Chemistry MCQs – Set 5: Advanced Questions for UPSC/PCS Exam Prep

  1. Which of the following is a synthetic polymer?
    (A) Cellulose
    (B) Starch
    (C) Nylon-6
    (D) Protein
    Answer: (C)
  2. Which gas is used in the manufacture of ammonia?
    (A) Nitrogen
    (B) Oxygen
    (C) Hydrogen
    (D) Both A and C
    Answer: (D)
  3. The process of converting sugar into alcohol is known as
    (A) Combustion
    (B) Fermentation
    (C) Oxidation
    (D) Hydrolysis
    Answer: (B)
  4. Which alkali metal is most reactive?
    (A) Lithium
    (B) Sodium
    (C) Potassium
    (D) Cesium
    Answer: (D)
  5. Which is used to measure pH of a solution?
    (A) Litmus paper
    (B) pH meter
    (C) Phenolphthalein
    (D) All of the above
    Answer: (D)
  6. Electrons in the same orbital must have –
    (A) Same spin
    (B) Opposite spin
    (C) Same energy
    (D) None of the above
    Answer: (B)
  7. The enthalpy change of a neutralization reaction is –
    (A) Always positive
    (B) Always negative
    (C) Zero
    (D) Depends on acid/base
    Answer: (B)
  8. Which metal is used in nuclear reactors?
    (A) Lead
    (B) Uranium
    (C) Zinc
    (D) Nickel
    Answer: (B)
  9. The formula of bleaching powder is –
    (A) Ca(OCl)₂
    (B) CaCl₂
    (C) NaOCl
    (D) Ca(OH)₂
    Answer: (A)
  10. The color of phenolphthalein in basic medium is –
    (A) Colorless
    (B) Pink
    (C) Yellow
    (D) Red
    Answer: (B)
  11. All noble gases have
    (A) Full outer shell
    (B) Variable valency
    (C) High reactivity
    (D) No electrons
    Answer: (A)
  12. The compound used to soften hard water is –
    (A) NaOH
    (B) CaCO₃
    (C) Na₂CO₃
    (D) CaCl₂
    Answer: (C)
  13. The modern periodic table is based on
    (A) Atomic mass
    (B) Atomic number
    (C) Number of neutrons
    (D) Valency
    Answer: (B)
  14. Enzymes are chemically
    (A) Lipids
    (B) Proteins
    (C) Carbohydrates
    (D) Nucleic acids
    Answer: (B)
  15. The valency of carbon is –
    (A) 2
    (B) 4
    (C) 1
    (D) 3
    Answer: (B)
  16. Which of the following is a greenhouse gas?
    (A) CH₄
    (B) CO₂
    (C) N₂O
    (D) All of the above
    Answer: (D)
  17. Water is a universal solvent because –
    (A) It is neutral
    (B) It has high boiling point
    (C) It dissolves many substances
    (D) It has high density
    Answer: (C)
  18. The product formed when acid reacts with base is –
    (A) Salt
    (B) Water
    (C) Salt and water
    (D) Only gas
    Answer: (C)
  19. Which is not a physical change?
    (A) Melting of ice
    (B) Boiling of water
    (C) Burning of wood
    (D) Breaking of glass
    Answer: (C)
  20. Which gas is evolved on reaction of Zn with HCl?
    (A) Oxygen
    (B) Hydrogen
    (C) Carbon dioxide
    (D) Nitrogen
    Answer: (B)
  21. The electrons in the outermost shell are called –
    (A) Core electrons
    (B) Valence electrons
    (C) Ionizing electrons
    (D) None of the above
    Answer: (B)
  22. The most electronegative group in periodic table is –
    (A) Alkali metals
    (B) Halogens
    (C) Noble gases
    (D) Transition metals
    Answer: (B)
  23. Chemical used in matchstick heads is –
    (A) Phosphorus
    (B) Potassium chlorate
    (C) Sulfur
    (D) All of the above
    Answer: (D)
  24. Cations are formed by –
    (A) Gaining electrons
    (B) Losing electrons
    (C) Sharing electrons
    (D) None
    Answer: (B)
  25. The number of covalent bonds in CH₄ is –
    (A) 1
    (B) 2
    (C) 3
    (D) 4
    Answer: (D)
