Chemistry MCQs
Chemistry Objective (Multiple Choice) General Knowledge Questions & Answers for SSC-CGL, UPPSC, UPSC, NDA, CDS and UPSC Civil Services Prelims Examination.
1. Calamine is an ore of which among the following?
[A] Zinc
[B] Copper
[C] Mercury
[D] Iron
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Zinc]
Notes:
Calamine is an ore that contains zinc carbonate along with impurities like iron oxide. Through smelting, the zinc carbonate in calamine can be reduced to extract pure zinc metal. Other common zinc ores are sphalerite (zinc sulfide) and smithsonite (zinc carbonate). So calamine is considered a zinc ore due to its zinc carbonate content.
2. 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.
3. Which among the following is major component of Gobar Gas?
[A] Butane
[B] Ethane
[C] Propane
[D] Metahne
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Correct Answer: D [Metahne]
Notes:
Gobar Gas or Biogas is mostly methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) and may have small amounts of hydrogen sulfide (H2S), moisture and siloxanes.
4. What is the common name of Calcium Sulphate Hemihydrate?
[A] Bleaching powder
[B] Slaked lime
[C] Plaster of paris
[D] Detergent
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Plaster of paris]
Notes:
Plaster of Paris is calcium sulphate hemihydrate. The formula is given as, CaSO4.1/2 H2O or (2 CaSO4) . H2O. The powder is called plaster of Paris, because the gypsum which was used to get the powder was mainly found in Paris.
5. Which element is responsible for the bright red color observed during the bursting of firecrackers?
[A] Strontium
[B] Sodium
[C] Sulfur
[D] Magnesium
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Strontium]
Notes:
The bright red color in fireworks is due to the presence of Strontium salts. The Strontium atom, upon yielding its energy in a quick burst upon heating, emits a brilliant red light. In fact, such properties of elements are used to identify them in a flame test, a classic method in chemistry labs across the globe.
6. Which among the following is Fool’s Gold?
[A] Copper Sulphate
[B] Iron Sulfide
[C] Brass
[D] Silver Bromide
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Iron Sulfide]
Notes:
The mineral pyrite or iron pyrite, also known as fool’s gold, is an iron sulfide with the chemical formula FeS2 (iron (II) disulfide). “Fool’s Gold” is technically known as pyrite or iron sulfide (FeS2) and is one of the most common sulfide minerals. Its nickname is “Fool’s Gold,” but it often contains a surprising amount of gold.
7. Amalgam’ is a term used for an alloy of a metal with :
[A] Copper
[B] Mercury
[C] Lead
[D] Aluminium
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Correct Answer: B [Mercury]
Notes:
The correct answer is Mercury. An amalgam is a specific type of alloy that primarily consists of mercury mixed with another metal, commonly used in dental fillings due to its durability and ease of use. Historically, amalgams have been used since ancient times, with the earliest known use dating back to the 9th century in China.
8. After a nuclear disaster, the Strontium-90 becomes an health issue of great concern. What is the major concern about this particular isotope?
[A] Strontium-90 gets deposited in the Red Blood Cells and causes Blood Cancer
[B] Strontium-90 gets deposited in the Liver cells and causes Liver Cirrhosis
[C] Strontium-90 gets deposited in bones and bone marrow and causes cancer
[D] None of the above is a correct statement
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ Strontium-90 gets deposited in bones and bone marrow and causes cancer]
Notes:
Strontium-90 is a “bone seeker” that exhibits biochemical behaviour similar to calcium, the next lighter Group 2 element. After entering the organism, most often by ingestion with contaminated food or water, about 70–80% of the dose gets excreted. Virtually all remaining strontium-90 is deposited in bones and bone marrow, with the remaining 1% remaining in blood and soft tissues. Its presence in bones can cause bone cancer, cancer of nearby tissues, and leukaemia.
9. Which of the following chemicals is also known as "butter of tin"?
[A] Stannic chloride
[B] Sodium perborate
[C] Potassium nitrate
[D] Magnesium hydroxide
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Stannic chloride]
Notes:
“Butter of Tin” is also known as tin tetrachloride pentahydrate. It is called “butter of tin” because of its physical appearance. Its chemical formula is SnCl4*5H2O or [SnCl4 (H2O)]*3H2O.
10. How is Aqua regia formed?
[A] by mixing 2 parts of concentrated HCl and one part of concentrated HNO3
[B] by mixing 3 parts of concentrated HCl and one part of concentrated HNO3
[C] by mixing 1 part of concentrated HCl and three parts of concentrated HNO3
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [by mixing 3 parts of concentrated HCl and one part of concentrated HNO3]
Notes:
When three parts of concentrated HCl and one part of concentrated HNO3 are mixed, aqua regia is formed which is used for dissolving noble metals, e.g., gold, platinum.