Chemistry MCQs
Chemistry Objective (Multiple Choice) General Knowledge Questions & Answers for SSC-CGL, UPPSC, UPSC, NDA, CDS and UPSC Civil Services Prelims Examination.
1. What is the electrical state of a molecule, considered the smallest part of matter retaining the properties of the original matter?
[A] Positive
[B] Negative
[C] Either positive or negative
[D] Neutral
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Neutral]
Notes:
A molecule represents the smallest portion of a substance that retains the characteristics of the substance. It’s electrically neutral because it’s made up of atoms that bond together, sharing or exchanging electrons to achieve stability. This process balances out the electrical charges of the protons and electrons, rendering the molecule as a whole electrically neutral.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Which of the following elements have the lowest and highest boiling point in the Periodic table?
[A] Helium and Tungsten
[B] Hydrogen and Rhenium
[C] Helium and Rhenium
[D] Hydrogen and Tungsten
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ Helium and Rhenium]
Notes:
Helium has the lowest boiling point of all the elements at –452.074°F (–268.93°C) followed by hydrogen –423.16°F (–252.87°C). The highest boiling point for an element is that of Rhenium 10,104.8°F (5,596°C) followed by tungsten 10,031°F (5,555°C).
6. Which of the following is not an isotope of Hydrogen?
[A] Protium
[B] Para hydrogen
[C] Deuterium
[D] Tritium
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Para hydrogen]
Notes:
The three most stable isotopes of hydrogen: Protium, Deuterium and Tritium. Para hydrogen is not an isotope of hydrogen. Molecules of hydrogen in which the spins of both the nuclei are in the opposite direction are called Para hydrogen.
7. 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.
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 of the following is correct about Potassium carbonate?
[A] Its chemical formula is K CO3
[B] It is a salt which is white in colour
[C] It is used in the production of soap
[D] All of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [All of the above]
Notes:
Potassium carbonate is a salt which is white in colour. It is used in the production of soap. Its chemical formula is K2 CO3.
10. Which of the following is NOT correct about Ethanol?
[A] It is a good solvent
[B] It gives out hydrogen when reacted with Sodium
[C] It is an odorless liquid
[D] All are correct
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [It is an odorless liquid]
Notes:
Ethanol is a good solvent and reacts with sodium leading to the evolution of hydrogen. It is a colorless liquid with a slight characteristic odor.
