This section includes 7 InterviewSolutions, each offering curated multiple-choice questions to sharpen your Current Affairs knowledge and support exam preparation. Choose a topic below to get started.
| 1. |
How determined the Position of an Element? |
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Answer» Position of an Element In a period, the number of valence shell remains the same for all elements. However, the number of electrons in the valence shell increases from left to right. The position of an element in the periodic table is determined by its electronic configuration e.g. electronic configuration of sodium is 2, 8, 1 i.e., it has three shells and one electron in the outermost shell. Hence, it is placed in period number 3 and group number 1. However, in the case of transition elements this pattern is not followed. |
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| 2. |
What is the basic difference between a group and a period in terms of electronic configuration ? |
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Answer» In a group, though the number of shells increases as we move downward, but the number of electrons in the outermost shell remains the same. In a period, as we move from left to right, the outermost shell or valence shell gets progressively filled from group 1 to group 18 and the shell does not change. |
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| 3. |
Anionic radius is higher than the corresponding neutral atom. Give reason. |
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Answer» When an atom gain one or more electrons it forms anion. During the formation of anion, the number of orbital electrons become greater than the nuclear charge. Hence, the electrons are not strongly attracted by the lesser number of nuclear charges. Hence anionic radius is higher than the corresponding neutral atom. |
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| 4. |
Cationic radius is smaller than its corresponding neutral atom. Justify this statement. |
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| 5. |
What are periodic properties? Give example |
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Answer» The term periodicity of properties indicates that the elements with similar properties reappear at certain regular intervals of atomic number in the periodic table. Example:
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| 6. |
What are semi-metals? Give example. |
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| 7. |
What are lanthanides and actinides? |
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| 8. |
Write the electronic configuration of lanthanides and actinides? |
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| 9. |
What are f-block elements? how many series are there? Why they are called f-block elements? |
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| 10. |
Why d-block elements are called as transition elements? |
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Answer» d-block elements form a bridge between the chemically active metals of s-block elements and the less active elements of groups of 13th and 14th and thus take their familiar name transition elements. |
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| 11. |
What is Noble Gases? |
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Answer» Noble gases are also known as inert gases and do not take part in chemical reactions. They have their outermost shell complete and thus remain stable. They do not generally combine with other substances, nor are they affected by oxidising agents or by reducing agents. They are placed in the 18 or VIIIA group. Since, the outermost shell is complete, the valency is zero, hence VIIIA group is also referred to as zero group. |
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| 12. |
What is Transition Elements? |
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Answer» All the elements belonging to 3 to 12 groups are called transition elements. They resemble each other in several physical and chemical properties. They are all metals. They are called transition elements because they are placed between the most reactive metals on the left and non-metals on the right. Their compounds are coloured. They exhibit variable valency. |
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| 13. |
Explain Normal Elements. |
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Answer» In the case of these elements, all shells except the outermost shell are completely filled. Elements belonging to 1 (IA), 2 (IIA), 3 (IIIA), 4 (IVA), 5 (VA), 6 (VIA) and 7 (VIIA) are normal elements. Elements of the second period are known as typical elements [Li (Z = 3) to Ne (Z = 10)] because each element is placed in a group whose number matches with the number of valence electrons. The elements of the IIIrd period are representative elements [Na (Z = 11) to Ar (Z = 18)] as each of them is a representative of its group. Groups 1 (IA) and 2 (IIA) are strongly metallic and are called group of 'alkali metals and alkaline earth metals', while group 7 (VIIA) are halogens. |
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| 14. |
Which period mostly include man made radioactive elements? (a) 4th period (b) 7th period (c) 6th period (d) 31th period |
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Answer» (b) 7th period |
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| 15. |
How many elements are there in 6th period? Prove it. |
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Answer» In sixth period, 32 elements are present. This period starts with the filling of 6th energy shell, n = 6. There are sixteen orbitais (one 6s, seven 4f, five 4d and three 6p) to be filled. These sixteen orbitais can accommodate 32 (16 × 2 = 32) electrons. Hence, 32 elements are present in sixth period. |
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| 16. |
What are the two exceptions of block division in the periodic table? |
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Answer» 1. Helium has two electrons. Its electronic configuration is 1s2 . As per the configuration, it is supposed to be placed in ‘s’ block, but actually placed in s group which belongs to ‘p’ block. Because it has a completely filled valence shell as the other elements present in 18th group. It also resembles with 18th group elements in other properties. Hence helium is placed with other noble gases. 2. The other exception is hydrogen. it has only one selectron and hence can be placed in group 1. It can also gain an electron to achieve a noble gas arrangement and hence it can behave as halogens (17th group elements). Because of these assumptions, position of hydrogen becomes a special case. Finally, it is placed separately at the top of the periodic table. |
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| 17. |
Explain about the salient features of metals. |
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| 18. |
Groups from 13 to 1 in the periodic table are called pblock elements. Give reason. |
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| 19. |
