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. What is the key element used in the batteries of electric vehicles?
[A] Magnesium
[B] Lithium
[C] Sodium
[D] Bromine
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Lithium]
Notes:
The primary component for electric vehicle batteries is Lithium, used as Lithium carbonate or Lithium hydroxide. These Lithium-ion batteries have a high power-to-weight ratio, energy efficiency, and thermal stability, leading to their prevalence in electric vehicles. Notably, the boom in EVs has significantly driven the demand for Lithium globally.
3. What happens to ozone’s volume when it is heated?
[A] Increases
[B] Decreases
[C] Remains unchanged
[D] First increases, then decreases
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Increases]
Notes:
According to Charles’s Law, for gases at constant pressure, volume increases with temperature. Heating ozone increases the kinetic energy of molecules, expanding its volume if pressure is constant. Ozone (O₃) behaves like other gases, expanding when heated. This law applies to all ideal gases and ozone approximates ideal behavior under moderate conditions.
4. Sodium bicarbonate decomposes above 70 °C, making it usable in bakery products. What end product of this thermal decomposition process contributes to its use in baking?
[A] Hydrogen
[B] Carbon Dioxide
[C] Water Vapor
[D] Sodium Carbonate
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Carbon Dioxide]
Notes:
Sodium bicarbonate, commonly known as baking soda, is used in baking due to its ability to decompose above 70 degrees Celsius and release carbon dioxide. This chemical reaction is given by the equation 2 NaHCO3 – Na2CO3 + H2O + CO2. In baking, it reacts with other ingredients or decomposes at high temperatures to produce carbon dioxide, which causes the dough to rise, creating the fluffy texture in baked goods.
5. 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.
6. Which of the following element is NOT an alkaline earth metal?
[A] Magnesium
[B] Strontium
[C] Barium
[D] Beryllium
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Beryllium]
Notes:
The elements of Group 2 include beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium and radium. These elements with the exception of beryllium are commonly known as the alkaline earth metals.
7. What is the half life of the longest lived isotope of Francium?
[A] 1 minute
[B] 21 minute
[C] 21 hours
[D] 100 days
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [21 minute]
Notes:
Francium is highly radioactive. its longest-lived isotope 223Fr has a half-life of only 21 minutes.
8. Which of these compounds is also known as wood spirit?
[A] Ethanol
[B] Methanol
[C] Propanol
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Methanol]
Notes:
Methanol, CH3OH, also known as ‘wood spirit’. It was produced by destructive distillation of wood.
9. 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.
10. Which of the following is NOT correct about Phosphine?
[A] The chemical formula is PH3
[B] The electronic structure is like Ammonia
[C] It is odorless
[D] it is used as a dopant in semiconductor industries
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [It is odorless]
Notes:
Phosphine is PH3. The electronic structure of Phosphine (pyramidal structure) is like Ammonia. It is a colourless gas and has a spoiled fish smell. It is used as a dopant in semiconductor industries.