Chemistry MCQs
Chemistry Objective (Multiple Choice) General Knowledge Questions & Answers for SSC-CGL, UPPSC, UPSC, NDA, CDS and UPSC Civil Services Prelims Examination.
1. A cotton wick dipped in pure honey when ignited with a matchstick will ______?
[A] Burn steadily
[B] Burn with a cracking sound
[C] Not burn at all
[D] Burn producing a large amount of smoke
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Burn steadily]
Notes:
A cotton wick soaked in pure honey, when lit with a matchstick, will burn consistently. This is primarily due to the high sugar content of the honey acting as fuel for the flame. Contrary to common misconceptions, honey doesn’t produce much smoke or any unusual sounds during combustion.
2. Which among following is also known as white gold?
[A] Nickel
[B] Rhodium
[C] Platinum
[D] Palladium
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Platinum]
Notes:
Platinum is a naturally white metal. It doses not need to be alloyed for color. Due to its appearance as white, it is commonly known as White Gold.
3. What is the primary use of Phenolphthalein in chemistry?
[A] A Solvent
[B] A Dye
[C] A Catalyst
[D] A Detergent
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [A Dye]
Notes:
Phenolphthalein is commonly employed as a pH indicator in titrations due to its distinct color change in varying pH levels. At pH 8.2, it appears colorless but turns pink as the pH increases to 10. It is not used as a solvent, catalyst or detergent. It also finds applications in forensic science for detecting latent blood stains.
4. Which of the following processes commonly use the method of adsorption?
[A] Scrubbers manufacturing
[B] Purification of solid substances
[C] Chromatography
[D] Purification of liquid substances
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Chromatography]
Notes:
Adsorption, the binding of gas or liquid particles to a solid surface, is often used in chromatography – a laboratory technique for the separation of a mixture. This process is critical as it allows the separation of the compounds in the mixture, thereby enabling further analysis or purification. Apart from chromatography, adsorption is also used in scrubbers and purification of solids and liquids.
5. The atomic weight of Chlorine is 35. It consists of _______?
[A] 17 Protons + 18 Neutrons
[B] 17 Neutrons + 18 protons
[C] 17 Neutrons + 17 Protons + 1 electron
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [17 Protons + 18 Neutrons]
Notes:
Chlorine has an atomic number of 17, meaning it has 17 protons. Its atomic weight is approximately 35, which indicates it typically has 18 neutrons (35 – 17 = 18). Therefore, the correct composition is 17 protons and 18 neutrons. Chlorine is a halogen and exists primarily as two stable isotopes: Chlorine-35 and Chlorine-37.
6. Which among the following was first human-made plastic?
[A] Bakelite
[B] Polyethene
[C] Celluloid
[D] Nylon
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Celluloid]
Notes:
The first synthetic plastic was actually celluloid, invented by Alexander Parkes in 1855. Initially, celluloid was primarily used in photographic films. However, it had limitations, not suitable for making containers or electrical insulation. The first genuine plastic, Bakelite, was invented by Leo Baekeland in 1909 and extensively used in various applications, including safely handled autos. World War I significantly contributed to the development of polystyrene and polyvinyl chloride, widely used in plumbing and electrical insulation. Later, in the 1930s, nylon was invented, and by 1950, plastic materials gained immense popularity.
7. Gammaxene, D.D.T. and Bleaching powder are important compounds of :
[A] Chlorine
[B] Nitrogen
[C] Sulphur
[D] Phosphorus
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Chlorine]
Notes:
The correct answer is Chlorine. – Gammaxene (also known as Lindane) is a pesticide derived from hexachlorocyclohexane, which involves chlorine. – D.D.T. (Dichloro-Diphenyl-Trichloroethane) is a synthetic pesticide containing chlorine. – Bleaching powder (calcium hypochlorite) is a chlorine compound used for disinfection and bleaching. Chlorine is essential in various chemical processes and compounds, particularly in agriculture and sanitation.
8. The presence of which of the following chemical elements helps to differentiate between sweet and sour crude oil?
[A] Iron
[B] Sulphur
[C] Vanadium
[D] Chromium
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Sulphur ]
Notes:
Crude oil with high amount of Sulphur is termed as sour and with less Sulphur is called the sweet grade. Sour grade crude requires extra processing cost.
9. Which of the following compound of sodium is generally prepared by Solvay process?
[A] Sodium Carbonate
[B] Sodium Hydroxide
[C] Sodium Chloride
[D] All of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Sodium Carbonate]
Notes:
Sodium carbonate is generally prepared by Solvay Process.
10. Which of the following alkaline earth metals is the rarest in the earth crust?
[A] Calcium
[B] Strontium
[C] Radium
[D] Beryllium
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Radium]
Notes:
Of the alkaline earth metals calcium and magnesium rank fifth and sixth in abundance respectively in the earth’s crust. Strontium and barium have much lower abundances. Beryllium is rare and radium is the rarest of all comprising only 10–10 per cent of igneous rocks.