FREE! Click here to Join FunTrivia. Thousands of games, quizzes, and lots more!

Theories of Matter Trivia Quiz

This quiz is on early and more recent theories about matter and people who created the theories. I hope you learn something new!

A multiple-choice quiz by Lanire. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
Lanire

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
95,051

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
3184

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. First of all, who named a single indivisible particle of matter an atom?

Answer: (A Greek Philosopher)

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. Who was a Greek that severely criticized the theory of atoms in continuous motion and proposed the four-element theory of matter?

Answer: (Not Empedocles)

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. Which of the following is not part of John Dalton's theory about atoms in 1803? Hint

All atoms of an element have identical properties

In chemical reactions some of the atoms are destroyed

All matter is composed of tiny, indivisible particles called atoms

Atoms of two or more elements can combine in constant ratios to form new substances

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. What did J.J. Thomson use in order to measure the mass of the atom and its electric charge in 1897? Hint

cathode ray tube

mass spectrometer

electronic microscope

CANDU

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. In J.J. Thomson's 1897 model the electrons were located inside the nucleus (although it wasn't yet called a nucleus.)

True

False

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. What type of particles did Ernest Rutherford use in his 1911 experiment with gold foil? Hint

beta particles

alpha particles

gamma particles

delta particles

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. In 1932, what did James Chadwick theorize that an atom must contain? Hint

Electrons

Neutrons

Protons

Quarks

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. Who developed the concept of atomic number? Hint

J. Meyer

D. Mendeleev

H. Moseley

J. Newlands

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. Who is credited with developing the idea of an isotope? Hint

J. Moseley

Frederick Soddy

N. Nagaoka

N. Bohr

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. Which important scientist created the theory that electrons are located within a fixed distance from the nucleus on a certain energy level? Hint

J. Dalton

E. Rutherford

N. Bohr

W. Heisenberg

(Optional) Create a Free FunTrivia ID to save the points you are about to earn:

Select a User ID:

Choose a Password:

Your Email:

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. First of all, who named a single indivisible particle of matter an atom?

Answer: Democritus

He believed that different atoms are of different sizes, have regular geometric shapes, and are in constant motion. He also believed that there is empty space betweeen atoms.

2. Who was a Greek that severely criticized the theory of atoms in continuous motion and proposed the four-element theory of matter?

Answer: Aristotle

The thory was based on the idea that all matter is made up of four basic substances: earth, water, air, and fire. Aristotle and his followers believed that each of these basic substances had different combinations of four specific qualities: dry, moist, cold, and hot.

3. Which of the following is not part of John Dalton's theory about atoms in 1803?

Answer: In chemical reactions some of the atoms are destroyed

On contrary, Dalton proposed that in chemical reactions, atoms join together or separate from each other but are not destroyed. This explained the law of conservation of mass, which was observed by earlier scientists.

4. What did J.J. Thomson use in order to measure the mass of the atom and its electric charge in 1897?

Answer: cathode ray tube

J.J. Thomson (1856-1940) used the most primitive tool of the listed above since he could not have an electronic microscope or a mass spectrometer at the time. CANDU is a Canadian-designed nuclear reactor system.

5. In J.J. Thomson's 1897 model the electrons were located inside the nucleus (although it wasn't yet called a nucleus.)

Answer: True

At 1904, a Japanese scientist Nantaro Nagaoka represented the atom as a large positively charged sphere surrounded by a ring of negative electrons and until 1911, there was no evidence to contradict either theory.

6. What type of particles did Ernest Rutherford use in his 1911 experiment with gold foil?

Answer: alpha particles

Alpha particle is basically the nucleus of a helium atom produced by radioactive decay of uranium.

7. In 1932, what did James Chadwick theorize that an atom must contain?

Answer: Neutrons

James Chadwick (1891-1974) modified Ernest Rutherford's model by demonstrating that atomic nuclei must contain heavy neutral particles in order for the nuclei to have the proper mass.

8. Who developed the concept of atomic number?

Answer: H. Moseley

Mendeleev, Newlands, and Meyer worked towards creating a periodic table, but the concept of atomic number was developed by Moseley. Moseley's research with X-rays showed that the nucleus of each element has its own, unique positive charge. The positive charge increases one by one as the elements progress through Mendeleev's periodic table. Moseley was the first to recognize the relationship between atomic number and nuclear charge.

9. Who is credited with developing the idea of an isotope?

Answer: Frederick Soddy

Frederick Soddy was the first to propose that the number of neutrons can vary from atom to atom within the same element.

10. Which important scientist created the theory that electrons are located within a fixed distance from the nucleus on a certain energy level?

Answer: N. Bohr

Energy level is a state with definite and fixed energy in which an electron is allowed to move.

Source: Author Lanire

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor crisw before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.