Can You Name These Basic Chemical Compounds?

By: Jacqueline Samaroo
Estimated Completion Time
3 min
Can You Name These Basic Chemical Compounds?
Image: Getty Images

About This Quiz

Are you going to have a positive or negative reaction to this chemical quiz?

From our bodies to the food that we eat and the things in our surroundings, chemical compounds are quite literally a part of basically everything in the world around us. While at first glance the topic of chemical compounds may seem like a subject that is needlessly complex and difficult to grasp, there are actually countless basic chemical compounds that we interact with on a day to day basis. Some examples of these basic chemical compounds include; water, salt, alcohol, propane, sugar, and caffeine. There are dozens of these basic chemical compounds from which to choose. However, we've managed to gather a diverse selection of 40 of them for this quiz.

Even if you're not an actual chemist, medical professional, or a science major, most people have probably heard of many of these basic chemical compounds in their everyday life. So are you ready to prove that you've got what it takes to be a chemistry superstar? Then let's see if you're capable of having a chemical reaction with the correct answers from our basic chemical compounds quiz! Pull out your beakers, your test tubes, and your stirrers, and let's get started!

water
Zoo.com
Which chemical compound is in this image?
water
sodium hypochlorite
glycerol
ascorbic acid
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Water is a basic chemical substance that is important to human life, both biologically and economically. Water covers over 70 percent of the Earth’s surface.

propane
Zoo.com
Do you know the name of the basic compound in this image?
hydrochloric acid
silicon dioxide
propane
methanol
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Propane is a basic chemical compound that is one of several liquefied petroleum gases. It is used as a source of fuel for cooking, particularly in barbecues.

sodium fluoride
Zoo.com
Which chemical compound is in this picture?
camphor
caffeine
sulfuric acid
sodium fluoride
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Sodium fluoride is a basic chemical compound that is denoted by the formula NaF. It is used as a cleaning agent and for dental health as well.

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ammonium bifluoride
Zoo.com
The basic chemical compound in this picture goes by what name?
ethanol
ammonia
ammonium bifluoride
magnesium silicate
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Ammonium bifluoride is a basic chemical compound that is produced from ammonia and hydrogen fluoride. It has been used as a rust stain remover, toilet bowl cleaner, and car body cleaner.

sucrose
Zoo.com
Which basic chemical compound is featured in this image?
ammonium carbonate
sucrose
butane
calcium sulfate
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Sucrose is a basic chemical compound that is produced naturally in plants. It is extracted and refined from both sugar cane and sugar beet.

carbon dioxide
Zoo.com
Do you know the name of this chemical compound?
ascorbic acid
lactic acid
sodium chloride
carbon dioxide
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Carbon dioxide is a basic chemical compound that is produced through several means, such as through the respiration process of many organisms. It is notable for being one of the primary causes of global warming.

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fructose
Zoo.com
Do you know the basic compound that is pictured here?
methanol
fructose
carbonic acid
ammonium carbonate
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Fructose is a basic chemical compound that is notable for being the most water-soluble of all the sugars. It is primarily found in honey, many root vegetables, berries, as well as tree and vine fruits. Yes, it's the same formula as glucose.

glucose
Zoo.com
What is the name of the chemical compound in this picture?
glucose
sulfuric acid
nitrous oxide
ethanol
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Glucose is a basic chemical compound that is a simple sugar that is made during photosynthesis from water and carbon dioxide. Yes, it's the same formula as fructose.

tartaric acid
Zoo.com
Can you correctly name this chemical compound?
magnesium silicate
tartaric acid
acetone
camphor
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Tartaric acid is a basic chemical compound that occurs naturally in various fruits, such as grapes, citrus, and bananas. It is most notable for developing naturally in the process of winemaking.

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calcium carbonate
Zoo.com
What is the name of the chemical compound in this photo?
sodium chloride
calcium sulfate
hydrochloric acid
calcium carbonate
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Calcium carbonate is a basic chemical compound that is the main component of the shells of marine organisms and snails, as well as pearls and eggs. It is also found in rocks like limestone.

acetylsalicylic acid
Zoo.com
Can you correctly identify the chemical compound that is pictured here?
hydrogen peroxide
acetylsalicylic acid
water
sodium hypochlorite
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Acetylsalicylic acid is a basic chemical compound that is known more commonly as aspirin. As a type of medication, it is used to treat pain, fever, and inflammation.

boric acid
Zoo.com
What is the name of this basic compound?
boric acid
propane
magnesium hydroxide
acetone
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Boric acid is a basic chemical compound that is actually a weak, monobasic Lewis acid of boron. It is notable for being primarily used as an insecticide and as an antiseptic.

