Chem 103
Chem 103 Exam 1 Review UW Madison Study
Questions with Correct Answers Graded A+ 2026
What is an acid? -Correct Answer ✔-solution has an excess of H+ ions
What is a base? -Correct Answer ✔-solution has an excess of hydroxyl ions (OH-)
What is neutralization? -Correct Answer ✔--process where acid and base are mixed
until they become neutral and the PH is 7.
What are the two products of a neutralization chemical reaction? -Correct Answer ✔-
water and salt ( The type of salt depends on acid or base added to neutralize.)
What is a weak acid? -Correct Answer ✔-an acid that only partially ionizes in an
aqueous solution. This means that not every molecule breaks apart.
pH -Correct Answer ✔-is a measurement of how acidic or how basic a solution is.
Why is pH important to biology? -Correct Answer ✔-Cells survive in a specific pH range.
Human blood is maintain at 7pH for homostasis.
The stomach has acids to break down food.
Bile from the liver is a base which breaks down fats & grease.
What is a buffer? -Correct Answer ✔-a substance to help to neutralize/balance pH
levels.
What are pH indicators? -Correct Answer ✔-They are used to tell you the pH value.
Examples are phenalphelein and bromthymol blue.
What are the properties of an acid? -Correct Answer ✔-taste sour, conduct electricity,
corrosive, reacts with metals, turns litmus paper red.
Give examples of acids -Correct Answer ✔-HCL which is in your stomack.
Sulfuric acid which is used a lot in industries to make fertilzers, paints, etc.
Tums antacid used to neutralize stomach acids.
What are some uses of bases? -Correct Answer ✔-soaps and cleaning products
used in batteries
What are some examples of bases? -Correct Answer ✔-lye used to make soap.
Liquid plummer used for clogged drains. Baking Soda and Baking powder
What is the main neutral substance? -Correct Answer ✔-water
Chem 103
,Chem 103
How is a salt chemically formed? -Correct Answer ✔-When you add acid or base to
neutralize a solution the products formed are water and salts.
A change in pH units represents a tenfold change in the acidity of the solution
(logarithmic scale). If one solution has a pH of 1 and a second solution has a pH of 2,
the first solution is not twice as acidic a the second it is ______times more acidic. -
Correct Answer ✔-ten (logarithmic)
What is a pH scale? -Correct Answer ✔-a logarithmic scale that indicates the pH of a
solution. It ranges from 0 - 14.
On the pH scale, what numbers represent an acid? -Correct Answer ✔-0-6
On the pH scale, what numbers represent a base? -Correct Answer ✔-8-14
On the pH scale, what number represents a neutral solution? -Correct Answer ✔-7
What is a weak acid? -Correct Answer ✔-An acid that only partially ionizes (breaks
down) in a solution. Weak acids are close to 7pH
What is a weak base? -Correct Answer ✔-A weak base will only parttally ionize in a
solution. This means that not every molecule breaks apart.
What is a chemical change? -Correct Answer ✔-When a change in composition occurs
giving new substances with new properties.
Example when wood changes to carbon. Wood and carbon do not have similar
properties.
WHat is a physical change? -Correct Answer ✔-When a change does NOT change the
composition.
What are indicators of a chemical change? -Correct Answer ✔-Observations such as
what you see( color change, precipitant (solids in solutions)
Hear-boom Smell Taste-sour/sweet Feel-hot or cold.
Also, bubbles indicate gas..
What is the law of conservation of mass? -Correct Answer ✔-Mass is not created nor
destroyed.
What is a chemical formula? -Correct Answer ✔--chemical symbols represent molecules
with subscripts to represent the number of that element.
NaCl represents table salt.
Chem 103
,Chem 103
Reactants are on the right or left of the -> (yield) sign in a chemical equation. -Correct
Answer ✔-left
Products are on the left or right of the ->(yield) sign in a chemical equation. -Correct
Answer ✔-right
What does the -> represent in a chemical equation? -Correct Answer ✔-yield or to
produce
What is a chemical equation? -Correct Answer ✔-It represents with chemical formulas a
chemical change/reaction.
When one molecule splits apart and switch places this is called a __ reaction. -Correct
Answer ✔-replacement type of chemical reaction
What is a reactant in a chemical equation? -Correct Answer ✔-They are substances that
are present before the chemical change takes place. They are what you put into the
chemical reaction to cause a chemical change.
What is a product in a chemical equation? -Correct Answer ✔-Chemicals that are
formed during the chemical change.
