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 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.
2. 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.
3. Which among the following basic atoms are must in an Alkaloid?
[A] Sodium
[B] Nitrogen
[C] Magnesium
[D] Potassium
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Nitrogen]
Notes:
Alkaloids are a class of naturally occurring organic compounds that mostly contain basic nitrogen atoms. Nitrogen is essential in their structure, contributing to their pharmacological properties. Common examples of alkaloids include morphine, caffeine, and nicotine, all of which contain nitrogen. Sodium, magnesium, and potassium are not fundamental components of alkaloids.
4. Which among the following is the correct impact of the London Forces in the Cycloalkanes?
[A] The melting and boiling points get increased
[B] The Melting and boiling points get decreased
[C] There is not impact on the melting and boiling points
[D] The melting point increases but boiling point decreases
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [The melting and boiling points get increased]
Notes:
Please note that the Cycloalkanes with more than 20 carbon atoms are called Cycloparaffins. The cycloalkanes have the same properties as the alkanes but they have `Higher Boiling & Melting points`. This is because of the stronger dispersion forces between the atoms known as London Forces.
5. With reference to the Radioactivity, which among the following is called an isomeric transition?
[A] Alpha emission
[B] Gamma emission
[C] Beta emission
[D] X-Ray emission
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Gamma emission]
Notes:
An isomeric transition is a radioactive decay process that involves emission of a gamma ray from an atom where the nucleus is in an excited metastable state, referred to in its excited state, as a nuclear isomer. The emission of a gamma ray from an excited nuclear state allows the nucleus to lose energy and reach either a lower energy state, sometimes its ground state. In certain cases, the excited nuclear state following a nuclear reaction or other type of radioactive decay, has a half live that is more than 100 to 1000 times longer than the average 10-12 seconds, and this excited state is referred to as a metastable nuclear excited state. Some nuclei are able to stay in this metastable excited state for minutes, hours, days, or occasionally far longer, before undergoing gamma decay, in which they undergo radioactive decay with primary emission of a gamma ray.
6. 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.
7. Which among the following is most advantageous in storage in fuel cells used in small, portable electronics such as phones and laptop computers?
[A] Methanol
[B] Hydrogen
[C] Formic Acid
[D] Acetic Acid
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Formic Acid]
Notes:
The cells are called Direct-formic acid fuel cells, in which formic acid is directly fed in the cells. Storage of formic acid is much easier and safer than that of hydrogen because it does not need to be done at high pressures and (or) low temperatures, as formic acid is a liquid at standard temperature and pressure. Formic acid does not cross over the polymer membrane, so its efficiency can be higher than that of methanol. Use of acetic acid in cells does not arise.
8. Which of the following techniques can be used to separate cream from milk?
[A] Filtration
[B] Distillation
[C] Centrifugation
[D] Chromatography
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Centrifugation]
Notes:
Centrifugation is a mechanical process that utilizes an applied centrifugal force field to separate the components of a mixture.
9. What is the general Q-value for alpha-decay?
[A] greater than 0
[B] less than 0
[C] equal to 0
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [greater than 0]
Notes:
Q-value is the net kinetic energy gained in the process or, if the initial nucleus X is at rest, the kinetic energy of the products. Clearly, Q> 0 for exothermic processes such as α-decay.
10. Which of the following material is used to make control rods in a nuclear reactor?
[A] Indium
[B] Boron
[C] Cadmium
[D] All of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [All of the above]
Notes:
The reaction rate is controlled through control-rods made out of neutron-absorbing materials. They are composed of chemical elements such as boron, silver, indium and cadmium that are capable of absorbing many neutrons without themselves fissioning.