← Chemistry quizzes

From OpenStax / Rice University

Properties of Liquids Quiz

12 questions chemistry Grades 9-12

The question sheet

Reveal any answer as you study
  1. What does the viscosity of a liquid measure?

    • Its surface area
    • Its density
    • Its resistance to flow
    • Its boiling point
    Reveal answer

    Answer: Its resistance to flow

    Source evidence

    PDF page 542: When you pour a glass of water, or fill a car with gasoline, you observe that water and gasoline flow freely. But when you pour syrup on pancakes or add oil to a car engine, you note that syrup and motor oil do not flow as readily. The viscosity of a liquid is a measure of its resistance to flow. Water, gasoline, and other liquids that flow freely have a low viscosity. Honey, syrup, motor oil, and other liquids that do not flow freely, like those shown in Figure 10.15, have higher viscosities. We can measure viscosity by measuring the rate at which a metal ball falls through a liquid (the ball falls more slowly through a more viscous liquid) or by measuring the rate at which a liquid flows through a narrow tube (more viscous liquids flow more slowly).

  2. Which of these liquids has a low viscosity?

    • Syrup
    • Motor oil
    • Water
    • Honey
    Reveal answer

    Answer: Water

    Source evidence

    PDF page 542: When you pour a glass of water, or fill a car with gasoline, you observe that water and gasoline flow freely. But when you pour syrup on pancakes or add oil to a car engine, you note that syrup and motor oil do not flow as readily. The viscosity of a liquid is a measure of its resistance to flow. Water, gasoline, and other liquids that flow freely have a low viscosity. Honey, syrup, motor oil, and other liquids that do not flow freely, like those shown in Figure 10.15, have higher viscosities. We can measure viscosity by measuring the rate at which a metal ball falls through a liquid (the ball falls more slowly through a more viscous liquid) or by measuring the rate at which a liquid flows through a narrow tube (more viscous liquids flow more slowly).

  3. How does a metal ball fall through a more viscous liquid?

    • More quickly
    • It floats
    • At constant speed
    • More slowly
    Reveal answer

    Answer: More slowly

    Source evidence

    PDF page 542: When you pour a glass of water, or fill a car with gasoline, you observe that water and gasoline flow freely. But when you pour syrup on pancakes or add oil to a car engine, you note that syrup and motor oil do not flow as readily. The viscosity of a liquid is a measure of its resistance to flow. Water, gasoline, and other liquids that flow freely have a low viscosity. Honey, syrup, motor oil, and other liquids that do not flow freely, like those shown in Figure 10.15, have higher viscosities. We can measure viscosity by measuring the rate at which a metal ball falls through a liquid (the ball falls more slowly through a more viscous liquid) or by measuring the rate at which a liquid flows through a narrow tube (more viscous liquids flow more slowly).

  4. How does increasing temperature affect a liquid's viscosity?

    • It decreases
    • It stays the same
    • It increases
    • It becomes infinite
    Reveal answer

    Answer: It decreases

    Source evidence

    PDF page 543: The IMFs between the molecules of a liquid, the size and shape of the molecules, and the temperature determine how easily a liquid flows. As Table 10.2 shows, the more structurally complex are the molecules in a liquid and the stronger the IMFs between them, the more difficult it is for them to move past each other and the greater is the viscosity of the liquid. As the temperature increases, the molecules move more rapidly and their kinetic energies are better able to overcome the forces that hold them together; thus, the viscosity of the liquid decreases. Viscosities of Common Substances at 25 °C Substance Formula Viscosity (mPa·s) water 0.890 H2O mercury Hg 1.526 ethanol 1.074 C2H5OH octane 0.508 C8H18 16.1 ethylene glycol CH2(OH)CH2(OH) honey variable ~2,000–10,000 motor oil variable ~50–500

  5. Stronger IMFs and more complex molecules produce what effect on viscosity?

    • No effect
    • Zero viscosity
    • Greater viscosity
    • Lower viscosity
    Reveal answer