When energy is absorbed in a chemical reaction it is a __reaction. -Correct Answer ✔-
endothermic
When energy is released in a cheicial reaction it is a __reaction> -Correct Answer ✔-
exothermic ( usually in the form of heat)
What does a neutralization chemical reaction produce? -Correct Answer ✔-water and
salt
A chemical reaction is when a __ change has occurred. -Correct Answer ✔-chemical
What happens to the old molecules in a chemical reaction? -Correct Answer ✔-They
rearrange into new molecules
What is activation energy? -Correct Answer ✔-The energy needed to start a chemical
reaction.
What is a coefficient? -Correct Answer ✔-The number in front of a chemical formula
which tells how many of that molecules is needed to balance the chemical equation.
Chemical reactions will produce -Correct Answer ✔-new substances.
Chem 103
, Chem 103
A __ represents a chemical reaction -Correct Answer ✔-chemical equation
What happens in a chemical reaction? -Correct Answer ✔-bonds between atoms are
broken and new bonds are formed.
Why are chemical equations balanced? -Correct Answer ✔-When chemical equations
are balanced they have the same number of the same atom on both sides of the
equation. This is because of the law of conservation of matter.
How does a catalyst increase the reaction rate? -Correct Answer ✔-by lowering the
activation energy
Describe the types of chemcial reactions? -Correct Answer ✔-Synthesis A + B -> AB
(single product)
Decomposition AB-> A + B ( breaks down into smaller elements)
Single Replacement AB + C -> AC + B
Double Replacement AB + CD -> AD + BC
Neutralization acid + base -> water + salt
What is a synthesis chemical equation? -Correct Answer ✔-When two ro more
substances combine in a chemical reaction to form another substance .
What is a decomposition chemical equation? -Correct Answer ✔-The breakdown of a
substance into two or more simpler substances.
What is a macromolecule? -Correct Answer ✔-They are large molecules which are
needed for a living organism. They are fats, proteins, nucleic acid (DNA, RNA) and
carbohydrate.
Carbon is unique and causes the formation of long chains in macromolecules because
of its __ -Correct Answer ✔-four valence electrons
What is the word chemical equation for photosynthesis? -Correct Answer ✔-carbon
dioxide + water -> glucose and oxygen gas
What are the reactants in photosynthesis? -Correct Answer ✔-carbon dioxide and water
What are the products in photosynthesis? -Correct Answer ✔-glucose and oxygen gas
What factors influence the rate of chemical reaction? -Correct Answer ✔-pH
concentration pressure, surface area, temperature
What is the name of the white horse on my farm? -Correct Answer ✔-Ghost
Chem 103
Chem 103 Exam 1 Review UW Madison Study
Questions with Correct Answers Graded A+ 2026
What is an acid? -Correct Answer ✔-solution has an excess of H+ ions
What is a base? -Correct Answer ✔-solution has an excess of hydroxyl ions (OH-)
What is neutralization? -Correct Answer ✔--process where acid and base are mixed
until they become neutral and the PH is 7.
What are the two products of a neutralization chemical reaction? -Correct Answer ✔-
water and salt ( The type of salt depends on acid or base added to neutralize.)
What is a weak acid? -Correct Answer ✔-an acid that only partially ionizes in an
aqueous solution. This means that not every molecule breaks apart.
pH -Correct Answer ✔-is a measurement of how acidic or how basic a solution is.
Why is pH important to biology? -Correct Answer ✔-Cells survive in a specific pH range.
Human blood is maintain at 7pH for homostasis.
The stomach has acids to break down food.
Bile from the liver is a base which breaks down fats & grease.
What is a buffer? -Correct Answer ✔-a substance to help to neutralize/balance pH
levels.
What are pH indicators? -Correct Answer ✔-They are used to tell you the pH value.
Examples are phenalphelein and bromthymol blue.
What are the properties of an acid? -Correct Answer ✔-taste sour, conduct electricity,
corrosive, reacts with metals, turns litmus paper red.
Give examples of acids -Correct Answer ✔-HCL which is in your stomack.
Sulfuric acid which is used a lot in industries to make fertilzers, paints, etc.
Tums antacid used to neutralize stomach acids.
What are some uses of bases? -Correct Answer ✔-soaps and cleaning products
used in batteries
What are some examples of bases? -Correct Answer ✔-lye used to make soap.
Liquid plummer used for clogged drains. Baking Soda and Baking powder
What is the main neutral substance? -Correct Answer ✔-water
Chem 103
,Chem 103
How is a salt chemically formed? -Correct Answer ✔-When you add acid or base to
neutralize a solution the products formed are water and salts.
A change in pH units represents a tenfold change in the acidity of the solution
(logarithmic scale). If one solution has a pH of 1 and a second solution has a pH of 2,
the first solution is not twice as acidic a the second it is ______times more acidic. -
Correct Answer ✔-ten (logarithmic)
What is a pH scale? -Correct Answer ✔-a logarithmic scale that indicates the pH of a
solution. It ranges from 0 - 14.
