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 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.
2. A cotton wick dipped in pure honey when ignited with a matchstick will ______?
[A] Burn steadily
[B] Burn with a cracking sound
[C] Not burn at all
[D] Burn producing a large amount of smoke
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Burn steadily]
Notes:
A cotton wick soaked in pure honey, when lit with a matchstick, will burn consistently. This is primarily due to the high sugar content of the honey acting as fuel for the flame. Contrary to common misconceptions, honey doesn’t produce much smoke or any unusual sounds during combustion.
3. Which among following is also known as white gold?
[A] Nickel
[B] Rhodium
[C] Platinum
[D] Palladium
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Correct Answer: C [Platinum]
Notes:
Platinum is a naturally white metal. It doses not need to be alloyed for color. Due to its appearance as white, it is commonly known as White Gold.
4. Which among the following were not discovered by the time , Mendeleev published his periodic table?
[A] Lathanides
[B] Actinides
[C] Noble Gases
[D] Halogens
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Correct Answer: C [Noble Gases]
Notes:
When Mendeleev published his periodic table in 1869, noble gases had not yet been discovered. The first noble gas, argon, was identified in 1894 by Lord Rayleigh and William Ramsay. In contrast, lanthanides and actinides were recognized later, but their existence was inferred from Mendeleev’s predictions. Halogens, including elements like chlorine and iodine, were known prior to Mendeleev’s work.
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
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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. Choose the incorrect ‘Alloy – constituent metal’ pair:
[A] Lockalloy – Iron
[B] Vitallium – Cobalt
[C] Italma – Aluminium
[D] Constantan – Copper
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Correct Answer: A [Lockalloy – Iron]
Notes:
Lockalloy is an alloy that contains 62% beryllium and 38% aluminum. All other pairs are correctly matched.
7. Which of the following is not an ore of Zinc?
[A] Sphalerite
[B] Zincite
[C] Calamine
[D] Carnetite
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Correct Answer: D [Carnetite]
Notes:
Carnetite is an ore of Uranium, where as Sphalerite(Zinc blende), Zincite and Calamine are some of the important ores of Zinc.
8. What is the half-life of Radium-223 isotope?
[A] 3 days
[B] 5 days
[C] 11.4 days
[D] 9.5 days
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [11.4 days]
Notes:
The half-life of Radium-223 isotope is 11.4 days. The radium-226, which is a more common isotope of Radium and which wad discovered by the Curies, has a 1601-year half-life.
9. Which of the following substance was used as a moderator in CIRUS reactor?
[A] Heavy water
[B] water
[C] solid graphite
[D] No moderator was used
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Correct Answer: A [Heavy water]
Notes:
CIRUS (Canada India Research U.S.) reactor was constructed in 1960. This 40 MW reactor used natural uranium as fuel and heavy water as moderator.
10. Ethanoic acid is the main constituent of which of the following substances?
[A] Soap
[B] Vinegar
[C] Wine
[D] Curd
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Vinegar]
Notes:
Common name of Ethanoic acid is acetic acid and its main constituent of is a colourless liquid. 5-8% solution of acetic acid in water is called vinegar and is used widely as a preservative in pickles. The melting point of pure ethanoic acid is 290 K.