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Chemistry Basics

Asked 24 times in UPSC Prelims · first asked 1995 · last asked 2021

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All 24 questions

Newest first — expand for options, answers, and explanations

Water can dissolve more substances than any other liquid because

2021Sci & Tech
Ait is dipolar in nature
Bit is a good conductor of heat
Cit has high value of specific heat
Dit is an oxide of hydrogen

Explanation

Water can dissolve more substances than any other liquid because of its dipolar nature. Water molecules have a partial positive charge on the hydrogen atoms and a partial negative charge on the oxygen atom, making it a polar molecule. This polarity allows water to form hydrogen bonds with other polar or charged substances, facilitating the dissolution of a wide range of solutes.

Consider the following pairs: Commonly used/consumed materials - Sources 1. Asafoetida - Lichen 2. Carmine - Cochineal 3. Lapis lazuli - Mineral 4. Shellac - Lac insect. Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

2017Sci & Tech
A1 and 3 only
B2 and 4 only
C1, 2 and 3 only
D1, 2, 3 and 4

Explanation

In the given pairs, the sources are correctly matched for Carmine, which is obtained from the Cochineal insect, and Shellac, which comes from the Lac insect. However, the sources for Asafoetida and Lapis lazuli are incorrectly matched. Asafoetida is derived from plant resin, not lichen. Therefore, the correct answer is option (b) 2 and 4 only.

In a dry cell (battery), which of the following are used as electrolytes?

2009Sci & Tech
AAmmonium chloride and Zinc chloride
BSodium chloride and Calcium chloride
CMagnesium chloride and Zinc chloride
DAmmonium chloride and Calcium chloride

Explanation

In a dry cell (battery), the electrolytes used can be either ammonium chloride or zinc chloride, with the latter being a common replacement in modern batteries.

With reference to ionic compounds, consider the following statements: 1. Ionic compounds are insoluble in alcohol. 2. Ionic compounds in the solid state are good conductor of electricity. Which of these statements is/are correct?

2003Sci & Tech
AOnly 1
BOnly 2
CBoth 1 and 2
DNeither 1 nor 2

Explanation

In the context of ionic compounds, the statements provided are as follows: 1. Ionic compounds do not dissolve in alcohol. 2. Solid ionic compounds do not conduct electricity. The correct answer is option (d), which means that neither of the statements is accurate.

Which one of the following statements is correct?

2003Sci & Tech
ALiquid sodium is employed as a coolant in nuclear reactors
BCalcium carbonate is an ingredient of tooth paste
CBordeaux mixture consists of sodium sulphate and lime
DZinc amalgams are used as a dental filling

Explanation

Liquid sodium is utilized as a coolant in fast breeder nuclear reactors because of its effective heat transfer abilities.

In an atom, the order of filling up of the orbitals is governed by

2001Sci & Tech
AAufbau's principle
BHeisenberg's uncertainty principle
CHund's rule
DPauli's exclusion principle

Explanation

The Aufbau principle explains that electrons occupy orbitals based on their energy levels in an increasing order.

Which one of the following is NOT radioactive?

2001Sci & Tech
AAstatine
BFrancium
CTritium
DZirconium

Explanation

Zirconium is the only non-radioactive element among the options provided. Astatine, Francium, and Tritium are all radioactive elements.

Assertion (A): Large cold storage plants use ammonia as refrigerant while domestic refrigerators use chlorofluorocarbons. Reason (R): Ammonia can be liquefied at ambient temperature and low pressure.

2000Sci & Tech
ABoth A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
BBoth A and R are true but R is not a correct explanation of A
CA is true but R is false
DA is false but R is true

Explanation

In large cold storage plants, ammonia is used as a refrigerant, while chlorofluorocarbons are used in domestic refrigerators. The assertion that ammonia can be liquefied at ambient temperature and low pressure is false as it actually requires high pressure to liquefy at ambient temperature.

Match List-I with List-II: List-I: A. German silver B. Solder C. Bleaching powder D. Hypo | List-II: 1. Tin 2. Nickel 3. Sodium 4. Chlorine

2000Sci & Tech
AA-1; B-2; C-4; D-3
BA-2; B-1; C-3; D-4
CA-1; B-2; C-3; D-4
DA-2; B-1; C-4; D-3

Explanation

In this chemistry question, you were asked to match items in List-I with their corresponding elements in List-II. German silver is composed of nickel, solder contains tin, bleaching powder includes chlorine, and hypo consists of sodium. The correct matching is German silver with nickel, solder with tin, bleaching powder with chlorine, and hypo with sodium. So, the correct option is (d) A-2; B-1; C-4; D-3.

Aluminium surfaces are often 'anodized'. This means the deposition of a layer of

2000Sci & Tech
Achromium oxide
Baluminium oxide
Cnickel oxide
Dzinc oxide

Explanation

Anodizing is a process that forms a protective layer of aluminium oxide on aluminium surfaces.

Consider the following statements: Hard water is not suitable for 1. drinking 2. washing clothes with soap 3. use in boilers 4. irrigating crops. Of these statements

2000Sci & Tech
A1 and 2 are correct
B2 and 3 are correct
C3 and 4 are correct
D1 and 4 are correct

Explanation

In the given statements, it is stated that hard water is not suitable for drinking, washing clothes with soap, use in boilers, and irrigating crops. The correct option is (b), which means statements 2 and 3 are correct. Hard water affects the effectiveness of soap and leads to scale build-up in boilers. It is not recommended for washing clothes with soap or for use in boilers, but it is suitable for drinking and irrigation.

Assertion (A): To dilute sulphuric acid, acid is added to water and not water to acid. Reason (R): Specific heat of water is quite large.

