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 the objective of the Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) mixing with Petroleum?
[A] Raise Octane Number
[B] Antioxidant Stabilizer
[C] Lead Scavanger
[D] Fuel Dye
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Raise Octane Number ]
Notes:
MTBE is a gasoline additive, used as an oxygenate to raise the octane number. Its use is controversial in the US and declining in that country in part because of its occurrence in groundwater and legislation favoring ethanol.
2. 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.
3. Consider the following:
- Cinnabar is also known as mercurblende
- The color of Cinnabar varies from dull grey to bright green
- Cinnabar is the most common source ore for refining elemental mercury
- Cinnabar is the historic source for the brilliant blue pigment termed azure
Which of the statements given above are correct?
[A] Only 1 and 3
[B] Only 2 and 4
[C] 1, 3 and 4
[D] All Four
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only 1 and 3]
Notes:
Cinnabar, also known as mercurblende, is indeed the most common ore source for refining elemental mercury. However, its color range runs from scarlet to brick-red, not grey to green. It is known for providing the brilliant red or scarlet pigment known as vermilion, not a blue pigment.
4. F block elements in the periodic table which are commonly called Lanthanides have the following atomic numbers:
[A] 57-70
[B] 57-71
[C] 58-71
[D] 58-70
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [57-71]
Notes:
The correct answer is 2. The lanthanides are a series of 15 elements in the periodic table, from atomic numbers 57 (Lanthanum) to 71 (Lutetium). They are known for their similar properties and are often found together in nature. The range of atomic numbers for lanthanides is 57 to 71, not 57-70 or 58-70.
5. The Potassium graphite and Calcium Graphite can be mostly used as which among the following?
[A] Moderators
[B] Semiconductors
[C] Superconductors
[D] Lubricants
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Superconductors]
Notes:
Potassium graphite and calcium graphite are primarily used as superconductors. Superconductors are materials that can conduct electricity without resistance when cooled below a certain temperature. Graphite, particularly when doped with potassium or calcium, exhibits enhanced superconducting properties. Notably, the discovery of high-temperature superconductors in the 1980s revolutionized the field, leading to applications in magnetic levitation and advanced electronic devices.
6. 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).
7. 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.
8. Which of the following is NOT correct about Group 14 elements?
[A] All of them are solids
[B] Melting points are much higher than those of corresponding elements of group 13
[C] Carbon is a non-metal
[D] Germanium is a metal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Germanium is a metal]
Notes:
All members of group 14 are solids. Carbon and silicon are non-metals, germanium is a metalloid, whereas tin and lead are soft metals. Melting points and boiling points of group 14 elements are much higher than those of corresponding elements of group 13.
9. Which of the following elements have a compound named as Hydrogen peroxide?
[A] Hydrogen, Carbon and Oxygen
[B] Hydrogen only
[C] Hydrogen and Oxygen
[D] Hydrogen, Oxygen and Potassium
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Hydrogen and Oxygen]
Notes:
Hydrogen peroxide is a compound of Hydrogen and Oxygen.
10. Which of these industrial processes is used for production of aluminium from alumina?
[A] Vunyukov process
[B] Hall–Heroult process
[C] Betts process
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Hall–Heroult process]
Notes:
The Hall–Heroult process is the major industrial process for production of aluminium. It involves dissolving aluminium oxide in molten cryolite and electrolysing the molten salt bath to get pure aluminium.
