 with a total of 15 electrons.##

|!|EM03020|!|
Which of the following statements concerning Group 0 elements is correct?
A. They are stable because they have fully filled outermost shell.
B. They have 8 outer shell electrons.
C. Neon reacts with other elements while others do not.
D. The number of electrons is different from the number of protons.
□
##A Group 0 elements are stable as their outermost electron shells are fully filled. B is wrong as Helium
has 2 outermost electrons only. C is wrong, as all Group 0 elements are too stable to react with other
elements. D is wrong as the number of protons and number of electrons are equal for all atoms.##
|!|EM03021|!|
Which of the following statements about helium is INCORRECT?
A. Helium is less dense than air.
B. Helium is a noble gas.
C. Helium atom has an octet structure.
D. Helium does not burn.
□
##C It has two outermost electrons only.##
Each question below consists of two separate statements. Decide whether each of the two statements
is true or false; if both are true, then decide whether or not the second statement is a correct
explanation of the first statement. Then select one option from A to D according to the following
table:

A. Both statements are true and the 2nd statement is a correct explanation of the
1st statement.
B. Both statements are true and the 2nd statement is NOT a correct explanation of the
1st statement.
C. The 1st statement is false but the 2nd statement is true.
D. Both statements are false.

|!|EM03022|!|
All atoms are electrically neutral. Atom has the same number of protons and electrons.
□
##A##

|!|EM03023|!|
All atoms consist of proton, neutron and electron. Proton, neutron and electron are the three
fundamental subatomic particles.
□
##C The isotope H-1 does not have any neutron in the nucleus.##

|!|EM03024|!|
The mass of an atom is concentrated in the nucleus. Protons and neutrons (if any) of significant
mass are found in the nucleus.
□
##A##

|!|EM03025|!|
Helium has an octet structure. Helium is a noble gas.
□
##C##

|!|EM03026|!|
The atomic number of the isotope X is 35.
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□
##C The atomic number of X should be 17.##

|!|EM03027|!|
H and H are isotopes.
Com
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□
##A##

|!|EM03028|!|
The electronic arrangement of calcium is 2,8,10. The third electron shell can hold a maximum
of 18 electrons.
□
##C The electronic arrangement of calcium is 2,8,8,2.##

|!|EM03029|!|
Water is a non-metal. Water consists of hydrogen and oxygen.
 □
##C Water is a compound, it is not classified as a non-metal.##

|!|EM03030|!|
Carbon dioxide is a compound. It can be broken down into carbon and oxygen.
□
##A##

|!|EM03031|!|
Sulphur does not conduct electricity. Sulphur is a solid at room conditions.
□
##B##

|!|EM03032|!|
Which of the following information of an element CANNOT be found in the modern Periodic Table?
(1) Classification of a metal, a non-metal and metalloid.
(2) The number of isotopes of the element
(3) The electronic arrangement of the element
A. (1) only
B. (2) only
C. (1) and (3) only
D. (2) and (3) only
□
##C The number of isotopes an element is not related to its position in the Periodic Table.##

|!|EM03033|!|
Calcium and bromine are arranged in the same period because
A. they can react to form an ionic compound, calcium bromide, CaBr2.
B. both are reactive.
C. their atoms have the same number of electrons in their second electron shell.
D. their atoms have the same number of electron shells.
□
##D Elements in the same period have the same number of electron shells.##

|!|EM03034|!|
Which of the following statements concerning the Periodic Table is correct?
A. Non-metals are arranged in a zigzag pattern.
B. Metals are at the right-hand side of the table.
 C. Elements at lower positions usually have larger atoms.
D. Elements are arranged according to their mass numbers.
□
##C Elements at lower position have greater atomic numbers and therefore have more protons, neutrons
and electrons in their atoms, causing greater atomic sizes. A is false because the elements arranged in a
zigzag pattern is metalloid; B is false as metals are at the left-hand side of the table; D is false as elements
are arranged according to their atomic numbers, not mass numbers.##

|!|EM03035|!|
ElementNon-metal elements X and Y are in the same group of the Periodic Table. Element X has a greater
atomic number. Which of the following statements are correct?
(1) Atomic size of X is smaller than that of Y.
(2) X is less reactive than Y.
(3) X and Y have different physical properties.
A. (1) and (2) only
B. (1) and (3) only
C. (2) and (3) only
D. (1), (2) and (3)
□
##C As X has a greater atomic number, its position in the group is lower than that of Y. Hence, its atoms
are larger. The reactivity of same group of non-metal elements decreases down the group. Physical
properties are related to the sizes of atoms. Difference in sizes means different physical properties.##

|!|EM03036|!|
Which of the following statements about sodium and potassium is correct?
A. They are in the same period of the Periodic Table.
B. They burn with the same colour of flame.
C. They have the same reactivity.
D. They react similarly with other substances.
□
##D Sodium and potassium are in the same group of the Periodic Table. They have similar chemical
properties but different reactivity, since sodium is at a higher position in the group.##

|!|EM03037|!|
Element X has an atomic number of 13. It belongs to
A. Period 1.
B. Period 2.
C. Period 3.
D. Period 4.
□
##C It has 13 electrons and an electronic configuration of 2,8,3, occupying 3 electron shells.##

|!|EM03038|!|
Which of the following statements about halogens is correct?
A. All have the same colour.
B. They are in the same group of the Periodic Table as they have the same number of occupied
electron shells.
C. Their reactivity decrease down the group.
D. Bromine is in gaseous state at room temperature and pressure.
□
##C A is wrong because all halogens have different colours. B is wrong since elements in the same group
have the same number of outermost electrons, but not the same number of electron shells. D is wrong as
bromine is in liquid state at room temperature and pressure.##

|!|EM03039|!|
Which of the following factors determines the chemical properties of an element?
A. The number of isotopes it has.
B. The number of neutrons in its atoms.
C. The number of occupied electron shells it has.
D. The number of outermost shell electrons it has.
□
##D##
|!|EM03040|!|
Which of the following statements about iodine are correct?
(1) It is a black solid at room conditions.
(2) It is denser than chlorine.
(3) It is less reactive than bromine.
A. (1) and (2) only
B. (1) and (3) only
C. (2) and (3) only
D. (1), (2) and (3)
□
##D##
Questions 41 to 44. Refers to the following Periodic Table.

a j

b f g h i k

c e l

|!|EM03041|!|
Which of the following elements is not an alkali metal?
A. a
B. b
C. c
D. d
□
##A a is actually hydrogen which is not an alkali metal.##

|!|EM03042|!|
Which of the following elements has an octet structure?
A j
B. k
C. i
D. b
□
##B k is neon with electronic arrangement: 2,8.##

|!|EM03043|!|
Which of the following statements is correct?
A. c is more reactive than d.
B. k is more reactive than i.
C. e is a non-metal while h is a metal.
D. j is lighter than b.
□
##D##
|!|EM03044|!|
Which of the following elements is NOT a gaseous element?
A. g
B. f
C i
D. h
□
##B f is carbon, which is a solid at room conditions.##

|!|EM03045|!|
Look up the Periodic Table, sodium, magnesium and aluminium are all
A. Group I elements.
B. Period 3 elements.
C. Alkali metals.
D. Alkaline earth metals.
□
##B##

|!|EM03046|!|
Which of the following combinations is INCORRECT?
Element Name of its family
A. Sodium Alkali metal
B. Argon Noble gas
C. Fluorine Halogen
D. Aluminium Alkaline earth metal
□
##D Aluminium is a Group III element.##

