Matter and Its Properties — Free IB MYP2 Sciences Questions

1QuestionCompounds and Chemical FormulaeConcept Practice

2 marks~3 minCriterion A

The diagram below shows a model of a water molecule (

\text{H}_2\text{O}

). The two small circles represent atoms of one element, and the large circle represents an atom of a different element.

a

Identify the element represented by the small circles. [1]

b

Identify the element represented by the large circle. [1]

Solutions

2QuestionAtomic Number and Mass Number BasicConcept Practice

3 marks~5 minCriterion B

The table below shows data for four elements.

Element	Helium	Lithium	Beryllium	Boron
Atomic number	2	3	4	5
Mass number	4	7	9	11
Neutrons	___	___	___	___

a

Calculate the number of neutrons for each element. [1]

b

State the relationship between mass number, atomic number, and number of neutrons. [1]

c

Chlorine has an atomic number of 17 and a mass number of 35. Using the relationship you identified, calculate the number of neutrons in a chlorine atom and explain whether this follows the same pattern as the four elements above. [1]

Solutions

3QuestionAtomic Number and Mass Number BasicConcept Practice

4 marks~6 minCriterion A

The diagram shows a carbon atom with 6 protons and 6 neutrons in its nucleus, and 6 electrons arranged in two shells.

a

State the atomic number of carbon and identify which particles determine it. [1]

b

Calculate the mass number of carbon, showing your working. [2]

c

Explain why electrons are not included when finding the mass number. [1]

Solutions

4QuestionChoosing Appropriate Separation MethodsConcept Practice

2 marks~3 minCriterion B

A student tests three filters with pore sizes of

0.1

mm,

0.5

mm, and

1.0

mm to separate sand from water. The same volume of sand–water mixture is poured through each filter, and the time for all the water to pass through is recorded.

a

Identify the independent variable and the dependent variable in this investigation. [1]

b

Identify one controlled variable and explain why it must be kept constant. [1]

Solutions

5QuestionChoosing Appropriate Separation MethodsConcept Practice

4 marks~6 minCriterion A

A student mixes sand, salt, and water, then pours the mixture through filter paper in a funnel. The liquid that passes through is collected in a beaker.

a

Explain why sand stays on the filter paper but salt passes through. [2]

b

Describe how the student could obtain solid salt from the liquid in the beaker, and explain why filtration alone cannot do this. [2]

Solutions

6QuestionNeutralization Reactions IntroductoryConcept Practice

2 marks~3 minCriterion B

A student adds different volumes of vinegar (an acid) to the same amount of baking soda (a base) and records the temperature change each time.

a

Identify the independent variable in this investigation. [1]

b

Identify one controlled variable and explain why it must be kept the same. [1]

Solutions

7QuestionDefinition and Properties of Acids and BasesConcept Practice

3 marks~5 minCriterion A

The bar graph below shows the pH values of four household substances: lemon juice (pH 2), vinegar (pH 3), water (pH 7), and baking soda solution (pH 9).

a

Identify the most acidic substance shown in the graph. [1]

b

Explain why a lower pH value means a substance is more acidic. Use the idea that acids release

H^+

ions (protons) in your answer. [1]

c

Compare lemon juice and baking soda solution in terms of their pH values and

H^+

ion concentrations. [1]

Solutions

8QuestionApplications of Particle Theory in Real LifeConcept Practice

3 marks~5 minCriterion A

A metal rail is 10.000 m long at 0°C. When heated to 100°C, its length increases to 10.012 m.

a

State what happens to the particles in a solid when it is heated. [1]

b

Explain, using particle theory, why the rail becomes longer when heated. [1]

c

The rail expands by 0.012 m over 100°C. A steel bridge beam expands by 0.060 m over the same temperature rise. Compare the expansion of the two metals and suggest one reason for the difference. [1]

Solutions

9QuestionExamples of Reversible and Irreversible ChangesConcept Practice

2 marks~3 minCriterion A

An ice cube is left on a warm plate and melts into liquid water. The water is then placed in a freezer, where it refreezes into ice.

a

Identify the two states of matter involved in this process. [1]

b

Explain why this is a reversible change, using the terms melting and freezing in your answer. [1]

