Chemistry MCQs
Chemistry Objective (Multiple Choice) General Knowledge Questions & Answers for SSC-CGL, UPPSC, UPSC, NDA, CDS and UPSC Civil Services Prelims Examination.
1. Which iron ore contains the highest percentage of iron content?
[A] Hematite
[B] Siderite
[C] Magnetite
[D] Limonite
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Magnetite]
Notes:
Magnetite (Fe3O4) typically contains about 70% iron by weight. It is black in color and strongly magnetic. Hematite (Fe2O3) contains about 60–70% iron. Limonite contains 35–50% iron. Siderite (FeCO3) contains about 48% iron. Magnetite is widely mined due to its high iron concentration compared to other ores.
2. 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.
3. What is the electrical state of a molecule, considered the smallest part of matter retaining the properties of the original matter?
[A] Positive
[B] Negative
[C] Either positive or negative
[D] Neutral
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Neutral]
Notes:
A molecule represents the smallest portion of a substance that retains the characteristics of the substance. It’s electrically neutral because it’s made up of atoms that bond together, sharing or exchanging electrons to achieve stability. This process balances out the electrical charges of the protons and electrons, rendering the molecule as a whole electrically neutral.
4. The atomic weight of Chlorine is 35. It consists of _______?
[A] 17 Protons + 18 Neutrons
[B] 17 Neutrons + 18 protons
[C] 17 Neutrons + 17 Protons + 1 electron
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [17 Protons + 18 Neutrons]
Notes:
Chlorine has an atomic number of 17, meaning it has 17 protons. Its atomic weight is approximately 35, which indicates it typically has 18 neutrons (35 – 17 = 18). Therefore, the correct composition is 17 protons and 18 neutrons. Chlorine is a halogen and exists primarily as two stable isotopes: Chlorine-35 and Chlorine-37.
5. Why most of the aromatic hydrocarbons burn with a sooty flame?
[A] Because the carbon-hydrogen ratio in aromatic compounds is high
[B] Because of the presence of the strong carbon-carbon bonds
[C] Because, hydrocarbons are unsaturated
[D] Because the carbon-hydrogen ratio in aromatic compounds is low
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Because the carbon-hydrogen ratio in aromatic compounds is high]
Notes:
Because the carbon-hydrogen ratio in aromatic compounds is high.
6. Which of the following element has the highest first ionization enthalpy?
[A] Magnesium
[B] Strontium
[C] Beryllium
[D] Barium
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Beryllium]
Notes:
The alkaline earth metals have low ionization enthalpies due to fairly large size of the atoms. Since the atomic size increases down the group, their ionization enthalpy decreases.
7. Which of the following is NOT correct about the use of Quick lime?
[A] Manufacturing of cement
[B] Manufacture of sodium carbonate
[C] Purification of sugar
[D] used to extinguish fire
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [used to extinguish fire]
Notes:
(i) It is an important primary material for manufacturing cement and is the cheapest form of alkali. (ii) It is used in the manufacture of sodium carbonate from caustic soda. (iii) It is employed in the purification of sugar and in the manufacture of dye stuffs.
8. Which of the following is correct about Ammonia?
[A] The ammonia molecule is trigonal pyramidal in shape
[B] Ammonia gas is light blue in colour
[C] its aqueous solution is highly basic
[D] Ammonia gas is odorless
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [The ammonia molecule is trigonal pyramidal in shape]
Notes:
Ammonia is a colourless gas with a pungent odour. Its aqueous solution is weakly basic due to the formation of OH– ions. The ammonia molecule is trigonal pyramidal in shape.
9. What is the half-life of Radium-223 isotope?
[A] 3 days
[B] 5 days
[C] 11.4 days
[D] 9.5 days
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [11.4 days]
Notes:
The half-life of Radium-223 isotope is 11.4 days. The radium-226, which is a more common isotope of Radium and which wad discovered by the Curies, has a 1601-year half-life.
10. Which of the following is emitted in alpha decay?
[A] Helium nucleus
[B] Hydrogen nucleus
[C] Electrons
[D] Carbon nucleus
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Helium nucleus]
Notes:
In alpha decay, Helium nucleus is emitted. Alpha decay or α-decay is a type of radioactive decay in which an atomic nucleus transforms or ‘decays’ into a different atomic nucleus, with a mass number that is reduced by four and an atomic number that is reduced by two.
