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 term “white coal” sometimes referred to which of the following?
[A] Geothermal Electricity
[B] Wind Energy
[C] Hydroelectricity
[D] Biomass Energy
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Hydroelectricity]
Notes:
The term white coal was used for Hydroelectricity, particularly in Europe, because of its capability to produce more energy than any other source except coal. The term was coined by a French Engineer Aristide Bèrges.
2. Which of the following is an alkaline earth metal?
[A] Pottasium
[B] Lead
[C] Copper
[D] Calcium
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Calcium ]
Notes:
The six elements in column 2 of the Periodic table are called Alkaline Earth Metals. These include Beryllium (Be), Magnesium (Mg), Calcium (Ca), Strontium (Sr), Barium (Ba), and Radium (Ra).
3. 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.
4. Which colour does cobalt oxide impart to glass?
[A] Brown
[B] Blue
[C] Red
[D] Yellow
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Blue]
Notes:
Cobalt Oxide is commonly used to create a distinctive blue hue in glasses and ceramics. The depth of the blue can be altered by changing the concentration of the oxide. In addition to being used for aesthetic purposes, Cobalt blue, which results from Cobalt Oxide, is also used because it absorbs certain wavelengths of light, making it useful for filtering out unwanted wavelengths.
5. Which among the following is the main constituent of vegetable oil and animal fats?
[A] Glycogen
[B] Triglyceride
[C] Galactose
[D] Diglyceride
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Triglyceride]
Notes:
The main constituent of vegetable oil and animal fats is triglyceride. Triglycerides are composed of three fatty acids linked to a glycerol molecule. They are the most common type of fat found in the body and serve as a major energy source. In fact, triglycerides account for about 95% of the fats in the human diet.
6. L.P.G. is a hydrocarbon consisting of a mixture of :
[A] Methane and Butane
[B] Propane and Butane
[C] Ethane and Propane
[D] Ethane and Butane
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Propane and Butane]
Notes:
L.P.G. (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) primarily consists of propane and butane. It is used as fuel for heating, cooking, and vehicles. Propane (C3H8) and butane (C4H10) are both byproducts of natural gas processing and petroleum refining. LPG is favored for its high energy content and clean-burning properties.
7. Amalgam’ is a term used for an alloy of a metal with :
[A] Copper
[B] Mercury
[C] Lead
[D] Aluminium
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Mercury]
Notes:
The correct answer is Mercury. An amalgam is a specific type of alloy that primarily consists of mercury mixed with another metal, commonly used in dental fillings due to its durability and ease of use. Historically, amalgams have been used since ancient times, with the earliest known use dating back to the 9th century in China.
8. Consider the following substances:
- Iodine
- Naphthalene
- Camphor
Which of the above substances undergo ‘sublimation’ on heating?
[A] Only 1 and 2
[B] All of them
[C] Only 2 and 3
[D] Only 1 and 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [All of them]
Notes:
Sublimation is a transition from solid to gas, bypassing the liquid phase. Iodine sublimes, producing violet vapors; naphthalene sublimes, hence its use in mothballs; and camphor also sublimes, used in medicinal and aromatic applications. Thus, all three substances exhibit sublimation upon heating, making ‘All of them’ the correct answer.
9. Which of the following chemicals is also known as lachrymatory agent or lachrymator?
[A] Mustard Gas
[B] Tear gas
[C] Diborane
[D] Chlorine gas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Tear gas]
Notes:
Tear gas is also known as CS Gas. It acts as a lachrymatory agent. Tear gas irritate the mucous membrane of the eyes, nose, mouth and lungs, and causes tearing, coughing, burning and difficult breathing.
10. Which of the following is / are correct statement(s) about Gypsum?
[A] It’s a mineral composed of calcium sulfate dihydrate
[B] It is a soft mineral
[C] It is commonly added to saline soils to reduce salinity
[D] All of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [All of the above]
Notes:
Gypsum is a mineral composed of calcium sulfate dihydrate. It’s a soft mineral and colorless to white in color. It is commonly added to saline soils to reduce salinity and also used in wallboard (drywall) and plaster of paris.
