SPM Malaysia · Science

Nuclear Energy, Carbon Compounds, Polymers, and Industrial Chemistry

35 practice questions, each with the answer and an explanation.

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Random questions from this topic, one at a time. You see the answer and the explanation straight after each one.

All 35 questions

  1. What nuclear process occurs when a heavy Uranium-235 nucleus is bombarded by a slow-moving thermal neutron, splitting into two lighter daughter nuclei?
  2. Which physical conditions are required to initiate nuclear fusion between light isotopes of hydrogen (deuterium and tritium)?
  3. What is the function of boron or cadmium control rods in a commercial nuclear fission reactor?
  4. What is the function of the moderator, such as heavy water or high-purity graphite, inside a thermal nuclear reactor?
  5. In Einstein's mass-energy equivalence equation , what physical quantity does the symbol denote?
  6. Which radioactive isotope is widely utilized in medical oncology to deliver targeted radiotherapy to destroy malignant cancer cells?
  7. Which radioisotope is clinically administered in medicine to diagnose and treat metabolic disorders of the thyroid gland, such as hyperthyroidism?
  8. Which radioisotope is utilized by geologists and archaeologists in radiocarbon dating to determine the age of ancient organic biological artifacts?
  9. In agricultural research, how is the radioisotope Phosphorus-32 () utilized to optimize crop cultivation?
  10. Which radioisotope is commonly dissolved into water supply networks to locate the precise position of underground pipeline leaks?
  11. On which fundamental physical property does the industrial fractional distillation of crude petroleum oil rely to separate its various hydrocarbon fractions?
  12. Which dense, viscous fraction collected from the base of the petroleum fractionating tower is used for road surfacing and roofing waterproofing?
  13. Why is ethane () classified as a saturated hydrocarbon, whereas ethene () is classified as an unsaturated hydrocarbon?
  14. What distinctive chemical observation occurs when unsaturated ethene gas is bubbled into reddish-brown bromine water in a test tube?
  15. During the fermentation of glucose solutions by baker's yeast to produce ethanol, what metabolic gas is produced as a byproduct?
  16. When pure ethanol is heated with ethanoic acid in the presence of concentrated sulfuric acid, which organic homologous series does the product belong to?
  17. What distinctive physical property of esters makes them widely utilized in the commercial manufacture of cosmetics and food flavorings?
  18. Which characteristic accurately distinguishes saturated animal fats from unsaturated vegetable oils?
  19. What is the chemical name of the repeating monomer unit that polymerizes naturally to form natural rubber (polyisoprene)?
  20. Why does adding a dilute weak acid, such as ethanoic acid (), to fresh liquid latex cause it to coagulate rapidly into a solid mass?
  21. Why do rubber plantation workers add a dilute alkaline solution of ammonia () to fresh latex collection cups to prevent premature coagulation?
  22. What chemical treatment is carried out during the industrial vulcanization of natural rubber?
  23. Which of the following physical properties is a superior characteristic of vulcanized rubber compared to unvulcanized natural rubber?
  24. Which synthetic polymer is synthesized by addition polymerization of chloroethene and is widely used for residential plumbing drainage pipes and electrical insulation?
  25. Why does the disposal of non-biodegradable synthetic plastic packaging in open landfills pose severe long-term environmental hazards?
  26. What chemical reaction occurs during saponification to manufacture soap?
  27. In the cleansing action of soap, how do the soap molecules interact with greasy stains on fabric immersed in water?
  28. Why does ordinary soap lose its cleansing effectiveness and form an insoluble greyish precipitate (scum) when used with hard water?
  29. What is the primary operational advantage of synthetic detergents over traditional soaps when laundering in hard water?
  30. Which food additive is added to edible cooking oils and packaged processed foods to inhibit oxidation and prevent the food from becoming rancid?
  31. Iodine-131 has a half-life of 8 days. A sample of iodine-131 has an activity of 800 counts per minute. What is its activity after 24 days?
  32. In a nuclear fission reaction, a mass defect of occurs. How much energy is released? Use .
  33. What is the general formula of the alkene homologous series?
  34. Ethanol burns completely in excess oxygen: . What mass of carbon dioxide is produced when of ethanol burns? [Relative atomic mass: H = 1, C = 1…
  35. Which type of polymerisation forms nylon, with a small molecule such as water given off each time two monomers join?

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