Question 1

Materials/coatings: Galvanised iron sheets — identify the metal used for the protective coating. Focus on the standard anti-corrosion layer. Choose the correct metal.

Accepted Answer

Given data Product: Galvanised iron (GI) sheets. Concept/Approach Galvanizing means coating iron/steel with zinc, which provides sacrificial protection (zinc corrodes preferentially), thereby preventing rusting of the base metal. Final Answer Zinc

Question 2

Basic chemistry (common names): What is the chemical compound popularly known as washing soda? Identify the correct inorganic salt corresponding to the household name. Choose the correct compound.

Accepted Answer

What is being asked? The chemical identity behind the household name "washing soda". Given data Common name: Washing soda Concept/Approach Washing soda is the decahydrate of sodium carbonate: Na2CO3·10H2O. (Do not confuse with baking soda = NaHCO3.) Step-by-step reasoning Sodium carbonate decahydrate is used as a water softener/alkali in cleaning → hence the name "washing soda". Common pitfalls Mixing up washing soda (Na2CO3·10H2O) with baking soda (NaHCO3). Final Answer Sodium carbonate (Na2CO3·10H2O)

Question 3

Basic chemistry (common gases): Marsh gas is chemically identified as which simple hydrocarbon? Identify the gas produced in anaerobic swamps and biogas plants. Choose the correct gas.

Accepted Answer

What is being asked? The chemical identity of "marsh gas". Given data Natural setting: marshes, swamps, biogas Concept/Approach Marsh gas is predominantly methane (CH4), produced by methanogenic bacteria under anaerobic conditions. Final Answer Methane (CH4)

Question 4

Pyrotechnics (colors of flames): In fireworks, which element's compounds produce a bright green flame? Focus on standard color-producing metal salts used in pyrotechnic compositions. Choose the correct element.

Accepted Answer

What is being asked? Which metal salts are responsible for the characteristic green color in fireworks. Given data Domain: pyrotechnics Concept/Approach Barium salts (such as Ba(NO3)2) emit green. Strontium → red; copper → blue/blue-green; sodium → yellow. Final Answer Barium compounds

Question 5

Acid fundamentals (core element): Which chemical element is common to all acids? Think of the ion released by acids in aqueous solution per Arrhenius/Brønsted concepts. Choose the correct element.

Accepted Answer

What is being asked? The element present in all acids. Given data Definition: Acids donate H+ (Arrhenius/Brønsted) Concept/Approach All acids contain hydrogen because acidity arises from the ability to donate a proton (H+), e.g., HCl, H2SO4, CH3COOH. Final Answer Hydrogen

Question 6

Oceans & salinity: What is the average salinity of sea water? Express the typical open-ocean salinity value used in oceanography. Choose the correct value.

Accepted Answer

What is being asked? The typical mean salinity value for ocean water. Given data Standard oceanographic average Concept/Approach Open-ocean salinity averages around 35 parts per thousand (‰), equivalent to approximately 35 grams of salts per kilogram of seawater (~3.5%). Verification 35‰ = 35/1000 = 0.035 = 3.5% Final Answer 35‰ (about 3.5%)

Question 7

Basic chemistry (common names): What is laughing gas? Identify the correct oxide of nitrogen known by this common name. Choose the correct compound.

Accepted Answer

What is being asked? The chemical identity of "laughing gas". Given data Common name used in anesthesia/dentistry history Concept/Approach "Laughing gas" is nitrous oxide (N2O), a mild anesthetic and analgesic; do not confuse with NO or NO2. Final Answer Nitrous oxide (N2O)

Question 8

States of matter (non-metals): Which non-metal remains liquid at room temperature? Identify the correct element among common p-block non-metals. Choose the correct option.

Accepted Answer

What is being asked? The non-metal that is liquid near 25 °C. Given data Room temperature ~ 20–25 °C Concept/Approach Bromine (Br2) is a reddish-brown liquid non-metal at room temperature; chlorine is gaseous, iodine is solid, and mercury (liquid) is a metal. Final Answer Bromine

Question 9

Chemicals & uses: Potassium nitrate (KNO3) is commonly used in which of the following? Think of its role as an oxidizer in classical compositions. Choose the correct application.

Accepted Answer

What is being asked? The principal traditional application of potassium nitrate. Given data Chemical: KNO3 (saltpetre) Concept/Approach Potassium nitrate acts as an oxidizer in black powder (classic ratio ~75% KNO3, 15% charcoal, 10% sulfur) and in many pyrotechnic compositions → hence its use in gunpowder and fireworks. Note It also finds use in fertilizers and meat curing, but the hallmark exam answer is its role in propellants/pyrotechnics. Final Answer Gunpowder and fireworks (oxidizer in propellants)

Question 10

Electronics (semiconductors): Which two elements are most commonly used to manufacture transistors? Identify the classic group-14 semiconductor pair. Choose the correct pair.

Accepted Answer

What is being asked? The elemental semiconductors historically and presently used for transistor fabrication. Given data Category: group-14 semiconductors Concept/Approach Silicon (Si) dominates modern ICs/transistors; germanium (Ge) was widely used in early transistors and is still used in SiGe technologies. Final Answer Silicon and germanium

Question 11

Metallurgy (aluminum source): What is the most important ore of aluminum? Identify the principal bauxite-group ore used industrially for alumina extraction. Choose the correct ore.