  26. Which of the following is biodegradable?
    (A) Plastic
    (B) DDT
    (C) Paper
    (D) Polythene
    Answer: (C)
  27. The non-metal that conducts electricity is –
    (A) Sulfur
    (B) Phosphorus
    (C) Carbon (graphite)
    (D) Oxygen
    Answer: (C)
  28. The element with lowest atomic radius is –
    (A) H
    (B) He
    (C) F
    (D) Li
    Answer: (B)
  29. Alkali metals react vigorously with
    (A) Oxygen
    (B) Hydrogen
    (C) Water
    (D) Nitrogen
    Answer: (C)
  30. The number of atoms in 1 mole is –
    (A) 6.023 × 10²³
    (B) 6.023 × 10²²
    (C) 1.66 × 10⁻²⁴
    (D) 3.14 × 10⁻⁷
    Answer: (A)
  31. The chemical name of caustic potash is –
    (A) NaOH
    (B) KOH
    (C) Ca(OH)₂
    (D) NH₄OH
    Answer: (B)
  32. The metal found in blood pigment hemoglobin is –
    (A) Iron
    (B) Copper
    (C) Magnesium
    (D) Zinc
    Answer: (A)
  33. The gas used for sterilization in hospitals is –
    (A) CO₂
    (B) O₃
    (C) N₂
    (D) Cl₂
    Answer: (B)
  34. The foul smell of rotten eggs is due to –
    (A) H₂
    (B) SO₂
    (C) H₂S
    (D) NH₃
    Answer: (C)
  35. Who gave the periodic law?
    (A) Bohr
    (B) Mendeleev
    (C) Moseley
    (D) Dalton
    Answer: (B)
  36. The process of depositing a layer of metal using electric current is –
    (A) Welding
    (B) Soldering
    (C) Electroplating
    (D) Refining
    Answer: (C)
  37. Which acid is present in ant sting?
    (A) Oxalic acid
    (B) Acetic acid
    (C) Formic acid
    (D) Citric acid
    Answer: (C)
  38. What is an alloy?
    (A) Compound of metals
    (B) Mixture of metals
    (C) Ore
    (D) Salt
    Answer: (B)
  39. The formula of sodium thiosulfate is –
    (A) Na₂SO₄
    (B) Na₂S₂O₃
    (C) Na₂CO₃
    (D) NaHSO₄
    Answer: (B)
  40. Which non-metal is liquid at room temperature?
    (A) Bromine
    (B) Iodine
    (C) Carbon
    (D) Sulfur
    Answer: (A)
  41. Which gas is used in anesthesia?
    (A) CO₂
    (B) CH₄
    (C) N₂O
    (D) NH₃
    Answer: (C)
  42. The smallest particle of an element is –
    (A) Atom
    (B) Molecule
    (C) Ion
    (D) Proton
    Answer: (A)
  43. Which metal is used to extract gold and silver?
    (A) Zinc
    (B) Copper
    (C) Mercury
    (D) Lead
    Answer: (C)
  44. Which of the following is acidic in nature?
    (A) Lemon juice
    (B) Baking soda
    (C) Toothpaste
    (D) Soap
    Answer: (A)
  45. The number of periods in the periodic table is –
    (A) 7
    (B) 8
    (C) 18
    (D) 10
    Answer: (A)
  46. The metal found in chlorophyll is –
    (A) Iron
    (B) Calcium
    (C) Magnesium
    (D) Potassium
    Answer: (C)
  47. Which salt is used in making glass?
    (A) Na₂SO₄
    (B) Na₂CO₃
    (C) NaCl
    (D) KCl
    Answer: (B)
  48. Which of the following is an alkali metal?
    (A) Mg
    (B) Ca
    (C) Na
    (D) Al
    Answer: (C)
  49. The formula of formaldehyde is –
    (A) HCOOH
    (B) CH₃OH
    (C) CH₂O
    (D) CH₃CHO
    Answer: (C)
  50. Which property of metals allows them to be drawn into wires?
    (A) Ductility
    (B) Malleability
    (C) Conductivity
    (D) Hardness
    Answer: (A)

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