Chemistry MCQs
Chemistry Objective (Multiple Choice) General Knowledge Questions & Answers for SSC-CGL, UPPSC, UPSC, NDA, CDS and UPSC Civil Services Prelims Examination.
11. 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.
12. Which of the following is correct about Ammonia?
[A] The ammonia molecule is trigonal pyramidal in shape
[B] Ammonia gas is light blue in colour
[C] its aqueous solution is highly basic
[D] Ammonia gas is odorless
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Correct Answer: A [The ammonia molecule is trigonal pyramidal in shape]
Notes:
Ammonia is a colourless gas with a pungent odour. Its aqueous solution is weakly basic due to the formation of OH– ions. The ammonia molecule is trigonal pyramidal in shape.
13. Which of these compounds is also known as wood spirit?
[A] Ethanol
[B] Methanol
[C] Propanol
[D] None of the above
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Correct Answer: B [Methanol]
Notes:
Methanol, CH3OH, also known as ‘wood spirit’. It was produced by destructive distillation of wood.
14. Which of these is NOT a compound of carbon?
[A] Acetic acid
[B] Chloroform
[C] Caustic Soda
[D] Methane
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Correct Answer: C [Caustic Soda]
Notes:
Caustic soda is a compound of sodium where as Acetic acid, Chloroform and Methane are the compounds of carbon.
15. What is Rose metal?
[A] It is an alloy of Nickel, Tin and Zinc
[B] It is an alloy of Bismuth, Copper and Palladium
[C] It is an alloy of Palladium, Tin and Lead
[D] It is an alloy of Bismuth, Tin and Lead
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Correct Answer: D [It is an alloy of Bismuth, Tin and Lead]
Notes:
Rose metal is an alloy of Bismuth, Tin and Lead. It’s a fusible alloy with low melting point commonly used for soldering.
16. 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
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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.
17. Which of the following is an endothermic reaction?
[A] Decomposition of calcium carbonate to calcium oxide and carbon dioxide
[B] Respiration
[C] Burning of Natural gas
[D] All of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Decomposition of calcium carbonate to calcium oxide and carbon dioxide]
Notes:
Decomposition of calcium carbonate to calcium oxide and carbon dioxide is an endothermic reaction. Respiration and Burning of Natural gas are examples of exothermic reactions.
18. Which of the following factors affect the rate of chemical reaction?
[A] Concentration of reactants
[B] Temperature
[C] Catalyst
[D] All of the above
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Correct Answer: D [All of the above]
Notes:
The rate of reaction depends upon the experimental conditions such as concentration of reactants (pressure in case of gases), temperature and catalyst.
19. What is the change in the rate constant for a chemical reaction when temperature rises by 10° C?
[A] The rate constant is constant
[B] The rate constant is nearly doubled
[C] The rate constant is nearly halved
[D] The rate constant becomes four times
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Correct Answer: B [The rate constant is nearly doubled]
Notes:
For a chemical reaction with rise in temperature by 10°, the rate constant is nearly doubled. Most of the chemical reactions are accelerated by increase in temperature.
20. Which of these alkanes has higher boiling point?
[A] Butane
[B] Methane
[C] Ethane
[D] Hexane
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Hexane]
Notes:
There is a steady increase in boiling point with the increase in molecular mass. This is due to the fact that the intermolecular van der Waals forces increase with increase of the molecular size or the surface area of the molecule.