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Quizzes > Science > Chemistry

Common Elements Quiz: Can You Name Them All?

Think you can ace this elements trivia quiz? Dive into the periodic table challenge now!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration of element icons for silicon zinc mercury and lab tools plus quiz title on dark blue background

Are you fascinated by the building blocks of matter? Our common elements quiz invites curious minds to explore the world of silicon, zinc, mercury and beyond. In this friendly elements trivia quiz you'll tackle element properties questions, discover real-world uses and refresh your periodic table skills. Whether you're gearing up for a chemistry elements test or just love fascinating facts about atoms, this challenge is perfect for students, hobbyists and science buffs alike. Dive into our periodic table basics and answer fun questions about elements - start now and master the secrets of the elements!

What is the atomic number of silicon?
16
14
12
18
The atomic number of an element equals its number of protons. Silicon has 14 protons, so its atomic number is 14. This places silicon in period 3 and group 14 of the periodic table. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silicon
Which element is a heavy liquid metal at room temperature?
Lead
Bromine
Mercury
Gallium
Mercury is the only metal that is liquid at standard room temperature and pressure. Its melting point is -38.83 °C, allowing it to remain liquid under normal conditions. This property makes it useful in devices like thermometers and barometers. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_(element)
Zinc is primarily used in which application due to its corrosion resistance?
Galvanization of steel
Alloying with copper
Battery electrodes
Catalyst support
Galvanization involves coating steel or iron with a layer of zinc to prevent rusting. Zinc acts as a sacrificial anode, corroding before the underlying metal. This method greatly extends the lifespan of steel structures. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galvanization
Silicon is a major component of which common mineral?
Gypsum
Halite
Calcite
Quartz
Quartz is silicon dioxide (SiO?) and is one of the most abundant minerals in the Earth's crust. It forms hexagonal crystals and is used in glassmaking and electronics. The silicon atoms are each bonded to four oxygen atoms in a tetrahedral arrangement. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quartz
Mercury is commonly used in which type of device?
Thermometer
Speaker magnet
Laser pointer
Battery
Mercury expands uniformly with temperature changes, making it ideal for accurate thermometers. Its visibility and consistent thermal expansion allow precise temperature readings. Although many devices now use alternatives for safety, mercury thermometers remain iconic. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_thermometer
Zinc deficiency in humans can lead to which condition?
Rickets
Growth retardation
Beriberi
Scurvy
Zinc is vital for DNA synthesis and cell division, so deficiency impairs growth, especially in children. It also weakens the immune response and wound healing. In severe cases, growth retardation and developmental issues occur. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zinc_deficiency
Which element has the symbol Zn?
Indium
Neon
Zirconium
Zinc
The chemical symbol Zn represents zinc, element number 30. Symbols are often derived from their English or Latin names. Zinc is a transition metal commonly used in galvanization. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zinc
Which property best describes silicon's electrical behavior?
Semiconductor
Superconductor
Conductor
Insulator
Silicon has an intermediate band gap (~1.12 eV) allowing controlled conductivity. It is neither a good conductor like metals nor a perfect insulator. Doping silicon with impurities adjusts its conductivity for electronic devices. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semiconductor
Zinc is essential for which bodily process?
Blood clotting
Calcium absorption
Enzyme function
Oxygen transport
Zinc acts as a cofactor in over 300 enzymes involved in metabolism, DNA synthesis, and protein folding. It stabilizes enzyme structure and participates in catalytic reactions. Deficiency disrupts many physiological processes. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zinc_in_human_health
Mercury exposure is most commonly associated with damage to which organ system?
Skeletal system
Nervous system
Digestive system
Cardiovascular system
Mercury vapor and organic mercury compounds are neurotoxic, leading to tremors, memory loss, and cognitive deficits. The nervous system is particularly sensitive to mercury damage. Chronic exposure can cause permanent neurological impairment. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_poisoning
What is the electron configuration of a neutral zinc atom?
[Ar] 3d10 4s2
[Ar] 3d9 4s1
[Ne] 3s2 3p6
[Kr] 4d10 5s2
Zinc has atomic number 30, filling the 3d subshell completely (3d10) and the 4s subshell (4s2) after argon's configuration. The noble gas shorthand is [Ar] 3d10 4s2. This configuration explains zinc's common +2 oxidation state. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electron_configuration
Silicon carbide is commonly known by what trade name?
Siloxene
Silrus
Silcarb
Carborundum
Silicon carbide (SiC) is marketed under the name Carborundum due to its hardness. It ranks 9 - 9.5 on the Mohs scale, making it useful as an abrasive. It's also used in high-temperature semiconductor applications. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silicon_carbide
Which oxidation state of mercury is most stable in inorganic compounds?
+4
0
+1
+2
Mercury commonly forms divalent (+2) compounds, such as HgCl2. The +1 oxidation state exists in the dimeric mercury(I) ion (Hg2)2+ but is less stable. Higher states like +4 are exceedingly rare. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_compound
What crystal structure does elemental silicon adopt?
Face-centered cubic
Hexagonal close-packed
Body-centered cubic
Diamond cubic
Silicon atoms form a diamond cubic lattice, similar to carbon in diamond. Each atom is tetrahedrally bonded to four others. This structure contributes to its semiconductor properties. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamond_cubic
Zinc oxide is widely used in which consumer product?
Sunscreen
Shampoo
Paint thinner
Toothpaste
Zinc oxide blocks UVA and UVB rays, making it a common ingredient in sunscreens. It is skin-safe and provides broad-spectrum protection. The mineral form is transparent when applied as a thin layer. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zinc_oxide
