Essential Chemistry SPM Question Bank

Chapter 1: Introduction to Chemistry

Paper 1

1) W, X, Y and Z are steps involved in the scientific investigation.

Which of the following sequences is correct?

A Z, W, X, Y
B W, Z, Y, X
C Z, W, Y, X
D Y, Z, W, X

2) Which of the following is the most accurate definition of hypothesis?

A Hypothesis is the interpretation of the data collected during an investigation
B Hypothesis is a statement about an investigation whose truth has been proven
C Hypothesis is the result of an investigation
D Hypothesis is a statement about the relationship between the variable that is manipulated
and the variable that responds

3) Why must we plan the methods and techniques to be used prior to a scientific investigation?
A To ensure that the data collected is more accurate
B To ease the collection of data
C To collect the data in a faster way
D To conduct an investigation easily

4) When planning a scientific investigation, the following is conducted except

A the determination of the data collection method
B the determination of the ways of controlling the variables that are kept constant
C the selection of as many manipulated variables as possible
D the listing of all suitable materials and apparatus to be used
5) The figure below shows an experiment to study the relationship between the oscillation of the
weight and the length of the thread.

Which of the following is paired correctly?

Variable that is kept constant Variable that is manipulated

A Length of the thread Time of the oscillation
B Mass of the weight Length of the thread
C Time of the oscillation Shape of the weight
D Shape of the weight Time of the oscillation

6) Which of the following variables has its value obtained through observation in an experiment?
A Independent variable
B Variable that is kept constant
C Variable that is manipulated
D Variable that responds

7) A student would like to investigate how different materials affect the rate of metal expansion.
Which of the following variables should not be made constant?
A Type of material
B Heat supplied
C Shape of the material
D Atmospheric pressure
8) The graph in the figure below shows the relationship between the voltage value and current
value in an experiment.

The variable that responds in the experiment is the

A voltage
B current
C resistance
D time taken

9) The following must be observed when making a hypothesis except

A give suggestions or explanations based on the scientific principle
B change the data to support the hypothesis made
C use the existing knowledge to explain a phenomenon
D admit that there are other ways to explain an occurrence

10) Which of the following statements about variables is not true?

A Variables that are manipulated are independent variables
B Variables that respond are data collected from an investigation
C Variables that respond are determined by variables that are kept constant
D Variables that are kept constant are variables that are fixed in an experiment

11) What is the first step that is taken in a scientific investigation?

A Controlling the variables
B Making an inference
C Making a hypothesis
D Identifying the problem

12) Which of the following are scientific and noble values?

I Critical and analytical thinking
II Being systematic
III Interest and curiosity
A I and II only
B I and III only
C II and III only
D I, II and III
13) Which of the following are carried out in a scientific method?
I Predicting
II Observing
III Grateful
A I and II only
B I and III only
C II and III only
D I, II and III

14) Which of the following is a hypothesis statement?

I The evaporation rate of water is influenced by the exposed area
II The bigger the size of a gas jar, the longer the candle will burn in the gas jar
III The Earth is one of the planets in the solar system
A III only
B I and II only
C II and III only
D I, II, and III

15) The following steps are taken while collecting and interpreting data in a scientific
investigation except
I the data collected can be interpreted in the form of a table
II the data recorded can be shown in a histogram
III any data that is believed to be incorrect should be removed
A III only
B I and II only
C I and III only
D II and III only
Paper 3

When hot water is poured on solid salt, the solid salt is

found to have dissolved faster than it would in cold water.

Referring to the statement above, plan one laboratory experiment to investigate the effect of
temperature on the solubility of solid salt in hot water and in cold water. Your plan should
include the following aspects:
(i) Aim of the experiment
(ii) All the variables
(iii) Statement of the hypothesis
(iv) List of materials and apparatus
(v) Procedure of the experiment
(vi) Tabulation of data
Answers:
Paper 1
1 C 11 D
2 D 12 D
3 D 13 A
4 C 14 B
5 B 15 A
6 C
7 A
8 A
9 B
10 C

Paper 3
(i) To study the effect of temperature on the solubility of solid salt in water

(ii) Variable that

is manipulated: Temperature of the water
responds : Solubility of the salt/ Time taken for all the salt to dissolve in the
water
is kept constant: Quantity of salt/ Volume of the water

(iii) When the temperature of the water increases, less time is taken by the salt to dissolve
in the water.

(iv) List of materials: Solid table salt, water

List of apparatus: Beaker, thermometer, wire gauze, tripod stand, Bunsen burner,
stopwatch

(v) Procedure
1) 50 cm3 of water is poured into a beaker at room temperature.
2) 5 g of solid table salt is put into the beaker and stirred.
3) At the same time, the stopwatch is started and the time taken for all the solid
table salt to dissolve in the water is recorded.
4) The experiment is repeated using the same volume of water and mass of solid
table salt but the mixture is now heated to a temperature of 80oC.

(vi) Tabulation of data

Temperature of the water/ oC Time taken for all the salt to dissolve in the water/ s
30
80