Chemistry MCQs
Chemistry Objective (Multiple Choice) General Knowledge Questions & Answers for SSC-CGL, UPPSC, UPSC, NDA, CDS and UPSC Civil Services Prelims Examination.
1. 2,4-D, which is sold as a weed killer of the broad-leaved weeds is a synthetic version of __:
[A] Auxin Hormone
[B] Cytokinin Hormone
[C] Xylitol
[D] None of them
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Auxin Hormone ]
Notes:
2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-dichlorophenoxyethanoic acid) is a synthetic auxin frequently used as a weed killer of broad-leaved weeds. When two herbicides 2,4,5-T and 2,4-D and mixed in equal parts, it is called Agent Orange, which was used by US in Vietnam war.
2. Who among the following scientists had discovered Radium?
[A] Marie Sklodowska-Curie and Pierre Curie
[B] André-Louis Debierne
[C] Kasimir Fajans
[D] Oswald Helmuth Göhring
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Marie Sklodowska-Curie and Pierre Curie ]
Notes:
Radium is a chemical element with the symbol Ra and atomic number 88. Radium was discovered by Marie Sklodowska Curie, a Polish chemist, and Pierre Curie, a French chemist, in 1898.
3. Which of the following processes commonly use the method of adsorption?
[A] Scrubbers manufacturing
[B] Purification of solid substances
[C] Chromatography
[D] Purification of liquid substances
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Chromatography]
Notes:
Adsorption, the binding of gas or liquid particles to a solid surface, is often used in chromatography – a laboratory technique for the separation of a mixture. This process is critical as it allows the separation of the compounds in the mixture, thereby enabling further analysis or purification. Apart from chromatography, adsorption is also used in scrubbers and purification of solids and liquids.
4. Consider the following:
- Cinnabar is also known as mercurblende
- The color of Cinnabar varies from dull grey to bright green
- Cinnabar is the most common source ore for refining elemental mercury
- Cinnabar is the historic source for the brilliant blue pigment termed azure
Which of the statements given above are correct?
[A] Only 1 and 3
[B] Only 2 and 4
[C] 1, 3 and 4
[D] All Four
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only 1 and 3]
Notes:
Cinnabar, also known as mercurblende, is indeed the most common ore source for refining elemental mercury. However, its color range runs from scarlet to brick-red, not grey to green. It is known for providing the brilliant red or scarlet pigment known as vermilion, not a blue pigment.
5. 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.
6. What characteristic of silica gel, a granular form of silica produced from sodium silicate, enables it to control humidity and prevent spoilage or degradation when packaged with various products?
[A] Its high thermal conductivity
[B] Its hygroscopic properties
[C] Its high reflectivity
[D] Its low thermal conductivity
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Its hygroscopic properties]
Notes:
Silica gel possesses hygroscopic properties, meaning it can absorb and hold water vapour. This makes it an effective desiccant or drying agent. When packaged with products, silica gel can help control humidity and prevent spoilage or degradation by absorbing excess moisture. This property is particularly valuable when shipping or storing items that can be negatively impacted by damp conditions, like electronics, food, and leather goods.
7. Which of the following is the correct order of composition of biogas released through anaerobic bio-digester system?
[A] Methane> Carbon dioxide> Nitrogen> Hydrogen
[B] Carbon dioxide> Nitrogen> Methane> Hydrogen
[C] Nitrogen> Hydrogen> Carbon dioxide> Methane
[D] Hydrogen> Nitrogen> Methane> Carbon dioxide
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Methane> Carbon dioxide> Nitrogen> Hydrogen ]
Notes:
The correct composition of biogas released through anaerobic bio-digester system is:
Methane (CH4) – 50–75 %
Carbon dioxide (CO2) – 25–50%
Nitrogen (N2) – 0–10%
Hydrogen (H2) – 0–1%
Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) – 0–3%
8. After a nuclear disaster, the Strontium-90 becomes an health issue of great concern. What is the major concern about this particular isotope?
[A] Strontium-90 gets deposited in the Red Blood Cells and causes Blood Cancer
[B] Strontium-90 gets deposited in the Liver cells and causes Liver Cirrhosis
[C] Strontium-90 gets deposited in bones and bone marrow and causes cancer
[D] None of the above is a correct statement
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ Strontium-90 gets deposited in bones and bone marrow and causes cancer]
Notes:
Strontium-90 is a “bone seeker” that exhibits biochemical behaviour similar to calcium, the next lighter Group 2 element. After entering the organism, most often by ingestion with contaminated food or water, about 70–80% of the dose gets excreted. Virtually all remaining strontium-90 is deposited in bones and bone marrow, with the remaining 1% remaining in blood and soft tissues. Its presence in bones can cause bone cancer, cancer of nearby tissues, and leukaemia.
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. What do we call the process that separates a pure solid in the form of its crystals from a solution?
[A] Crystallisation
[B] Sublimation
[C] Chromatography
[D] Distillation
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Crystallisation]
Notes:
Crystallisation is a process that separates a pure solid in the form of its crystals from a solution. For example: purification of the salt obtained from sea water.