Deck 15: The Chemistry of Household Products

Question 1

Which of these represent(s) characteristic(s) of LAS detergents but not of ABS detergents?
I. They are biodegradable.
II. They form branched alkyl chains.
III. They are anionic detergents.

A) I only
B) II only
C) I and II
D) I and III
E) II and III

Answer 1

I only

Question 2

A mixture of one substance dispersed in a finely divided state throughout another is known as a _____.

A) polymer
B) surfactant
C) micelle
D) colloidal suspension
E) soap

Answer 2

colloidal suspension

Question 3

Identify the characteristic(s) of a soap. ​
I. It acts at surfaces.
II. It contains a polar hydrocarbon tail.
III. Its abundance in  water results in micelles.

A) I only
B) II only
C) I and II
D) II and III
E) I, II, and III

Answer 3

II only

Question 4

When soapy water is added to grease or oil, the soap molecule's _____ interacts with nonpolar grease and its _____ interacts with polar water.

A) hydrocarbon tail; ionic head
B) ionic head; hydrocarbon tail
C) micelle; hydrocarbon tail
D) hydrocarbon tail; micelle
E) ionic head; micelle

Question 5

Soap molecules cluster in structures called _____.

A) polymers.
B) detergents.
C) micelles.
D) colloids.
E) surfactants.

Question 6

Which of the following is minimized when a  group of soap molecules form micelles?

A) Interaction between the hydrocarbon tail and grease
B) Interaction between the hydrocarbon tail and water molecules
C) Interaction between the ionic head and water molecules
D) Interaction between the ionic head and grease
E) None of these

Question 7

Which of these ions found in hard water reduces the effectiveness of a soap?

A) Ca²⁺
B) C^{4 −}
C) F ⁻
D) Ag⁺
E) Hg²⁺

Question 8

Which of these is the primary problem with alkylbenzenesufonates (ABS) detergents?

A) They are non-biodegradable.
B) They are expensive.
C) They have limited effect on fabric.
D) They form curd on bathtubs.
E) None of these

Question 9

Which of these was/were the first synthetic detergent designed to combat the problem of hard water?

A) Nonionic  detergents
B) LAS
C) Cationic  detergents
D) ABS
E) LBS

Question 10

A soap is classified as a(n) _____.

A) lipid.
B) oil.
C) surfactant.
D) plastic.
E) enzyme.

Question 11

Which of these substances is trapped in the center of a micelle when it is formed?

A) Soap
B) Grease
C) Water
D) Bleach
E) None of these

Question 12

Colloidal suspensions are a type of _____.

A) emulsions
B) polymers
C) lipids
D) surfactants
E) reducing agents

Question 13

Which of these substances dissolves easily in water and can be removed from fabric?

A) Grease
B) Syrup
C) Coffee
D) Wine
E) Ink

Question 14

Which of these is not a problem associated with soap in hard water?

A) Formation of non-biodegradable products
B) Formation of bathtub rings
C) Formation of insoluble precipitates
D) Formation of gray films on dishes and clothes
E) None of these

Question 15

Which of these properties of a soap helps dissolve grease in water?

A) Acidity
B) Oxidizing ability
C) Polymerization
D) Molecular flexibility
E) Polar-nonpolar nature

Question 16

Which of these represent(s) characteristic(s) of ABS detergents?
I. Biodegradable
II. Branched alkyl chain
III. Cationic detergent

A) I only
B) II only
C) I and II
D) I and III
E) II and III

Question 17

Which of these is/are characteristic(s) of a soap?
I. It acts at surfaces.
II. It contains a polar ionic head.
III. Micelles of a soap are neutral and therefore react with grease effectively.

A) I only
B) II only
C) I and II
D) II and III
E) I, II, and III.

Question 18

Identify the substance(s) that act as the emulsifying agent(s) in a mixture of soap, water, and grease.

A) Water
B) Grease
C) Soap
D) Grease and soap
E) Water and grease

Question 19

Which of these detergents was the first developed in response to the problems associated with ABS detergents?

A) Cationic  detergents
B) Nonionic  detergents
C) LAS
D) LBS
E) None of these

Question 20

Identify the substance used to oxidize tough stains on fabrics.

A) Grease
B) Surfactants
C) Polymers
D) Micelles
E) Bleaches

Question 21

Any substance that increases the effectiveness of a surfactant is known as a(n) _____.

A) ionizer
B) emulsifier
C) builder
D) dissolver
E) oxidizer

Question 22

Which of these processes occur(s) when phosphates are introduced into natural waters?
I. Fish and marine life undergo mutation.
II. Fertilized algae grow into extremely large blooms.
III. A large number of oxidation reactions deplete the oxygen supply.

A) I only
B) II only
C) I and III
D) II and III
E) I and II

Question 23

Which of these substances are  not found in ordinary laundry detergents?

