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 among the following is the correct set of chemical formulae of Chile Saltpetre, Saltpetre and Quick Lime?
[A] KNO3, NaNO3, CaO
[B] NaNO3, KNO3, Ca(OH)2
[C] Na(OH)2, KOH, CaO
[D] NaNO3, KNO3, CaO
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [NaNO3, KNO3, CaO]
Notes:
Saltpetre, also spelled Saltpeter, also called Nitre, or Niter, any of three naturally occurring nitrates, distinguished as (1) ordinary saltpetre, or potassium nitrate, KNO3; (2) Chile saltpetre, cubic nitre, or sodium nitrate, NaNO3; and (3) lime saltpetre, wall saltpetre, or calcium nitrate, Ca(NO3)2.
Calcium oxide (CaO), commonly known as quicklime or burnt lime, is a widely used chemical compound.
2. Which among the following is the most abundant organic compound in nature?
[A] Glucose
[B] Fructose
[C] Sucrose
[D] Cellulose
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Cellulose]
Notes:
Cellulose is the most abundant organic compound in nature. It is the main constituent of plant fiber. Plants contain on average 33% cellulose, and cotton is the purest form at 90%. Chitin is the second most abundant organic compound in nature.
3. Water at 4 degree centigrade has____?
[A] minimum density
[B] maximum density
[C] No density
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [maximum density]
Notes:
Water at 4 degrees Celsius has maximum density. This is due to the unique molecular structure of water, which allows it to reach its highest density at this temperature. As water cools from higher temperatures, it becomes denser until it reaches 4 degrees. below this temperature, it begins to expand, making ice less dense than liquid water. This phenomenon is crucial for aquatic life, as it allows ice to float, insulating the water below.
4. Which of the following elements is not a member of the Carbon Group in the periodic table?
[A] Silicon
[B] Germanium
[C] Tin
[D] Selenium
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Selenium]
Notes:
The Carbon Group of the periodic table includes the elements carbon, silicon, germanium, tin, lead, and flerovium. These elements have four electrons in the outermost shell. Selenium, however, is not a part of this group. It is a member of the Chalcogens and sits beneath Oxygen in the periodic table. The element number for Selenium is 34. It is known for its photovoltaic and photocatalytic properties.
5. Under standard conditions, which of the following is the most stable form of carbon?
[A] Charcoal
[B] Graphite
[C] Diamond
[D] Amorphous Carbon
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Graphite]
Notes:
Under standard conditions, Graphite is the most stable form of carbon. It is commonly used in pencils and lubricants due to its layered structure. These layers can move over each other, making graphite soft and slippery. Besides Graphite, other forms of carbon are diamond, charcoal, and amorphous carbon, each with unique properties and applications.
6. Pyrolusite, Braunite, Psilomelane, Rhodochrosite are the ores of which among the following metals?
[A] Manganese
[B] Aluminium
[C] Copper
[D] Manganese and Copper
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Manganese]
Notes:
Pyrolusite, Braunite, Psilomelane, and Rhodochrosite are all ores of Manganese. Pyrolusite is one of the most important ores due to its high manganese content. Braunite, although a significant ore, its manganese content is less than Pyrolusite. Psilomelane and Rhodochrosite also contribute as minor ores.
7. Aluminum is getting popular worldwide today as a “Green Metal”. Which among the following properties of Aluminum makes it a Green Metal?
[A] Aluminum has been providing a replacement of wood for saving forests and contributes in environment protection
[B] Aluminum is a light metal and it is resistant to corrosion
[C] Aluminum has fairly high rate of recycling and it can be re-used repeatedly without its quality deteriorating
[D] The lands after the Bauxite mining can be restored very quickly and easily
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Aluminum has fairly high rate of recycling and it can be re-used repeatedly without its quality deteriorating]
Notes:
Aluminum is considered a “Green Metal” primarily due to its high recycling rate. Approximately 75% of all aluminum ever produced is still in use today, as it can be recycled indefinitely without losing quality. This process saves energy—recycling aluminum uses about 95% less energy than producing new aluminum from bauxite ore. Additionally, recycling reduces greenhouse gas emissions and conserves natural resources, making aluminum a sustainable choice in various applications.
8. Which of the following chemicals is also known as "sweet oil of vitriol"?
[A] Diethyl ether
[B] Aluminium sulphate
[C] Sulphuric acid
[D] Iron(III) sulphate
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Diethyl ether]
Notes:
Diethyl ether is a colourless, highly volatile & flammable organic compound. It was earlier used for anaesthesia but after the development of non-flammable drugs, its uses as anaesthetic has been reduced.
9. 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.
10. If we take 1 kg of iron and let it rust, and none of the rust falls off, then the total weight will be___?
[A] Less than 1 Kg
[B] More than 1 Kg
[C] Exact 1 Kg
[D] More or Less than 1 Kg
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [More than 1 Kg]
Notes:
If the rust stays attached to the main body or the flakes of rust that fall off are collected and weighed than the weight will increase. If you are using for example iron shavings than the chemical formula would look like this Fe(II) + O2 = FeO2 And the weight will increase by the mass of the shavings divided by the molar mass of iron times 2 times the molar mass of oxygen (in this case taking the molar mass of oxygen as a single oxygen atom not a pair). Thus, When rust forms, the mass of the iron object is increased by the mass of oxygen that has combined with some of the iron