Chemistry MCQs
Chemistry Objective (Multiple Choice) General Knowledge Questions & Answers for SSC-CGL, UPPSC, UPSC, NDA, CDS and UPSC Civil Services Prelims Examination.
1. 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.
2. Which element is responsible for the bright red color observed during the bursting of firecrackers?
[A] Strontium
[B] Sodium
[C] Sulfur
[D] Magnesium
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Strontium]
Notes:
The bright red color in fireworks is due to the presence of Strontium salts. The Strontium atom, upon yielding its energy in a quick burst upon heating, emits a brilliant red light. In fact, such properties of elements are used to identify them in a flame test, a classic method in chemistry labs across the globe.
3. Which among the following gases is used in production of Vanaspati ghee from vegetable oils?
[A] Nitrogen (N2)
[B] Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
[C] Hydrogen (H2)
[D] Neon (Ne)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Hydrogen (H2)]
Notes:
Hydrogen (H2) gas is utilized in the manufacture of Vanaspati ghee from vegetable oils. The process involves hydrogenation, a chemical reaction between molecular hydrogen (H2) and another compound or element. Hydrogenation of vegetable oils helps to convert them into a semisolid form that resembles ghee, often used as a cheaper alternative to butter or ghee in cooking.
4. What is commonly referred to as “Laughing Gas”?
[A] Nitric oxide
[B] Nitrous oxide
[C] Nitrogen penta oxide
[D] Nitrogen
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Nitrous oxide]
Notes:
Nitrous oxide is often referred to as “Laughing Gas” due to the euphoric effect it produces when inhaled. Its chemical formula is N2O and it is an oxide of nitrogen. At room temperature, it is a colorless, non-flammable gas with a relatively sweet odor and taste. It is primarily used in dentistry and surgery for its analgesic and anesthetic properties. It is also noted for its role as a major greenhouse gas and air pollutant, as well as a natural regulator of stratospheric ozone.
5. What are the essential components used in the production of Nitrolim, a fertilizer extensively used in the past?
[A] Nitrogen & Limestone
[B] Calcium Carbide and Nitrogen
[C] Calcium Carbide & Carbon
[D] Calcium Carbide and Limestone
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Calcium Carbide and Nitrogen]
Notes:
Nitrolim is a type of fertilizer that was widely used in the past. The main components of Nitrolim are calcium carbide and nitrogen. Calcium carbide reacts with nitrogen to form calcium cyanamide, which is an active ingredient in Nitrolim. This fertilizer is significant as it helps in fixing nitrogen in the soil thereby promoting plant growth.
6. Galvanizing is a metallurgical process that is used to coat steel or iron with which of the following?
[A] Zinc
[B] Lead
[C] Chromium
[D] Copper
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Zinc]
Notes:
Galvanisation is a method of protecting steel and iron from rusting by coating them with a thin layer of zinc
7. What is Carbamide?
[A] A Pesticide
[B] A Fertilizer
[C] A Textile Dye
[D] An Explosive
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [A Fertilizer]
Notes:
Carbamide is another name of Urea, an organic compound with chemical formula CO(NH2)2. This name indicates that Urea is an amide in which two –NH2 groups are joined by a carbonyl (C=O) functional group.
8. Which among the following were not discovered by the time , Mendeleev published his periodic table?
[A] Lathanides
[B] Actinides
[C] Noble Gases
[D] Halogens
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Noble Gases]
Notes:
When Mendeleev published his periodic table in 1869, noble gases had not yet been discovered. The first noble gas, argon, was identified in 1894 by Lord Rayleigh and William Ramsay. In contrast, lanthanides and actinides were recognized later, but their existence was inferred from Mendeleev’s predictions. Halogens, including elements like chlorine and iodine, were known prior to Mendeleev’s work.
9. 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.
10. How does the Isotope of Iodine, Iodine-135 plays an important role in Nuclear Power Generation?
[A] It is used as a fuel supplement in some of the modern Nuclear Reactors
[B] It is a bi-product of Nuclear Reaction which kills the neutrons and this inhibits the power formation
[C] It is a moderator used actively in the Nuclear Reactors
[D] It is an experimental substance for Nuclear Fusion
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [It is a bi-product of Nuclear Reaction which kills the neutrons and this inhibits the power formation]
Notes:
Iodine-135 is a important by-product of nuclear fission, particularly in reactors using uranium fuel. It has a high neutron capture cross-section, meaning it effectively absorbs neutrons, which can inhibit the fission process and reduce reactor power output. This property makes it crucial for managing reactor control and safety, as its presence can lead to a phenomenon known as “neutron poison,” affecting the overall efficiency of the nuclear reaction.