Chemistry MCQs

Notes:
Bananas contain potassium-40, a radioactive isotope of potassium, which makes them slightly radioactive. The radiation is very minor and not dangerous at all to humans, but it is enough to trigger sensitive radiation sensors. The potassium provides bananas some of their nutritional benefits as well.

Notes:

In the human body the most common bio-elements (in decreasing order of occurrence) are oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, calcium, and phosphorus. Other bio-elements include sodium, potassium, magnesium, and copper.

Notes:
The correct answer is John Dalton. He proposed the Atomic Theory in the early 19th century, stating that matter is composed of indivisible atoms, each with a specific weight. Dalton’s work laid the foundation for modern chemistry. Notably, he also introduced the concept of atomic weights and was the first to use symbols to represent atoms of different elements.

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.

Notes:
Electronegativity is defined as an atom’s ability to attract an electron pair when forming a covalent bond. This property increases as you move left to right across the periodic table due to an increase in the nuclear charge’s attractive forces. It decreases as you move top to bottom, owing to the shielding effect of sub-levels and increased atomic radius, which makes electrons easier to remove. This culminates in Fluorine, being the highest and furthest to the right on the periodic table, hence it is the most electronegative.

Notes:
Carbamide is another name of Urea, an organic compound with chemical formula CO(NH₂)₂. This name indicates that Urea is an amide in which two –NH₂ groups are joined by a carbonyl (C=O) functional group.

Notes:
Iodine-135 is a important by-product of nuclear fission, particularly in reactors using uranium fuel. It has a high neutron capture cross-section, meaning it effectively absorbs neutrons, which can inhibit the fission process and reduce reactor power output. This property makes it crucial for managing reactor control and safety, as its presence can lead to a phenomenon known as “neutron poison,” affecting the overall efficiency of the nuclear reaction.

Notes:
The first synthetic plastic was actually celluloid, invented by Alexander Parkes in 1855. Initially, celluloid was primarily used in photographic films. However, it had limitations, not suitable for making containers or electrical insulation. The first genuine plastic, Bakelite, was invented by Leo Baekeland in 1909 and extensively used in various applications, including safely handled autos. World War I significantly contributed to the development of polystyrene and polyvinyl chloride, widely used in plumbing and electrical insulation. Later, in the 1930s, nylon was invented, and by 1950, plastic materials gained immense popularity.

Notes:
Centrifugation is a mechanical process that utilizes an applied centrifugal force field to separate the components of a mixture.

Notes:
Sphalerite (ZnS) is a sulphide. All others are oxides. Haematite and Magnetite are the oxides of iron and Cuprite is an oxide of Copper.