|!|EM03047|!|
Which of the following combinations is INCORRECT?
Element Description
A. Beryllium 2 outermost shell electrons
B. Beryllium 2 occupied electron shells
C. Oxygen 2 outermost shell electrons
D. Oxygen 2 occupied electron shells
□
##C There should be 6 outermost shell electrons for oxygen.##

|!|EM03048|!|
Which of the following groups of elements are all non-metals?
A. C, N, P, S
B. Be, Mg, Al, Li
C. B, Si, Ne, Ar
D. O, F, Cl, Be
□
##A##

|!|EM03049|!|
Which of the following shows the correct comparison in reactivity?
A. Mg is more reactive than Na.
B. I is less reactive than F.
C. O is less reactive than N.
D. Ne is more reactive than Na.
□
##B##

|!|EM03050|!|
Which of the following pairs of atoms show similar chemical properties?
A. X and Y
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B. X and Y
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C. X and Y
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D. X and Y
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□
##C The electronic arrangements of X and Y are 2,5 and 2,8,5 respectively. They have same number of
outermost shell electrons, so they have similar chemical properties.##

|!|EM03051|!|
Which of the following descriptions about the groups of elements is INCORRECT?
Group Description
A. Alkali metals All are soft silvery solids.
B. Alkaline earth metals Reactivity increase down the groups.
C. Halogens All are solids at room conditions.
D. Noble gases All are colourless gases at room conditions.
□
##C Under room conditions, fluorine and chlorine are gases, bromine is a liquid, iodine and the rest of
the elements in the group are solids.##

|!|EM03052|!|
Caesium is a Group I element. Which of the following statements about caesium is INCORRECT?
A. It is a silvery solid.
B. It can conduct electricity.
C. It is less reactive than sodium.
D. It reacts explosively with water.
□
##C Cs is more reactive than Na. Cs is below Na in Group I.##

Each question below consists of two separate statements. Decide whether each of the two statements
is true or false; if both are true, then decide whether or not the second statement is a correct
explanation of the first statement. Then select one option from A to D according to the following
table:

A. Both statements are true and the 2nd statement is a correct explanation of the
1st statement.
B. Both statements are true and the 2nd statement is NOT a correct explanation of the
1st statement.
C. The 1st statement is false but the 2nd statement is true.
 D. Both statements are false.

|!|EM03053|!|
Phosphorus and aluminium occupy different positions in the Periodic Table. Phosphorus and
aluminium have different numbers of protons.
□
##A##

|!|EM03054|!|
Calcium is a Group II element. Calcium has 2 outermost shell electrons.
□
##A##

|!|EM03055|!|
S is in the same group as silicon. S and silicon have four outermost shell electrons.
□
##D S is sulphur in Group VI while silicon is in Group IV. S has six outermost shell electrons while Si
has four outermost shell electrons.##

|!|EM03056|!|
X is a Group VI element.
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□
##D X has an electron arrangement of 2,4; it has 4 outermost shell electrons.##
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|!|EM03057|!|
Argon is used to fill electric light bulb. Argon is a noble gas.
□
##A##
|!|EM03058|!|
Helium is used to fill airships instead of Hydrogen. Helium is a very stable gas.
□
##A##

|!|EM03059|!|
Which of the following pure substances CANNOT conduct electricity in the liquid state?
A. Mercury
B. Sodium chloride
C. Bromine
 D. Lead(II) bromide
□
##C Mercury is a metal that can conduct electricity in all states. Sodium chloride and lead(II) bromide
are electrolytes, where the ions become mobile in the liquid state and help to conduct electricity.##

|!|EM03060|!|
Which of the following substances is an electrolyte?
A. Magnesium sulphate
B. Copper
C. Distilled water
D. Sugar
□
##A Electrolyte is a non-conductor when solid, but a conductor when molten or in aqueous solution.
Magnesium ions and sulphate ions are not mobile in the solid state, but become mobile in the molten
state, which can conduct electricity. Copper is a conductor even in the solid state, and it is not an
electrolyte. Distilled water and sugar are not conductors whether as solid, liquid or in aqueous solution.##

|!|EM03061|!|
Which of the following compounds is NOT an ionic compound?
A. NH4Cl
B. CaO
C. NaOH
D. SiO2
□
##D NH4Cl consists of NH4+ and Cl ions, so it is an ionic compound although it contains no metal. CaO
and NaOH are ionic compounds. SiO2 is a covalent compound.##

|!|EM03062|!|
Which of the following is INCORRECT during the electrolysis of molten lead(II) bromide?
A. The compound is decomposed.
B. The compound is changed to gas.
C. The compound is conducting electricity.
D. The compound has mobile ions.
□
##B During electrolysis, lead(II) bromide is broken down into lead and bromine. Electrolysis can occur
because ions of the compound are mobile and help to conduct electricity. The change is a chemical
change but not a physical change, so it will not change to gas.##

|!|EM03063|!|
Molten sodium chloride can conduct electricity because
A. it contains metallic sodium.
B. it contains mobile ions.
C. it contains free chlorine.
D. it contains free electrons.
□
##B Sodium chloride contains sodium ion but not the metallic sodium. There is no free chlorine or free
electrons in molten sodium chloride.##

|!|EM03064|!|
Which of the following involves a chemical change?
A. Melting of wax.
B. Electrolysis of molten lead(II) bromide.
C. Conducting electricity by iron.
D. Dissolving sodium bromide in water.
□
##B Electrolysis involves the decomposition of lead(II) bromide into lead metal and bromine. It is a
chemical change as new substances are formed in the process. A and D are just physical changes. Heat is
produced when iron is conducting electricity, but there are no new substances formed.##

|!|EM03065|!|
Which of the following ions is NOT a cation?
A. Silver ion
B. Iron(II) ion
C. Hydroxide ion
D. Aluminium ion
□
##C##
|!|EM03066|!|
Which of the following ions is an anion?
A. Permanganate ion
B. Manganese(II) ion
C. Magnesium ion
D. Mercury(II) ion
□
##A Permanganate ion, MnO4, is an anion. The rest are all cations.##
|!|EM03067|!|
The charge of sulphate ion is
A. +1
B. +2
C. 1
D. 2
□
##D The formula of sulphate ion is SO42##

|!|EM03068|!|
Which of the following ions has 1 charge?
A. Ammonium ion
B. Hydrogencarbonate ion
C. Sulphite ion
D. Chromate ion
□
 2
##B Formula of ammonium ion is NH4 , hydrogencarbonate ion is HCO3 , sulphite ion is SO3 ,
+

chromate ion is CrO42##

|!|EM03069|!|
Which of the following ions does NOT have +1 charge?
A. Dichromate ion
B. Hydrogen ion
C. Silver ion
D. Potassium ion
□
2
##A Formula of dichromate ion is Cr2O7 , hydrogen ion is H , silver ion is Ag , potassium ion is K ##
+ + +

|!|EM03070|!|
Which of the following compounds does NOT contain ions?
A. Magnesium sulphate
B. Ammonium nitrate
C. Hydrogen chloride
D. Iron(III) oxide
□
##C Hydrogen chloride is a covalent compound containing no ion. MgSO4 contains Mg2+ and SO42+ ions.
NH4NO3 contains NH4+ and NO3 ions. Fe2O3 contains Fe3+ and O2 ions.##

|!|EM03071|!|
Which of the following combinations about the colour of the ions is correct?
Ions Colour
A. Copper(II) ion Reddish brown
B. Cobalt(II) ion Pink
C. Dichromate ion Yellow
D. Permanganate ion Orange
□
##B Copper(II) ion is blue; dichromate ion is orange; permanganate ion is purple.##

