HorthooZ – Kerala GK, PSC Questions & Onam Quiz

Q1 Multiple Choice Question

What is the primary electronic application of a specially designed Zener diode in DC power circuits?

A Amplifying weak radio signals B Voltage regulation (maintaining constant voltage despite load or input fluctuations) C Rectifying AC into pulsating high-voltage DC D Storing electric charge like a supercapacitor

Q2 Multiple Choice Question

How do washing soda ($Na_2CO_3$) and lime ($Ca(OH)_2$) soften hard water in industrial water treatment?

A By converting hard minerals into sweet sugar crystals B By boiling water instantly into superheated steam C By precipitating dissolved calcium and magnesium ions as insoluble carbonates and hydroxides D By killing all bacteria using strong electrical sparks

Q3 Multiple Choice Question

What is the crucial role of the stratospheric ozone layer ($O_3$) for life on Earth, and which region of the atmosphere contains it?

A It reflects cosmic radio waves for satellite communication B It absorbs harmful solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation in the stratosphere C It generates atmospheric oxygen for human respiration D It traps carbon dioxide to cool down the troposphere

Q4 Multiple Choice Question

What are the characteristic functional groups present in alcohols and carboxylic acids respectively?

A Ether (-O-) and Ester (-COOR) B Hydroxyl group (-OH) and Carboxyl group (-COOH) C Aldehyde (-CHO) and Ketone (>CO) D Halogen (-X) and Amine (-NH2)

Q5 Multiple Choice Question

Through which physical process in petroleum refineries are different fractions of crude oil separated based on boiling points?

A Simple crystallization B Electrolytic decomposition C Centrifugal sedimentation D Fractional distillation

Q6 Multiple Choice Question

How is the 'Mass Number' ($A$) of an atom defined in terms of its subatomic constituents?

A Total number of protons and neutrons in the atomic nucleus B Total number of electrons and protons C Number of valence shells D Total number of electrons alone

Q7 Multiple Choice Question

What chemical compounds cause permanent hardness in water, and what is the 'Permutit' (Ion-Exchange) process used for?

A Nitrates and carbonates of sodium; used for purifying drinking water B Chlorides and sulfates of calcium and magnesium; used for softening hard water C Ammonium phosphate fertilizers; used in agriculture D Heavy metal silicates; used for manufacturing glass

Q8 Multiple Choice Question

How does a p-n junction diode behave when connected in Forward Bias versus Reverse Bias?

A Acts as an absolute insulator in both conditions B Conducts electric current easily in forward bias; offers high resistance and blocks current in reverse bias C Conducts current in reverse bias; blocks current completely in forward bias D Generates high voltage AC power automatically

Q9 Multiple Choice Question

What is 'photochemical smog', and under what atmospheric conditions does it predominantly form?

A A brownish smog formed by the action of sunlight on nitrogen oxides and unburnt hydrocarbons in urban air B Carbon dioxide vapor condensing on ice crystals C A thick white fog formed only over cold ocean waters D Smoke from volcanic ash mixing with radioactive fallout

Q10 Multiple Choice Question

What are biological enzymes, and what characteristic makes them highly specific catalysts?

A Synthetic plastic polymers used in wastewater filtration B Inorganic mineral salts that explode in cold water C Complex protein molecules that catalyze biological reactions with high substrate specificity D Radioactive isotopes emitting beta radiation

Q11 Multiple Choice Question

Which of the following is a classic example of a synthetic addition polymer formed from ethene monomers?

A Bakelite B Polyethene (Polythene) C Nylon 6,6 D Terylene (Dacron)

Q12 Multiple Choice Question

How do soap molecules structure themselves in water to remove greasy dirt during washing (Micelle formation)?

A They chemically decompose grease into pure alcohol and glycerol molecules. B They coat the water surface with an impermeable plastic film that traps oil droplets. C They form spherical aggregates (micelles) with hydrophobic hydrocarbon tails pointing inward toward the grease and hydrophilic ionic heads pointing outward toward water. D They form rigid crystalline sheets that dissolve grease into inorganic carbon dioxide gas.

Q13 Multiple Choice Question

In the Lewis theory of acids and bases, what defines a Lewis acid?

A An electron pair acceptor. B An electron pair donor C A hydroxide ion producer in water D A proton donor exclusively

Q14 Multiple Choice Question

What are 'isobars' in atomic physics?

A Atoms of the same element with different neutrons B Molecules with identical boiling points C Atoms of different elements having the same mass number but different atomic numbers D Atoms with the exact same number of electrons and protons

Q15 Multiple Choice Question

Which of the following is considered a strong mineral acid that completely dissociates in water?

A Acetic acid (CH3COOH) B Carbonic acid (H2CO3) C Hydrochloric acid (HCl) D Citric acid

Q16 Multiple Choice Question

What is the fundamental difference between homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis?

A Homogeneous requires high vacuum chambers B In homogeneous catalysis, reactants and catalyst are in the same phase; in heterogeneous, they are in different phases C Homogeneous uses enzymes exclusively; heterogeneous uses platinum metals only D Homogeneous is slower than thermal decomposition; heterogeneous is explosive

Q17 Multiple Choice Question

Which metal remains in a liquid state at room temperature and is widely used in thermometers?

A Bromine B Sodium C Mercury (Hg) D Gallium

Q18 Multiple Choice Question

How do chlorine free radicals catalytically destroy ozone molecules in the stratosphere?

A Chlorine atoms freeze ozone molecules into solid snowflakes that fall to Earth. B A chlorine radical reacts with $O_3$ to form $ClO^•$ and $O_2$, then $ClO^•$ reacts with free oxygen atoms to regenerate $Cl^•$, destroying thousands of ozone molecules. C Chlorine radicals permanently bond with ozone to form solid rock salt deposits. D Chlorine gas converts ozone directly into carbon dioxide via combustion.

Q19 Multiple Choice Question

Which unique property of carbon enables it to link with other carbon atoms to form exceptionally long chains, branched networks, and rings?

A Radioactive decay B Catenation C Hydrogen bonding D Ionization

Q20 Multiple Choice Question

What type of synthetic polymer is Nylon 6,6, and how is it synthesized?

A An addition polymer formed from ethene gas B A natural polysaccharide extracted from wood pulp C A silicone elastomer used in medical implants D A condensation polyamide polymer formed from hexamethylenediamine and adipic acid

Chemistry