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All questions of Substance & Its Nature for UPSC CSE Exam

What is the process of separation of a mixture through the action of a solvent called?
  • a)
    Distillation
  • b)
    Filtration
  • c)
    Evaporation
  • d)
    Sublimation
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

The process of separation of a mixture through the action of a solvent is called (b) Filtration. Filtration involves passing a mixture through a filter to separate the components based on their size or physical properties. The solvent is used to facilitate the separation.

Which of the following is a chemical change?
  • a)
    Freezing of water
  • b)
    Dissolving sugar in water
  • c)
    Burning of wood
  • d)
    Crushing a can
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

An example of a chemical change is (c) Burning of wood. Chemical changes involve the formation or breaking of chemical bonds, resulting in the creation of new substances with different properties. Burning wood involves a combustion reaction that releases energy and transforms the wood into ash, gases, and smoke.

Which of the following is an example of a heterogeneous mixture?
  • a)
    Saltwater
  • b)
    Air
  • c)
    Milk
  • d)
    Sand and water
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

An example of a heterogeneous mixture is (d) Sand and water. Heterogeneous mixtures are composed of two or more substances that are visibly distinguishable and not uniformly distributed. In the case of sand and water, the sand particles are not evenly dispersed throughout the water.

What is the process of converting a solid directly into a gas called?
  • a)
    Condensation
  • b)
    Sublimation
  • c)
    Evaporation
  • d)
    Melting
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Preethi Ahuja answered
Sublimation
Sublimation is the process of converting a solid directly into a gas without passing through the liquid state. This phenomenon occurs when the solid is heated to a temperature where its particles have enough energy to break free from the solid structure and enter the gas phase.

Key Points:
- Sublimation is a phase transition from solid to gas.
- Some common examples of substances that undergo sublimation include dry ice (solid carbon dioxide), mothballs (paradichlorobenzene), and certain types of air fresheners.
- Sublimation is an endothermic process, meaning it requires energy input to break the intermolecular forces holding the solid together.
- The reverse process of sublimation, where a gas turns directly into a solid, is called deposition.
In conclusion, sublimation is a fascinating physical process that skips the liquid phase entirely and allows solids to transform directly into gases under the right conditions.

Which of the following is an example of a pure substance?
  • a)
    Air
  • b)
    none
  • c)
    Salt
  • d)
    Soil
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

Meera Kapoor answered
An example of a pure substance is (c) Salt. A pure substance consists of only one type of substance and has a definite composition. Salt, in this case, refers to a specific compound, sodium chloride (NaCl).

What is the smallest unit of an element that retains its chemical properties?
  • a)
    Atom
  • b)
    Molecule
  • c)
    Compound
  • d)
    Electron
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

The smallest unit of an element that retains its chemical properties is an atom. Atoms are the building blocks of matter and cannot be further divided without losing their chemical properties.

Which of the following is an example of a non-metal?
  • a)
    Sodium
  • b)
    Iron
  • c)
    Oxygen
  • d)
    Calcium
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

An example of a non-metal is (c) Oxygen. Non-metals are elements that lack metallic properties such as conductivity and luster. Oxygen is a non-metal and is a vital component of many compounds and the Earth's atmosphere.

What is the chemical symbol for sodium?
  • a)
    S
  • b)
    Na
  • c)
    N
  • d)
    K
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

The chemical symbol for sodium is (b) Na. Sodium is represented by the chemical symbol "Na" on the periodic table.

What is the process of converting a liquid into a gas called?
  • a)
    Freezing
  • b)
    Condensation
  • c)
    Vaporization
  • d)
    Dissolution
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

The process of converting a liquid into a gas is called (c) Vaporization. Vaporization, also known as evaporation, occurs when a liquid changes into a gaseous state, usually due to heating or an increase in temperature.

Which of the following is an example of a physical property?
  • a)
    Corrosion
  • b)
    Oxidation
  • c)
    Boiling point
  • d)
    Rusting
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

A physical property is (c) Boiling point. Physical properties describe the characteristics of a substance that can be observed or measured without altering its chemical composition. The boiling point refers to the temperature at which a substance changes from a liquid to a gas under standard atmospheric pressure.

What is the chemical formula for water?
  • a)
    H2O
  • b)
    CO2
  • c)
    NaCl
  • d)
    C6H12O6
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

The chemical formula for water is (a) H2O. The chemical formula represents the composition of a compound, indicating the types and number of atoms present. H2O signifies that water consists of two hydrogen atoms bonded to one oxygen atom.

What is the process of converting a gas directly into a solid called?
  • a)
    Melting
  • b)
    Sublimation
  • c)
    Condensation
  • d)
    Deposition
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

The process of converting a gas directly into a solid is called (d) Deposition. Deposition occurs when a gas bypasses the liquid state and directly transforms into a solid. This process is commonly observed in sub-freezing temperatures when water vapor changes into ice crystals.

What is the atomic number of carbon?
  • a)
    6
  • b)
    14
  • c)
    26
  • d)
    32
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

The atomic number of carbon is (a) 6. The atomic number represents the number of protons found in the nucleus of an atom. Carbon, with an atomic number of 6, has six protons.

What is the pH value of a neutral substance?
  • a)
    7
  • b)
    10
  • c)
    1
  • d)
    14
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

The pH value of a neutral substance is (a) 7. The pH scale measures the acidity or alkalinity of a substance. A pH of 7 indicates a neutral substance, meaning it is neither acidic nor alkaline.

What is the state of matter with a definite shape and volume?
  • a)
    Solid
  • b)
    Liquid
  • c)
    Gas
  • d)
    Plasma
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

The state of matter with a definite shape and volume is (a) Solid. In the solid state, particles are closely packed together, maintaining a fixed shape and volume.

What is the chemical symbol for gold?
  • a)
    Ag
  • b)
    Au
  • c)
    Fe
  • d)
    Hg
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

The chemical symbol for gold is (b) Au. Chemical symbols are used to represent elements, and "Au" is the symbol for gold on the periodic table.

What is the SI unit of mass?
  • a)
    Kilogram
  • b)
    Pound
  • c)
    Gram
  • d)
    Newton
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

The SI unit of mass is (a) Kilogram. The kilogram is the base unit of mass in the International System of Units (SI).

Which of the following is an example of a physical change?
  • a)
    Rusting of iron
  • b)
    Digestion of food
  • c)
    Melting of ice
  • d)
    Cooking an egg
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

An example of a physical change is (c) Melting of ice. Physical changes involve a change in the physical state or appearance of a substance without altering its chemical composition. Melting of ice refers to the solid ice converting into liquid water without any chemical transformation.

Which of the following is a physical property of a substance?
  • a)
    Flammability
  • b)
    Reactivity
  • c)
    Density
  • d)
    pH
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

A physical property of a substance is (c) Density. Physical properties describe the characteristics of a substance that can be observed or measured without altering its chemical composition. Density refers to the mass per unit volume of a substance.

Which of the following is an example of an exothermic reaction?
  • a)
    Photosynthesis
  • b)
    Combustion
  • c)
    Evaporation of Air
  • d)
    Melting of ice
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Answer: b) Combustion
  • Exothermic reactions release heat energy.
  • Combustion is an exothermic reaction, as it releases energy in the form of heat and light.
  • Photosynthesis is an endothermic reaction because it absorbs sunlight to produce food in plants.
  • Evaporation of water and melting of ice are endothermic processes as they both absorb heat.

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