IGCSE Chemistry – States of Matter Test
Time allowed: 45 minutes
Total: 20 marks
Section A: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
(Each question = 1 mark, total = 4 marks)
1. Which of the following best describes a liquid?
A. Particles fixed in regular positions, vibrating only
B. Particles able to move past each other, with definite volume but no
fixed shape
C. Particles far apart, moving randomly to fill the container
D. Particles strongly bonded in rigid lattice
2. When a liquid’s temperature reaches its boiling point (at given
pressure), what happens?
A. The temperature continues to rise steadily
B. Bubbles of vapor form within the liquid
C. The liquid becomes a supercritical fluid instantly
D. The vapor condenses immediately
3. Which change of state is endothermic?
A. Freezing
B. Condensation
C. Sublimation
D. Deposition
4. Which gas will diffuse fastest under identical conditions of temperature
and pressure?
A. CO₂
B. O₂
C. N₂
D. He
Section B: Fill in the Blanks
(Each blank = 0.5 mark, total = 4 marks)
5. In the kinetic particle theory, the _________ of particles increases when
temperature increases.
6. A pure substance has a sharp ___________ point and a sharp
___________ point.
7. When a gas is compressed (pressure ↑) at constant temperature, its
_________ decreases.
8. Diffusion in gases is faster than in liquids because intermolecular
spaces are more ___________.
9. The process by which a solid turn directly into a gas is called _________.
Section C: Short Answer / Theory
(Total = 8 marks)
10. (a) Explain, in terms of particle model, why a solid retains its
shape while a liquid does not.
(b) As the temperature of a gas increases at constant pressure, explain
what happens to its volume (and why).
(3 + 2 marks)
11. (a) Sketch and label a simple heating curve (temperature vs
time) for a pure substance showing solid → liquid → gas (just showing
plateaus).
(b) On your sketch, indicate where latent heat is being absorbed (i.e.
which segments).
(1 + 1 marks)
12. A sealed container holds a small amount of a highly volatile
liquid at room temperature. Over time, its vapor spreads to fill the
entire container uniformly (no net change in pressure). Use kinetic
particle theory to explain how this happens.
(2 marks)
Section D: Long / Extended Response
(Total = 4 marks)
13. A student investigates diffusion of ammonia (NH₃) and hydrogen
chloride (HCl) gases in a long glass tube. One end of the tube is fitted
with a nozzle releasing NH₃, and the other end with HCl. They meet
and form a white ring of solid NH₄Cl at some point in the tube.
(a) Predict on which side (closer to NH₃ end or HCl end) the white ring will
form, and explain your reasoning in terms of molecular mass and rate of
diffusion.
(b) If the experiment is repeated at a higher temperature, what change (if
any) would you expect in the position of the ring? Explain.
(c) Suggest one limitation or assumption in this experiment that might affect
accuracy of where the ring appears.
Mark scheme (suggested):
Section A: 4 marks
Section B: 4 marks
Section C: 8 marks
Section D: 4 marks
