BECE Matter, Elements, and Compounds 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which state of matter has a definite volume but no definite shape?
- Solid
- Liquid (Correct answer)
- Gas
- Plasma
Correct answer: Liquid
Liquids have a definite volume but take the shape of their container.
Question 2: Which of the following is a physical property of a substance?
- Flammability
- Reactivity with acid
- Boiling point (Correct answer)
- Ability to rust
Correct answer: Boiling point
Boiling point is a physical property because it can be measured without changing the substance's chemical identity.
Question 3: What term describes a pure substance made of two or more elements chemically combined in a fixed ratio?
- Mixture
- Element
- Compound (Correct answer)
- Solution
Correct answer: Compound
A compound is formed when two or more elements combine chemically in a definite, fixed ratio.
Question 4: Which of the following represents a chemical change?
- Melting ice
- Cutting paper into pieces
- Burning wood (Correct answer)
- Dissolving sugar in water
Correct answer: Burning wood
Burning wood produces new substances (ash, carbon dioxide, and water vapor) with different properties.
Question 5: Matter in the solid state is best characterized by:
- No definite shape and no definite volume
- A definite shape and definite volume (Correct answer)
- A definite volume but no definite shape
- No definite volume but a definite shape
Correct answer: A definite shape and definite volume
Solids have tightly packed particles that give them a fixed shape and a definite volume.
Question 6: Which of the following is NOT considered matter?
- Air
- Water vapor
- Light (Correct answer)
- Iron
Correct answer: Light
Light has no mass and does not occupy space, so it does not meet the definition of matter.
Question 7: When liquid water evaporates to become steam, what type of change has occurred?
- Chemical change
- Physical change (Correct answer)
- Nuclear change
- Decomposition
Correct answer: Physical change
Evaporation is a physical change because water molecules remain H₂O — only the state changes.
BECE Matter, Elements, and Compounds 2
Which state of matter has a definite volume but no definite shape?