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. The energy required to remove an electron from the outermost shell of an atom in its isolated gaseous state is called?
[A] Electron Affinity
[B] Reducing Potential
[C] Ionization Potential
[D] Shell Potential
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ionization Potential ]
Notes:
Ionization potential is the energy required to remove an electron from the outermost shell of an atom in its isolated gaseous state. As we move down the group, ionization potential decreases. As we move across the period, ionization potential increases Electron affinity is the energy released on adding an electron to the outermost shell of an atom in its isolated gaseous state.
3. Which among the following scientists had discovered Radium?
[A] Marie and Pierre Curie
[B] Andre-Louis Debierne
[C] Kasimir Fajans
[D] Oswald Helmuth Gohring
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Marie and Pierre Curie]
Notes:
Radium(Ra) with atomic number 88 was discovered by Marie and Pierre Curie in 1898 as Radium Chloride. However, it was Radium was isolated in its metallic state by Marie Curie and André-Louis Debierne through the electrolysis of radium chloride in 1911.
4. Which of the following is not a non-metallic mineral?
[A] Mica
[B] Bauxite
[C] Granite
[D] Silica
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Bauxite]
Notes:
Non-metallic minerals are those minerals which do not contain metals. Examples of Non-Metallic minerals include limestone, mica, coal, gypsum, dolomite, phosphate, salt, granite etc.
5. Consider the following:
- Cinnabar is also known as mercurblende
- The color of Cinnabar varies from dull grey to bright green
- Cinnabar is the most common source ore for refining elemental mercury
- Cinnabar is the historic source for the brilliant blue pigment termed azure
Which of the statements given above are correct?
[A] Only 1 and 3
[B] Only 2 and 4
[C] 1, 3 and 4
[D] All Four
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only 1 and 3]
Notes:
Cinnabar, also known as mercurblende, is indeed the most common ore source for refining elemental mercury. However, its color range runs from scarlet to brick-red, not grey to green. It is known for providing the brilliant red or scarlet pigment known as vermilion, not a blue pigment.
6. Which among the following of a catalyst does not change at the end of a reaction?
[A] Quantity
[B] Chemical Composition
[C] Both Quantity and Chemical com position
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Both Quantity and Chemical com position]
Notes:
A catalyst is a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without undergoing any permanent change itself. At the end of the reaction, a catalyst retains its original quantity and chemical composition. This property allows it to be used repeatedly in reactions. For example, enzymes, which are biological catalysts, remain unchanged after facilitating biochemical reactions.
7. What do we call the process of converting an ore into its oxide by heating it in a limited supply of air below its melting point?
[A] Roasting
[B] Calcination
[C] Leaching
[D] Liquation
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Calcination]
Notes:
Calcination is the process of converting an ore into its oxide by heating it in a limited supply of air or in absence of air, below its melting point. It is used to convert the concentrated ore to its oxide.
8. Which of the following is a correct Ore-Metal pair?
[A] Greenocite – Cadmium
[B] Ruby Silver – Lead
[C] Silestine – Copper
[D] Salt peter – Magnesium
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Greenocite – Cadmium]
Notes:
Greenocite is an important ore of Cadmium. Ruby Silver is an important ore of Silver. Silestine is an ore of Strontium and Salt peter is an ore of Potassium.
9. Which of the following refining methods works on the principle of adsorbtion?
[A] Zone refining
[B] Vapour Phase refining
[C] Chromatographic methods
[D] Liquation
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Chromatographic methods]
Notes:
Chromatographic methods are based on the principle that different components of a mixture are differently adsorbed on an adsorbent. There are several chromatographic techniques used for refining such as paper chromatography, column chromatography, gas chromatography, etc
10. What can be the maximum number of electrons in a shell, if principal quantum number is n?
[A] n
[B] n2
[C] 2n2
[D] 3n3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [2n2]
Notes:
The general formula is that the nth shell can hold up to 2n2 electrons. For example: for L shell n =2, so maximum number of electrons will be 2(22) i.e. 8.