Development & Importance of Chemistry — JEE Main Chemistry MCQs with Solutions
Free JEE Main 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
Nagarjuna, a reputed ancient Indian chemist and alchemist, authored the work 'Rasratnakar', which mainly deals with:
A. identification of metals by flame colour
B. the formulation of mercury compounds ✓ Correct
C. the production of salt from sea water
D. the preparation of gunpowder
Solution: Nagarjuna's Rasratnakar deals with the formulation of mercury compounds (and methods for extracting metals like gold, silver, tin and copper). Gunpowder is described in Rasopanishada, salt from sea in Kautilya's Arthashastra, and flame-colour identification in Rsarnavam.
Q2 — Development & Importance of Chemistry · medium · theory
The ancient text 'Rsarnavam' (c. 800 CE) is notable because it describes:
A. the atomic theory of Paramanu
B. the treatment of diseases using metal bhasmas
C. recipes for perfumes and cosmetics
D. identification of metals by flame colour, and uses of furnaces, ovens and crucibles ✓ Correct
Solution: Rsarnavam discusses the uses of various furnaces, ovens and crucibles and describes how metals could be identified by their flame colour. The atomic theory appears in Kanad's Vaiseshika Sutras, disease treatment in the Charaka Samhita, and cosmetics in Varāhmihir's Brihat Samhita.
Q3 — Development & Importance of Chemistry · hard · theory
Acharya Kanad (born 600 BCE) proposed the concept of 'Paramanu'. Relative to John Dalton (1766–1844), Kanad conceptualised this atomic theory approximately:
A. 250 years before Dalton
B. 2500 years before Dalton ✓ Correct
C. 500 years after Dalton
D. at the same time as Dalton
Solution: The chapter states that Kanad conceptualised the theory of Paramanu around 2500 years before John Dalton. Having been born in 600 BCE and predating Dalton (1766–1844), the gap is roughly 2500 years, not a few hundred years.
Q4 — Development & Importance of Chemistry · medium · theory
According to the Charaka Samhita, ancient Indians knew how to prepare which of the following acids?
A. Carbonic acid and phosphoric acid
B. Hydrochloric acid and acetic acid
C. Sulphuric acid and nitric acid ✓ Correct
D. Sulphuric acid and hydrochloric acid
Solution: The Charaka Samhita mentions ancient Indians who knew how to prepare sulphuric acid (H₂SO₄) and nitric acid (HNO₃), along with oxides and sulphates of several metals. Hydrochloric, acetic, carbonic and phosphoric acids are not the ones listed.
Q5 — Development & Importance of Chemistry · medium · theory
Superconducting ceramics, conducting polymers and optical fibres are examples of the contribution of chemistry to:
A. greenhouse gases produced by industry
B. new materials designed with specific magnetic, electric and optical properties ✓ Correct
C. life-saving drugs isolated from natural sources
D. safer alternatives to ozone-depleting refrigerants
Solution: A better understanding of chemical principles made it possible to design and synthesise new materials having specific magnetic, electric and optical properties — superconducting ceramics, conducting polymers and optical fibres. These are materials, not drugs, refrigerants or greenhouse gases.
Q6 — Development & Importance of Chemistry · hard · theory
Chemistry developed mainly in the forms of Alchemy and Iatrochemistry during the period:
A. 1300–1600 CE ✓ Correct
B. 600–200 BCE
C. 1600–1800 CE
D. 1000–1300 CE
Solution: The chapter states that chemistry developed mainly in the form of Alchemy and Iatrochemistry during 1300–1600 CE, with modern chemistry taking shape in 18th-century Europe. The other date ranges do not match the text.
Q7 — Development & Importance of Chemistry · hard · numerical
Saltpetre (potassium nitrate, KNO₃) was used in ancient Indian fireworks. Using K = 39, N = 14, O = 16, the mass of oxygen present in 202 g of KNO₃ is:
A. 96 g ✓ Correct
B. 32 g
C. 48 g
D. 101 g
Solution: Molar mass of KNO₃ = 39 + 14 + (3 × 16) = 101 g mol⁻¹. Moles = 202 ÷ 101 = 2 mol. Each mole contains 3 oxygen atoms = 48 g of oxygen, so oxygen mass = 2 × 48 = 96 g. Using only 1 mol gives 48 g; counting a single O atom gives 32 g; 101 g is merely the molar mass.