CHEMICAL REACTIONS AND EQUATIONS – MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

1. What is the use of representing chemical equations using chemical formulae instead of words?

a) It makes the equations longer and more detailed.

b) It allows for a concise and useful representation of chemical reactions.

c) It complicates the understanding of chemical reactions.

d) It increases the number of words used in the equation.

Ans: b

2. In the chemical equation Mg + O2 → MgO (1.2), what does the number (1.2) represent?

a) The temperature at which the reaction occurs.

b) The mass of magnesium oxide produced.

c) The order of the chemical elements in the periodic table.

d) The coefficient indicating the balanced ratio of reactants and products.

Ans. d

3. Why is it important to check and balance the number of atoms on both sides of a chemical
equation?

a) To make the equation longer and more detailed.

b) To ensure that the equation is unbalanced.

c) To maintain the same mass on both sides of the equation.

d) To complicate the understanding of chemical reactions.

Ans. C

4. why are chemical equations are written using chemical formulae instead of words?

a) To make the equations longer and more detailed.

b) To simplify and make the equations more concise.

c) To confuse readers with complex notations.

 d) To emphasize the importance of words in chemistry.

Answer: b) To simplify and make the equations more concise and useful.

5. what does a "skeletal chemical equation" represent?

a) An equation with excessive details.

b) An unbalanced equation.

c) A concise representation of a chemical reaction.

d) An equation written using only words.

Answer: c) A concise representation of a chemical reaction.

6. According to the law of conservation of mass, what is true among these?

a) The total mass of elements in the products is greater than in the reactants.

b) Mass can be created in a chemical reaction.

c) The total mass of elements in the products is equal to the total mass in the reactants.

d) The total mass of elements in the products is less than in the reactants.

Answer: c) The total mass of elements in the products is equal to the total mass in the reactants.

7. Why is it necessary to balance a skeletal chemical equation?

a) To make the equation longer.

 b) To emphasize the importance of mass.

c) To ensure the number of atoms of each element remains the same.

d) To confuse readers with complex notations.

Answer: c) To ensure the number of atoms of each element remains the same.

8. Zn + H2SO4 → ZnSO4 + H2, is the equation balanced?

a) Yes

b) No

c) Only the number of zinc atoms is balanced

Answer: a) Yes

9. What type of reaction is illustrated ; CaO(s) + H2O(l) → Ca(OH)2(aq)?

a) Decomposition reaction

b) Displacement reaction

c) Combination reaction

d) Redox reaction

Answer: c) Combination reaction

10. Why does the reaction between calcium oxide and water release a large amount of heat?

a) The reaction is exothermic, and energy is released during the formation of calcium hydroxide.

b) The reaction is endothermic, and energy is absorbed during the formation of calcium hydroxide.

c) Heat is not released or absorbed in this reaction.

d) The heat release is due to the physical state of calcium oxide.

Answer: a) The reaction is exothermic, and energy is released during the formation of
calcium hydroxide.

11. Why do we use a solution of slaked lime in white washing walls?

a) To provide color to the walls.

b) To remove stains from the walls.

c) To react with carbon dioxide in the air and form a thin layer of calcium carbonate.

d) To enhance the shine of the walls.

Answer: c) To react with carbon dioxide in the air and form a thin layer of calcium carbonate.

12. What is the chemical formula of the thin layer formed on walls after the reaction between
calcium hydroxide and carbon dioxide?

a) CaO

b) Ca(OH)2
 c) CaCO3

d) H2CO3

Answer: c) CaCO3

13. How does the formation of calcium carbonate helps in the shiny finish of walls after white
washing?

a) Calcium carbonate is a reflective compound.

b) Calcium carbonate fills in wall imperfections, creating a smoother surface.

c) Calcium carbonate reacts with water to produce a shiny surface.

d) The reaction with carbon dioxide releases a shiny byproduct.