Which polymorph of silica is extensively used in electronics for its piezoelectric properties?
Tridymite
Quartz
Stishovite
Cristobalite
Quartz exhibits piezoelectricity, generating voltage under mechanical stress. This property makes it essential for oscillators and sensors in electronics. Synthetic quartz crystals are precisely cut for frequency control. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quartz_crystal
What is the coordination number of silicon in the SiO2 structure?
8
3
6
4
In SiO? (silica), each silicon atom is tetrahedrally coordinated to four oxygen atoms. Each oxygen bridges between two silicon atoms. This tetrahedral network forms quartz and other silica polymorphs. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silica
Which of these has the highest melting point?
Mercury
Lead
Zinc
Silicon
Silicon melts at about 1414 °C, whereas zinc melts at 419.5 °C and mercury at -38.83 °C. Lead melts at 327.5 °C. Silicon's strong covalent bonds in its lattice give it a high melting point. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melting_point
At approximately what temperature does mercury boil at standard pressure?
500 °C
100 °C
356.7 °C
962 °C
Mercury boils at 356.7 °C under one atmosphere of pressure. This is low compared to most metals, reflecting its weak metallic bonding. Its high vapor pressure requires careful handling in closed instruments. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_(element)#Physical_properties
Zinc is extracted from sphalerite (ZnS) by which primary process?
Cyanidation
Flotation only
Electrolysis
Roasting
Roasting sphalerite in air converts ZnS to ZnO and SO?. The oxide is then reduced with carbon to produce zinc metal. This step is essential before refining. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zinc_smelting
What is the bandgap energy of silicon at room temperature?
0.67 eV
1.85 eV
2.31 eV
1.12 eV
Silicon has an indirect bandgap of about 1.12 eV at 300 K, which enables its use in electronic devices. This energy corresponds to the minimum photon energy needed to excite an electron to the conduction band. Bandgap determines semiconductor performance. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silicon#Band_structure
Mercury forms amalgams most readily with which other element?
Aluminum
Iron
Gold
Lead
Mercury dissolves many metals to form amalgams; gold amalgamation is historically used in gold extraction. This process exploits mercury's tendency to alloy with noble metals. It creates a paste that can be heated to recover the metal. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amalgam
Which crystal structure does alpha-zinc adopt at room temperature?
Face-centered cubic
Hexagonal close-packed
Simple cubic
Body-centered cubic
Alpha-zinc has an HCP structure with lattice parameters a = 2.66 Å and c = 4.95 Å. This arrangement defines its metallic properties. Above 420 °C it transforms to beta-zinc with a different lattice. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zinc#Crystalline_structure
In organic synthesis, zinc metal is commonly used to form which reagent?
Reformatsky reagent
Suzuki reagent
Wittig reagent
Grignard reagent
The Reformatsky reaction uses zinc to generate an organozinc enolate from alpha-halo esters. This reagent reacts with carbonyl compounds to form beta-hydroxy esters. Zinc's reactivity and control make it ideal for this application. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reformatsky_reaction
Silicon is doped with which element to create an n-type semiconductor?
Boron
Phosphorus
Gallium
Aluminum
Phosphorus has five valence electrons, one more than silicon. When substituted into the lattice, it donates a free electron, creating n-type material. Doping controls the electrical conductivity. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semiconductor_doping
Which form of silica is used as a molecular sieve?
Zeolite
Opal
Quartz
Fused silica
Zeolites are microporous aluminosilicates with well-defined pore sizes that trap small molecules. They are used for gas separation and catalysis. The silica framework creates cavities ideal for molecular sieving. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeolite
Mercury fulminate (Hg(ONC)?) is primarily used as what?
Catalyst
Oxidizing agent
Antifungal agent
Primary explosive
Mercury fulminate is a sensitive primary explosive that detonates under shock or friction. It was historically used in percussion caps and detonators. Its sensitivity led to its replacement by safer compounds. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_fulminate
What is the standard enthalpy change for the formation of zinc oxide (Zn + ½O? ? ZnO)?
- 500.2 kJ/mol
- 200.3 kJ/mol
- 100.5 kJ/mol
- 350.5 kJ/mol
The formation of ZnO from zinc metal and oxygen releases approximately 350.5 kJ per mole under standard conditions. This exothermic reaction reflects the strong Zn - O bond. Standard enthalpies are tabulated in thermodynamic tables. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enthalpy_of_formation
Silicones are polymers based on which repeating structural unit?
C - C
C - O
Si - Si
Si - O
Silicones consist of repeating siloxane (Si - O - Si) backbones with organic side groups. The Si - O bond provides flexibility and thermal stability. These properties make silicones ideal for sealants and lubricants. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siloxane
A mercury manometer measures pressure based on which principle?
Leverage balance
Hydrostatic pressure difference
Thermal expansion
Capillary action
A mercury manometer compares the pressure of a gas against atmospheric pressure by measuring the height difference of mercury columns. The difference in column heights is proportional to pressure via ?gh. This direct method is precise and long-established. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manometer
What type of bandgap does silicon possess?
Indirect bandgap
Zero bandgap
Multiple bandgap
Direct bandgap
Silicon has an indirect bandgap, meaning its conduction-band minimum and valence-band maximum occur at different points in k-space. This makes light emission inefficient and complicates silicon-based LEDs. Its indirect nature is fundamental to semiconductor physics. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Band_gap#Indirect_band_gap
Which isotope of mercury has the highest natural abundance?
199Hg
202Hg
200Hg
204Hg
Mercury has seven stable isotopes, and 202Hg is the most abundant at about 29.86%. Isotopic abundance influences mass spectrometry and natural lead isotope studies. Knowledge of isotope distributions is important in environmental tracing. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_isotopes
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Element Properties -