A) Bleaches
B) Sebum
C) Enzymes
D) Zeolites
E) Builders

Question 24

Which of these substances contains sodium ions that exchange places with calcium ions in hard water?

A) Phosphates
B) Sodium carbonate
C) Zeolites
D) Bleaches
E) Sodium tripolyphosphate

Question 25

Which of these is not a class of detergents?

A) Hydrated
B) Cationic
C) Anionic
D) Nonionic
E) None of these

Question 26

Which of these pairs represents the two functions of a builder in detergents?

A) Oxidize impurities in water , emulsify detergents
B) Reduce impurities in water , emulsify
C) Biodegrade waste products , oxidize  impurities
D) Sequester waster products , suspend soil particles
E) Oxidize stains, suspend soil particles

Question 27

Which of these are not molecular forces that hold hair strands together?
I. Disulfide linkages
II. Hydrogen bonds
III. Nonpolar hydrocarbon tails

A) I only
B) III only
C) I and II
D) I and III
E) I, II, and III

Question 28

Which of these substances serve no laundering purpose in a detergent except to increase bulk?

A) Phosphates
B) Fillers
C) Enzymes
D) Zeolites
E) Builders

Question 29

What is the primary function of a builder in laundry detergents?

A) To act as an emulsifying agent
B) To remove grease and other nonpolar stains
C) To remove hard water ions such as Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺
D) To increase the tensile strength of a fabric
E) To accelerate the natural biodegradation process of a surfactant

Question 30

Which of these builders forms insoluble precipitates when it reacts with the ions found in hard water?

A) Phosphate
B) Sodium carbonate
C) Enzyme
D) Zeolite
E) Sodium tripolyphosphate

Question 31

Which of these substances is secreted from the glands on the scalp to keep hair from drying out?

A) Bleaches
B) Buffers
C) Enzymes
D) Zeolites
E) Sebum

Question 32

Which of these interactions that hold hair strands together is/are pH sensitive?
I. A salt bridge
II. A hydrogen bond
III. A disulfide linkage

A) I only
B) III only
C) I and II
D) I and III
E) I, II, and III

Question 33

Which of these substances have been used as replacements for phosphates in laundry detergents?

A) Sodium carbonate
B) Zeolites
C) Enzymes
D) Bleaches
E) Both a and b

Question 34

Which of these statements about hair is incorrect ?

A) Protein strands in hair are dissolvable in NaOH.
B) Hair is primarily composed of proteins.
C) Hair strands interact via hydrogen bonds, disulfide linkages, and salt bridges.
D) Hydrogen bonds are modified in wet and dry hair to induce curling.
E) Hair is sensitive to pH because of the presence of hydrogen bonds.

Question 35

Which of these substances serve as a "balling" reducer and an additional stain remover in detergents?

A) Phosphates
B) Fillers
C) Enzymes
D) Zeolites
E) Builders

Question 36

Identify the type of detergent the given structure represents. ​

A) Cationic
B) Anionic
C) Nonionic
D) Hydrated
E) Neutral

Question 37

Permanently curled hair is achieved by applying a(n) ____ to the hair followed by a(n) _____ to reform the disulfide linkages.

A) mild acid; strong base
B) ionic salt; strong acid
C) mild oxidizing agent; mild reducing agent
D) mild reducing agent; mild oxidizing agent
E) strong acid; mild base

Question 38

Which of these processes is characterized by large algae blooms and may cause death to marine life in a lake or bayou?

A) Eutrophication
B) Reduction
C) Saponification
D) Emulsification
E) Corrosion

Question 39

Which of these substances is the active ingredient in a drain cleaner?

A) HCl
B) Bleach
C) NaOH
D) Sebum
E) Zeolite

Question 40

Which of these interactions between keratin strands is/are broken and reformed to "permanently" curl hair?
I. A salt bridge
II. A hydrogen bond
III. A disulfide linkage

A) I only
B) II only
C) III only
D) I and III
E) I, II, and III

Question 41

When nylon is produced, the small molecule lost during the condensation polymerization process is _____.

A) ammonia
B) hydrogen
C) water
D) carbon dioxide
E) carbon

Question 42

Which of the following are combined to produce nylon?

A) An alcohol and an amide
B) An alcohol and an amine
C) An acid and an amide
D) An acid and an amine
E) None of these

Question 43

Which of these products are not an emulsion of oil and water?
I. Creams
II. Lotions
III. Foundations
IV. Perfumes

A) III only
B) IV only
C) I and II
D) III and IV
E) I, II, and III

Question 44

Which of these substances can be used to lighten hair?

A) Hydrogen peroxide
B) Melanin
C) Phaeomelanin
D) Surfactants
E) Builders

Question 45

A polymer formed by attaching monomer units one after another without the loss of any atoms is known as a(n) _____.

