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 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.
2. What are the main constituents of LPG?
[A] Methane, Hexane, Ethane
[B] Methane, Butane, Propane
[C] Ethane, Pentane, Hexane
[D] Ethane, Methane, Pentane
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Methane, Butane, Propane]
Notes:
LPG is composed hydrocarbons containing three or four carbon atoms. The normal components of LPG thus, are propane (C3H8), butane (C4H10) and Methane (CH4). Small concentrations of other hydrocarbons may also be present.
3. What happens to water’s vapor pressure when heated?
[A] It increases
[B] It decreases
[C] It first increases then decreases
[D] No change
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [It increases]
Notes:
Vapor pressure of water increases as its temperature rises. At 25°C, water’s vapor pressure is approximately 23.8 mmHg, while at 100°C it reaches 760 mmHg. When a liquid is heated, kinetic energy of molecules grows, allowing more to escape as vapor and thus increasing vapor pressure.
4. How does the Isotope of Iodine, Iodine-135 plays an important role in Nuclear Power Generation?
[A] It is used as a fuel supplement in some of the modern Nuclear Reactors
[B] It is a bi-product of Nuclear Reaction which kills the neutrons and this inhibits the power formation
[C] It is a moderator used actively in the Nuclear Reactors
[D] It is an experimental substance for Nuclear Fusion
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [It is a bi-product of Nuclear Reaction which kills the neutrons and this inhibits the power formation]
Notes:
Iodine-135 is a important by-product of nuclear fission, particularly in reactors using uranium fuel. It has a high neutron capture cross-section, meaning it effectively absorbs neutrons, which can inhibit the fission process and reduce reactor power output. This property makes it crucial for managing reactor control and safety, as its presence can lead to a phenomenon known as “neutron poison,” affecting the overall efficiency of the nuclear reaction.
5. Consider the following substances:
- Iodine
- Naphthalene
- Camphor
Which of the above substances undergo ‘sublimation’ on heating?
[A] Only 1 and 2
[B] All of them
[C] Only 2 and 3
[D] Only 1 and 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [All of them]
Notes:
Sublimation is a transition from solid to gas, bypassing the liquid phase. Iodine sublimes, producing violet vapors; naphthalene sublimes, hence its use in mothballs; and camphor also sublimes, used in medicinal and aromatic applications. Thus, all three substances exhibit sublimation upon heating, making ‘All of them’ the correct answer.
6. PAN (Peroxyacetyl nitrate) is a secondary gaseous compound found in _?
[A] Classical smog
[B] Volatile organic compound
[C] Photochemical smog
[D] Green manure
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ Photochemical smog]
Notes:
Third option is the correct answer
Photochemical smog is the chemical reaction of sunlight, nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds in the atmosphere, which leaves airborne particles and ground-level ozone.
7. What is the reason that despite being third most abundant element on the Earth’s surface and most abundant chemical substance in the universe, Hydrogen is not found as a gas in Earth’s atmosphere?
[A] It is very reactive and unstable gas
[B] It is so light that readily escapes earth’s gravity
[C] It is not found in free state in nature
[D] None of the above reasons
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ It is so light that readily escapes earth’s gravity]
Notes:
Under ordinary conditions on Earth, elemental hydrogen exists as the diatomic gas, H2. However, hydrogen gas is very rare in the Earth’s atmosphere (1 ppm by volume) because of its light weight, which enables it to escape from Earth’s gravity more easily than heavier gases. However, hydrogen is the third most abundant element on the Earth’s surface, mostly in the form of chemical compounds such as hydrocarbons and water. Hydrogen gas is produced by some bacteria and algae and is a natural component of flatus, as is methane, itself a hydrogen source of increasing importance.
8. Which of the following chemicals is called Philosopher’s Wool?
[A] Brimstone
[B] Zinc oxide
[C] Magnesium hydroxide
[D] Potassium nitrate
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Zinc oxide]
Notes:
The compound zinc oxide (ZnO) is called philosopher's wool. ZnO is a white powder that is insoluble in water. Zinc oxide is used as an additive in sun screens, sun lotions, in rubber manufacturing and in photocopying products. Alchemists, as part of their rituals, burn zinc in air and collect the residue, which formed into white woolly tufts. They called it Lana philosophica in Latin, meaning philosopher's wool.
9. Which of the following is the use of washing soda?
[A] softening of water
[B] manufacture of glass
[C] manufacture of paints
[D] All of the above
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Correct Answer: D [All of the above]
Notes:
It is used for softening of water, laundering, cleaning, manufacture of glass, soap, borax, paper, paints and textile It is also extensively used as laboratory reagent.
10. Which of these is an ore of Aluminium?
[A] Corundum
[B] Kieserite
[C] Pitch blende
[D] All of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Corundum]
Notes:
Corundum is an ore of Aluminium. It is a crystalline form of aluminium oxide. Kieserite is an ore of Magnesium and Pitch blende is an ore of Uranium.
