Chemistry Miscellaneous (Part-3)

Total Questions: 36

31. Mercury is a toxic substance that severely contaminates land, water, air, and the food chain. Which among the following is/are source(s) of mercury pollution? [Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2020]

I. Pesticides
II. Dental amalgam fillings
III. Fluorescent lamp
IV. Coal-based thermal power plants

Correct Answer: (d) I, II, III, and IV
Solution:Pesticides, dental amalgam fillings, fluorescent lamps, and coal-based thermal power plants are all sources of mercury pollution.

32. The incomplete burning of petrol and diesel produces: [66th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2020]

Correct Answer: (d) Carbon monoxide
Solution:In the complete combustion (burning) of hydrocarbon fuels (i.e., petrol and diesel), hydrocarbons react with oxygen, water, and carbon dioxide are produced. Incomplete combustion occurs when the supply of air or oxygen is poor. In the incomplete combustion of hydrocarbon fuels, water is still produced, but carbon monoxide (a poisonous gas) and carbon (as soot) are produced instead of carbon dioxide.

33. The main air pollutant(s) in metropolitan cities is/are: [MP.P.C.S. (Pre) 2018]

Correct Answer: (e) All of the above
Solution:In metropolitan cities, emitted smoke from automobiles and industries contains carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, sulfur dioxide, lead, ozone, etc., which are present in all options. Thus, the commission did not consider this question in evaluation.

34. What is particulate matter? [60th to 62nd B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2016]

Correct Answer: (b) Air pollutant
Solution:Particulate matter (PM) also known as particle pollution, is a complex mixture of extremely small particles and liquid droplets that get into the air. Once inhaled, these particles can affect the heart and lungs and cause serious health problems

35. The size of the Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter (R.S.P.M.) in air is: [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2017]

Correct Answer: (d) Less than 5 µm (micron)
Solution:R.S.P.M. is that fraction of Total Suspended Particulate Matter (T.S.P.M.) which is readily inhaled by humans through their respiratory system and is generally considered as particulate matter with a diameter less than 2.5 microns (PM 2.5).

36. Under Government of India's National Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP), covering 312 cities/towns in 29 States and 6 Union Territories, which of the following combinations has been identified for regular monitoring at all the locations? [Jharkhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2021]

Correct Answer: (d) Sulphur Dioxide (SO₂), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂), Suspended Particulate Matter (PM₁₀), and Fine Particulate Matter (PM₂.₅)
Solution:Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is executing a nation-wide programme of ambient air quality monitoring known as the National Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP). The network at present consists of 931 operating stations covering 398 cities/towns.

The objectives of N.A.M.P. are to determine status and trends of ambient air quality; to ascertain whether the prescribed ambient air quality standards are violated; to identify non-attainment cities; to obtain the knowledge and understanding necessary for developing preventive and corrective measures and to understand the natural cleansing process undergoing in the environment through pollution dilution, dispersion, wind-based movement, dry deposition, precipitation, and chemical transformation of pollutants.