|!|EM03072|!|
Which of the following aqueous solutions is yellow in colour?
A. Iron(III) nitrate
B. Nickel(II) sulphate
C. Potassium dichromate
D. Sodium bromide
□
##A Fe3+(aq) ion is yellow; Ni2+(aq) ion is green; K+(aq) and Na+(aq) ions are colourless; nitrate ion,
sulphate ion and bromide ion are all colourless; dichromate ion is orange.##

|!|EM03073|!|
Which of the following ions will move to the cathode during electrolysis?
A. Calcium ion
B. Cyanide ion
C. Hydrogencarbonate ion
D. Nitride ion
□
##A Calcium ion is the cation and the rest are anions.##

|!|EM03074|!|
Which of the following ions can be seen to migrate in an electric field?
A. Sulphate ion
B. Chloride ion
C. Permanganate ion
D. Hydroxide ion
 □
##C Permanganate ion is purple in colour and can be seen easily. The other ions are colourless.##

|!|EM03075|!|
Consider the following diagram about the migration of ions.
small crystal of copper(II) dichromate

electrode A electrode B

purple microsco
ano
Which of the following observations is correct? cat
A. Purple spot moves towards the electrode A.
B. Blue spot moves towards electrode B.
C. Orange spot moves towards electrode B.
D. No observable change.
□
##B Cu (aq) ion is blue in colour and positively charged, which will move towards the negative pole
2+

(electrode B). Dichromate ions are negatively charged and orange in colour, so they will move towards
electrode A.##

|!|EM03076|!|
In magnesium chloride, Mg2+ ion is formed by
A. gaining 2 protons from the chlorine atoms.
B. losing 2 outermost shell electrons from magnesium atom.
C. losing 2 outermost shell electrons from the magnesium ion.
D. gaining 2 electrons to the outermost shell of magnesium atom.
□
##B Magnesium atom has 12 positively charged protons and 12 negatively charged electrons. The atom
loses 2 electrons and forms a more positively charged Mg2+ ion.##

|!|EM03077|!|
Which of the following formulae does NOT stand for an ion?
A. H+
B. NCl3
C. NH4+
 D. OH
□
##B There is no charge for NCl3, thus it is not an ion.##

|!|EM03078|!|
Which of the following formulae and names of ions is matched INCORRECTLY?
Formula Name
A. H +
Hydrogen ion
B. NH4+ Ammonium ion
C. Zn 2+
Zinc(II) ion
D. Cu2+ Copper(II) ion
□
##C Zn2+ is the only charged ion of zinc so there is no need to name the ion as zinc(II) ion. Cu can have 2
kinds of charged ion, Cu+ and Cu2+, so Cu2+ is named as copper(II) ion while Cu+ is named as copper(I)
ion.##

|!|EM03079|!|
Which of the following formulae and names is matched CORRECTLY?
Formula Name

A. Cl Chloride ion
B. NO2 Nitride ion
2
C. S Sulphate ion
D. OH Hydrogenate ion
□
##A NO2 is nitrite ion. S2 is sulphide ion. OH is hydroxide ion.##

|!|EM03080|!|
Which of the following formulae of ions is correct?
A. NO3+
B. SO4
C. CO32
D. Br+
□
 2 
##C The correct formulae of the ions for A, B and D should be NO3 , SO4 and Br respectively.##

|!|EM03081|!|
Which of the following is a simple ion?
A. Co2+
B. SO32
 C. NH4+
D. OH
□
##A Co is the cobalt(II) ion, a simple ion. The rest are polyatomic ions.##
2+

|!|EM03082|!|
Which of the following statements about magnesium atom and magnesium ion is correct?
A. Both of them have 12 protons in the nucleus.
B. Both of them have the same chemical properties.
C. Both of them have 2 outermost shell electrons.
D. Both of them have the same physical properties.
□
##A Atom and its ion have different physical and chemical properties. Mg atom has 2 outermost
electrons while Mg2+ ion has 8 outermost electrons.##

|!|EM03083|!|
Which of the following pairs of elements is likely to form an ionic compound?
A. Carbon and sulphur
B. Calcium and iodine
C. Copper and zinc
D. Phosphorus and chlorine
□
##B Both carbon and sulphur are non-metals. They combine to give CS2, which is a covalent compound.
Calcium is a metal while iodine is a non-metal, so CaI2 is an ionic compound. Copper and zinc can only
give an alloy, which is a mixture but not a compound. Phosphorus and chlorine are non-metals. They
combine to form a covalent compound PCl3.##

|!|EM03084|!|
Which of the following is the electron diagram of sodium chloride?
 A.

B.

C.

D.
□
##B The ionic formula of sodium chloride is Na+Cl.##

|!|EM03085|!|
Which of the following electron diagrams is INCORRECT?

A.

B.

C.

D.
□
##C The ionic formula of C should be (Li+)2O2##

|!|EM03086|!|
Which of the following formulae is correct?
A. MgNO3
B. Al2O3
C. NH3Cl
D. NaCO3
□
##B The correct formula for the other options should be: Mg(NO3)2, NH4Cl, Na2CO3.##

|!|EM03087|!|
Which of the following statements about the ionic bond in ammonium chloride is correct?
A. It is formed by the transfer of electrons from metal atom to non-metal atom.
B. It is the electrostatic attraction between the ammonium ion and chloride ion.
C. It is formed by the sharing of electrons between the nitrogen atom and chlorine atom.
D. There is actually no ionic bond in ammonium chloride.
□
##B Ammonium chloride is an ionic compound, which is formed by the electrostatic attraction of NH 4 +

ions and Cl ions. In the ammonium ion, NH4+, there are N-H covalent bonds.##

|!|EM03088|!|
A magnesium ion, Mg2+, has the same number of electrons as
A. a neon atom, Ne.
B. a sodium atom, Na.
C. a fluorine atom, F.
D. an aluminium atom, Al.
□
##A Mg has 10 electrons and Ne also has 10 electrons.##
2+

|!|EM03089|!|
A sodium atom and a sodium ion
A. have the same number of electrons.
B. have the same chemical properties.
C. are isotopes.
D. have the same number of neutrons.
□
##D A is false as a sodium atom has one more electron than a sodium ion; B is false as chemical
properties are determined by the number of outermost electrons. A sodium atom and a sodium ion have
different numbers of outermost electron, and therefore different chemical properties; C is false as isotopes
should have the same number of electrons; D is true as a sodium atom has one more electron than a
sodium ion. Their number of protons and neutrons are the same.##
|!|EM03090|!|
The diagram below shows the electronic arrangement of a particle X.

electrons

nucleus containing
7 protons and
8 neutrons

The symbol of particle X may be?

A. N-
B. N3-
C. O-
D. O3-
□
##B Particle X has 7 protons, which is equivalent to nitrogen. There are 3 more electrons than protons;
therefore, the particle carries a charge of –3.##

|!|EM03091|!|
An atom W has 12 electrons and its mass number is 24. Which of the following combinations shows the
number of protons and neutrons of an ion W2+ is correct?
Protons Neutrons
A. 12 12
B. 10 10
C. 10 12
D. 12 10
□
##A The numbers of protons and neutrons of atom W and ion W2+ are the same. (This is also true for any
elements.) The number of protons is equal to number of electrons (i.e. 12); neutron number = mass
number – proton number = 24 – 12 = 12.##
|!|EM03092|!|
The table below gives atomic numbers of four atoms.

Atom Atomic number

P 17

Q 18

R 19

S 20

Which of the following atoms can form an ion with a charge of +1?
A. P
B. Q
C. R
D. S
□
##C Atom R with 19 protons (atomic number = proton number) has 19 electrons. Its electronic
configuration is 2, 8, 8, 1. It can attain a stable electronic structure by losing one electron, and forms an
ion with +1 charge.##
|!|EM03093|!|
The diagrams below show the electronic structures of four atoms.