Solutions

10QuestionCompounds and Chemical FormulaeAssessment Practice

6 marks~9 minCriterion D

A student mixes baking soda (sodium hydrogen carbonate) and vinegar (ethanoic acid). The reaction is:

\mathrm{NaHCO_3 + CH_3COOH \rightarrow CH_3COONa + H_2O + CO_2}

a

Identify the chemical formula of baking soda and the chemical formula of vinegar. [2]

b

Explain why bubbles form when the two substances are mixed. [2]

c

The student plans to use the mixture to clean a greasy surface. Compare the cleaning effectiveness of this mixture with that of a commercial cleaner, giving one reason based on the reaction above. [2]

Solutions

11QuestionDefinition of Elements and SymbolsAssessment Practice

5 marks~8 minCriterion B

The table below shows eight elements and their symbols.

Element: Hydrogen	Symbol: $H$
Element: Helium	Symbol: $He$
Element: Lithium	Symbol: $Li$
Element: Beryllium	Symbol: $Be$
Element: Boron	Symbol: $B$
Element: Carbon	Symbol: $C$
Element: Nitrogen	Symbol: $N$
Element: Oxygen	Symbol: $O$

a

Identify the pattern used to form these symbols from the element names. [1]

b

Using your pattern, predict the symbol for Fluorine and explain your reasoning. [2]

c

Sodium has the symbol

Na

, not

S

. Compare this with the pattern you identified and explain why the symbol differs. [2]

Solutions

12QuestionCompounds and Chemical FormulaeAssessment Practice

4 marks~6 minCriterion C

The diagram below shows a water molecule. One oxygen atom (

O

) sits in the centre, with two hydrogen atoms (

H

) attached on either side.

a

Identify the number of each type of atom shown in the diagram. [1]

b

Explain why the chemical formula for water is written as

H_2O

, using evidence from the diagram. [2]

c

Compare

H_2O

with

HO

and

H_2O_2

. Explain why neither alternative correctly represents the water molecule shown. [1]

Solutions

13QuestionStructure of a Simple AtomAssessment Practice

4 marks~6 minCriterion C

A school science video shows a simplified atom as a solid sphere with electrons fixed on concentric rings (circles around the centre), to explain how electricity flows through a wire.

a

Identify one benefit of using this simplified model to teach electricity to beginners. [1]

b

Explain why this benefit helps beginners learn about electricity. [1]

c

Compare what this model shows about electron movement with what actually happens in a wire, and explain how this difference could lead to a misconception. [2]

Solutions

14QuestionIntroduction to the Concept of IonsAssessment Practice

4 marks~6 minCriterion D

A small town uses an ion-exchange water filter to remove harmful lead ions (

\text{Pb}^{2+}

) from its drinking water. The filter works by swapping harmless sodium ions (

\text{Na}^{+}

) for lead ions. Once all the sodium ions are used up, the filter becomes saturated and stops working.

a

Identify one benefit of this filter for public health. [1]

b

Explain why a saturated filter is a risk to public health. [2]

c

A town uses two identical filters in sequence. Compare this two-filter design with the single-filter design in terms of safety and maintenance. [1]

Solutions

15QuestionDistillation and Chromatography IntroductoryAssessment Practice

3 marks~5 minCriterion C

The graph below shows how temperature changes over time when a salt-water mixture is distilled.

a

Identify the temperature at which the flat region of the graph occurs. [1]

b

Explain why the temperature stays constant during this stage of distillation. [1]

c

A student says the flat region would look the same if pure water were distilled instead of salt water. Do you agree? Compare what would be the same and what would be different. [1]

Solutions

16QuestionChoosing Appropriate Separation MethodsAssessment Practice

4 marks~6 minCriterion D

A family in a rural area collects muddy river water for drinking. They consider two methods: filtration through a cloth and evaporation using sunlight.

a

Identify which method more effectively removes visible solid particles from the water. [1]

b

Explain how the method you identified in (a) removes the solid particles. [1]

c

Explain one limitation of this method that could still make the water unsafe to drink. [2]

Solutions

17QuestionCommon Acids and Bases in Everyday LifeAssessment Practice

6 marks~9 minCriterion D

Vinegar is a weak acid used in kitchens and bathrooms. Baking soda is a base (a substance that neutralizes acids) used in cooking and cleaning.

