Practice Test Classification of Matter

Which of the following is a physical change?

• Rotting Wood

• Boiling Water

• Burning Food

• Baking a Cake

Answer explanation

Boiling water is a physical change because it involves a change in state from liquid to gas without altering the chemical composition of water. In contrast, rotting wood, burning food, and baking a cake involve chemical changes.

Which of the following is an intensive physcial property?

• The mass of a substance

• The volume of the substance

• The density of the substance

• The length of the substance

Answer explanation

Density is an intensive property because it does not depend on the amount of substance present. In contrast, mass, volume, and length are extensive properties that change with the quantity of the substance.

Which of the following is NOT an indicator of a chemical change?

• Gas Forms

• A Color Change

• Increase Temperature

• All are indicators of a chemical change

Answer explanation

All the options listed—gas formation, color change, and temperature increase—are indeed indicators of a chemical change. Therefore, the correct answer is that all are indicators of a chemical change.

Which is the most dense state of matter?

• solid

• liquid

• gas

• plasma

Answer explanation

Solids are the most dense state of matter because their particles are closely packed together, resulting in a higher mass per unit volume compared to liquids, gases, and plasma.

Which phase does NOT have a fixed volume or shape

• Soild

• Liquid

• Gas

Answer explanation

Gases do not have a fixed volume or shape; they expand to fill their container. In contrast, solids have a definite shape and volume, while liquids have a definite volume but take the shape of their container.

What state of matter does this picture represent?

• Solid

• Liquid

• Gas

• Plasma

Answer explanation

The picture represents a liquid because it has a definite volume but takes the shape of its container, which is characteristic of liquids. Solids have a fixed shape, gases fill their container, and plasma is ionized gas.

Which state of matter does this picture represent?

• Solid

• Liquid

• Gas

• Plasma

Answer explanation

The picture represents a solid state of matter, characterized by a definite shape and volume. Solids have closely packed particles that vibrate in place, unlike liquids and gases, which have more movement and less defined shapes.

What state of matter does this picture represent?

• Solid

• Liquid

• Gas

• Plasma

Answer explanation

The picture represents gas because it shows particles that are widely spaced and moving freely, characteristic of the gaseous state of matter. In contrast, solids have closely packed particles, and liquids have a more moderate spacing.

• Element

• Compound

• Homogeneous mixture

• Heterogeneous mixture

Answer explanation

Oxygen gas (O₂) is composed of two oxygen atoms bonded together, making it a diatomic molecule. Since it consists of only one type of atom, it is classified as an element, not a compound or mixture.

Changing the phase, size or shape of something....

• Chemical change

• Physical Change

• Suspension

• Colloid

Answer explanation

Changing the phase, size, or shape of something is a Physical Change. Unlike a Chemical Change, which alters the substance's composition, a Physical Change only affects its form or appearance.