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 happens in an oxidation reaction ?
[A] Electrons are gained
[B] Electrons are lost
[C] Protons are gained
[D] Protons are lost
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Electrons are lost ]
Notes:
Oxidation is the loss of electrons during a reaction by a molecule, atom or ion. When oxidation occurs, an element loses electrons and its oxidation number increases .i.e. it becomes more positive.
2. Which acid is described as HOOCCOOH?
[A] Oxalic Acid
[B] Acetic Acid
[C] Carbonic Acid
[D] Citric Acid
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Oxalic Acid]
Notes:
Oxalic acid is an organic compound with the formula C₂H₂O₄. Some call it “crab acid” due to its appearance. Its condensed formula is HOOCCOOH, reflecting its classification as the simplest dicarboxylic acid.
3. Which element is responsible for the bright red color observed during the bursting of firecrackers?
[A] Strontium
[B] Sodium
[C] Sulfur
[D] Magnesium
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Strontium]
Notes:
The bright red color in fireworks is due to the presence of Strontium salts. The Strontium atom, upon yielding its energy in a quick burst upon heating, emits a brilliant red light. In fact, such properties of elements are used to identify them in a flame test, a classic method in chemistry labs across the globe.
4. Out of the following options, which group of elements is typically found in a free state?
[A] Group 11 elements
[B] Group 12 elements
[C] Group 13 elements
[D] Group 14 elements
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Group 11 elements]
Notes:
Group 11 elements, which include copper, silver, and gold, have been known since ancient times. These elements are found in the Earth’s crust in a free or native state, due to their low reactivity compared to other elements. This is why these elements were used by ancient civilizations for crafting tools, jewelry, and early forms of money.
5. Which among the following groups is characteristic to alcohols?
[A] OH group
[B] COOH group
[C] COO group
[D] CO group
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [OH group]
Notes:
Alcohols are organic compounds characterized by the presence of a hydroxyl group, denoted as -OH. This group consists of one oxygen atom bonded to a hydrogen atom. Due to the presence of the hydroxyl group, alcohols exhibit unique properties, such as the ability to form hydrogen bonds, making them polar. Alcohols are distinct from carboxylic acids (COOH), carbonates (COO), and carbonyl group compounds (CO).
6. Which among the following was the first artificially produced element?
[A] Neptunium
[B] Ununbium
[C] Technetium
[D] none of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Technetium]
Notes:
Technetium was the first artificially produced element. It was isolated by Carlo Perrier and Emilio Segrè in 1937. Technetium was created by bombarding molybdenum atoms with deuterons that had been accelerated by a device called a cyclotron.
7. Which among the following is the lowest atomic number element without any stable isotopes?
[A] Technetium
[B] Molybdenum
[C] Ruthenium
[D] Niobium
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Technetium]
Notes:
The correct answer is Technetium. It has the atomic number 43 and is the lowest atomic number element without any stable isotopes. All of its isotopes are radioactive, with Technetium-98 being the most stable, having a half-life of about 4.2 million years. Technetium was first artificially produced in 1937 by Carlo Perrier and Emilio Segrè, making it the first element to be artificially created.
8. Argon is the third most common gas in the Earth’s atmosphere, at 0.93%. This gas is generated due to decay of which among the following isotopes in the Earth’s crust ?
[A] K-40
[B] Ca-40
[C] Ca-48
[D] K-41
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [K-40]
Notes:
Potassium-40 is a radioactive isotope of potassium with a long half-life of 1.251×10⁹ years. The decay of this particular isotope explains the large abundance of argon (0.93%) in the Earth’s atmosphere.
9. Which among the following is correct statement about both rusting of iron and respiration?
[A] Both are exothermic reactions
[B] Both are endothermic reactions
[C] While Rusting is endothermic, respiration is exothermic
[D] While Rusting is exothermic, respiration is endothermic
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Both are exothermic reactions]
Notes:
Both are oxidation-therefore exothermic processes
10. Which of the following laws states that the partial vapour pressure of each component of an ideal mixture of liquids is equal to the vapour pressure of the pure component multiplied by its mole fraction in the mixture?
[A] Raoult’s law
[B] Henry’s law
[C] Graham’s law
[D] Sievert’s law
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Raoult’s law]
Notes:
Raoult’s law states that the partial vapour pressure of each component of an ideal mixture of liquids is equal to the vapour pressure of the pure component multiplied by its mole fraction in the mixture.