1999Sci & Tech
ABoth A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
BBoth A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
CA is true but R is false
DA is false but R is true

Explanation

When diluting sulphuric acid, it is important to add acid to water slowly to avoid a sudden and potentially dangerous reaction. The specific heat of water, which is relatively high, is not the primary factor influencing this process.

Match List-I (Naturally occurring substances) with List-II (Elements): List-I: A. Diamond B. Marble C. Sand D. Ruby | List-II: 1. Calcium 2. Silicon 3. Aluminium 4. Carbon

1999Sci & Tech
AA-3; B-1; C-2; D-4
BA-4; B-2; C-1; D-3
CA-2; B-1; C-3; D-4
DA-4; B-1; C-2; D-3

Explanation

In this question, you were asked to match naturally occurring substances with the elements they contain. Diamond contains carbon, marble contains calcium, sand contains silicon, and ruby contains aluminium. The correct match is: A-4; B-1; C-2; D-3.

Match List I with List II and select the correct answer: List-I: A. Blue vitriol B. Epsom salt C. Baking soda D. Caustic soda | List-II: 1. Sodium bicarbonate 2. Sodium hydroxide 3. Magnesium sulphate 4. Copper sulphate

1998Sci & Tech
AA-3; B-4; C-2; D-1
BA-4; B-3; C-2; D-1
CA-3; B-4; C-1; D-2
DA-4; B-3; C-1; D-2

Explanation

In this question, you had to match the substances in List I with their corresponding names in List II. Blue vitriol refers to copper sulphate, Epsom salt is magnesium sulphate, Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate, and Caustic soda is sodium hydroxide. The correct matching is A-4; B-3; C-1; D-2, as given in option (d).

Match List-I with List-II: List-I: A. Potassium bromide B. Potassium nitrate C. Potassium sulphate D. Monopotassium tartarate | List-II: 1. Fertiliser 2. Photography 3. Bakery 4. Gun powder

1998Sci & Tech
AA-2; B-4; C-1; D-3
BA-2; B-3; C-1; D-4
CA-4; B-2; C-3; D-1
DA-4; B-2; C-1; D-3

Explanation

In the field of chemistry, different potassium compounds are used in various industries. Potassium bromide is utilized in photography, potassium nitrate is found in gunpowder, potassium sulphate acts as a fertilizer, and monopotassium tartarate is a key ingredient in bakery products. Matching these compounds with their respective industries, we find that A-2; B-4; C-1; D-3 is the correct combination.

Consider the following statements: Coke is one of the materials of the charge added to blast furnace for the production of steel/iron. Its function is to 1. act as the reducing agent 2. remove silica associated with the iron ore 3. function as fuel; to supply heat 4. act as an oxidizing agent. Of these statements

1998Sci & Tech
A1 and 2 are correct
B2 and 4 are correct
C1 and 3 are correct
D3 and 4 are correct

Explanation

In the process of producing steel/iron in a blast furnace, coke is a material added to the charge. It serves the functions of acting as a reducing agent and providing fuel for heat generation. This helps in reducing the iron ore and facilitating the production process.

Which one of the following metals does not form amalgam?

1998Sci & Tech
AZinc
BCopper
CMagnesium
DIron

Explanation

Iron does not react with mercury to form an amalgam, unlike zinc, copper, and magnesium which can form these alloys.

Assertion (A): Sodium metal is stored under kerosene. Reason (R): Metallic sodium melts when exposed to air.

1998Sci & Tech
ABoth A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
BBoth A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
CA is true but R is false
DA is false but R is true

Explanation

Sodium metal is stored under kerosene to prevent its reaction with air and moisture. This is necessary because sodium is highly reactive and can easily react with the oxygen and water vapor in the air. It is not stored under kerosene because it melts when exposed to air.

The most reactive among the halogens is

1997Sci & Tech
AFluorine
BChlorine
CBromine
DIodine

Explanation

Fluorine is the most reactive halogen because of its small size and high electronegativity, making it the top choice among the halogens.

The alpha particle carries two positive charge. Its mass is very nearly equal to that of

1996Sci & Tech
Atwo protons
Ban atom of helium
Csum of masses of two positrons and two neutrons
Dtwo positrons as each positron carries a single positive charge

Explanation

The alpha particle contains two protons and two neutrons, giving it a mass that is very close to that of a helium atom.

Stainless steel is an alloy of iron and

1996Sci & Tech
AChromium
BChromium and carbon
CChromium and nickel
DChromium, nickel and carbon

Explanation

Stainless steel is a type of alloy that is made up of iron, chromium, and nickel. This combination gives it the property of being resistant to corrosion.

Which one of the following pairs of materials serves as electrodes in chargeable batteries commonly used in devices such as torchlights, electric shavers etc.

1995Sci & Tech
ANickel and cadmium
BZinc and carbon
CLead peroxide and lead
DIron and cadmium

Explanation

Nickel and cadmium are the materials that serve as electrodes in rechargeable batteries commonly found in devices like torchlights and electric shavers. These batteries, known as nickel-cadmium (NiCd) batteries, are frequently used in portable gadgets.

Which one of the following is a mixed fertilizer?

1995Sci & Tech
AUrea
BCAN
CAmmonium sulphate
DNPK

Explanation

NPK fertilizer is a type of mixed fertilizer that includes nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which are all vital nutrients for plants.

The chemical used as a 'fixer' in photography is

1995Sci & Tech
ASodium sulphate
BSodium thiosulphate
CSodium nitrate
DSodium chloride

Explanation

Sodium thiosulphate is the chemical used as a 'fixer' in photography because it eliminates unexposed silver bromide from photographic film.