Chemistry · Science General

States of Matter

2,382 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

In direct sunlight, water in a steel saucer evaporates faster than water in a glass tumbler. Why?

  1. Water in saucer is heated faster.

  2. Rate of evaporation depends on the surface area of the liquid.

  3. Steel enhances the rate of evaporation while glass is an inert material.

  4. Saucer allows all the water molecules to escape whereas a tumbler holds back some of the vapour from escaping.

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

Evaporation occurs at the surface of a liquid. So larger the surface area, higher is the rate of evaporation. 

Multiple choice

In which of the following conditions will the rate of evaporation arrested to the maximum extent when water in a saucer is left exposed to direct sunlight for two days?

  1. When a pinch of salt is mixed in the water.

  2. When a pinch of sugar is mixed in the water.

  3. When two spoons of oil are added to the water.

  4. When water in the saucer is stirred with a spoon continuously for five to six minutes every hour.

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

Evaporation happens faster when there is less exertion or shielding on the surface of the liquid. Oil forms a thin immiscible film on the water surface. Hence, rate of evaporation will be largely arrested. 

Multiple choice

Consider saucer A containing seawater, saucer B containing river water and saucer C containing processed drinking water poured from a packaged pouch. What will happen when all three of them are kept exposed to direct sunlight for two days provided that the amount of water in each of the saucers is the same?

  1. All three water samples will evaporate at the same time.

  2. Rate of evaporation will be the highest in drinking water followed by river water and least in the seawater.

  3. Rate of evaporation will be the highest in seawater followed by river water and least in the drinking water.

  4. Seawater and river water will evaporate, but the drinking water will remain as it is.

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

Rate of evaporation decreases with increase in density of the evaporating liquid. Density of seawater > river water > drinking water Therefore, seawater evaporates at a lower rate. 

Multiple choice

Why dew drops are formed on the outer surface of a glass of chilled water?

  1. Molecules of water pass through the minute pores of the glass and deposit on its surface due to the low temperature.

  2. Cold water droplets spill over the surface of the glass at the time of filling.

  3. Glass reacts with chilled water and expels water molecules out of it.

  4. The vapour in air condenses on the cool surface of the glass resulting in fine dew drops.

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

When moist air comes in contact with the cooler surface, the vapourised form of water condenses. Thus dew drops are formed. 

Multiple choice

Why does water in a glass plate evaporate much earlier than the same amount of water in a glass tumbler when exposed to sunlight?

  1. <font face="Arial">The water in the <font size="2">pla<font size="2">te <font size="2">loses weight when exposed to direct sunlight, whereas the water in the tum<font size="2">bler does not lose weight. </font></font></font></font></font>

  2. <font face="Arial">The water in a plate gets exposed to more of warm air.</font>

  3. <font face="Arial">The water in the plate gets exposed to more of direct sun rays.</font>

  4. The plate gets heated in the sun and in turn heats up the water in it leading to evaporation.

  5. The water in the plate gains more dust and dirt particles that enhance the rate of evaporation.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Most thunderstorms are accompanied by downpour of irregular lumps of ice called hail. 

Multiple choice

Example of an element is

  1. air

  2. chlorine

  3. water

  4. sulphur dioxide
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Chlorine is an element. Air is a mixture whereas water and sulphur dioxide are examples of compounds.

Multiple choice

Which liquid is used in a laboratory thermometer?

  1. Alcohol

  2. Water

  3. Ether

  4. Mercury

  5. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Mercury is the standard liquid used in laboratory thermometers due to its uniform thermal expansion, high boiling point (357°C), and low freezing point (-39°C). It doesn't wet glass, making it easy to read. Alcohol is sometimes used in low-temperature thermometers, but mercury remains the preferred choice for most laboratory applications.

Multiple choice

Shweta has opened a water tap and is trying to break the stream of water with her fingers. Why is she unable to cut the stream of water?

  1. Because matter is made up of particles

  2. Because particles of matter are continuously moving

  3. Because particles of matter attract each other

  4. Because particles of matter have small spaces between them
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The above activity suggests that particles of matter have force acting between them. This force keeps the particles together.

Multiple choice

A sponge can be compressed easily whereas an iron rod cannot. Which among the following is the possible reason for this?

  1. Particles are tightly packed in iron rods whereas loosely packed in sponge.

  2. Particles of sponge possess weak intermolecular force of attraction whereas that of iron rod possess strong force.

  3. A sponge has minute holes in which air is trapped whereas no such holes are present in an iron rod.

  4. A sponge possesses the property of elasticity whereas an iron rod does not.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

A sponge has minute holes in which air is trapped. When we press it, the air is expelled out and we are able to compress it.

Multiple choice

While boiling a liquid, Siya noticed that the temperature remains constant during the change of state. What is the possible reason for this?

  1. The extra heat is used to break the bonds among the particles.

  2. The extra energy is used by the container.

  3. The extra energy is lost in the atmosphere.

  4. The extra energy is used to decrease the kinetic energy among the particles.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

For any substance, the temperature remains constant during the change of state as the extra heat is absorbed by the particles to break the bonds between them.