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 correct set of chemical formulae of Chile Saltpetre, Saltpetre and Quick Lime?
[A] KNO3, NaNO3, CaO
[B] NaNO3, KNO3, Ca(OH)2
[C] Na(OH)2, KOH, CaO
[D] NaNO3, KNO3, CaO
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [NaNO3, KNO3, CaO]
Notes:
Saltpetre, also spelled Saltpeter, also called Nitre, or Niter, any of three naturally occurring nitrates, distinguished as (1) ordinary saltpetre, or potassium nitrate, KNO3; (2) Chile saltpetre, cubic nitre, or sodium nitrate, NaNO3; and (3) lime saltpetre, wall saltpetre, or calcium nitrate, Ca(NO3)2.
Calcium oxide (CaO), commonly known as quicklime or burnt lime, is a widely used chemical compound.
2. What happens to the weight of Iron, when it rusts?
[A] Increases for long time
[B] Decreases then increases
[C] Increases then decreases
[D] Remains the same
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Increases then decreases]
Notes:
When iron or any other metal oxidizes, oxygen from the air combines with the iron to make iron oxide or rust. So, weight of the bar increases, due to the increased weight of oxygen which has combined with the iron. over time, the weight of the iron bar will tend to decrease, due to factors related more to erosion than to chemistry.
3. Carnotite is a mineral of which among the following metals?
[A] Lead
[B] Uranium
[C] Aluminium
[D] Iron
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Uranium]
Notes:
Carnotite is an ore of Uranium and comprises potassium, vanadium, water and few other elements such as calcium, barium, magnesium, iron, sodium etc. It is a yellow colored mineral.
4. What characteristic of silica gel, a granular form of silica produced from sodium silicate, enables it to control humidity and prevent spoilage or degradation when packaged with various products?
[A] Its high thermal conductivity
[B] Its hygroscopic properties
[C] Its high reflectivity
[D] Its low thermal conductivity
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Its hygroscopic properties]
Notes:
Silica gel possesses hygroscopic properties, meaning it can absorb and hold water vapour. This makes it an effective desiccant or drying agent. When packaged with products, silica gel can help control humidity and prevent spoilage or degradation by absorbing excess moisture. This property is particularly valuable when shipping or storing items that can be negatively impacted by damp conditions, like electronics, food, and leather goods.
5. Which among the following alkane has largely replaced the ozone layer-depleting halomethanes in household refrigerators and freezers?
[A] Methane
[B] Propane
[C] Butane
[D] Ethane
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Butane]
Notes:
Isobutane, which is known in the industry as R600A has been used in several domestic refrigerators in recent times because it is an excellent refrigerant and non-ozone depleting substance with low global warming potential. The only drawback is that it is highly inflammable.
6. Which of the following is the softest metal?
[A] Cesium
[B] Lead
[C] Gold
[D] Silver
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Cesium]
Notes:
Cesium is extremely reactive metal. It reacts with water even at −116 °C (−177 °F). It is the least electronegative element. Cesium is also the softest known metal. It is so soft that it can be cut with a butter knife.
7. Choose the incorrect statement:
[A] Epsom salt is an ore containing Sodium
[B] Bauxite is an ore of Aluminium
[C] Asbestos is an ore containing Calcium
[D] Milarite mineral contains Nickel
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Epsom salt is an ore containing Sodium]
Notes:
Epsom salt is an ore containing Magnesium. It is also known as the heptahydrate sulfate mineral. Its chemical formula is MgSO4·7H2O.
8. What do we call the ratio of number of fission produced by a given generation of neutrons to the number of fission of the preceding generation?
[A] Critical factor
[B] Energy factor
[C] Multiplication factor
[D] Moderation factor
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Multiplication factor]
Notes:
The multiplication factor is the ratio of number of fission produced by a given generation of neutrons to the number of fission of the preceding generation.
9. Which of the following equation represents combination of Hydrogen gas with nitrogen to form ammonia?
[A] 2H2 + N –> NH3
[B] 2H + N3 –> NH3
[C] 3H2 + N2 –> 2NH3
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [3H2 + N2 –> 2NH3]
Notes:
3H2 + N2 –> 2NH3 is the balance equation which represents combination of Hydrogen gas with nitrogen to form ammonia.
10. Who gave the law of octaves for arrangement of elements?
[A] Lothar Meyer
[B] Dmitri Mendeleev
[C] John Alexander Newlands
[D] Johann Dobereiner
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [John Alexander Newlands]
Notes:
Newland law of octaves states that If the elements are arranged in order of their increasing atomic weights, every 8th element had similar properties to the first one. It was similar as the first and eighth note in music.