A) thermopolymer
B) condensation polymer
C) copolymer
D) addition polymer
E) elastomer

Question 46

The ideal moisture content of skin is _____.

A) 0%
B) 10%
C) 20%
D) 30%
E) 40%

Question 47

Which of these substances is a common UV absorber found in sunscreens?

A) Zeolite
B) Melanin
C) Sebum
D) PABA
E) Sodium lauryl sulfate

Question 48

PVC stands for polyvinyl _____.

A) carbon
B) carbonate
C) calcium
D) cations
E) chloride

Question 49

Which of these substances are  not a component in shampoo?

A) Cationic surfactants
B) Thickeners
C) Fragrances
D) Sodium lauryl sulfate
E) Quaternary ammonium compounds

Question 50

Which of these is not a substituted polyethylene polymer?

A) Polypropylene
B) Polyvinyl chloride
C) Polystyrene
D) Polyisobutylene
E) All of these are substituted polyethylenes

Question 51

Which of these classes of polymers describe(s) polyethylene?
I. Thermoplastic
II. Copolymer
III. Addition polymer

A) I only
B) II only
C) I and III
D) II and III
E) I, II, and III

Question 52

Polymers composed of alternating monomer units are known as _____.

A) copolymers
B) condensation polymers
C) thermopolymers
D) addition polymers
E) elastomers

Question 53

A middle note in a perfume results from molecules that are _____ and _____ volatile than molecules that produce top notes in a perfume.

A) smaller; more
B) smaller; less
C) larger; more
D) thicker; more

Question 54

Which of these statements about deodorants is incorrect ?

A) Deodorants contain antibacterial substances.
B) Deodorants function by killing the bacteria that cause odor.
C) Deodorants reduce the amount of perspiration that a sweat gland produces.
D) Deodorants are designed to mask or eliminate body odor.
E) Deodorants mostly contain the chemical compound called triclosan.

Question 55

Which two substances are responsible for the natural color of hair?

A) Sebum and melanin
B) Sebum and peroxides
C) Melanin and phaeomelanin
D) Anionic surfactants and peroxides
E) Ammonium compounds and sulfide compounds

Question 56

Which of the following is most likely to be found in the monomer of an addition polymer?

A) An alcohol group
B) A carbon - carbon double bond
C) A nitrogen atom
D) A carbon - oxygen double bond
E) None of these

Question 57

Polymers that produce water as a byproduct during their formation are known as _____.

A) copolymers
B) condensation polymers
C) thermopolymers
D) addition polymers
E) elastomers

Question 58

Small volatile molecules are responsible for the scent in the_____ note of a perfume.

A) top
B) middle
C) bottom
D) lower

Question 59

How many chemical receptors does the human nose contain?

A) 50
B) 50,000
C) 50,000,000
D) 50,000,000,000
E) 50,000,000,000,000

Question 60

Which of these substances are the primary component in conditioners?

A) Anionic surfactants
B) Cationic surfactants
C) Fragrances
D) Nonionic surfactants
E) Sodium lauryl sulfates

Question 61

A polymer that softens when heated or hardens when cooled is known as a(n) _____.

A) copolymer
B) thermoplastic
C) condensation polymer
D) addition polymer
E) elastomer

Question 62

Brighteners absorb _____ light and emit _____ light.

A) visible; ultraviolet
B) visible; infrared
C) ultraviolet; infrared
D) infrared; microwave
E) ultraviolet; visible

Question 63

LAS detergents decompose over time forming _____, _____, and H₂O.

A) Na⁺; NO₃⁻
B) CH₄; Ca²⁺
C) CO₂; SO₄²⁻
D) NH₃; SO₃⁻
E) Mg²⁺; CO

Question 64

Which of these processes is used to make rubber more elastic?

A) Condensation
B) Reduction
C) Addition
D) Vulcanization
E) Sublimation

Question 65

Which of the following statements about the pH of hair products holds true?

A) It should be strongly acidic.
B) It should be strongly alkaline.
C) It should be neutral to slightly alkaline.
D) It should be neutral to slightly acidic
E) It should be slightly alkaline.

Question 66

Which of the following is/are true of colloidal solutions?
I. Groups of molecules clump together in colloidal solutions to form small particles.
II. A laser beam cannot be seen when it is passed through colloidal solutions.
III. A laser beam can be seen clearly when it is passed through colloidal solutions.
IV. Incident light passes through colloidal solutions without scattering/

A) II only
B) I and III
C) IV only
D) I and II
E) II and IV

Question 67

Which of these classes of polymers best describes rubber?

A) Copolymer
B) Condensation polymer
C) Thermopolymer
D) Addition polymer
E) Elastomer

Question 68

Which of the following type of hair will have the lowest amount of melanin?

A) Black hair
B) White hair
C) Red hair
D) Brown hair
E) Dark blonde hair