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cellulose
Zoo.com
Do you know this basic chemical compound?
potassium nitrate
tartaric acid
cellulose
carbonic acid
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Cellulose is a basic chemical compound that is found in the cells of green plants. It is primarily used in the production of paper and textiles like cotton and linen.

phosphoric acid
Zoo.com
This is a photo of what basic chemical compound?
ammonium bifluoride
phosphoric acid
acetic acid
nitrous oxide
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Phosphoric acid is a basic chemical compound that is a weak non-toxic acid. It is primarily used as a rust remover and as a food additive.

naphthalene
Zoo.com
Can you correctly identify the chemical compound in this photo?
sucrose
caffeine
naphthalene
lactic acid
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Naphthalene is a basic chemical compound that is white crystalline solid. It is most commonly known as the main ingredient in mothballs.

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sodium carbonate
Zoo.com
Do you know the basic compound in this picture?
carbon dioxide
acetylsalicylic acid
potassium nitrate
sodium carbonate
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Sodium carbonate is a basic chemical compound that is the water-soluble sodium salt of carbonic acid. It is primarily used in the production of soaps, paper, glass, and detergents.

acetic acid
Zoo.com
Which chemical compound is in this photo?
fructose
phosphoric acid
acetic acid
ammonia
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Acetic acid is a basic chemical compound that is also sometimes referred to as ethanoic acid. Vinegar can contain anywhere between 4 percent to 18 percent acetic acid.

potassium nitrate
Zoo.com
Can you correctly identify the chemical compound in this image?
potassium nitrate
glucose
cellulose
sodium carbonate
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Potassium nitrate is a basic chemical compound that is an ionic salt sometimes also referred to as saltpeter. It is used in fertilizers, fireworks, and as a food preservative.

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magnesium hydroxide
V
Can you correctly identify the chemical compound in this picture?
sodium fluoride
boric acid
silicon dioxide
magnesium hydroxide
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Magnesium hydroxide is a basic chemical compound that can be found in nature as the mineral brucite. It is commonly used as a primary ingredient in antacids and laxatives.

hydrogen peroxide
Zoo.com
The basic chemical compound in this image goes by what name?
hydrogen peroxide
calcium carbonate
glycerol
naphthalene
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Hydrogen peroxide is a basic chemical compound that is a pale blue, clear liquid. It is used as a bleaching agent, oxidizer, as well as an antiseptic.

glycerol
Zoo.com
What is the name of the basic compound in this picture?
carbon dioxide
ascorbic acid
hydrogen peroxide
glycerol
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Glycerol is a basic chemical compound that is a colorless and odorless liquid. It is commonly used as a sweetener in the food industry and also in several pharmaceutical products.

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silicon dioxide
Zoo.com
Which basic chemical compound is featured here?
fructose
silicon dioxide
methanol
magnesium hydroxide
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Silicon dioxide is a basic chemical compound that is found in several living organisms and also as quartz. It is also notable for being one of the main components of sand.

caffeine
Zoo.com
This is an image of what basic chemical compound?
glucose
sulfuric acid
tartaric acid
caffeine
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Caffeine is a basic chemical compound that is a central nervous system stimulant which is used in numerous beverages and foods. It is notable for being the world's most widely consumed psychoactive drug,

ammonia
Zoo.com
Do you know the chemical compound that is shown here?
sodium fluoride
ammonia
magnesium silicate
acetic acid
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Ammonia is a basic chemical compound of nitrogen and hydrogen. It has several uses, including in fertilizers and as a household cleaner.

