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 of the following are the most and the least electronegative elements in the periodic table?
[A] Fluorine and Caesium
[B] Hydrogen and Helium
[C] Carbon and Oxygen
[D] Chlorine and Fluorine
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Fluorine and Caesium]
Notes:
Caesium is the least electronegative element in the periodic table and Fluorine is the most electronegative. Electronegativity is a measure of the tendency of an atom to attract a bonding pair of electrons.
2. Which among the following is known as White Vitriol?
[A] Zinc Sulphate
[B] Zinc Chloride
[C] Zinc Phosphate
[D] Zinc oxide
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Zinc Sulphate]
Notes:
Zinc sulfate is the inorganic compound with the formula ZnSO4 and historically known as “white vitriol” Zinc sulfate is an inorganic compound and dietary supplement.
3. 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.
4. Which among the following suspension in water is often called milk of magnesia because of its milk-like appearance?
[A] Magnesium Carbonate
[B] Magnesium Hydroxide
[C] Magnesium Lactate
[D] Magnesium Oxide
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Magnesium Hydroxide]
Notes:
Magnesium Hydroxide in water is often called milk of magnesia because of its milk-like appearance. Magnesium hydroxide is the inorganic compound and occurs in nature as the mineral brucite.
5. The chemical oxygen demand COD test is commonly used to measure which of the following?
[A] amount of organic compounds in water
[B] amount of oxygen in water
[C] amount of oxygen in a chemical
[D] amount of oxygen used in a oxygenation process
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [amount of organic compounds in water]
Notes:
chemical oxygen demand is a measure of water quality and is amount of organic pollutants found in surface water. Potassium permanganate has been used for many years to measure COD
6. Which among the following gas has lowest auto-ignition temperature?
[A] Methane
[B] Hydrogen
[C] Ethylene
[D] Carbon Di Sulphide
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Carbon Di Sulphide]
Notes:
The auto-ignition temperature of a liquid, gas or vapor is the temperature at which the substance will ignite without any external heat source. Here is the temperature of some gases:
Methane -580 °C
Hydrogen -560 °C
Propane -493 °C
Ethylene -425 °C
Acetylene -305 °C
Naphtha -290 °C
Carbon disulfide -102 °C
7. Normal” rainfall is slightly acidic (and a pH of 5.6 has been assigned which might be somewhere near 5 ) because of the presence of _______?
[A] Nitric Oxide
[B] Sulphuric Acid
[C] Nitric Acid
[D] Carbonic Acid
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Carbonic Acid]
Notes:
Normal rainfall is slightly acidic due to the presence of carbonic acid, which forms when carbon dioxide (CO2) dissolves in water. The pH of normal rainwater is typically around 5.6, making it mildly acidic. This natural acidity is a result of the CO2 in the atmosphere, which is produced by respiration, combustion, and other natural processes.
8. Which of the following is the softest metal?
[A] Cesium
[B] Lead
[C] Gold
[D] Silver
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Cesium]
Notes:
Cesium is extremely reactive metal. It reacts with water even at −116 °C (−177 °F). It is the least electronegative element. Cesium is also the softest known metal. It is so soft that it can be cut with a butter knife.
9. Which among the following acids is generally used as a first hand test to judge whether a metal is Gold or not?
[A] Sulfuric Acid
[B] Nitric Acid
[C] Hydrochloric Acid
[D] Sulfurous Acid
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Nitric Acid]
Notes:
The funda is that when a small drop of a strong acid, such as nitric acid, is put onto the metal’s surface, most metals fizz or bubble, whilst precious metals (Gold or Platinum not silver) are unaffected.
10. Which of the following refining methods works on the principle that impurities are more soluble in the melt than in the solid state of the metal?
[A] Liquation
[B] Electrolytic refining
[C] Zone refining
[D] Vapour Phase refining
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Zone refining]
Notes:
Zone refining works on the principle that impurities are more soluble in the melt than in the solid state of the metal. This method is very useful for producing semiconductors.