On the pH scale, what numbers represent an acid? -Correct Answer ✔-0-6
On the pH scale, what numbers represent a base? -Correct Answer ✔-8-14
On the pH scale, what number represents a neutral solution? -Correct Answer ✔-7
What is a weak acid? -Correct Answer ✔-An acid that only partially ionizes (breaks
down) in a solution. Weak acids are close to 7pH
What is a weak base? -Correct Answer ✔-A weak base will only parttally ionize in a
solution. This means that not every molecule breaks apart.
What is a chemical change? -Correct Answer ✔-When a change in composition occurs
giving new substances with new properties.
Example when wood changes to carbon. Wood and carbon do not have similar
properties.
WHat is a physical change? -Correct Answer ✔-When a change does NOT change the
composition.
What are indicators of a chemical change? -Correct Answer ✔-Observations such as
what you see( color change, precipitant (solids in solutions)
Hear-boom Smell Taste-sour/sweet Feel-hot or cold.
Also, bubbles indicate gas..
What is the law of conservation of mass? -Correct Answer ✔-Mass is not created nor
destroyed.
What is a chemical formula? -Correct Answer ✔--chemical symbols represent molecules
with subscripts to represent the number of that element.
NaCl represents table salt.
Chem 103
,Chem 103
Reactants are on the right or left of the -> (yield) sign in a chemical equation. -Correct
Answer ✔-left
Products are on the left or right of the ->(yield) sign in a chemical equation. -Correct
Answer ✔-right
What does the -> represent in a chemical equation? -Correct Answer ✔-yield or to
produce
What is a chemical equation? -Correct Answer ✔-It represents with chemical formulas a
chemical change/reaction.
When one molecule splits apart and switch places this is called a __ reaction. -Correct
Answer ✔-replacement type of chemical reaction
What is a reactant in a chemical equation? -Correct Answer ✔-They are substances that
are present before the chemical change takes place. They are what you put into the
chemical reaction to cause a chemical change.
What is a product in a chemical equation? -Correct Answer ✔-Chemicals that are
formed during the chemical change.
When energy is absorbed in a chemical reaction it is a __reaction. -Correct Answer ✔-
endothermic
When energy is released in a cheicial reaction it is a __reaction> -Correct Answer ✔-
exothermic ( usually in the form of heat)
What does a neutralization chemical reaction produce? -Correct Answer ✔-water and
salt
A chemical reaction is when a __ change has occurred. -Correct Answer ✔-chemical
What happens to the old molecules in a chemical reaction? -Correct Answer ✔-They
rearrange into new molecules
What is activation energy? -Correct Answer ✔-The energy needed to start a chemical
reaction.
What is a coefficient? -Correct Answer ✔-The number in front of a chemical formula
which tells how many of that molecules is needed to balance the chemical equation.
Chemical reactions will produce -Correct Answer ✔-new substances.
Chem 103
, Chem 103
A __ represents a chemical reaction -Correct Answer ✔-chemical equation
What happens in a chemical reaction? -Correct Answer ✔-bonds between atoms are
broken and new bonds are formed.
Why are chemical equations balanced? -Correct Answer ✔-When chemical equations
are balanced they have the same number of the same atom on both sides of the
equation. This is because of the law of conservation of matter.
How does a catalyst increase the reaction rate? -Correct Answer ✔-by lowering the
activation energy
Describe the types of chemcial reactions? -Correct Answer ✔-Synthesis A + B -> AB
(single product)
Decomposition AB-> A + B ( breaks down into smaller elements)
Single Replacement AB + C -> AC + B
Double Replacement AB + CD -> AD + BC
Neutralization acid + base -> water + salt
What is a synthesis chemical equation? -Correct Answer ✔-When two ro more
substances combine in a chemical reaction to form another substance .
What is a decomposition chemical equation? -Correct Answer ✔-The breakdown of a
substance into two or more simpler substances.
What is a macromolecule? -Correct Answer ✔-They are large molecules which are
needed for a living organism. They are fats, proteins, nucleic acid (DNA, RNA) and
carbohydrate.
Carbon is unique and causes the formation of long chains in macromolecules because
of its __ -Correct Answer ✔-four valence electrons
What is the word chemical equation for photosynthesis? -Correct Answer ✔-carbon
dioxide + water -> glucose and oxygen gas
What are the reactants in photosynthesis? -Correct Answer ✔-carbon dioxide and water
What are the products in photosynthesis? -Correct Answer ✔-glucose and oxygen gas
What factors influence the rate of chemical reaction? -Correct Answer ✔-pH
concentration pressure, surface area, temperature
What is the name of the white horse on my farm? -Correct Answer ✔-Ghost
Chem 103
