Development & Importance of Chemistry — IISER Chemistry MCQs with Solutions
Free IISER Chemistry Development & Importance of Chemistry MCQs with step-by-step solutions (7 questions). Part of Some Basic Concepts of Chemistry. Practise online on Prepizo — no login needed.
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Questions with solutions
Q1 — Development & Importance of Chemistry · medium · theory
Assertion (A): Bhasmas of metals used in ancient Ayurvedic treatment contain nanoparticles of metals. Reason (R): The Charaka Samhita discusses reduction of particle size of metals, and extreme reduction of particle size is termed nanotechnology. Choose the correct option.
A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A ✓ Correct
B. A is false but R is true
C. A is true but R is false
D. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
Solution: The Charaka Samhita describes reduction of particle size of metals (extreme reduction = nanotechnology) and the use of metal bhasmas in treating ailments. It has since been proven that bhasmas contain metal nanoparticles. Both statements are true, and R correctly explains why bhasmas behave as nanoparticles.
Q2 — Development & Importance of Chemistry · medium · theory
The term 'a-tomio', meaning 'indivisible', from which the word 'atom' is derived, was introduced by the Greek philosopher:
A. John Dalton
B. Aristotle
C. Democritus ✓ Correct
D. Antoine Lavoisier
Solution: The idea that matter is composed of small indivisible particles called 'a-tomio' dates back to Democritus (460–370 BC), a Greek philosopher. Dalton (1808) and Lavoisier came much later and were not the origin of the term.
Q3 — Development & Importance of Chemistry · hard · theory
Assertion (A): Chemists have successfully synthesised safer alternatives to CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons). Reason (R): CFCs are responsible for ozone depletion in the stratosphere. Choose the correct option.
A. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
B. A is true but R is false
C. A is false but R is true
D. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A ✓ Correct
Solution: CFCs deplete stratospheric ozone (R is true), which is precisely why chemists developed safer refrigerant alternatives (A is true). The ozone-depleting nature of CFCs is the reason such alternatives were needed, so R correctly explains A.
Q4 — Development & Importance of Chemistry · medium · theory
'Faience', a material made by the Harappans and found at their archaeological sites, is best described as:
A. a fermented beverage
B. a natural plant dye
C. a sort of glass used in ornaments ✓ Correct
D. an alloy of copper and tin
Solution: The chapter states that Harappans made faience, "a sort of glass", which was used in ornaments. It is a glassy material, not a metal alloy, a dye or a beverage.
Q5 — Development & Importance of Chemistry · hard · theory
Which of the following ancient Indian texts is correctly matched with the contribution attributed to it?
A. Vaiseshika Sutras — importance of alkalies
B. Rigveda — preparation of gunpowder
C. Kautilya's Arthashastra — production of salt from sea ✓ Correct
D. Rasopanishada — formulation of mercury compounds
Solution: Kautilya's Arthashastra describes the production of salt from sea — the correct match. Mercury compounds come from Nagarjuna's Rasratnakar (Rasopanishada deals with gunpowder), alkalies from the Sushruta Samhita (the Vaiseshika Sutras give the atomic theory), and the Rigveda deals with tanning and dyeing, not gunpowder.
Q6 — Development & Importance of Chemistry · medium · theory
The Harappans improved the hardness of copper for making artefacts by alloying it with:
A. tin and arsenic ✓ Correct
B. iron and carbon
C. zinc and lead
D. silver and gold
Solution: The chapter states that the hardness of copper was improved for making artefacts by using tin and arsenic. Zinc and lead, iron and carbon, or silver and gold are not the alloying elements mentioned.
Q7 — Development & Importance of Chemistry · hard · numerical
Methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) are two greenhouse gases. For equal masses of the two gases (C = 12, H = 1, O = 16), the ratio of the number of molecules of methane to carbon dioxide is:
A. 4 : 11
B. 1 : 1
C. 3 : 1
D. 11 : 4 ✓ Correct
Solution: Molar masses: CH₄ = 16, CO₂ = 44 g mol⁻¹. For equal mass m, moles of CH₄ = m/16 and moles of CO₂ = m/44. Number of molecules is proportional to moles, so the ratio = (1/16) : (1/44) = 44 : 16 = 11 : 4. Equal masses do NOT give equal molecules (that wrong idea gives 1 : 1); inverting the molar-mass ratio wrongly gives 4 : 11.