A.

B.

C.

D.
Which of the following atoms can form an ion with a charge of +1?
A. P
B. Q
C. R
D. S
□
##C Atom R has one outermost electron, and therefore it loses one electron to become a +1 charged
cation.##
|!|EM03094|!|
An element Y has 11 protons and 12 neutrons in its nucleus. Which of the following symbols for an ion of
Y is correct?
A. Y+
Com
bin

B. Y+
Com
bin

C. Y-
Com
bin

D. Y-
Com
bin

□
##B. The symbol is Y, in which Z represents the number of protons (atomic number) and A represents
Com
bin

the total number of protons and neutrons (mass number). Therefore, Z=11 and A=23. Moreover, Y has an
electronic configuration of 2,8,1. Thus, Y forms Y+ cation by losing one electron to form a stable structure
in ionic compounds.##

|!|EM03095|!|
Y forms an oxide with a formula Y2O3. The formula of Y nitrate is (The formula of nitrate is NO3-)
A. Y2NO3
B. Y(NO3)3
C. Y3NO3
D. YNO3
□
##B. The charge of oxide ion is –2 and the chemical formula of the oxide is Y2O3, so the charge of Y ion is
+3.##
|!|EM03096|!|
The table below shows the electronic configuration of four elements.

Element Electronic Configuration

W 2,8,8,1

X 2,8,7

Y 2,8

Z 2,4

Which of the following elements can form an ionic compound with bromine?
A. W
B. X
C. Y
D. Z
□
##A Only metals can form ionic compounds with bromine. Element W is a Group I metal.##

|!|EM03097|!|
Which of the following descriptions about a chloride ion is correct?
Proton Neutrons Electrons
A. 16 18 18
B. 16 18 17
C. 17 17 17
D. 17 18 18
□
##D Chlorine has an atomic number of 17. Since chloride ion has a charge of –1, it should have 1 more
electron than a chlorine atom.##
|!|EM03098|!|
Which of the following particles has 19 protons, 18 electrons and 20 neutrons?
A. Ar
Com
bin

B. K+
Com
bin

C. K
Com
bin

D. Ar
Com
bin

□
##B K has atomic number of 19. As there is one more proton than electron, the particle should have a
positive charge.##
|!|EM03099|!|
The formula of iron(III) oxide is
A. FeO3
 B. Fe3O2
C. Fe2O3
D. FeO
□
##C Ion of iron has +3 charge and ion of oxygen has -2 charge. To attain a stable structure, every two Fe
atoms totally lose six electrons to three O atoms. Hence, the formula of the stable compound is Fe2O3.##

|!|EM03100|!|
X and Y are two elements with 13 protons and 8 protons respectively. They combine to form a compound
with the formula.
A. X3Y
B. X3Y2
C. XY3
D. X2Y3
□
##D X has an electronic configuration of 2,8,3; while Y has an electronic configuration of 2,6. To attain
stable structure, an X atom should lose 3 electrons and a Y atom should gain two electrons. Hence, every
two X atoms totally transfer 6 electrons to three Y atoms to form a stable compound, X2Y3.##

|!|EM03101|!|
Element X has an atomic number of 20. It reacts with element Y of atomic number 17, which forms a
compound with the formula
A. X2Y
B. XY2
C. Y2X
D. YX2
□
##B Element X is calcium and element Y is chlorine. The electronic configurations of calcium and
chlorine are 2,8,8,2 and 2,8,7 respectively. To attain a stable structure, every calcium atom donates two
electrons to two chlorine atoms. Hence the formula is XY2.##

|!|EM03102|!|
X is a Group VII element. Which of the following statements about X is correct?
A. X needs one more electron to attain an octet structure.
 B. X reacts with metal only.
C. It only forms ionic compounds with metals.
D. It is a gas.
□
##A X has seven outermost shell electrons, it needs one more electron to complete the octet. X can react
not only with metal, but also with non-metals e.g. hydrogen, oxygen, to form ionic compounds, e.g.
NH4Cl. Not all halogens are gases. Other halogen like iodine is a solid at room temperature and
pressure.##

|!|EM03103|!|
W is a metal in the second period of the Periodic Table. Its oxide has a chemical formula of W2O3. The
chemical formula of the nitrate of W is probably
A. WNO3.
B. W(NO3)2.
C. W(NO3)3.
D. W2(NO3)3.
□

##C Charge of ion of W is +3. Charge of nitrate ion is 1. So ratio of W ion and NO3 ion is 1:3, thus
3+

the chemical formula is W(NO3)3.##

|!|EM03104|!|
When potassium forms an ion, the electronic configuration of the potassium ion is
A. 2,8,8,2
B. 2,8,8,1
C. 2,8,8
D. 2,8,7
□
##C A potassium atom has 19 electrons, with an electronic arrangement of 2,8,8,1. It forms K ion by
+

losing one electron to attain the octet structure.##

|!|EM03105|!|
The diagram below shows the electronic structure of a compound formed between element X and element
Y.

Which of the following combinations is correct?

Element X Element Y
A. Ca O
B. C S
C. K Br
D. Mg Cl
□
##D A magnesium ion has +2 charge and a chloride ion has -1 charge. Every two Cl atoms gain totally
two electrons transferred from an Mg atom to form a stable compound. C and S will not form ionic
compound (B is actually a covalent compound CS2). A has a formula of CaO. C has a formula of KBr.##

|!|EM03106|!|
Element X has an atomic number of 20 and relative atomic mass of 40.1; element Y has an atomic number
of 17 and relative atomic mass of 35.5. The formula mass of the compound formed from X and Y is
A. 75.6
B. 111.1
C. 115.7
D. 178.2
□
##B The formula of the compound is XY2. The formula mass = 40.1 + 2 × 35.5 = 111.1##

|!|EM03107|!|
Which of the following combinations will most probably give an ionic compound?
A. Group I element and Group 0 element
B. Group II element and Group III element
C. Group I element and Group VII element
D. Group IV element and Group VI element
□
##C Group I elements are metals while group VII elements are non-metals. Ionic compounds are usually
formed by metals and non-metals. A is not a possible combination, because Group 0 elements are
chemically inert and do not form compounds. (This is actually not true for the heavier noble gases, which
can form some compounds.) B will usually give an alloy but not any compound. D is false because
covalent compound is usually formed.##
|!|EM03108|!|
Element Y combines with oxygen to form an oxide, Y2O3. Element Y belongs to
A. Group I.
B. Group II.
C. Group III.
D. Group IV.
□
##C Based on the formula Y2O3 , element Y should belong to either group III or group V.##
Each question below consists of two separate statements. Decide whether each of the two statements
is true or false; if both are true, then decide whether or not the second statement is a correct
explanation of the first statement. Then select one option from A to D according to the following
table:

A. Both statements are true and the 2nd statement is a correct explanation of the
1st statement.
B. Both statements are true and the 2nd statement is NOT a correct explanation of the
1st statement.
C. The 1st statement is false but the 2nd statement is true.
D. Both statements are false.

|!|EM03109|!|
Ammonium chloride is not an electrolyte. Ammonium chloride is made up of non-metals
only.
□

