Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Science and Technology)
3 previous year UPSC Prelims questions on Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry (Science and Technology). Choose an option to see the answer and explanation.
Explanations state facts as of the year each question was asked; words like “recently” refer to that year.
Showing 1–3 of 3 questions
UPSC 1998Science and Technology · Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry
Q1. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:
List-I
List-II
A. Blue vitriol
1. Sodium bicarbonate
B. Epsom salt
2. Sodium hydroxide
C. Baking soda
3. Magnesium sulphate
D. Caustic soda
4. Copper sulphate
Explanation
A is matched with 4: Blue vitriol is the common name for copper sulphate, known for its bright blue color. B is matched with 3: Epsom salt is the common name for magnesium sulphate, often used in bath salts and as a laxative. C is matched with 1: Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate, used in cooking as a leavening agent. D is matched with 2: Caustic soda is the common name for sodium hydroxide (NaOH), a strong base used in industrial applications like soap making.
UPSC 1998Science and Technology · Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry
Q2. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:
List-I
List-II
A. Potassium bromide
1. Fertiliser
B. Potassium nitrate
2. Photography
C. Potassium sulphate
3. Bakery
D. Monopotassium
4. Gun powder tartarate
Explanation
A is matched with 2: Potassium bromide is widely used in the photographic industry. It acts as a restrainer in photographic developers and is used in the preparation of photographic emulsions. B is matched with 4: Potassium nitrate, also known as saltpeter, is a key ingredient in gunpowder due to its oxidizing properties. It releases oxygen during combustion, aiding in the rapid burning of other materials. C is matched with 1: Potassium sulphate is an important fertilizer that supplies potassium, a vital nutrient for plant growth. It is especially used in chloride-sensitive crops like potatoes, tobacco, and citrus fruits because it contains no chloride ions. D is matched with 3: Monopotassium tartrate is extensively used in baking. It helps stabilize egg whites, prevents sugar crystallization, and is a component of baking powder, contributing to the leavening process in cakes and bread.
UPSC 1998Science and Technology · Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry
Q3. Which one of the following metals does not form an amalgam?
Explanation
An amalgam is an alloy of mercury with another metal. While many metals can form amalgams, iron does not readily form one because it has a very low affinity for mercury under normal. On the other hand, metals like zinc, copper, and magnesium can form amalgams.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
1998
(d) A-4; B-3; C-1; D-2
2
1998
(a) A-2; B-4; C-1; D-3
3
1998
(d) Iron
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry?
This page covers 3 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry (Science and Technology), asked from 1996 to 2008. Each has the correct answer and an explanation.
How should I use previous year UPSC questions for Prelims?
Attempt each question first, then open the answer and read the explanation for every option. Repeat by chapter, and track which statements UPSC reuses across years. Previous year questions show the exam pattern and difficulty level.
Which years are covered for Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry?
Questions on Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry (Science and Technology) are available for 11 years, from 1996 to 2008. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
