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 of the following are the most and the least electronegative elements in the periodic table?
[A] Fluorine and Caesium
[B] Hydrogen and Helium
[C] Carbon and Oxygen
[D] Chlorine and Fluorine
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Fluorine and Caesium]
Notes:
Caesium is the least electronegative element in the periodic table and Fluorine is the most electronegative. Electronegativity is a measure of the tendency of an atom to attract a bonding pair of electrons.
2. Which of the following is an alkaline earth metal?
[A] Pottasium
[B] Lead
[C] Copper
[D] Calcium
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Calcium ]
Notes:
The six elements in column 2 of the Periodic table are called Alkaline Earth Metals. These include Beryllium (Be), Magnesium (Mg), Calcium (Ca), Strontium (Sr), Barium (Ba), and Radium (Ra).
3. Which among the following scientists had discovered Radium?
[A] Marie and Pierre Curie
[B] Andre-Louis Debierne
[C] Kasimir Fajans
[D] Oswald Helmuth Gohring
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Marie and Pierre Curie]
Notes:
Radium(Ra) with atomic number 88 was discovered by Marie and Pierre Curie in 1898 as Radium Chloride. However, it was Radium was isolated in its metallic state by Marie Curie and André-Louis Debierne through the electrolysis of radium chloride in 1911.
4. White Phosphorous is represented by which among the following symbols?
[A] P1
[B] P2
[C] P3
[D] P4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [P4]
Notes:
The most important form of elemental phosphorus from the perspective of applications and chemical literature is white phosphorus. It consists of tetrahedral P4 molecules, in which each atom is bound to the other three atoms by a single bond. This P4 tetrahedron is also present in liquid and gaseous phosphorus up to the temperature of 800 °C when it starts decomposing to P2 molecules
5. What are Sodium Alkyl Sulphate and Benzene Sulphate examples of?
[A] Explosives
[B] Insecticides
[C] Fungicides
[D] Synthetic Detergents
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Synthetic Detergents]
Notes:
Sodium Alkyl Sulphate and Benzene Sulphate are typical examples of Synthetic Detergents. Synthetic detergents are man-made cleansing agents that function similarly to soap. These compounds were developed during World War II when a shortage of natural oils led to a search of alternative substances. The advanced features of synthetic detergents include improved cleansing efficacy, resistance to water hardness, and the ability to function in acidic conditions.
6. 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.
7. Which of the following chemicals is also known as “Chinese snow”?
[A] Silver iodide
[B] Potassium nitrate
[C] Ammonium chloride
[D] Sodium phosphate
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Potassium nitrate]
Notes:
Potassium nitrate is one of several nitrogen-containing compounds collectively referred to as saltpetre or saltpetre. It is also known as “Chinese snow”. Major uses of potassium nitrate are in fertilizers, rocket propellants and fireworks.
8. Which of the following is / are correct statement(s) about Gypsum?
[A] It’s a mineral composed of calcium sulfate dihydrate
[B] It is a soft mineral
[C] It is commonly added to saline soils to reduce salinity
[D] All of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [All of the above]
Notes:
Gypsum is a mineral composed of calcium sulfate dihydrate. It’s a soft mineral and colorless to white in color. It is commonly added to saline soils to reduce salinity and also used in wallboard (drywall) and plaster of paris.
9. What is the multiplication factor when the nuclear reactor is said to be critical?
[A] 0
[B] 1
[C] 2
[D] 10
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [1]
Notes:
The multiplication factor is the measure of the growth rate of the neutrons in the reactor. For K = 1, the operation of the reactor is said to be critical.
10. What is the reason for the increase in the electronegativity across a period from left to right?
[A] attraction between the valence electrons and the nucleus increases
[B] attraction between the valence electrons and the nucleus decreases
[C] increase in the atomic weight
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [attraction between the valence electrons and the nucleus increases]
Notes:
The attraction between the outer (or valence) electrons and the nucleus increases as the atomic radius decreases in a period. The electronegativity also increases.