##C Ammonium chloride consists of ammonium ion (NH4 ) and chloride ion (Cl ). Solid ammonium
+

chloride does not conduct electricity. It conducts only in molten or aqueous states, when the ions become
mobile. Thus it is an electrolyte.##

|!|EM03110|!|
Aluminium cannot conduct electricity. Aluminium is not an electrolyte.
□
##C Aluminium is a metal, so it can conduct electricity in any states.##

|!|EM03111|!|
Ions can move under the influence of an electric field. Ions are charged particles.
□
##A##

|!|EM03112|!|
Calcium atom and calcium ion have different physical and chemical properties. Both calcium
atom and calcium ion have the same number of protons.
□
##B##
|!|EM03113|!|
Which of the following substances consist of molecules?
(1) Water
(2) Ammonium nitrate
(3) Carbon monoxide
A. (1) and (2) only
B. (1) and (3) only
C. (2) and (3) only
D. (1), (2) and (3)
□
##B Ammonium nitrate is an ionic compound with NH4+ and NO3 ions.##

|!|EM03114|!|
Which of the following pairs of molecules has the same number of atoms per molecule?
A. CH4 and NCl3
B. CO2 and BF3
C. HCl and O3
D. NO2 and Cl2O
□
##D Both NO2 and Cl2O have 3 atoms per molecule.##

|!|EM03115|!|
Which of the following statements about bromine at room conditions is INCORRECT?
A. It exists as a diatomic molecule.
B. It is a liquid.
C. It is dark red in colour.
D. Double covalent bond exists within the molecule.
□
##D Each bromine atom shares a pair of electrons to attain the noble gas structure, the molecule is
diatomic and consists of a single covalent bond only.##
|!|EM03116|!|
Which of the following molecules has atomicity 2?
A. Hydrogen chloride
B. Oxygen
C. Ozone
D. Neon
□
##B Hydrogen chloride is a compound not an element, atomicity is not a suitable term to describe the
number of atoms in hydrogen chloride. Each ozone (O3) molecule consists of three oxygen atoms, so
atomicity is 3. Neon is a noble gas with octet structure, it will not form bonds with other atoms. It exists
as monoatomic molecules, atomicity is 1.##

|!|EM03117|!|
Which of the following formulae represents a molecule?
A. NH3
B. NaCl
C. Cr2O72
D. Mg
□
##A NaCl is an ionic compound, Cr2O72 is an ion, Mg represents the atom.##

|!|EM03118|!|
Which of the following compounds consists of covalent bond only?
A. NH4Cl
B. CO2
C. NaOH
D. K2CO3
□
##B CO2 consists of 2 C=O covalent bonds, whereas the rest of the compounds consist of both ionic and
covalent bond. For example in NH4Cl, there is an ionic bonding between NH4+ ion and Cl ion; however,
the 4 NH bonds of the ammonium ion are covalent bonds. In K2CO3, ionic bond exists between K+ and
CO32 ions, and there are covalent bonds between C and O in CO32 ions.##
|!|EM03119|!|
Which of the following compounds consists of double covalent bond?
A. CS2
B. H2O
C. HCl
D. N2
□
##A CS2 consists of 2 C=S double covalent bonds, H2O consists of 2 OH single covalent bonds, HCl
consists of 1 HCl single covalent bond, N2 consists of 1 NN triple covalent bond.##

|!|EM03120|!|
Which of the following formulae is unlikely to exist?
A. CH4
B. Cl3
C. F2O
D. NCl3
□
##B The central Cl atom in Cl3 molecule will have 9 outermost shell electrons which is not acceptable
according to the octet rule.##

|!|EM03121|!|
Number of pairs of shared electrons in a methane molecule (CH4) is
A. 1
B. 2
C. 4
D. 8
□
##C A methane molecule is formed by one carbon atom bonding to four hydrogen atoms, and they are all
joined by a single bond. Thus, there are four pairs of shared electrons.##

|!|EM03122|!|
Which of the following statements about oxygen molecule is INCORRECT?
A. An oxygen molecule consists of a double bond.
B. An oxygen molecule consists of 2 oxygen atoms.
 C. An oxygen molecule is formed by electron transfer.
D. An oxygen molecule is formed by sharing of electrons.
□
##C Oxygen is a diatomic covalent molecule. The double bond is formed by sharing 2 pairs of outermost
shell electrons, so that each oxygen atom can attain the octet configuration.##
|!|EM03123|!|
The table below gives the electronic configurations of four atoms.

Atom Electronic Configuration

P 2, 5

Q 2, 6

R 2, 7

S 2, 8

Which of the following atoms is the most probable to form a single bond in the molecular element?
A. P
B. Q
C. R
D. S
□
##C Atom R (fluorine) has 7 outermost electrons. It can share 1 outermost electron with another fluorine
atom to attain stable structure. Atom P (nitrogen) consists of NN triple bond. Atom Q (oxygen) consists
of O=O double bond. Atom S (Neon) is a monoatomic molecule, it does not have any kind of bonding.##

|!|EM03124|!|
Which of the following diagrams best represents the electronic arrangement (outermost shell only) of a
neon molecule?

A.

B.
C.

D.

□
##A A neon atom has an octet structure, and it will not share electron with other neon atoms to form
bond. It is a monoatomic molecule.##
|!|EM03125|!|
Element X is in Group V and exists as molecules, X2. Which of the following diagrams shows the
electronic structure of a X2 molecule?

A.

B.

C.

D.
□
##D An X molecule is made up of two X atoms, and an X atom has 5 outermost electrons. So, an X atom
must share 3 outermost electrons with another X atom to form a stable X2 molecule.##

|!|EM03126|!|
Which of the following statements about solid iodine is correct?
A. At room temperature and pressure, iodine exists as a solid.
B. Solid iodine has a giant covalent structure.
C. Iodine molecules are held together by strong covalent bond to form a solid.
D. Intermolecular force holds the two iodine atoms together to form an iodine molecule in the
solid.
 □
##A. B, C and D are wrong as 2 iodine atoms are held by covalent bond to form a molecule and iodine
molecules are held together by intermolecular force. It exists as a simple molecular structure.##

|!|EM03127|!|
An element X reacts with chlorine to form a compound with the formula XCl3. Which of the following is
NOT the possible electronic configuration of X?
A. 2,1
B. 2,5
C. 2,8,3
D. 2,8,5
□
##A B is the electronic configuration of N, the compound formed will be NCl3. For C, it will be AlCl3.
For D, it will be PCl3.##

|!|EM03128|!|
Which of the following combinations is INCORRECT?
Substances Attraction between the particles in the substance
A. Diamond Giant covalent bond
B. Quartz Covalent bond
C. Potassium chloride Ionic bond
D. Carbon dioxide Intermolecular force between its molecules
□
##A The attractive force between particles (carbon atoms) in diamond is covalent bond. There is no such
thing as giant covalent bond, although diamond has a giant covalent structure.##

|!|EM03129|!|
Which of the following pairs of elements reacts to give a compound having giant covalent structure?
A. Silicon and oxygen
B. Calcium and silicon
 C. Magnesium and bromine
D. Carbon and sulphur
□
##A Silicon(IV) oxide has a giant covalent structure. Calcium and silicon will not form any compound.
Magnesium bromide has a giant ionic structure. Carbon disulphide has a simple molecular structure.##

|!|EM03130|!|
Which of the following solids consists of discrete molecules?
A. Carbon dioxide
B. Diamond
C. Sodium chloride
D. Iron
□
##A Carbon dioxide is in molecular form, in which molecules are loosely held. Diamond has a giant
covalent structure. Sodium chloride has a giant ionic structure. Iron has a giant metallic structure.##

|!|EM03131|!|
Which of the following combinations indicates the correct type of constituent particles exists in that
substance at room conditions?
Substance Constituent particles
A. Hydrogen Atoms
B. Magnesium oxide Ions
C. Silicon(IV) oxide Molecules
D. Iron Ions
□
2
##B Magnesium oxide consists of Mg and O ions. Hydrogen exists as H2 molecules. Silicon(IV) oxide
2+

occurs as a giant covalent structure, no molecules. Iron exists as iron atoms.##

|!|EM03132|!|
A compound, MxNy, is formed from elements M and N. M has an atomic number of 6 and N has an atomic
number of 8. Which of the following combinations is correct?
 x y Nature of bonding
A. 1 2 Ionic
B. 1 2 Covalent
C. 2 1 Ionic
D. 2 1 Covalent
□
##B Both M and N are non-metals. They form compound by sharing of electrons. M has 4 outermost
electrons and N has 6 outermost electrons. The structural formula of compound MxNy is N=M=N. So the
formula is MN2 and is a covalent compound.##

|!|EM03133|!|
The following diagram is the electron diagram of the compound formed between elements X and Y.
(showing only the outermost shell electrons):

