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. The easily noticed smell of the LPG gas is because of which among the following?
[A] Butane
[B] Propane
[C] Methane
[D] Ethanethiol
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Ethanethiol]
Notes:
Ethanethiol or stench, is a organosulfur compound and is used to add to the otherwise odorless gaseous products such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to help warn of gas leaks.
3. Calcium Magnesium Silicate is commonly called as ________?
[A] Asbestos
[B] Borax
[C] Baking Soda
[D] Washing Soda
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Asbestos]
Notes:
CaMgO4Si is the chemical formula of calcium magnesium silicate . Calcium magnesium silicate is commonly known as Asbestos. Asbestos is a fibrous silicate mineral as the substance is formed by miniature crystal fibers, these crystal are loosely attached releasing dust of silicate crystal upon small touch.
4. Which of the following elements is the most electronegative?
[A] Chlorine
[B] Fluorine
[C] Bromine
[D] All of them have the same electronegativity
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Fluorine]
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.
5. What is the atomic number of Transuranic elements?
[A] Greater than 90
[B] Greater than 92
[C] Greater than 91
[D] Greater than 93
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Greater than 92]
Notes:
Transuranic elements are those with atomic numbers greater than 92, which is the atomic number of uranium. These elements, including plutonium (94) and americium (95), are all synthetic and typically unstable, often used in nuclear applications and research. The term “transuranic” specifically refers to elements beyond uranium in the periodic table.
6. Which among the following makes Chile saltpetre different from saltpetre?
[A] Nitrate
[B] Sodium
[C] Magnesium
[D] Calcium
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Sodium]
Notes:
Chile saltpetre, or sodium nitrate (NaNO3), differs from regular saltpetre, which typically refers to potassium nitrate (KNO3). Chile saltpetre is primarily composed of sodium, while traditional saltpetre contains potassium. Historically, Chile saltpetre was extensively mined in the Atacama Desert and was crucial for fertilizer and explosives in the 19th century.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. The vegetable oil treated with which among the following halogens makes it an additive, which is used in artificial citrus flavoured aerated drinks to give it the cloudy look, so that consumers get deceived because it appears natural citrus drink?
[A] Chlorine
[B] Bromine
[C] Iodine
[D] Fluorine
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Bromine]
Notes:
Brominated Vegetable Oil is an additive, which is used in artificial citrus flavoured aerated drinks to give it the cloudy look, so that consumers are fooled into believing that it is the real thing. India banned BVO in 1988. It is used in some countries.
10. Plumbism is a condition which occurs due to accumulation of:
[A] Lead in the body
[B] Sodium in the body
[C] Cadmium in the body
[D] Potassium in the body
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Lead in the body]
Notes:
Plumbism is also known as lead poisoning or a condition which occurs when there is accumulation of lead in body, usually over a few months' time period and even years.