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butane
Zoo.com
What is the name of the basic compound in this image?
butane
calcium carbonate
calcium sulfate
sodium carbonate
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Butane is a basic chemical compound that is actually a gas at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. It sees a lot of use worldwide as lighter fluid.

lactic acid
Zoo.com
Do you know the basic compound in this image?
water
sodium chloride
lactic acid
naphthalene
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Lactic acid is a basic chemical compound that is also commonly referred to as milk acid. It is mainly found in sour milk products like yogurt and cottage cheese.

nitrous oxide
Zoo.com
This is a picture of what basic chemical compound?
hydrochloric acid
propane
nitrous oxide
phosphoric acid
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Nitrous oxide is a basic chemical compound that is a colorless non-flammable gas. It is used in dentistry, surgery, and other medical instances. However, it is probably most popularly known for its use in motor racing.

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carbonic acid
Zoo.com
Do you know the name of the basic compound in this picture?
butane
carbonic acid
camphor
cellulose
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Carbonic acid is a basic chemical compound that is a weak acid that forms two kinds of salts, carbonates and bicarbonates. It also leads to the formation of stalactites and stalagmites.

acetone
Zoo.com
Which chemical compound is pictured here?
acetone
ammonium bifluoride
ammonium carbonate
boric acid
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Acetone is a basic chemical compound that is normally present in blood and urine. It is notably also used as a solvent for many plastics and some synthetic fibers.

sodium hypochlorite
Zoo.com
What is the name of the chemical compound in this image?
sucrose
ethanol
sodium hypochlorite
acetylsalicylic acid
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Sodium hypochlorite is a basic chemical compound that is commonly used as a bleaching agent or disinfectant. When used in concentrated forms, it can actually be very hazardous to the skin and eyes.

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hydrochloric acid
Zoo.com
Which basic chemical compound is featured in this picture?
hydrogen peroxide
hydrochloric acid
nitrous oxide
calcium carbonate
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Hydrochloric acid is a basic chemical compound that actually forms naturally in gastric acid. It is notable for having several uses, including as a food additive and in leather processing.

camphor
Zoo.com
Do you know the basic compound in this photo?
magnesium hydroxide
acetone
sodium fluoride
camphor
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Camphor is a basic chemical compound that is notable for its flammable nature and strong aroma. Historically, it has had several culinary and medicinal uses.

ethanol
Zoo.com
What is the name of this chemical compound?
tartaric acid
sodium hypochlorite
ethanol
glucose
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Ethanol is a basic chemical compound that is a flammable and volatile colorless liquid. It is notable for being the primary type of alcohol found in alcoholic drinks.

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ammonium carbonate
Zoo.com
Which basic chemical compound is featured in this photo?
acetic acid
carbonic acid
fructose
ammonium carbonate
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Ammonium carbonate is a basic chemical compound that is a salt commonly referred to as baker’s ammonia. It is most notably used as smelling salts and as a leavening agent.

sodium chloride
Zoo.com
What is the name of the basic compound in this photo?
sodium carbonate
sodium chloride
lactic acid
carbon dioxide
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Sodium chloride is a basic chemical compound that is commonly referred to simply as salt, table salt, or common salt. It is used worldwide as both a food preservative and a condiment.

calcium sulfate
Zoo.com
Do you know the name of this basic compound?
naphthalene
potassium nitrate
sucrose
calcium sulfate
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Calcium sulfate is a basic chemical compound that is commonly referred to as plaster of Paris. It also notably occurs naturally as gypsum.

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magnesium silicate
Zoo.com
The basic chemical compound in this photo goes by what name?
magnesium silicate
phosphoric acid
ammonia
ammonium bifluoride
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Magnesium silicate is a basic chemical compound that is also known as the clay mineral, talc. It has several uses, including as a food additive and as baby powder.

sulfuric acid
Zoo.com
Which basic compound is pictured here?
cellulose
caffeine
sulfuric acid
butane
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Sulfuric acid is a basic chemical compound that is odorless and soluble in water. It is primarily used in the manufacturing of fertilizer, the refining of oil, and wastewater processing.

methanol
Zoo.com
Do you know the name of the basic compound in this photo?
methanol
boric acid
silicon dioxide
propane
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Methanol is a basic chemical compound that is notable for being the simplest alcohol. It is also notable for actually having a similar odor to drinking alcohol. However, it is far more toxic.

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ascorbic acid
Zoo.com
Can you correctly identify this basic chemical compound?
acetylsalicylic acid
glycerol
ascorbic acid
water
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Ascorbic acid is a basic chemical compound that is also more commonly known as vitamin C. It is found primarily in citrus fruits and is used to prevent and treat scurvy.

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