Which of the following combinations is correct?

element X element Y
A. Group IV Group VII
B. Group V Group VII
C. Group I Group VI
D. Group IV Group VI
□
##A##
|!|EM03134|!|
Which of the following statements concerning the structure of solid carbon dioxide is/are CORRECT?
(1) It has a simple molecular structure.
(2) Carbon and oxygen atoms in the molecules are held together by ionic bond.
(3) Carbon dioxide molecules are held together by van der Waals’ forces.
A. (1) only
B. (2) only
C. (1) and (3) only
D. (2) and (3) only
□
##C Carbon dioxide is a covalent molecule, there are 2C=O double covalent bonds joining the carbon
and oxygen atoms together in the molecule, not ionic bond.##

|!|EM03135|!|
Consider the following information:
Substance Attraction between particles in the substance
(1) Iodine Van der Waals’ forces
(2) Silicon(IV) oxide Ionic bond
(3) Calcium chloride Covalent bond
Which of the above information is/are correct?
A. (1) only
B. (2) only
C. (1) and (3) only
D. (2) and (3) only
□
##A Silicon(IV) oxide consists of covalent bonds. Calcium chloride consists of ionic bonds.##

|!|EM03136|!|
Which of the following combinations can give a covalent compound?
A. Group II element + Group VII element
B. Group VI element + Group VII element
C. Group I element + Group 0 element
D. Group VI element + Group 0 element
□
##B Group VI and VII elements are non-metals. They combine to attain stable electronic structure by
sharing of electrons, so covalent bond is formed. A is not correct because metal forms ionic bond with
non-metal. C and D are not possible because Group 0 elements are inert, which do not form compound
with other elements normally.##

|!|EM03137|!|
Which of the following groups of elements combines to form covalent compounds only?
A. Na, S, O
B. N, H, C, O
C. Ca, C
D. H, Cl, O
□
##D All (H, Cl, O) are non-metals and will only give covalent compounds. Ionic compounds are possible
for the other options. A: Na2SO4, B: (NH4)2CO3, C: CaC2##

Each question below consists of two separate statements. Decide whether each of the two statements
is true or false; if both are true, then decide whether or not the second statement is a correct
explanation of the first statement. Then select one option from A to D according to the following
table:

A. Both statements are true and the 2nd statement is a correct explanation of the
1st statement.
B. Both statements are true and the 2nd statement is NOT a correct explanation of the
1st statement.
C. The 1st statement is false but the 2nd statement is true.
D. Both statements are false.

|!|EM03138|!|
HCl is an ionic compound. HCl consists of H+ and Cl ion.
□
##D HCl is a covalent compound, there are no ions present.##

|!|EM03139|!|
Solid ammonium nitrate can conduct electricity. Ammonium nitrate is an electrolyte.
 □
##C Solid ammonium nitrate cannot conduct electricity because ions present are not mobile. But it can
conduct electricity in the molten or aqueous state, it is an electrolyte.##

|!|EM03140|!|
Iodine solid sublimes on heating. Iodine atoms in the molecule are joined together by strong
covalent bond.
□
##B##

|!|EM03141|!|
Which of the following explanations about the thermal conductivity of metal is correct?
A. Heat energy makes metal atoms collide with each other and the collision produces heat.
B. Free electrons near the energy source gain energy. They run throughout the metal and carry
energy to all parts of the metal.
C. The free electrons move faster when they have gained energy and hit other electrons more
frequently. Then energy is transferred along the metal.
D. The metal ions near the energy source gain energy. They move and carry heat energy
throughout the metal.
□
##C Metals don’t produce heat itself and the heat is transferred by the collision of free electrons. Metal
ions will not move in the metal lattice.##

|!|EM03142|!|
Which of the following statements about metallic bond are correct?
(1) The lower the metal in the Periodic Table, the weaker is the metallic bond.
(2) The strength of metallic bond increases with increasing number of outermost shell electrons of the
metal atoms.
(3) Metal is ductile and malleable because metallic bond is a very weak force.
A. (1) and (2) only
B. (1) and (3) only
C. (2) and (3) only
D. (1), (2) and (3)
□
##A (1) is true as metals lower in the Periodic Table have atoms with greater sizes. Therefore, the
distance between protons and ‘sea of electrons’ is greater, causing a weaker attraction and thus weaker
metallic bond. (2) is true because more outermost shell electrons can leave the metal atoms. The metal ion
becomes more positive and higher electron density in the ‘sea of electrons’; thus, the metallic bond is
stronger. (3) is false because these properties are due to the fact that atoms in metal are arranged in layers
which can slip over each other when a force is applied to them.##

|!|EM03143|!|
Metals are good electrical conductors because
A. the metal ions in the metal lattice are free to move to conduct electricity.
B. the metal atoms in the metal lattice are free to move to conduct electricity.
C. the outermost shell electrons of each metal atom are free to move to conduct electricity.
D. all the electrons in the metal lattice are free to move to conduct electricity.
□
##C Only the outermost shell electron(s) of each metal atom can leave easily to form the ‘sea of
electron’, and the delocalized electrons help to conduct electricity. The metal atoms or ions are unable to
move in the lattice.##

|!|EM03144|!|
The number of mobile electron(s) per atom in a piece of potassium metal is
A. 1
B. 2
C. 4
D. 5
 □
##A Each potassium atom has one outermost shell electron. The outermost shell electron is too far away
from the protons inside the nucleus, so the attraction force acting on it is smaller, and it can leave the
atom and move around easily.##

|!|EM03145|!|
Which of the following is TRUE for both iron and iron(III) oxide?
A. They have giant metallic structure.
B. They conduct electricity in liquid state.
C. They are electrolytes.
D. They are malleable.
□
##B Liquid iron has free electrons for conducting electricity, liquid iron(III) oxide has mobile ions for
conducting electricity. Iron exists as a giant metallic structure while iron(III) oxide a giant ionic structure.
Iron is not an electrolyte but iron(III) oxide is. Iron is a metal and is malleable but iron(III) oxide is not.##

|!|EM03146|!|
Which of the following metals has the highest melting point?
A. Sodium
B. Magnesium
C. Aluminium
D. Potassium
□
##C Melting point is related to the strength of metallic bond. The stronger the bond, the higher the
melting point. The metallic bond strength will be greater if more outermost shell electrons are contributed
to the ‘sea of electrons’. Each aluminium atom can contributed almost 3 electrons to the metallic bond, so
it has the highest melting point among the four metals.##

|!|EM03147|!|
When a metal conducts electricity,
A. half of the electrons move towards the positive electrode.
B. all electrons move towards the positive electrode.
 C. delocalized electrons move in the same direction.
D. electrons move from the positive pole to the negative pole.
□
##C When conducting electricity, only delocalized electrons flow in the same direction, from the
negative pole to the positive pole.##

|!|EM03148|!|
Which of the following diagrams represents chlorine gas? (Different circles represent atoms of different
elements.)