    Answer: Greater viscosity

    Source evidence

    PDF page 543: The IMFs between the molecules of a liquid, the size and shape of the molecules, and the temperature determine how easily a liquid flows. As Table 10.2 shows, the more structurally complex are the molecules in a liquid and the stronger the IMFs between them, the more difficult it is for them to move past each other and the greater is the viscosity of the liquid. As the temperature increases, the molecules move more rapidly and their kinetic energies are better able to overcome the forces that hold them together; thus, the viscosity of the liquid decreases. Viscosities of Common Substances at 25 °C Substance Formula Viscosity (mPa·s) water 0.890 H2O mercury Hg 1.526 ethanol 1.074 C2H5OH octane 0.508 C8H18 16.1 ethylene glycol CH2(OH)CH2(OH) honey variable ~2,000–10,000 motor oil variable ~50–500

  6. IMFs between identical molecules of a substance are examples of what?

    • Gravitational forces
    • Nuclear forces
    • Cohesive forces
    • Adhesive forces
    Reveal answer

    Answer: Cohesive forces

    Source evidence

    PDF page 543: The various IMFs between identical molecules of a substance are examples of cohesive forces. The molecules within a liquid are surrounded by other molecules and are attracted equally in all directions by the cohesive forces within the liquid. However, the molecules on the surface of a liquid are attracted only by about one-half as many molecules. Because of the unbalanced molecular attractions on the surface molecules, liquids contract to form a shape that minimizes the number of molecules on the surface—that is, the shape with the minimum surface area. A small drop of liquid tends to assume a spherical shape, as shown in Figure 10.16, because in a sphere, the ratio of surface area to volume is at a minimum. Larger drops are more greatly affected by gravity, air resistance, surface interactions, and so on, and as a result, are less spherical.

  7. Why does a small drop of liquid tend to assume a spherical shape?

    • Gravity forces it
    • Air resistance
    • Sphere maximizes surface area
    • Sphere minimizes surface area ratio
    Reveal answer

    Answer: Sphere minimizes surface area ratio

    Source evidence

    PDF page 543: The various IMFs between identical molecules of a substance are examples of cohesive forces. The molecules within a liquid are surrounded by other molecules and are attracted equally in all directions by the cohesive forces within the liquid. However, the molecules on the surface of a liquid are attracted only by about one-half as many molecules. Because of the unbalanced molecular attractions on the surface molecules, liquids contract to form a shape that minimizes the number of molecules on the surface—that is, the shape with the minimum surface area. A small drop of liquid tends to assume a spherical shape, as shown in Figure 10.16, because in a sphere, the ratio of surface area to volume is at a minimum. Larger drops are more greatly affected by gravity, air resistance, surface interactions, and so on, and as a result, are less spherical.

  8. How is surface tension defined?

    • Resistance to flow
    • Density per volume
    • Force of gravity
    • Energy to increase surface area
    Reveal answer

    Answer: Energy to increase surface area

    Source evidence

    PDF page 544: Surface tension is defined as the energy required to increase the surface area of a liquid, or the force required to increase the length of a liquid surface by a given amount. This property results from the cohesive forces between molecules at the surface of a liquid, and it causes the surface of a liquid to behave like a stretched rubber membrane. Surface tensions of several liquids are presented in Table 10.3. Among common liquids, water exhibits a distinctly high surface tension due to strong hydrogen bonding between its molecules. As a result of this high surface tension, the surface of water represents a relatively “tough skin” that can withstand considerable force without breaking. A steel needle carefully placed on water will float. Some insects, like the one shown in Figure 10.17, even though they are denser than water, move on its surface because they are supported by the surface tension. Surface Tensions of Common Substances at 25 °C Substance Formula Surface Tension (mN/m) water 71.99 H2O mercury Hg 458.48 ethanol 21.97 C2H5OH octane 21.14 C8H18 47.99 ethylene glycol CH2(OH)CH2(OH)

  9. Why does water have a distinctly high surface tension?

    • Strong hydrogen bonding
    • Weak dispersion forces
    • High temperature
    • Low density
    Reveal answer

