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. Which among the following was the first artificially produced element?
[A] Neptunium
[B] Ununbium
[C] Technetium
[D] none of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Technetium]
Notes:
Technetium was the first artificially produced element. It was isolated by Carlo Perrier and Emilio Segrè in 1937. Technetium was created by bombarding molybdenum atoms with deuterons that had been accelerated by a device called a cyclotron.
3. What happens to water’s vapor pressure when heated?
[A] It increases
[B] It decreases
[C] It first increases then decreases
[D] No change
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [It increases]
Notes:
Vapor pressure of water increases as its temperature rises. At 25°C, water’s vapor pressure is approximately 23.8 mmHg, while at 100°C it reaches 760 mmHg. When a liquid is heated, kinetic energy of molecules grows, allowing more to escape as vapor and thus increasing vapor pressure.
4. Which among the following is the lowest atomic number element without any stable isotopes?
[A] Technetium
[B] Molybdenum
[C] Ruthenium
[D] Niobium
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Technetium]
Notes:
The correct answer is Technetium. It has the atomic number 43 and is the lowest atomic number element without any stable isotopes. All of its isotopes are radioactive, with Technetium-98 being the most stable, having a half-life of about 4.2 million years. Technetium was first artificially produced in 1937 by Carlo Perrier and Emilio Segrè, making it the first element to be artificially created.
5. Which among the following is the main constituent of vegetable oil and animal fats?
[A] Glycogen
[B] Triglyceride
[C] Galactose
[D] Diglyceride
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Triglyceride]
Notes:
The main constituent of vegetable oil and animal fats is triglyceride. Triglycerides are composed of three fatty acids linked to a glycerol molecule. They are the most common type of fat found in the body and serve as a major energy source. In fact, triglycerides account for about 95% of the fats in the human diet.
6. 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.
7. Which of the following represents the general formula for alkanes?
[A] CnH2n
[B] CnH2n-2
[C] CnH2n+2
[D] CnHn
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [CnH2n+2]
Notes:
Alkanes are saturated open chain hydrocarbons containing carbon – carbon single bonds.
8. Which of the following is correct about Ammonia?
[A] The ammonia molecule is trigonal pyramidal in shape
[B] Ammonia gas is light blue in colour
[C] its aqueous solution is highly basic
[D] Ammonia gas is odorless
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [The ammonia molecule is trigonal pyramidal in shape]
Notes:
Ammonia is a colourless gas with a pungent odour. Its aqueous solution is weakly basic due to the formation of OH– ions. The ammonia molecule is trigonal pyramidal in shape.
9. What is the probability of finding an electron at a point within an atom?
[A] proportional to the square of the orbital wave function
[B] proportional to the orbital wave function
[C] proportional to the twice of the orbital wave function
[D] proportional to the cube of the orbital wave function
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [proportional to the square of the orbital wave function]
Notes:
The probability of finding an electron at a point within an atom is proportional to the square of the orbital wave function i.e., ψ|2 at that point. |ψ|2 is known as probability density and is always positive.
10. What will be the number of neutrons in an atom having atomic number 35 and mass number 80?
[A] 35
[B] 45
[C] 55
[D] 80
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [45]
Notes:
The total number of nucleons is termed as mass number (A) of the atom. In this case, mass number is 80. Therefore, sum of the number of neutrons and protons is 80. As atomic number is 35, we know that number of protons is 35. Hence, number of neutrons = 80-35 = 45.