A.

B.
C.

D.

□
##D Chlorine gas is in diatomic form.##

|!|EM03149|!|
The melting point and boiling point of copper are 1083oC and 2595oC respectively. Which of the
following diagrams best shows the structure of copper at 2000oC?

A.

B.
C.

D.
□
##C At 2000 C, copper is in liquid state.##
o

|!|EM03150|!|
In the following diagrams, the circles in the beakers represent water molecules. Which of the following
diagrams best shows boiling water?
A.

B.
C.

D.

□
##D In the beaker, the water molecules arrange in the same way as those in liquid state; while the steam
molecules above the water surface arrange in the same way as those in gaseous state.##

|!|EM03151|!|
Which of the following substances can conduct electricity in molten or liquid states?
 A. Methylbenzene (a compound formed by C and H)
B. Sulphur
C. Pure ethanoic acid (a compound formed by C, H and O)
D. Sodium chloride
□
##D Sodium chloride is an ionic compound. When in molten state, its ions are free to move to conduct
electricity.##

|!|EM03152|!|
The table below lists the melting points and boiling points of five metals.

Metal Melting point / C Boiling Point / C

Aluminium 660 2470

Copper 1083 2595

Iron 1535 3000

Lead 327 1744

Platinum 1769 4530

At 2500 oC, which of the following combinations about the states of metals is correct?

Aluminum Copper Iron Lead Platinum

A. Gas Liquid Liquid Gas Liquid

B. Gas Gas Gas Liquid Liquid

C. Liquid Gas Gas Liquid Gas

D. Liquid Liquid Liquid Gas Gas

□
##A##

|!|EM03153|!|
Which of the following temperatures would be most probably the melting point of an ionic compound?
A. –209 oC
B. –32 oC
C. 239 oC
D. 1030 oC
□
##D Ionic bond is so strong that a lot of heat energy is required to break the bonds. Therefore,
1030 oC is a reasonable melting point of an ionic compound.##

|!|EM03154|!|
The table below shows properties of three substances.

Substance Property

X Conducts electricity only in aqueous state.

Y Conducts electricity in both the molten and aqueous states.

Z Conducts electricity in both the molten and solid states.

Which of the following combinations is correct?

X Y Z
A. HBr NaBr P
B. NaBr P HBr
C. HBr NaBr Pb
D. NaBr Pb P
□
##C HBr is a covalent compound and it cannot conduct electricity. However, when it is in water, it
ionizes to give mobile ions which conduct electricity. NaBr is an ionic compound. Its ions can move
freely when it is in molten or liquid form. Pb is a metal.##

|!|EM03155|!|
Consider the information listed in the table below:

Solubility in Electrical conductivity at

Substance Melting point/°C
water room temperature

W 1610 Insoluble Poor

X 872 Soluble Good when in aqueous solution

Y 45 Insoluble Poor

Z 1769 Insoluble Good

Which of the following substances would probably have a giant covalent structure at room temperature?
A. W
B. X
C. Y
D. Z
□
##A Substances with giant covalent structures have very high melting point, cannot conduct electricity
(except graphite: graphite has free electrons to conduct electricity), and are insoluble in water. It is
because a lot of energy is needed to overcome such a strong bonding between the particles. And all the
outermost shell electrons are usually used in bond formation, so there is no free electron for conducting
electricity. Since the bonding between the particles is much stronger than the polar attraction of water
molecules, the substance cannot dissolve in water.##
|!|EM03156|!|
Substance Y has high melting and boiling point, and it can conduct electricity in liquid state and at the
same time decomposed by electricity. Substance Y is likely to be
A. silicon dioxide.
B. graphite.
C. gold.
D. lead(II) bromide.
□
##D. Lead(II) bromide is an ionic compound, which has high melting and boiling points, and can conduct
electricity in molten or liquid state. When conducting electricity, lead ions are changed to lead; and
bromide ions are changed to bromine gas.##

|!|EM03157|!|
Chlorine exists as a gas at room temperature and pressure because
A. chlorine is reactive.
B. the intermolecular forces among chlorine molecules are weak.
C. the intermolecular forces between chlorine atoms are weak.
D. chlorine molecules are diatomic.
□
##B. A and D are true. However, the state of a substance is not related to these facts. The gaseous state of
chlorine at room condition is due to its weak intermolecular forces among chlorine molecules. C is not the
answer and is not a fact because the force between chlorine atoms is strong covalent bond, not weak
intermolecular forces.##

|!|EM03158|!|
Element X and Y belong to Group V and VII respectively in the Peirodic Table. Which of the following
combinations about the compound they form is correct?
Chemical formula Bonding type
A. X3Y Ionic
B. XY3 Covalent
C. X3Y Covalent
D. XY3 Ionic
□
##B X and Y are non-metals, they will form covalent bonds. X needs 3 more outermost shell electrons
while Y needs one more, so 3 Y atoms share 3 electrons with the X atom to give the formula, XY3..##
|!|EM03159|!|
Elements X and Y react to form a compound with a giant covalent structure with chemical formula of XY2.
If X belongs to Group IV in the Periodic Table, Element Y would belong to Group
A. II
B. III
C. VI
D. VII
□
##C The compound is suggested to be CO2/SiO2.##

|!|EM03160|!|
The atomic numbers of two elements A and B are 11 and 16 respectively. The compound formed between
A and B
A. is a gas at room temperature.
B. is a non-electrolyte.
C. has a chemical formula of A2B.
D. is insoluble in water.
□
##C The compound formed is ionic, so it should have a high melting point and boiling point. Ionic
compound is an electrolyte and usually soluble in water.##

|!|EM03161|!|
Two elements X and Y have 4 and 7 outermost electrons respectively. Which of the following statements
about the compound formed between X and Y is correct?
A. It is an ionic compound.
B. It has a very high melting point.
C. It has a chemical formula of XY4.
D. It can conduct electricity.
□
##C X and Y are non-metals, so they form covalent bonds by sharing electrons. Covalent compounds
usually do not have very high melting point. Covalent compounds have no ions present, so they cannot
conduct electricity under all conditions.##
|!|EM03162|!|
Which of the following compounds has the lowest melting point?
A. Carbon dioxide
B. Quartz
C. Sodium iodide
D. Carbon tetrachloride
□
##A. Carbon dioxide has a simple molecular structure, only weak van der Waals’ forces are present to
hold the molecules together. Quartz has a giant covalent structure with the highest melting point. Sodium
iodide has a giant ionic structure, ions are held together by strong ionic bonds. CCl4 has a simple
molecular structure, it is heavier than CO2, so CCl4 has a higher melting point.##

|!|EM03163|!|
Which of the following sequences indicates the correct ascending order of melting points of the
substances?
A. HCl < NaCl < CCl4
B. NaCl < CCl4 < HCl
C. HCl < CCl4 < NaCl
D. CCl4 < HCl < NaCl
□
##C HCl has the lowest melting point because it is the lightest and has a simple molecular structure. CCl 4
has a simple molecular structure but it is heavier than HCl, so the melting point is higher. NaCl has a
giant ionic structure, and the ions are held together in the lattice by strong ionic bond, so it has the highest
melting point.##