Answer: b) Calcium carbonate fills in wall imperfections, creating a smoother surface.

14. What will be the balanced chemical equation for the reaction between hydrogen and oxygen to
form water?
A. H₂ + O₂ → H₂O
B. 2H₂ + O₂ → 2H₂O
C. H₂O → H₂ + O₂
D. 2H₂O → 2H₂ + O₂

Answer: B

15. In a chemical equation, the numbers in front of the chemical formulas are called as?
A. Subscripts
B. Coefficients
C. Exponents
 D. Radicals

Answer: B

16. What type of reaction is this: 2Na + Cl₂ → 2NaCl?

A. Synthesis
B. Decomposition
C. Displacement
D. Combination

Answer: D

17. Which of the following statements is true about a balanced chemical equation?
A. The number of atoms is the same on both sides.
B. It represents an incomplete reaction.
C. Coefficients can be changed without affecting the balance.
D. It is not necessary to balance the equation.

Answer: A

18. In this equation 2H₂ + O₂ → 2H₂O, which substance is oxidized?

A. H₂
B. O₂
C. H₂O
D. None

Answer: A

19. Which is the product formed when copper(II) sulfate reacts with iron?
A. Cu
B. FeSO₄
C. CuSO₄ + Fe
 D. Fe₂(SO₄)₃ + Cu

Answer: D

20. What type of reaction occurs when a single substance breaks down into two or more simpler
substances?
A. Synthesis
B. Decomposition
C. Displacement
D. Combustion

Answer: B

21. In a chemical equation, what does the arrow (→) represent?

A. Addition
B. Equals
C. Change
D. Reaction

Answer: D

22. What is the coefficient for oxygen (O₂) in the balanced equation for the combustion of methane:
CH₄ + O₂ → CO₂ + H₂O?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4

Answer: B

23. What is the oxidation state of carbon in methane (CH₄)?

A. +1
B. 0
 C. -1
D. +4

Answer: C

24. What is the main product formed when a hydrocarbon undergoes complete combustion in the
presence of excess oxygen?
A. Carbon monoxide
B. Carbon dioxide
C. Water vapor
D. Methane

Answer: B

25. Which of the following is a redox reaction?

A. 2H₂ + O₂ → 2H₂O
B. 2NaCl → 2Na + Cl₂
C. 2AgNO₃ + BaCl₂ → 2AgCl + Ba(NO₃)₂
D. CaCO₃ → CaO + CO₂

Answer: C

26. What happens to the mass of substances during a chemical reaction?

A. It remains constant.
B. It decreases.
C. It increases.
D. It varies.

Answer: A

27. Which element is displaced in the reaction: Zn + 2HCl → ZnCl₂ + H₂?

A. Hydrogen (H)
B. Zinc (Zn)
 C. Chlorine (Cl)
D. None

Answer: A

28. What is the product of the reaction between sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH)?
A. Na₂SO₄ + H₂O
B. NaHSO₄ + H₂O
C. Na₂SO₄
D. H₂SO₄ + NaOH

Answer: A

29. What type of reaction is shown by the following chemical equation: C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ +
6H₂O?
A. Combustion
B. Synthesis
C. Decomposition
D. Displacement

Answer: A, combustion reaction

30. Which of the following is a product of the reaction between hydrochloric acid (HCl) and sodium
carbonate (Na₂CO₃)?
A. NaCl + CO₂ + H₂O
B. NaHCO₃ + HCl
C. NaCl + H₂O
D. CO₂ + H₂O + NaCl

Answer: A

31. What is the coefficient of water (H₂O) when the following equation is balanced: C₃H₈ + 5O₂ →
3CO₂ + 4H₂O?
A. 2
 B. 3
C. 4
D. 5

Answer: D

32. In the reaction: 2K + 2H₂O → 2KOH + H₂, what is oxidized?

A. K
B. H₂O
C. KOH
D. H₂

Answer: A