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FE · 5% of the exam

Chemistry practice questions

10 free Chemistry questions for the FE Other Disciplines Exam (FE) exam, each with the correct answer and an explanation for every option.

Start the questionsFree 10-question FE quiz

What this domain covers

General chemistry for engineers: the periodic table, balancing and using reaction equations, equilibrium, acids and bases, and oxidation and reduction.

Exam weight
5%
On a real exam
≈ 6 questions
In our bank
30 questions

Topics that come up most

  • Periodic table, nomenclature and metals versus nonmetals
  • Balancing equations and stoichiometry
  • Chemical equilibrium and reaction rates
  • Acids, bases and pH
  • Oxidation-reduction and electrochemistry

How to study it

Do a set of stoichiometry problems by hand, from balancing the equation to moles to mass; that chain sits behind most questions in the domain.

Sample Chemistry questions

Try each one before opening the answer. Original questions written to the official exam objectives.

  1. Question 1

    For a gas-phase equilibrium, increasing the pressure tends to shift the reaction toward:

    • AOnly the solid products
    • BThe side with more moles of gas
    • CNo change in every case
    • DThe side with fewer moles of gas
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: D) The side with fewer moles of gas

    • AIncorrect. That isn't the effect.
    • BIncorrect. Higher pressure favors fewer moles.
    • CIncorrect. It shifts when moles differ.
    • DCorrect. This follows Le Chatelier's principle.

  2. Question 2

    Using Avogadro's number, 2 mol of a substance contains about how many molecules?

    • A2.0 × 10²³
    • B6.0 × 10²³, one mole's worth
    • C3.0 × 10²³
    • D1.2 × 10²⁴
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: D) 1.2 × 10²⁴

    • AIncorrect. That isn't the calculation.
    • BIncorrect. There are 2 moles.
    • CIncorrect. That halves it.
    • DCorrect. 2 × 6.022 × 10²³.

  3. Question 3

    The reaction of an acid with a base typically produces:

    • AAn alcohol and oxygen
    • BOnly hydrogen gas
    • CA salt and water
    • DCarbon dioxide only
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: C) A salt and water

    • AIncorrect. Neutralization gives salt and water.
    • BIncorrect. That's an acid reacting with an active metal.
    • CCorrect. This is a neutralization reaction.
    • DIncorrect. That's an acid with a carbonate.

  4. Question 4

    In a redox reaction, oxidation is the:

    • AGain of electrons
    • BLoss of electrons
    • CGain of protons
    • DLoss of neutrons
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: B) Loss of electrons

    • AIncorrect. That's reduction.
    • BCorrect. Reduction is the gain of electrons.
    • CIncorrect. It's defined by electron loss.
    • DIncorrect. It's defined by electron loss.

  5. Question 5

    Using R = 8.314 J/(mol·K), 1 m³ of an ideal gas at 100 kPa and 300 K contains about how many moles?

    • A0.04 mol
    • B40 mol
    • C400 mol
    • D4 mol
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: B) 40 mol

    • AIncorrect. That uses kPa without converting to Pa.
    • BCorrect. \(n = PV/(RT)\).
    • CIncorrect. That's off by a factor of 10.
    • DIncorrect. That's off by a factor of 10.

  6. Question 6

    Complete combustion of methane (CH₄) produces:

    • AMethanol
    • BCarbon monoxide only
    • CHydrogen gas and carbon
    • DCarbon dioxide and water
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: D) Carbon dioxide and water

    • AIncorrect. That isn't the product.
    • BIncorrect. That's incomplete combustion.
    • CIncorrect. That isn't combustion.
    • DCorrect. CH₄ + 2O₂ → CO₂ + 2H₂O.

  7. Question 7

    Under the Brønsted-Lowry definition, an acid is a substance that:

    • ADonates protons (H⁺)
    • BAccepts protons
    • CDonates electrons only
    • DHas a pH above 7
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: A) Donates protons (H⁺)

    • ACorrect. A base accepts protons.
    • BIncorrect. That's a base.
    • CIncorrect. That's a Lewis base concept.
    • DIncorrect. That describes a basic solution.

  8. Question 8

    An aqueous solution has a hydrogen-ion concentration of 0.001 mol/L. Its pH is:

    • A11
    • B3
    • C1
    • D7
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: B) 3

    • AIncorrect. That would be the pOH-based answer for a base.
    • BCorrect. pH = −log₁₀(10⁻³) = 3.
    • CIncorrect. Recheck the exponent: 0.001 = 10⁻³.
    • DIncorrect. pH 7 is neutral water.

  9. Question 9

    The oxidation state of sulfur in sulfuric acid, H₂SO₄, is:

    • A+4
    • B+6
    • C−2
    • D0
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: B) +6

    • AIncorrect. That's sulfur in SO₂.
    • BCorrect. 2(+1) + S + 4(−2) = 0.
    • CIncorrect. That's sulfur in H₂S.
    • DIncorrect. That's elemental sulfur.

  10. Question 10

    Avogadro's number, the number of particles in one mole, is about:

    • A6.022 × 10²³
    • B3.0 × 10⁸
    • C1.6 × 10⁻¹⁹
    • D8.314
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: A) 6.022 × 10²³

    • ACorrect. It links moles to individual particles.
    • BIncorrect. That's the speed of light in m/s.
    • CIncorrect. That's the elementary charge in coulombs.
    • DIncorrect. That's the gas constant in J/(mol·K).

Chemistry: FAQs

How much of the FE exam is Chemistry?

Chemistry is 5% of the FE exam by the official exam guide's weighting, which on a 110-question form works out to roughly 6 questions. The real exam's exact split varies by form.

What does the Chemistry domain cover?

General chemistry for engineers: the periodic table, balancing and using reaction equations, equilibrium, acids and bases, and oxidation and reduction.

How should I study Chemistry for FE?

Do a set of stoichiometry problems by hand, from balancing the equation to moles to mass; that chain sits behind most questions in the domain.

Where can I practise more Chemistry questions?

This page has 10 free Chemistry questions with answers. The ExamWize FE question bank has 30 questions in this domain. Every practice exam result breaks your score down by domain, and Review Mode re-drills the questions you missed.

Other FE topics

Also: 15 free questions across all topics, the FE cheat sheet and the study guide.

Get Chemistry exam-ready

The full FE bank has 30 Chemistry questions. Timed practice exams match the real exam's length and domain weights, every result shows your score per domain, and Review Mode re-drills the questions you missed.

See the full FE practice examsTake the free diagnostic

Not affiliated with NCEES; questions are original, written from the official exam outline, and never copied from the real exam.