|!|EM03164|!|
The electronic arrangement of atoms X and Y are 2,8,1 and 2,8,7 respectively. Which of the following
statements about the compound formed between X and Y is INCORRECT?
A. It has a giant structure.
B. It has a high melting point.
C. It is insoluble in water.
D. It conducts electricity in molten state.
□
##C Ionic compounds are generally soluble in water.##
|!|EM03165|!|
Which of the following substances will dissolve in water?
(1) Potassium chloride
(2) Sugar
(3) Quartz
A. (1) and (2) only
B. (2) and (3) only
C. (1) and (3) only
D. (1), (2) and (3)
□
##A quartz is silicon(IV) oxide which has a giant covalent structure and thus, it is insoluble in water.##

|!|EM03166|!|
Strontium (Sr) is just below calcium in the Periodic Table and it reacts with chlorine to form a compound.
Which of the following statements about the chloride of strontium is INCORRECT?
A. It has a giant structure.
B. It has a high melting point.
C. It is a white solid.
D. It is a good electrical conductor at room temperature
□
##D The chloride of strontium is an ionic compound with a giant ionic structure and high melting point.
Group II metal ions and chloride are colourless, so the compound is white solid. The ions in the solid state
are not mobile, so it cannot conduct electricity at room temperature.##

|!|EM03167|!|
Which of the following diagrams can represent a sodium chloride structure at room conditions?

A. B.
C. D.

□
##A At room conditions, sodium chloride is a solid with a regular arrangement.##

|!|EM03168|!|
The table below shows the melting points of two chlorides.

Melting point (oC)

Chloride of X –50

Chloride of Y 800

Which of the following statements about these two chlorides is correct?

A. Both X of Y are metals.
B. The chloride of X can conduct electricity in molten state.
C. The chloride of X has a giant covalent structure.
D. The chloride of Y can conduct electricity at 800oC.
□
##D The low melting point of chloride of X indicates that it has a simple molecular structure. X should be
a non-metal forming a covalent molecule with chlorine. No ions are present in the chloride of X, so it does
not conduct electricity. Chloride of Y should be an ionic compound and the ions are mobile when it melts.
And thus it is able to conduct electricity.##

|!|EM03169|!|
Which of the following pairs of elements can react together to form a covalent compound?
A. Magnesium and nitrogen
B. Magnesium and potassium
C. Nitrogen and chlorine
D. Chlorine and potassium
□
##C Both N and Cl are non-metals. The compound formed is NCl3.##

|!|EM03170|!|
Which of the following pairs of elements can react together forming an ionic compound?
A. Bromine and nitrogen
B. Bromine and sodium
 C. Nitrogen and argon
D. Sodium and argon
□

##B Metal reacts with non-metal to give an ionic compound. The ionic formula is Na Br . Argon is
+

unreactive and seldom forms compound.##

|!|EM03171|!|
Which of the following statements concerning the sodium chloride crystal lattice are correct?
(1) Sodium ions are smaller than chloride ions.
(2) Each sodium ion is surrounded by four chloride ions.
(3) Each chloride ion is surrounded by six sodium ions.
A. (1) and (2) only
B. (1) and (3) only
C. (2) and (3) only
D. (1), (2) and (3)
□
##B Sodium ion has only 2 occupied electron shells, but chloride ion has 3 occupied electron shell;
sodium ion has a smaller size than chloride ion. Each sodium ion should be surrounded by six chloride
ions.##

|!|EM03172|!|
Which of the following statements is correct for both solid carbon dioxide and silicon(IV) oxide?
A. Both have simple molecular structures.
B. Both have high melting point.
C. Both are covalent compounds.
D. Both are soluble in water.
□
##C Carbon dioxide has a simple molecular structure while silicon(IV) oxide has a giant covalent
structure. Carbon dioxide has a low melting point. Carbon dioxide is only slightly soluble in water while
silicon(IV) oxide is insoluble in water.##

|!|EM03173|!|
MN2 is the formula of an ionic compound X. Both M and N have the same electronic configuration in the
compound. Compound X would be
A. Calcium chloride.
 B. Carbon dioxide.
C. Magnesium bromide.
D. Silicon(IV) oxide.
□
##A In calcium chloride, both Ca2+ and Cl ions have 18 electrons. CO2 is a covalent compound. Mg2+
and Br ions do not have the same electronic configuration. SiO2 is also a covalent compound.##

|!|EM03174|!|
The atomic numbers of elements X and Y are 15 and 17 respectively. They combine to form a compound
Z. Which of the following statements about compound Z is/are correct?
(1) Z has a giant covalent structure.
(2) Z has a chemical formula of XY3.
(3) Z cannot conduct electricity.
A. (1) only
B. (2) only
C. (1) and (3) only
D. (2) and (3) only
□
##D. Z should have a simple molecular structure. The electronic arrangement of X is 2,8,5; it shares 3
outermost shell electrons with 3 other atoms of Y to form a covalent molecule with molecular formula
XY3.##

|!|EM03175|!|
Which of the following statements about graphite and diamond is true?
A. They have the same chemical properties as they are the same element.
B. Diamond is hard as it has extremely strong intermolecular force.
C. Graphite can conduct electricity, as it is not in a giant covalent structure.
D. They have same boiling and melting points.
□
##A They are of the same element, carbon. B is wrong as the hardness of diamond is due to its giant
covalent structure. C is wrong as giant covalent structure does exist within the layers of graphite. It can
conduct electricity since it has mobile electrons. D is wrong as diamond and graphite have different
physical properties as they are in different structures.##
Each question below consists of two separate statements. Decide whether each of the two statements
is true or false; if both are true, then decide whether or not the second statement is a correct
explanation of the first statement. Then select one option from A to D according to the following
table:

A. Both statements are true and the 2nd statement is a correct explanation of the
1st statement.
B. Both statements are true and the 2nd statement is NOT a correct explanation of the
1st statement.
C. The 1st statement is false but the 2nd statement is true.
D. Both statements are false.

|!|EM03176|!|
Metals are good conductors of electricity. Metals conduct electricity by delocalized electrons.
□
##A##

|!|EM03177|!|
Magnesium cannot be cut as easily as sodium. Metallic bond strength is greater in magnesium
than sodium.
□
##A Sodium can be cut easily with a small knife, the metallic bond strength in sodium must be weaker
than that of magnesium. Magnesium has higher metallic bond strength because it is doubly charged in the
metallic lattice and there are more outermost shell electrons contributed to the ‘sea of electrons’.##

|!|EM03178|!|
Silicon(IV) oxide has a high melting point. Silicon is a semi-metal.
□
##B Silicon(IV) oxide has a giant covalent structure.##

|!|EM03179|!|
Magnesium chloride conducts electricity at room temperature. Magnesium chloride is an
electrolyte.
□

##C At room temperature, Mg and Cl ions are not mobile. But being an electrolyte, it can conduct
2+

electricity in the molten state when the ions become mobile.##

|!|EM03180|!|
The melting point of carbon dioxide is higher than that of silicon(IV) oxide. Carbon dioxide
molecule has two strong C=O bond.
□
##C##

|!|EM03181|!|
Both dry ice and quartz have a giant covalent structure. Carbon and silicon atoms have the
same number of outermost shell electrons.
□
##C Dry ice is solid carbon dioxide which has a simple molecular structure.##

|!|EM03182|!|
Neon exists as a gas at room temperature and pressure. Neon molecules are monoatomic.
□
##B##

|!|EM03183|!|
All ionic compounds are soluble in water. All ionic compounds are electrolytes.
□
##C Some ionic compounds are insoluble in water e.g. MgO.##

|!|EM03184|!|
Iodine has a giant covalent structure. Iodine is a solid at room conditions.
□
##C Iodine has a simple molecular structure.##