FPSC General Duty (BS-14) Everyday Science Chemistry — Set 2

1. Question 1

   Q1. The branch of chemistry that deals with the study of compounds containing carbon is called:

   • A) Physical chemistry
   • B) Inorganic chemistry
   • C) Nuclear chemistry
   • D) Organic chemistry

   Answer: Organic chemistry

   Explanation: Organic chemistry is the branch dedicated to the study of carbon-containing compounds, including their structure, properties, reactions, and synthesis.

2. Question 2

   Q2. Which of the following minerals is most resistant to chemical weathering?

   • A) Olivine
   • B) Quartz
   • C) Hornblende
   • D) Potassium feldspar

   Answer: Quartz

   Explanation: Quartz (SiO₂) is highly resistant to chemical weathering due to its strong covalent Si-O bonds and lack of cleavage planes, making it the most stable common mineral at Earth's surface.

3. Question 3

   Q3. Refractometer is used to determine the concentration of solutes in a solution such as:

   • A) Sugars
   • B) Fats
   • C) Proteins
   • D) Vitamins

   Answer: Sugars

   Explanation: A refractometer measures the refractive index of a liquid, which correlates with solute concentration; it is widely used in food science to measure sugar (Brix) levels in solutions.

4. Question 4

   Q4. A lower pH value means:

   • A) Weaker acid
   • B) Neutral acid
   • C) Stronger acid
   • D) None

   Answer: Stronger acid

   Explanation: The pH scale runs from 0 to 14; lower pH values indicate a higher concentration of hydrogen ions (H⁺), meaning a stronger acid - pH 1 is far more acidic than pH 6.

5. Question 5

   Q5. Which group of elements in the periodic table shows the highest first ionization potential? Elements in the:

   • A) Left-hand top corner
   • B) Left-hand bottom corner
   • C) Right-hand top corner
   • D) Right-hand bottom corner

   Answer: Right-hand top corner

   Explanation: First ionization energy increases across a period (left to right) and decreases down a group; elements in the top-right corner (noble gases/halogens like He, Ne, F) have the highest values.

6. Question 6

   Q6. Isotopes of an element have the same number of:

   • A) Protons
   • B) Electrons
   • C) Beta particles
   • D) Neutrons

   Answer: Protons

   Explanation: Isotopes of the same element have the same number of protons (and electrons) - which defines their chemical identity - but differ in the number of neutrons, giving different mass numbers.

7. Question 7

   Q7. Which of the following countries produces the maximum energy from atomic reactors?

   • A) UK
   • B) France
   • C) USA
   • D) None of these

   Answer: USA

   Explanation: USA is the scientifically accurate choice. The concept tested here is core everyday science for MDCAT, ECAT, and general ability papers.

8. Question 8

   Q8. Nitrogen is the most abundant element in the human body.

   • A) Right
   • B) Wrong
   • C) Ambiguous
   • D) No idea

   Answer: Wrong

   Explanation: Oxygen is the most abundant element in the human body (about 65% by mass), followed by carbon (18%); nitrogen accounts for only about 3% and is not the most abundant.

9. Question 9

   Q9. What causes the Moon's phases?

   • A) The Moon's shadow falls on the Earth, blocking the sunlight
   • B) The Earth's shadow falls on the Moon, blocking the sunlight
   • C) The Sun lights up only one half of the Moon, and as the Sun orbits the Earth, we see the unlit side
   • D) The Sun lights up only one half of the Moon, and as the Moon orbits the Earth, we

   Answer: The Sun lights up only one half of the Moon, and as the Moon orbits the Earth, we

   Explanation: The Sun illuminates one hemisphere of the Moon at all times; as the Moon orbits Earth over ~29.5 days, we observe different fractions of the lit hemisphere, creating the lunar phases.

10. Question 10

    Q10. The electron was discovered by:

    • A) Rutherford
    • B) J.J. Thomson
    • C) James Chadwick
    • D) Goldstein

    Answer: J.J. Thomson

    Explanation: J.J. Thomson discovered the electron in 1897 through cathode ray tube experiments, demonstrating the existence of a negatively charged subatomic particle lighter than any atom.