    Answer: Strong hydrogen bonding

    Source evidence

    PDF page 544: Surface tension is defined as the energy required to increase the surface area of a liquid, or the force required to increase the length of a liquid surface by a given amount. This property results from the cohesive forces between molecules at the surface of a liquid, and it causes the surface of a liquid to behave like a stretched rubber membrane. Surface tensions of several liquids are presented in Table 10.3. Among common liquids, water exhibits a distinctly high surface tension due to strong hydrogen bonding between its molecules. As a result of this high surface tension, the surface of water represents a relatively “tough skin” that can withstand considerable force without breaking. A steel needle carefully placed on water will float. Some insects, like the one shown in Figure 10.17, even though they are denser than water, move on its surface because they are supported by the surface tension. Surface Tensions of Common Substances at 25 °C Substance Formula Surface Tension (mN/m) water 71.99 H2O mercury Hg 458.48 ethanol 21.97 C2H5OH octane 21.14 C8H18 47.99 ethylene glycol CH2(OH)CH2(OH)

  10. How can a steel needle, denser than water, rest on water?

    • High surface tension supports it
    • Water's low density
    • Reduced gravity
    • Adhesive forces
    Reveal answer

    Answer: High surface tension supports it

    Source evidence

    PDF page 544: Surface tension is defined as the energy required to increase the surface area of a liquid, or the force required to increase the length of a liquid surface by a given amount. This property results from the cohesive forces between molecules at the surface of a liquid, and it causes the surface of a liquid to behave like a stretched rubber membrane. Surface tensions of several liquids are presented in Table 10.3. Among common liquids, water exhibits a distinctly high surface tension due to strong hydrogen bonding between its molecules. As a result of this high surface tension, the surface of water represents a relatively “tough skin” that can withstand considerable force without breaking. A steel needle carefully placed on water will float. Some insects, like the one shown in Figure 10.17, even though they are denser than water, move on its surface because they are supported by the surface tension. Surface Tensions of Common Substances at 25 °C Substance Formula Surface Tension (mN/m) water 71.99 H2O mercury Hg 458.48 ethanol 21.97 C2H5OH octane 21.14 C8H18 47.99 ethylene glycol CH2(OH)CH2(OH)

  11. IMFs of attraction between two different molecules are called what?

    • Adhesive forces
    • Nuclear forces
    • Ionic forces
    • Cohesive forces
    Reveal answer

    Answer: Adhesive forces

    Source evidence

    PDF page 545: The IMFs of attraction between two different molecules are called adhesive forces. Consider what happens when water comes into contact with some surface. If the adhesive forces between water molecules and the molecules of the surface are weak compared to the cohesive forces between the water molecules, the water does not “wet” the surface. For example, water does not wet waxed surfaces or many plastics such as polyethylene. Water forms drops on these surfaces because the cohesive forces within the drops are greater than the adhesive forces between the water and the plastic. Water spreads out on glass because the adhesive force between water and glass is greater than the cohesive forces within the water. When water is confined in a glass tube, its meniscus (surface) has a concave shape because the water wets the glass and creeps up the side of the tube. On the other hand, the cohesive forces between mercury atoms are much greater than the adhesive forces between mercury and glass. Mercury therefore does not wet glass, and it forms a convex meniscus when confined in a tube because the cohesive forces within the mercury tend to draw it into a drop (Figure 10.18).

  12. Why does water form drops on waxed surfaces rather than spreading?

    • Adhesive forces exceed cohesive
    • High viscosity
    • Low surface tension
    • Cohesive forces exceed adhesive forces
    Reveal answer

    Answer: Cohesive forces exceed adhesive forces

    Source evidence

    PDF page 545: The IMFs of attraction between two different molecules are called adhesive forces. Consider what happens when water comes into contact with some surface. If the adhesive forces between water molecules and the molecules of the surface are weak compared to the cohesive forces between the water molecules, the water does not “wet” the surface. For example, water does not wet waxed surfaces or many plastics such as polyethylene. Water forms drops on these surfaces because the cohesive forces within the drops are greater than the adhesive forces between the water and the plastic. Water spreads out on glass because the adhesive force between water and glass is greater than the cohesive forces within the water. When water is confined in a glass tube, its meniscus (surface) has a concave shape because the water wets the glass and creeps up the side of the tube. On the other hand, the cohesive forces between mercury atoms are much greater than the adhesive forces between mercury and glass. Mercury therefore does not wet glass, and it forms a convex meniscus when confined in a tube because the cohesive forces within the mercury tend to draw it into a drop (Figure 10.18).

Play the whole quiz inside a game Answers stay hidden while you play

Make your own — free

Turn any notes into a game in under a minute. Free to start.

Make a quiz