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 is a thermosetting plastic?
[A] Polythene
[B] Bakelite
[C] Polyvinyl chloride
[D] Casseine
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Bakelite]
Notes:
Bakelite is a thermosetting plastic formed from phenol and formaldehyde, used in electrical insulators and cookware handles. Unlike thermoplastics, it hardens irreversibly when heated and cannot be remolded. It was the first synthetic plastic, invented by Leo Baekeland in 1907.
2. Which among the following happens in an oxidation reaction ?
[A] Electrons are gained
[B] Electrons are lost
[C] Protons are gained
[D] Protons are lost
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Correct Answer: B [Electrons are lost ]
Notes:
Oxidation is the loss of electrons during a reaction by a molecule, atom or ion. When oxidation occurs, an element loses electrons and its oxidation number increases .i.e. it becomes more positive.
3. When Sulphur is heated with rubber, the process is commonly known as ?
[A] Galvanization
[B] Sulphonation
[C] Vulcanization
[D] Hydrodesulfurization
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Vulcanization]
Notes:
Natural rubber becomes soft at high temperature (>335 K) and brittle at low temperatures (<283 k) and shows high water absorption capacity. It is soluble in non-polar solvents and is non-resistant to attack by oxidising agents. To improve upon these physical properties, a process of vulcanisation is carried out. This process consists of heating a mixture of raw rubber with sulphur and an appropriate additive at a temperature range between 373 K to 415 K. On vulcanisation, sulphur forms cross links at the reactive sites of double bonds and thus the rubber gets stiffened.
In the manufacture of tyre rubber, 5% of sulphur is used as a crosslinking agent
4. Out of the following options, which group of elements is typically found in a free state?
[A] Group 11 elements
[B] Group 12 elements
[C] Group 13 elements
[D] Group 14 elements
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Group 11 elements]
Notes:
Group 11 elements, which include copper, silver, and gold, have been known since ancient times. These elements are found in the Earth’s crust in a free or native state, due to their low reactivity compared to other elements. This is why these elements were used by ancient civilizations for crafting tools, jewelry, and early forms of money.
5. What type of fiber is Rayon considered?
[A] A synthetic fiber
[B] A natural fiber
[C] A semi-synthetic fiber
[D] A synthetic detergent
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [A semi-synthetic fiber]
Notes:
Rayon is considered a semi-synthetic fiber. It is made by regenerating natural materials into a usable form. Rayon fibers are derived from cellulose obtained from wood or related agricultural products. It was first commercially produced in 1905 by the Swiss firm J. R. Geigy, originally under the name “artificial silk”
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 among the following acids is generally used as a first hand test to judge whether a metal is Gold or not?
[A] Sulfuric Acid
[B] Nitric Acid
[C] Hydrochloric Acid
[D] Sulfurous Acid
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Correct Answer: B [Nitric Acid]
Notes:
The funda is that when a small drop of a strong acid, such as nitric acid, is put onto the metal’s surface, most metals fizz or bubble, whilst precious metals (Gold or Platinum not silver) are unaffected.
8. Which of the following element has the highest first ionization enthalpy?
[A] Magnesium
[B] Strontium
[C] Beryllium
[D] Barium
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Correct Answer: C [Beryllium]
Notes:
The alkaline earth metals have low ionization enthalpies due to fairly large size of the atoms. Since the atomic size increases down the group, their ionization enthalpy decreases.
9. Which of the following is NOT correct about Sodium chloride?
[A] It is a covalent compound
[B] It is also known as common salt
[C] It is also used in de-icing of roadways during snowfall
[D] It is used as a food preservative
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [It is a covalent compound]
Notes:
Sodium chloride (NaCl) is used as a common salt or table salt for domestic purpose and used as a food preservative. It is an ionic compound. It is also used in de-icing of roadways during snowfall.
10. Which of the following is incorrect?
[A] Alloying helps in improving the properties of a metal
[B] An alloy is a heterogeneous mixture of two or more metals
[C] The melting point of an alloy is less than that of pure metals
[D] All of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [An alloy is a heterogeneous mixture of two or more metals]
Notes:
An alloy is a homogeneous mixture of two or more metals, or a metal and a nonmetal. Alloying helps in improving the properties of a metal. The melting point of an alloy is less than that of pure metals.