    Describe the key physical and chemical characteristics of silicon, zinc, mercury, and other elements featured in this common elements quiz.

  2. Recall Everyday Uses -

    Identify practical applications of selected elements in technology, medicine, and industry through targeted element properties questions.

  3. Analyze Periodic Table Trends -

    Interpret group and period patterns to predict element behavior in our periodic table quiz framework.

  4. Differentiate Element Categories -

    Distinguish between metals, metalloids, and nonmetals as you progress through this elements trivia quiz.

  5. Apply Knowledge to Quiz Challenges -

    Use your understanding of atomic structure and properties to excel in the chemistry elements test questions.

  6. Evaluate Element Behavior -

    Assess how variations in electron configuration influence reactivity and other properties during the common elements quiz.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Electron Configuration & Predicting Reactivity -

    Mastering electron configurations is central to any common elements quiz or periodic table quiz since it indicates valence electrons. For example, silicon's [Ne] 3s2 3p2 configuration explains its semiconductor behavior and group 14 placement. Use the Aufbau principle mnemonic "1s-2s-2p-3s-3p" to confidently recall orbital filling order.

  2. Periodic Trends: Atomic Radius & Ionization Energy -

    Understanding how atomic radius and ionization energy change across periods and down groups helps you ace element properties questions on a chemistry elements test. For instance, zinc has a smaller atomic radius than potassium but higher first ionization energy, due to increased nuclear charge. Refer to university-level resources like Purdue's periodic trends guide for detailed graphs and examples.

  3. Physical Properties & States of Matter -

    Knowing melting point, density, and standard state is crucial for an elements trivia quiz - mercury is the only metal liquid at room temperature, while silicon is a brittle metalloid solid. Zinc's relatively low melting point (419 °C) contrasts with silicon's high melting point (1,414 °C), reflecting their different lattice structures. Check materials science journals or NIST data tables for precise values and phase diagrams.

  4. Key Industrial Uses & Compound Formation -

    Link element properties to real-world applications to deepen your understanding on a periodic table quiz - silicon dioxide (SiO2) forms the backbone of glass, zinc oxide (ZnO) appears in sunscreens, and mercury amalgams were once common in dental fillings. Writing simple reaction equations, like 2Zn + O2 → 2ZnO, helps you remember stoichiometry for chemistry elements test questions. Industry whitepapers from ASM International offer case studies on these compounds.

  5. Safety, Toxicity & Environmental Impact -

    Addressing element hazards is often tested in element properties questions - mercury vapors are neurotoxic and heavily regulated by the EPA, while zinc and silicon have much lower toxicity profiles. Learn disposal regulations and safe”handling protocols from official institutions such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and WHO. A simple mnemonic - "Mercury Means Mind”hazard" - can help you recall its high-risk status.

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