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 among the following methods can be used to remove the permanent hardness in water due to calcium or magnesium sulphates?
[A] Sulphonate method
[B] Nitrate method
[C] Zeolite method
[D] None of these
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Zeolite method ]
Notes:
Zeolite is hydrated Sodium Alumino-silicate capable of exchanging reversible Sodium ions for hardness producing ions in water. It is also use as softening of water. It is used to remove the permanent hardness in water due to Calcium or Magnesium sulphates.
3. Which of the following statements about the chemical nature of Diamond and Graphite is incorrect?
[A] The density of Diamond is greater than that of Graphite
[B] Diamond is chemically unreactive whereas Graphite mildly reacts with certain elements
[C] Both Diamond and Graphite are excellent conductors of electricity
[D] None of the above statements is incorrect
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Both Diamond and Graphite are excellent conductors of electricity]
Notes:
Diamond and graphite are both forms of carbon but they exhibit different properties due to variations in their bonding arrangements. Diamond does not conduct electricity as each carbon atom in diamond is covalently bonded to four other carbon atoms, leaving no free electrons to conduct electricity. On the other hand, graphite is a good conductor of electricity due to its layered structure which leaves free electrons between the layers.
4. Which of the following elements is the most electronegative?
[A] Chlorine
[B] Fluorine
[C] Bromine
[D] All of them have the same electronegativity
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Fluorine]
Notes:
Electronegativity is defined as an atom’s ability to attract an electron pair when forming a covalent bond. This property increases as you move left to right across the periodic table due to an increase in the nuclear charge’s attractive forces. It decreases as you move top to bottom, owing to the shielding effect of sub-levels and increased atomic radius, which makes electrons easier to remove. This culminates in Fluorine, being the highest and furthest to the right on the periodic table, hence it is the most electronegative.
5. How many noble gases occur naturally?
[A] Three
[B] Four
[C] Five
[D] Six
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Six]
Notes:
Noble gases are characterized by their low reactivity. The reason for this is their full electron shell, which makes them very stable and unlikely to engage in chemical reactions. The six noble gases that occur naturally are helium (He), neon (Ne), argon (Ar), krypton (Kr), xenon (Xe), and the radioactive radon (Rn). Despite the inertness of noble gases, some of them like Xenon are known to form compounds.
6. The adsorption of hydrogen by palladium is termed as:
[A] Physisorption
[B] Chemisorptions
[C] Physical adsorption
[D] Occlusion
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ Occlusion]
Notes:
The adsorption of hydrogen by palladium is called occlusion. Occlusion is a type of adsorption where gases are adsorbed onto metals. The hydrogen adsorbed onto palladium is called occluded hydrogen.
Palladium can absorb about 900 times its own volume of hydrogen. The hydrogen that is adsorbed is more active than normal hydrogen.
The adsorption of hydrogen on palladium occurs through a hydride formation. The chemical bonds that are formed cannot be broken easily to release the hydrogen gas from the surface of the metal.
The process of occlusion is used to purify hydrogen.
7. Which of the following chemicals is also known as "butter of tin"?
[A] Stannic chloride
[B] Sodium perborate
[C] Potassium nitrate
[D] Magnesium hydroxide
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Stannic chloride]
Notes:
“Butter of Tin” is also known as tin tetrachloride pentahydrate. It is called “butter of tin” because of its physical appearance. Its chemical formula is SnCl4*5H2O or [SnCl4 (H2O)]*3H2O.
8. How many electrons can the s-orbital accommodate?
[A] 1
[B] 2
[C] 8
[D] 16
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [2]
Notes:
A the s-orbital can accommodate only two electrons, two groups (1 & 2) belong to the s-block of the Periodic Table.
9. Which of the following is NOT correct about Phosphine?
[A] The chemical formula is PH3
[B] The electronic structure is like Ammonia
[C] It is odorless
[D] it is used as a dopant in semiconductor industries
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [It is odorless]
Notes:
Phosphine is PH3. The electronic structure of Phosphine (pyramidal structure) is like Ammonia. It is a colourless gas and has a spoiled fish smell. It is used as a dopant in semiconductor industries.
10. Which among the following is most advantageous in storage in fuel cells used in small, portable electronics such as phones and laptop computers?
[A] Methanol
[B] Hydrogen
[C] Formic Acid
[D] Acetic Acid
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Formic Acid]
Notes:
The cells are called Direct-formic acid fuel cells, in which formic acid is directly fed in the cells. Storage of formic acid is much easier and safer than that of hydrogen because it does not need to be done at high pressures and (or) low temperatures, as formic acid is a liquid at standard temperature and pressure. Formic acid does not cross over the polymer membrane, so its efficiency can be higher than that of methanol. Use of acetic acid in cells does not arise.