Chemistry MCQs
Chemistry Objective (Multiple Choice) General Knowledge Questions & Answers for SSC-CGL, UPPSC, UPSC, NDA, CDS and UPSC Civil Services Prelims Examination.
1. White Phosphorous is represented by which among the following symbols?
[A] P1
[B] P2
[C] P3
[D] P4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [P4]
Notes:
The most important form of elemental phosphorus from the perspective of applications and chemical literature is white phosphorus. It consists of tetrahedral P4 molecules, in which each atom is bound to the other three atoms by a single bond. This P4 tetrahedron is also present in liquid and gaseous phosphorus up to the temperature of 800 °C when it starts decomposing to P2 molecules
2. What are Sodium Alkyl Sulphate and Benzene Sulphate examples of?
[A] Explosives
[B] Insecticides
[C] Fungicides
[D] Synthetic Detergents
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Synthetic Detergents]
Notes:
Sodium Alkyl Sulphate and Benzene Sulphate are typical examples of Synthetic Detergents. Synthetic detergents are man-made cleansing agents that function similarly to soap. These compounds were developed during World War II when a shortage of natural oils led to a search of alternative substances. The advanced features of synthetic detergents include improved cleansing efficacy, resistance to water hardness, and the ability to function in acidic conditions.
3. What is the primary use of Phenolphthalein in chemistry?
[A] A Solvent
[B] A Dye
[C] A Catalyst
[D] A Detergent
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [A Dye]
Notes:
Phenolphthalein is commonly employed as a pH indicator in titrations due to its distinct color change in varying pH levels. At pH 8.2, it appears colorless but turns pink as the pH increases to 10. It is not used as a solvent, catalyst or detergent. It also finds applications in forensic science for detecting latent blood stains.
4. 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.
5. The colors in the fine cut diamond are because of which among the following?
[A] Variance in transparency of diamond
[B] Variance in index of refraction
[C] Presence of Impurities
[D] Existence of definite planer layers
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Presence of Impurities]
Notes:
Pure diamond should transmit visible light and appear as a clear colorless crystal. Colors in diamond originate from lattice defects and impurities. The diamond crystal lattice is exceptionally strong and only atoms of nitrogen, boron and hydrogen can be introduced into diamond during the growth at significant concentrations (up to atomic percents). Nitrogen gives yellowish color while the Boron gives bluish color.
6. Which among the following alkane has largely replaced the ozone layer-depleting halomethanes in household refrigerators and freezers?
[A] Methane
[B] Propane
[C] Butane
[D] Ethane
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Butane]
Notes:
Isobutane, which is known in the industry as R600A has been used in several domestic refrigerators in recent times because it is an excellent refrigerant and non-ozone depleting substance with low global warming potential. The only drawback is that it is highly inflammable.
7. Which of the following element has the highest first ionization enthalpy?
[A] Magnesium
[B] Strontium
[C] Beryllium
[D] Barium
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Beryllium]
Notes:
The alkaline earth metals have low ionization enthalpies due to fairly large size of the atoms. Since the atomic size increases down the group, their ionization enthalpy decreases.
8. Which of the following alkaline earth metals is the rarest in the earth crust?
[A] Calcium
[B] Strontium
[C] Radium
[D] Beryllium
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Radium]
Notes:
Of the alkaline earth metals calcium and magnesium rank fifth and sixth in abundance respectively in the earth’s crust. Strontium and barium have much lower abundances. Beryllium is rare and radium is the rarest of all comprising only 10–10 per cent of igneous rocks.
9. What do we call the compounds of carbon having double or triple bonds between the carbon atoms?
[A] Saturated carbon compounds
[B] Unsaturated carbon compounds
[C] Fullerenes
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Unsaturated carbon compounds]
Notes:
The compounds of carbon having double or triple bonds between the carbon atoms are known as unsaturated carbon compounds.
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.