Chemistry MCQs
Chemistry Objective (Multiple Choice) General Knowledge Questions & Answers for SSC-CGL, UPPSC, UPSC, NDA, CDS and UPSC Civil Services Prelims Examination.
1. A cotton wick dipped in pure honey when ignited with a matchstick will ______?
[A] Burn steadily
[B] Burn with a cracking sound
[C] Not burn at all
[D] Burn producing a large amount of smoke
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Burn steadily]
Notes:
A cotton wick soaked in pure honey, when lit with a matchstick, will burn consistently. This is primarily due to the high sugar content of the honey acting as fuel for the flame. Contrary to common misconceptions, honey doesn’t produce much smoke or any unusual sounds during combustion.
2. Out of the following options, which group of elements is typically found in a free state?
[A] Group 11 elements
[B] Group 12 elements
[C] Group 13 elements
[D] Group 14 elements
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Group 11 elements]
Notes:
Group 11 elements, which include copper, silver, and gold, have been known since ancient times. These elements are found in the Earth’s crust in a free or native state, due to their low reactivity compared to other elements. This is why these elements were used by ancient civilizations for crafting tools, jewelry, and early forms of money.
3. What is the primary use of Phenolphthalein in chemistry?
[A] A Solvent
[B] A Dye
[C] A Catalyst
[D] A Detergent
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [A Dye]
Notes:
Phenolphthalein is commonly employed as a pH indicator in titrations due to its distinct color change in varying pH levels. At pH 8.2, it appears colorless but turns pink as the pH increases to 10. It is not used as a solvent, catalyst or detergent. It also finds applications in forensic science for detecting latent blood stains.
4. Which of the following statements about the chemical nature of Diamond and Graphite is incorrect?
[A] The density of Diamond is greater than that of Graphite
[B] Diamond is chemically unreactive whereas Graphite mildly reacts with certain elements
[C] Both Diamond and Graphite are excellent conductors of electricity
[D] None of the above statements is incorrect
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Both Diamond and Graphite are excellent conductors of electricity]
Notes:
Diamond and graphite are both forms of carbon but they exhibit different properties due to variations in their bonding arrangements. Diamond does not conduct electricity as each carbon atom in diamond is covalently bonded to four other carbon atoms, leaving no free electrons to conduct electricity. On the other hand, graphite is a good conductor of electricity due to its layered structure which leaves free electrons between the layers.
5. Which of the following best describes the nature of Froth and Foam?
[A] Solid suspended in gas
[B] Liquid suspended in gas
[C] Gas suspended in liquid
[D] Gas suspended in solid
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Gas suspended in liquid]
Notes:
Froth and foams are examples of “gas suspended in liquid”. They are typically created when gas bubbles are dispersed in a liquid. This physical phenomenon is commonly observed in many daily life scenarios such as soap lather and carbonated drinks. Technically, they are a special case of colloid where little blobs of one liquid are dispersed in another and show the property of surface tension.
6. After a nuclear disaster, the Strontium-90 becomes an health issue of great concern. What is the major concern about this particular isotope?
[A] Strontium-90 gets deposited in the Red Blood Cells and causes Blood Cancer
[B] Strontium-90 gets deposited in the Liver cells and causes Liver Cirrhosis
[C] Strontium-90 gets deposited in bones and bone marrow and causes cancer
[D] None of the above is a correct statement
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ Strontium-90 gets deposited in bones and bone marrow and causes cancer]
Notes:
Strontium-90 is a “bone seeker” that exhibits biochemical behaviour similar to calcium, the next lighter Group 2 element. After entering the organism, most often by ingestion with contaminated food or water, about 70–80% of the dose gets excreted. Virtually all remaining strontium-90 is deposited in bones and bone marrow, with the remaining 1% remaining in blood and soft tissues. Its presence in bones can cause bone cancer, cancer of nearby tissues, and leukaemia.
7. Which of the following chemicals is also known as "butter of tin"?
[A] Stannic chloride
[B] Sodium perborate
[C] Potassium nitrate
[D] Magnesium hydroxide
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Stannic chloride]
Notes:
“Butter of Tin” is also known as tin tetrachloride pentahydrate. It is called “butter of tin” because of its physical appearance. Its chemical formula is SnCl4*5H2O or [SnCl4 (H2O)]*3H2O.
8. Which of the following element is NOT an alkaline earth metal?
[A] Magnesium
[B] Strontium
[C] Barium
[D] Beryllium
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Beryllium]
Notes:
The elements of Group 2 include beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium and radium. These elements with the exception of beryllium are commonly known as the alkaline earth metals.
9. Bell metal is an alloy of which of the following metals?
[A] Copper and Tin
[B] Copper and Mercury
[C] Copper and Lead
[D] Copper and Zinc
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Copper and Tin]
Notes:
Bell metal is a form of bronze with a higher tin content. It is an alloy of copper and tin (typically, 78% copper, 22% tin by mass). It is used for making bells and related instruments, such as cymbals.
10. Which of the following methods is most suitable for ore concentration if the ore is soluble in some suitable solvent?
[A] Hydraulic Washing
[B] Magnetic Separation
[C] Froath floatation
[D] Leaching
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Leaching]
Notes:
Leaching is used for ore concentration if the ore is soluble in some suitable solvent. For example: Leaching of alumina from bauxite using conc. NaOH.