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 acids is abundant in Grapes, Bananas and Tamarind?
[A] Lactic Acid
[B] Oxalic Acid
[C] Salicylic Acid
[D] Tartaric Acid
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Tartaric Acid ]
Notes:
Tartaric acid occurs naturally in many fruits such as grapes, bananas, tamarinds, and citrus. Its salt, potassium bitartrate, commonly known as cream of tartar, develops naturally in the process of winemaking. It is commonly mixed with sodium bicarbonate and is sold as baking powder used as a leavening agent in food preparation. The acid itself is added to foods as an antioxidant E334 and to impart its distinctive sour taste.
2. Which among the following groups is characteristic to alcohols?
[A] OH group
[B] COOH group
[C] COO group
[D] CO group
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [OH group]
Notes:
Alcohols are organic compounds characterized by the presence of a hydroxyl group, denoted as -OH. This group consists of one oxygen atom bonded to a hydrogen atom. Due to the presence of the hydroxyl group, alcohols exhibit unique properties, such as the ability to form hydrogen bonds, making them polar. Alcohols are distinct from carboxylic acids (COOH), carbonates (COO), and carbonyl group compounds (CO).
3. Which among the following gives hissing sound when dissolved into H2O?
[A] CaCO2
[B] Ca(OH)2
[C] CaO
[D] CaCl2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [CaO]
Notes:
The correct answer is CaO (calcium oxide), which is also known as quicklime. When CaO is dissolved in water, it reacts exothermically to form calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2), producing a hissing sound due to the rapid release of heat and steam. This reaction is a classic example of a vigorous exothermic reaction in chemistry. Calcium oxide is commonly used in construction and as a drying agent.
4. When a piece of quicklime is dipped in water, it gives bubbles. This bubbling is due to which of the following ?
[A] Oxygen
[B] Carbon Dioxide
[C] Water Vapour
[D] Hydrogen
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Water Vapour]
Notes:
When quicklime (calcium oxide) is added to water, it reacts exothermically to form calcium hydroxide (slaked lime). This reaction produces heat and releases water vapor, which causes bubbling. The reaction can be represented as: [ ext{CaO} + ext{H}_2 ext{O}
ightarrow ext{Ca(OH)}_2 + ext{heat} ] Trivia: Quicklime is used in various applications, including steelmaking and water treatment, and was historically used in ancient construction.
5. Which set shows copper ores as Sulfide, Carbonate, Silicate respectively?
[A] Chalcopyrite, Azurite, Dioptase
[B] Azurite, Dioptase, Chalcopyrite
[C] Dioptase, Chalcopyrite, Azurite
[D] Dioptase, Azurite, Chalcopyrite
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Chalcopyrite, Azurite, Dioptase]
Notes:
Chalcopyrite is a major copper sulfide ore. Azurite is a copper carbonate mineral with formula Cu₃(CO₃)₂(OH)₂. Dioptase is a copper silicate mineral with formula CuSiO₃·H₂O. These match the deposit types in sulfide, carbonate, and silicate order respectively.
6. Ilmenite, found in Indian coastal sands, is an ore of which element?
[A] Tungsten
[B] Titanium
[C] Gallium
[D] Tin
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Titanium]
Notes:
Ilmenite is a titanium-iron oxide mineral with the formula FeTiO3. India holds about 37% of global ilmenite reserves, primarily along the peninsular coastal regions. Ilmenite is the primary source of titanium, used in aerospace, chemical, and medical industries. The Geological Survey of India ranks ilmenite among the most abundant heavy minerals in Indian beach placers. Titanium extraction from ilmenite is commercially viable.
7. What is the hemihydrate of calcium sulphate commonly known as?
[A] Gypsum
[B] Plaster of Paris
[C] Chloroform
[D] Limestone
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Plaster of Paris]
Notes:
Plaster of Paris is the common name of calcium sulphate hemihydrate because half molecule of water is attached with calcium sulphate. The chemical formula of plaster of Paris is CaSO4.1/2H2O.
8. Which of the following is correct about Solder?
[A] It is an alloy of lead and tin
[B] It is used for welding electrical wires together
[C] It has a low melting point
[D] All of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [All of the above]
Notes:
Solder is an alloy of lead and tin (Pb and Sn). It has a low melting point and is used for welding electrical wires together.
9. Which of the following Metal-Ore pairs is not correct?
[A] Iron – Magnetite
[B] Aluminium – Bauxite
[C] Gold – Calaverite
[D] Calcium – Carnalite
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Calcium – Carnalite]
Notes:
Carnalite is an ore of Potassium. It’s a hydrated potassium magnesium chloride. The chemical formula of Carnalite is KCl. MgCl2 . 6H2O.
10. 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.