Accepted Answer

What is being asked? The principal ore used to extract aluminum. Given data Metal: Aluminum (Al) Concept/Approach Bauxite (hydrated aluminum oxides) is refined to alumina (Al2O3) via the Bayer process and then reduced to aluminum metal by Hall–Héroult electrolysis. Final Answer Bauxite

Question 12

Basic chemistry (formulas): Identify the correct chemical formula for water. Select the scientifically accepted molecular formula of water used in chemistry and everyday science. Choose the correct formula.

Accepted Answer

Given data Ask: Write the chemical formula of water. Context: Basic chemistry and everyday science knowledge. Concept/Approach A water molecule consists of two hydrogen atoms covalently bonded to one oxygen atom. Its molecular formula is H2O. Step-by-step clarification • H2O: correct molecular composition (2 H, 1 O). • H2O2: hydrogen peroxide (a different compound). • HO: an unrealistically simplified radical notation, not the stable molecule. • H3O+: hydronium ion, present in acidic solutions, not neutral water. Final Answer H₂O

Question 13

Corrosion chemistry: When an iron nail rusts, which oxide compound is actually formed? Identify the specific iron oxide produced during rusting (under atmospheric moisture and oxygen). Choose the correct chemical name/formula.

Accepted Answer

Given data Metal: Iron (nail) exposed to air and moisture. Phenomenon: Rusting (electrochemical corrosion). Concept/Approach Rust is not a single, simple oxide like FeO or Fe2O3. It is predominantly hydrated ferric oxide, commonly represented as Fe2O3·nH2O. Reasoning • Moisture provides electrolyte → oxidation of Fe to Fe2+/Fe3+. • Oxygen reduces to hydroxide ions; hydrated ferric oxide forms and deposits as rust (reddish-brown). Common pitfalls Confusing rust with magnetite (Fe3O4) or anhydrous Fe2O3; these may occur in scales but typical atmospheric rust is hydrated ferric oxide. Final Answer Hydrated ferric oxide (Fe₂O₃·nH₂O)

Question 14

Periodic table (metals): Which is the lightest metal by atomic mass? Focus on stable metallic elements at standard conditions. Choose the correct metal.

Accepted Answer

Given data Ask: Lightest (lowest atomic mass) metal. Concept/Approach Among metals, lithium (Li) is the lightest (atomic number 3; relative atomic mass ≈ 6.94). It is an alkali metal with very low density as well. Comparison • Sodium (Na) and potassium (K) are heavier than lithium. • Magnesium (Mg) and aluminium (Al) are also heavier. Final Answer Lithium

Question 15

Environmental chemistry (CFCs): In which common household products were chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) historically used? Consider domestic applications before bans/restrictions due to ozone depletion concerns. Choose the correct application set.

Accepted Answer

Given data Compound class: Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). Ask: Household/domestic uses prior to phase-out. Concept/Approach CFCs (e.g., CFC-11, CFC-12) were widely used as refrigerants in refrigerators/air-conditioners and as propellants in aerosol sprays and foam blowing agents, before being phased out under the Montreal Protocol due to ozone depletion. Final Answer Refrigerators and air conditioners (as refrigerants) and aerosol spray propellants

Question 16

Diving physiology: Which inert gas replaces nitrogen in the breathing mix for deep-sea divers? Focus on avoiding nitrogen narcosis and improving gas properties at depth. Choose the correct gas.

Accepted Answer

Given data Context: Deep diving breathing mixtures. Concept/Approach To prevent nitrogen narcosis and reduce gas density at depth, divers use heliox (He + O2) or trimix (He + N2 + O2). Helium replaces nitrogen as the primary inert diluent. Reasoning • Helium is inert, far less narcotic than nitrogen, and has lower density → easier breathing under pressure. Final Answer Helium

Question 17

Climate change (atmospheric gases): Which of the following is not considered a greenhouse gas? Identify the gas that does not significantly absorb outgoing infrared radiation of Earth's surface. Choose the correct option.

Accepted Answer

Given data Ask: Gas that is not a greenhouse gas (GHG). Concept/Approach Greenhouse gases absorb IR radiation (have strong IR-active vibrational modes). Major GHGs include CO2, CH4, N2O, H2O vapor, O3, and CFCs. Diatomic homonuclear gases like O2 and N2 are largely IR-inactive and not significant GHGs. Final Answer Oxygen (O₂)

Question 18

Applied gases (welding): Which gases are commonly used in welding processes? Consider both fuel and oxidizer (or shielding) for common welding types. Choose the correct combination.

Accepted Answer

Given data Context: Welding gases. Concept/Approach In oxy-acetylene welding, acetylene (C2H2) is the fuel and oxygen supports combustion to produce a high-temperature flame. (Other welding methods use inert shielding gases like argon/helium, but the classic pair is O2 + acetylene.) Final Answer Oxygen and acetylene (oxy-acetylene welding)

Question 19

Fossil fuels (coal types): Identify the variety of coal whose deposits still show recognizable remains of the original plant material. Focus on the least mature stage of coal formation. Choose the correct variety.

Accepted Answer

Given data Ask: Coal variety with visible plant remains. Concept/Approach Coalification sequence: Peat → Lignite → Bituminous → Anthracite. Peat is the earliest stage, often fibrous with recognizable plant fragments. Final Answer Peat

Question 20

Materials science (SiC): In which application is silicon carbide (SiC) commonly used? Consider its hardness, thermal stability, and electrical properties. Choose the correct application.

Accepted Answer

Given data Material: Silicon carbide (SiC). Concept/Approach SiC is extremely hard, chemically inert, and thermally stable, making it ideal for abrasives (grinding wheels, sandpapers), high-temperature refractories, and certain semiconductor devices. Final Answer As an abrasive in grinding and cutting tools

General Science Questions