a

Identify one specific household cleaning task for which vinegar or baking soda is effective. [1]

b

Explain why your chosen substance is effective for that task. Use the terms acid, base, and neutralization in your answer. [2]

c

Compare your chosen substance with a purpose-made cleaning product for the same task, and explain one reason why the purpose-made product may work better. [3]

Solutions

18QuestionSafety and Handling of Acids and Bases in the LabAssessment Practice

6 marks~9 minCriterion C

Students added drops of lemon juice, baking soda solution, and milk to separate containers of acid and recorded the pH after each drop. The graph shows their results.

pH key: 1–6 = acidic | 7 = neutral | 8–14 = basic

a

Describe what the graph shows about how the pH changes when each substance is added to the acid. [2]

b

The students repeat the experiment with twice as much acid. Estimate how many drops of baking soda solution are needed to reach pH 7, and explain your reasoning using the pattern shown in the graph. [2]

c

Compare how baking soda solution and milk reduce the danger of the acid, using evidence from the graph. [2]

Solutions

19QuestionSolids Liquids and Gases Basic PropertiesAssessment Practice

6 marks~9 minCriterion B

A student traps

20.0 \, \text{mL}

of air in a syringe at

20^\circ\text{C}

. She heats the syringe and records the volume at each temperature.

Temperature ( $^\circ\text{C}$ )	20	40	60
Volume (mL)	20.0	21.4	22.8

a

Identify the pattern in the data. [1]

b

Calculate the predicted volume of air at

80^\circ\text{C}

. Show your working. [2]

c

Explain, using particle theory, why heating the air causes its volume to increase. [3]

Solutions

20QuestionApplications of Particle Theory in Real LifeAssessment Practice

5 marks~8 minCriterion C

A student seals the tip of a syringe at the 20 mL mark, then pushes the plunger to the 10 mL mark. They feel resistance and say: "The air particles are being compressed, so they become smaller, making it harder to push."

a

Identify the error in the student's claim about air particles. [1]

b

Explain, using particle theory, why the air particles create more resistance as the plunger moves from 20 mL to 10 mL. [2]

c

Compare the student's explanation with the correct scientific explanation. State one way they are similar and one way they differ. [2]

Solutions

21QuestionApplications of Particle Theory in Real LifeAssessment Practice

2 marks~3 minCriterion D

A student sprays deodorant on one side of a classroom. A few minutes later, students on the opposite side can smell it.

a

Describe how particle theory explains why the smell spreads across the room. [1]

b

State one limitation of the particle model in explaining this observation. [1]

Solutions

22QuestionDefinition and Comparison of Physical and Chemical ChangesAssessment Practice

4 marks~6 minCriterion B

A student records results from five experiments:

Experiment	New substance formed	Reversible
Tearing paper	No	Yes
Burning wood	Yes	No
Melting ice	No	Yes
Rusting nail	Yes	No
Dissolving sugar	No	Yes

a

Identify two patterns in the data that distinguish physical changes from chemical changes. [2]

b

A student boils an egg. The egg white turns solid and cannot be made liquid again. Explain whether boiling an egg is a physical or chemical change, using both patterns from part (a). [2]

Solutions

23QuestionDefinition and Comparison of Physical and Chemical ChangesAssessment Practice

4 marks~6 minCriterion C

The diagram shows

\text{H}_2\text{O}

molecules arranged in a regular pattern (ice, left) and a more spread-out pattern (liquid water, right).

a

Identify the type of change that occurs when ice melts. [1]

b

Explain why the

\text{H}_2\text{O}

molecules themselves are unchanged after melting. [1]

c

Compare the arrangement of

\text{H}_2\text{O}

molecules in ice and in liquid water, and explain how this comparison shows that melting is not a chemical change. [2]

Solutions

24QuestionDefinition and Comparison of Physical and Chemical ChangesAssessment Practice

2 marks~3 minCriterion D

An iron gate left outside for several months develops a flaky orange-brown coating (rust, or iron oxide). A nearby painted gate shows no such change.

Describe one real-world consequence of the rusting that occurs on the iron gate, and explain why that consequence matters. [2]

Solutions

Matter and Its Properties — Free MYP2 Sciences Practice Questions