Chemistry · Science General

States of Matter

2,682 Questions

States of matter questions explore physical changes, evaporation, phase transitions, and the properties of liquids and gases. Topics cover density, cryosurgery, heavy water, and electrolytes. This foundational chemistry topic frequently appears in general science sections of SSC and railway exams.

Phase change mechanismsEvaporation and temperature effectsProperties of liquidsPhysical versus chemical changesElectrolytes and heavy water

States of Matter Questions

Multiple choice

During the adiabatic expansion, the temperature of the system

  1. decreases

  2. increases

  3. remains constant

  4. becomes zero
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

In adiabatic process, the net heat transfer is zero. The heat content of the system is used for the expansion of the gas, which causes a decrease in the temperature of the system.

Multiple choice

When hot liquid is poured into a thick glass tumbler, it cracks because glass

  1. has low temperature coefficient of expansion

  2. is a bad conductor of heat

  3. has high temperature coefficient of expansion

  4. has a very low specific heat

  5. none of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The inner glass layer expands when hot water is poured into it while the outer layer is still cool, hence the glass cracks.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is the purest form of water on Earth?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the question that follows.

Water is life. The cycling of water on Earth brings support to all living things. It also brings changes in weather. There are three forms of water. The solid cold form of water is ice. The liquid form is ordinary water. The gaseous form of water is hot steam, or vapour. Water changes its form when it gains or loses heat. Water from the sea, the rivers, the lakes, the glaciers, the ice poles, and from the plants and animals, on gaining heat, is always rising in the form of vapour. Water vapour also is always losing heat and falling down in the form of rain and then turning into glaciers of ice on further losing heat. Water vapour is pure and clean, while natural ice or water is often dirty. The vapour in the air gathers in the sky to make clouds. The clouds return the clean water to Earth in rain or snow. Through the water cycle, Nature makes sure that living things on land can fulfil their need for clean and fresh water.                                                                

  1. Sea water

  2. Gaseous form

  3. Liquid form

  4. Solid form
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The passage mentions that 'Water vapour is pure and clean, while natural ice or water is often dirty'.

Multiple choice

A student is doing some experiments in the chemistry lab. He goes to take the temperature of a liquid, which is boiling in a beaker. While doing so, he checks the temperature of the boiling liquid by dipping a lab thermometer into it. Why does he not take the thermometer out of the liquid before reading the temperature?

  1. The level of mercury begins to fall as soon as the lab thermometer is taken out.

  2. The level of mercury rises when it is taken out.

  3. He does it by mistake.

  4. The method helps him to get the reading of desired temperature.

  5. This is done as it is not a solid.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The level of mercury begins to fall as soon as the lab thermometer is taken out as the air around has lesser temperature.

Multiple choice

Milk is a colloid in which

  1. liquid is dispersed in liquid

  2. solid is dispersed in liquid

  3. gas is dispered in liquid

  4. lactose is dispered in water
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Milk is a oil in water type emulsion. Here liquid is a continues phase and liquid is a dispersion phase.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is the term used for water vapour when it directly converts into solid form?

  1. Sublimation

  2. Condensation

  3. Saturation

  4. Dew point

  5. Latent heat of vaporisation
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct answer choice. When moist air is cooled, it may reach a level when its capacity to hold water vapour ceases. Then, the excess water vapour condenses into liquid form. If it directly condenses into solid form, it is known as sublimation.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is the most viscous medium?

  1. Water

  2. Glycerine

  3. Coaltar

  4. Air
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Viscosity measures a fluid's resistance to flow. Among these options, coaltar has the highest viscosity - it is extremely thick and flows very slowly compared to water or even glycerine. Air has negligible viscosity.

Multiple choice

Which one of the following wastes is not present in the clarified water?

  1. Soap

  2. Food waste

  3. Plastics and oil

  4. Human waste
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Clarified water has had settleable solids removed through primary treatment, but plastics and oil would not remain - plastics float or are screened out early, and oils/greases are skimmed off. Clarified water still contains dissolved contaminants like soap, food waste particles, and some organic matter.

Multiple choice

Air is a/an _____.

  1. compound

  2. element

  3. mixture

  4. electrolyte
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Air is a mixture of several gases, primarily nitrogen (78%), oxygen (21%), and small amounts of argon, carbon dioxide, water vapor, and trace gases. Each component retains its chemical properties. Air is not a compound (elements don't combine in fixed ratios), not an element (it's multiple elements), and not an electrolyte (it doesn't conduct electricity).

Multiple choice

Sodium metal is kept under _____.

  1. water

  2. alcohol

  3. petrol

  4. kerosene

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Sodium reacts violently with water and alcohol, so kerosene is used to store it safely. Kerosene is inert toward sodium and forms a protective layer that prevents contact with air moisture. Petrol (gasoline) is also used, but kerosene is more common in laboratory settings.