11. Question 11

    Q11. Which of the following acids is used in ink?

    • A) Tannic acid
    • B) Formic acid
    • C) Acetic acid
    • D) Valeric acid

    Answer: Tannic acid

    Explanation: Tannic acid (tannin) is used in making certain inks, particularly iron gall ink, where it reacts with iron sulfate to produce a dark pigment.

12. Question 12

    Q12. Who is credited with first preparing sulfuric acid?

    • A) Johann Glauber
    • B) Peregrine Phillips
    • C) Jabir ibn Hayyan
    • D) None of these

    Answer: Jabir ibn Hayyan

    Explanation: Jabir ibn Hayyan is the scientifically accurate choice. The concept tested here is core everyday science for MDCAT, ECAT, and general ability papers.

13. Question 13

    Q13. Which element is the most abundant in Earth's crust?

    • A) Oxygen
    • B) Iron
    • C) Silicon
    • D) Aluminum

    Answer: Oxygen

    Explanation: Oxygen is the most abundant element in Earth's crust at approximately 46% by mass, present mainly in silicate and oxide mineral compounds.

14. Question 14

    Q14. Caustic Soda, a strong alkaline substance used in manufacturing soap and paper, is chemically known as:

    • A) Calcium Carbonate
    • B) Sodium Hydroxide
    • C) Sodium Carbonate
    • D) Calcium Oxide

    Answer: Sodium Hydroxide

    Explanation: Caustic soda is sodium hydroxide (NaOH), a strong base widely used in soap making (saponification), paper pulping, and chemical manufacturing.

15. Question 15

    Q15. Bleaching Powder has which of the following chemical names?

    • A) Sodium Chloride
    • B) Calcium Chloride Hypochlorite
    • C) Trichloromethane
    • D) Calcium Oxide

    Answer: Calcium Chloride Hypochlorite

    Explanation: Bleaching powder is calcium chlorohypochlorite [Ca(OCl)Cl], formed by passing chlorine gas over dry slaked lime; it releases hypochlorous acid which acts as the bleaching agent.

16. Question 16

    Q16. What is the chemical symbol for tungsten?

    • A) W
    • B) Tn
    • C) T
    • D) Z

    Answer: W

    Explanation: Tungsten's chemical symbol W derives from its German/Swedish name "Wolfram"; tungsten has the highest melting point of all pure metals (3,422°C).

17. Question 17

    Q17. Photosynthesis is a biochemical process for the transfer of solar energy to the:

    • A) Nitrogen cycle
    • B) Hydraulic cycle
    • C) Petrological cycle
    • D) Food chain cycle

    Answer: Food chain cycle

    Explanation: Photosynthesis captures solar energy and converts it into chemical energy stored in glucose molecules, which then enters the food chain cycle as the primary energy source for consumers.

18. Question 18

    Q18. Which acid is used in the battery:

    • A) Sulfuric Acid
    • B) Hydrochloric Acid
    • C) Hydrofluoric Acid
    • D) None of these

    Answer: Sulfuric Acid

    Explanation: Sulfuric Acid is the scientifically accurate choice. The concept tested here is core everyday science for MDCAT, ECAT, and general ability papers.

19. Question 19

    Q19. Electronics is the study of the:

    • A) Flow of molecules
    • B) Flow of electrons
    • C) Flow of photons
    • D) All are true

    Answer: Flow of electrons

    Explanation: Electronics is the branch of physics and technology concerned with the controlled flow of electrons through circuits, semiconductors, and vacuum tubes.

20. Question 20

    Q20. Electrons were discovered by:

    • A) James Watt
    • B) J.C. Bose
    • C) J.J. Thomson
    • D) Christopher Columbus

    Answer: J.J. Thomson

    Explanation: J.J. Thomson discovered the electron in 1897 through his cathode ray tube experiments, demonstrating that cathode rays consisted of negatively charged particles much lighter than atoms.