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 metal is highest electrical conductivity as well as highest thermal conductivity?
[A] Gold
[B] Silver
[C] Platinum
[D] Iron
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Silver]
Notes:
Silver is the metal with the highest electrical and thermal conductivity. It has only one valence electron, which can move around with little resistance. This makes silver a great conductor of electricity and heat.
Silver’s thermal conductivity is 430 wK/m, which is higher than copper (400 wK/m), aluminum (235 wK/m), and brass (109 wK/m).
Silver’s low contact wear resistance and excellent optical reflectivity make it ideal for coating contacts, mirrors, and conductors in telecom applications.
Impurities can decrease a conductor’s conductivity. For example, sterling silver is not as good of a conductor as pure silver. Oxidized silver is not as good a conductor as untarnished silver.
3. Which among the following is the objective of the Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) mixing with Petroleum?
[A] Raise Octane Number
[B] Antioxidant Stabilizer
[C] Lead Scavanger
[D] Fuel Dye
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Raise Octane Number ]
Notes:
MTBE is a gasoline additive, used as an oxygenate to raise the octane number. Its use is controversial in the US and declining in that country in part because of its occurrence in groundwater and legislation favoring ethanol.
4. When a piece of quicklime is dipped in water, it gives bubbles. This bubbling is due to which of the following ?
[A] Oxygen
[B] Carbon Dioxide
[C] Water Vapour
[D] Hydrogen
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Water Vapour]
Notes:
When quicklime (calcium oxide) is added to water, it reacts exothermically to form calcium hydroxide (slaked lime). This reaction produces heat and releases water vapor, which causes bubbling. The reaction can be represented as: [ ext{CaO} + ext{H}_2 ext{O}
ightarrow ext{Ca(OH)}_2 + ext{heat} ] Trivia: Quicklime is used in various applications, including steelmaking and water treatment, and was historically used in ancient construction.
5. What is the nature of an aqueous solution of Sodium Acetate?
[A] Acidic
[B] Basic
[C] Neutral
[D] Either acidic or basic, depending on the temperature of the solution
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Basic]
Notes:
An aqueous solution of sodium acetate is basic in nature. This is because sodium acetate is a salt derived from a strong base (sodium hydroxide) and a weak acid (acetic acid). When dissolved in water, it undergoes hydrolysis to form sodium ions and acetate ions. The acetate ions react with water to form acetic acid and hydroxide ions, thus creating a basic solution.
6. Which of the following is the correct order of composition of biogas released through anaerobic bio-digester system?
[A] Methane> Carbon dioxide> Nitrogen> Hydrogen
[B] Carbon dioxide> Nitrogen> Methane> Hydrogen
[C] Nitrogen> Hydrogen> Carbon dioxide> Methane
[D] Hydrogen> Nitrogen> Methane> Carbon dioxide
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Methane> Carbon dioxide> Nitrogen> Hydrogen ]
Notes:
The correct composition of biogas released through anaerobic bio-digester system is:
Methane (CH4) – 50–75 %
Carbon dioxide (CO2) – 25–50%
Nitrogen (N2) – 0–10%
Hydrogen (H2) – 0–1%
Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) – 0–3%
7. Which of the following is correct about the atomic and ionic radii of the alkaline earth metals?
[A] it is smaller than corresponding alkali metals in the same periods
[B] it is larger than corresponding alkali metals in the same periods
[C] It is same as the corresponding alkali metals in the same periods
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [it is smaller than corresponding alkali metals in the same periods]
Notes:
The atomic and ionic radii of the alkaline earth metals are smaller than corresponding alkali metals in the same periods due to the increased nuclear charge in these elements.
8. In which of the following cases, components can be separated using a separating funnel?
[A] Mixture of acetone and water
[B] Mixture of oil and water
[C] Different gases in the air
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Mixture of oil and water]
Notes:
A separating funnel can be used to separate the components of the mixture of immiscible liquids. Components in the mixture of oil and water can be separated using this method.
9. Which of the following is a correct statement about minerals and ores?
[A] All minerals are ores
[B] All ores are minerals
[C] Minerals are the native form in which various metals exist
[D] Ores are usually used to extract metals economically
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [All minerals are ores]
Notes:
All ores are minerals but all minerals are not ores. Minerals are the native form in which various metals exist and ores are those minerals which are used to extract metals economically.
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.
