Discovery and uses of carbon nanostructures | Starter Quiz | Oak National Academy

Match the following terms to their definition.

• compound

• Substances that allow electricity to pass through them easily.

• electrical conductivity

• A substance made from only one type of atom.

• element

• Can be directly observed or measured without a chemical reaction.

• melting point

• A substance made from two or more elements chemically bonded together.

• physical property

• The temperature at which a substance changes from a solid to a liquid.

Answer explanation

Elements are made of one type of atom, whereas compounds contain more than one type. The melting point and conductivity of a substance are both examples of physical properties and can be directly observed or measured without a chemical reaction.

Which of the following represents a nanometre (nm)?

• 0.000 000 001 m

• 1 × 10⁻⁹ m

• 1 × 10⁹ m

• 0.000 001 m

Answer explanation

There are one billion (1,000,000,000) nanometres in one metre.

Put the following numbers into order of increasing size, starting with the smallest.

• 10 m

• 10 nm

• 10 μm

• 10 mm

Answer explanation

There are 1000 millimetres (mm) in a metre (m), 1000 micrometres (μm) in a millimetre (mm) and 1000 nanometres (nm) in a micrometre (μm).

Which of the following are examples of physical properties of materials?

• melting point

• electrical conductivity

• pH

• ability to rust

Answer explanation

Rusting is an oxidation reaction. pH is a measure of acidity. Both of these are chemical properties rather than physical properties.

Which of the following can be used to describe graphite?

• non–metal

• good electrical conductor

• compound

• low melting point

Answer explanation

Graphite is a non–metal that is a good electrical conductor and has a high melting point. It is an allotrope of carbon.

How many covalent bonds can a carbon atom form?

Answer explanation

Carbon is found in Group 4 of the periodic table and has 4 electrons in its outer shell. This means it can form four covalent bonds.