BECE - Basic Education Certificate Examination Matter, Elements, and Compounds Questions and Answers

Question 1

Which of the following substances is a compound?

Accepted Answer

Water

Answer

Air

Answer

Nitrogen

Answer

Gold

Question 2

A student observes that a substance is made up of only one type of atom and cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means. How should the student classify this substance?

Accepted Answer

An element

Answer

A mixture

Answer

A compound

Answer

A solution

Question 3

In a science experiment, two clear liquids are physically mixed together. The resulting liquid is also clear, but its components can be separated by distillation. The original properties of the liquids are retained. This new substance is best described as a...

Accepted Answer

Mixture

Answer

Compound

Answer

Element

Answer

Molecule

Question 4

Which of the following correctly describes a key difference between a compound and a mixture?

Accepted Answer

A compound has properties different from its constituents, while a mixture retains the properties of its components.

Answer

A compound has a variable composition, while a mixture has a fixed composition.

Answer

The components of a compound can be separated by physical means, while those of a mixture cannot.

Answer

Energy is always absorbed when a mixture is formed, but released when a compound is formed.

Question 5

Table salt has the chemical formula NaCl. This indicates that it is a compound made up of which two elements?

Accepted Answer

Sodium and Chlorine

Answer

Sodium and Carbon

Answer

Nitrogen and Chlorine

Answer

Nitrogen and Carbon

Question 6

All of the following are examples of matter EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Sunlight

Answer

A book

Answer

Air

Answer

Water