Chemistry MCQs
Chemistry Objective (Multiple Choice) General Knowledge Questions & Answers for SSC-CGL, UPPSC, UPSC, NDA, CDS and UPSC Civil Services Prelims Examination.
1. The energy required to remove an electron from the outermost shell of an atom in its isolated gaseous state is called?
[A] Electron Affinity
[B] Reducing Potential
[C] Ionization Potential
[D] Shell Potential
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ionization Potential ]
Notes:
Ionization potential is the energy required to remove an electron from the outermost shell of an atom in its isolated gaseous state. As we move down the group, ionization potential decreases. As we move across the period, ionization potential increases Electron affinity is the energy released on adding an electron to the outermost shell of an atom in its isolated gaseous state.
2. Which among the following is popularly called Hypo?
[A] Silver Bromide
[B] Silver nitrate
[C] Sodium thiosulphate
[D] Sodium phosphate
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Correct Answer: C [Sodium thiosulphate ]
Notes:
Sodium thiosulfate is an important inorganic salt with several medical uses. It is also called sodium hyposulfite or ‘hypo’. It is used in several pharmaceutical preparations and also has various medical properties.
3. Which among the following is the objective of the Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) mixing with Petroleum?
[A] Raise Octane Number
[B] Antioxidant Stabilizer
[C] Lead Scavanger
[D] Fuel Dye
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Raise Octane Number ]
Notes:
MTBE is a gasoline additive, used as an oxygenate to raise the octane number. Its use is controversial in the US and declining in that country in part because of its occurrence in groundwater and legislation favoring ethanol.
4. 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.
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 an ionic solid?
[A] Diamond
[B] Dry ice
[C] Table salt
[D] All are ionic solids
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Correct Answer: C [Table salt]
Notes:
One important character of Ionic solids is that they readily get dissolved in water
7. With reference to the Radioactivity, which among the following is called an isomeric transition?
[A] Alpha emission
[B] Gamma emission
[C] Beta emission
[D] X-Ray emission
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Correct Answer: B [ Gamma emission]
Notes:
An isomeric transition is a radioactive decay process that involves emission of a gamma ray from an atom where the nucleus is in an excited metastable state, referred to in its excited state, as a nuclear isomer. The emission of a gamma ray from an excited nuclear state allows the nucleus to lose energy and reach either a lower energy state, sometimes its ground state. In certain cases, the excited nuclear state following a nuclear reaction or other type of radioactive decay, has a half live that is more than 100 to 1000 times longer than the average 10-12 seconds, and this excited state is referred to as a metastable nuclear excited state. Some nuclei are able to stay in this metastable excited state for minutes, hours, days, or occasionally far longer, before undergoing gamma decay, in which they undergo radioactive decay with primary emission of a gamma ray.
8. Which of the following chemicals is called Philosopher’s Wool?
[A] Brimstone
[B] Zinc oxide
[C] Magnesium hydroxide
[D] Potassium nitrate
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Zinc oxide]
Notes:
The compound zinc oxide (ZnO) is called philosopher's wool. ZnO is a white powder that is insoluble in water. Zinc oxide is used as an additive in sun screens, sun lotions, in rubber manufacturing and in photocopying products. Alchemists, as part of their rituals, burn zinc in air and collect the residue, which formed into white woolly tufts. They called it Lana philosophica in Latin, meaning philosopher's wool.
9. Which of the following is NOT correct about Group 14 elements?
[A] All of them are solids
[B] Melting points are much higher than those of corresponding elements of group 13
[C] Carbon is a non-metal
[D] Germanium is a metal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Germanium is a metal]
Notes:
All members of group 14 are solids. Carbon and silicon are non-metals, germanium is a metalloid, whereas tin and lead are soft metals. Melting points and boiling points of group 14 elements are much higher than those of corresponding elements of group 13.
10. Which of these compounds is also known as wood spirit?
[A] Ethanol
[B] Methanol
[C] Propanol
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Methanol]
Notes:
Methanol, CH3OH, also known as ‘wood spirit’. It was produced by destructive distillation of wood.