How the properties of Eka – silicon was related to germanium? |
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| 20. |
Law of octaves, in chemistry, the generalization made by the English chemist J.A.R New lands in 1865 that, if the chemical elements are arranged according to increasing atomic weight, those with similar physical and chemical properties occur after each interval of seven elements. The image shows the notes of music correlated with the elements.1. What did New lands compared?a. the similarity between the elements to the triads of music, where every third note is comparable to the first.b. the similarity between the elements to the octaves of music, where every eighth note is comparable to the first.c. the similarity between the elements to the triad of music, where every eighth note is comparable to the first.d. None2. How many elements did New lands arranged in an ascending order based on their atomic masses?a. 62b. 63c. 64d. 653. Which elements could not be accommodated into octaves?a. Elements with greater atomic volumesb. Elements with greater atomic massesc. Elements with greater atomic densitiesd. All the options4. Why this method of classifying elements did not leave any room for the discovery of new elements?a. Because elements that were discovered later could not be ’t into the triad pattern.b. Because elements that were discovered later could not be ’t into the octave pattern.5. Give an example where elements of dissimilar properties were grouped together.a. Halogens with cobaltb. Halogens with nickelc. Halogens with platinumd. All the options |
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Answer» 1. b. the similarity between the elements to the octaves of music, where every eighth note is comparable to the first. 2. a. 62 3. b. Elements with greater atomic masses 4. b. Because elements that were discovered later could not be ’t into the octave pattern. 5. d. All the options |
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| 21. |
Explain about the salient features of groups. |
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Answer» 1. Number of electrons in outermost shell: The number of electrons present in the outermost shells does not change on moving down in a group, i.e remains the same. Hence, the valency also remains same within a group. 2. Number of shells: In going down a group the number of shells increases by one at each step and ultimately becomes equal to the period number to which the element belongs. 3. Valency: The valencies of all the elements of the same group are the same. The valency of an element with respect to oxygen is same in a group. 4. Metallic character: The metallic character of the elements increases in moving from top to bottom in a group. |
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| 22. |
If a frequency distribution has x̄ + M0 = 82, = 44 and s = 12. find coefficient of skewness. |
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Answer» Here. x̄ + M0 = 82 and = 44, s = 12 ∴ 44 + M0 = 82 ∴ M0 = 82 – 44 = 38 Now j = \(\frac{\bar x−M_0}{s}\) = \(\frac{44−38}{12}=\frac{6}{12}\) ∴ j = 0.5 |
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| 23. |
Rank of a null matrix is ______ (a) 0 (b) -1 (c) ∞ (d) 1 |
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Answer» The correct answer is : (a) 0 |
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| 24. |
What havoc can radioactive dust cause? |
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Answer» Radioactive dust can cause nausea, headache, vomitings, all types of cancers especially skin cancer and leukaemia, white blood cells damage and the damage of brain cells, etc. It can cause vomits and hair fall. The people grow thin and sores appear all over their bodies. |
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| 25. |
What measures should the government have taken when the nuclear reactor was installed beside the village? |
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Answer» The nuclear reactor should not be installed beside the village at any cost. If it is mandatory, the nuclear reactor must be installed 10 miles away from the habitations and must not be installed near a water body. The authorities concerned should give awareness to nearby residents. The government should minimize the use of nuclear power. |
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| 26. |
Write the following sentences in reported speech. 1. “I can remember the time.” she said wistfully, “when all the fields around this village were green and the harvests good.”2. “They said that factories need leather to make shoes, handbags and clothes. They . said our men folk would get jobs. They said we would all become rich.” |
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Answer» 1. She said wistfully that she could remember the time when all the fields around that village were green and the harvests good. 2. It was reported that they had said that the factories needed leather to make shoes, handbags and clothes, their menfolk would get jobs and they would all become rich. |
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| 27. |
The people in this village were affected by chemical factories. Where, in your opinion, should the factories be built? |
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Answer» The factories should be built in open non-fertile lands far from habitats. Eco-friendly industries with minimum use of chemicals can be encouraged even in villages or towns. |
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| 28. |
Choose the correct answer. 1. Nana’s house is............a) picturesque, colourful and noisy. b) with mud walls and a rusting corrugated iron roof.2. .......... is visible on the empty metal drums. a) bright red paint flaking away b) skull and crossbones symbol3. The important conclusion Thomas Agonyo gave is that ......... a) the drums had come from Italyb) the drums contained poisonous chemicals. |
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Answer» 1. b) with mud walls and a rusting corrugated iron roof 2. b) skull and crossbones symbol 3. b) the drums contained poisonous chemicals. |
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| 29. |
Fill in the blanks appropriately with the following quantifiers: no, any, all, some, each, several, and every. 1. (1)........... ordinary person is bothered about climatic changes. If we talk of ........(2)......... changes, people look at us as if we don’t have ........(3).......... work. In fact, it is such a grave problem that .......(4)........ person has to think about. ........(5)......... scientists feel alarmed because the ozone layer is depleting. In addition, .........(6)......... people believe that the global warming is creating climatic problems. But .........(7)....... single individual shows (8) concern for it.2. (1)............ meteorologists predict that the world will get warm between 2 to 4 degrees Celsius by the year 2030. The scientists believe that .......(2)............ year .........(3).......... polar ice will melt and cause rainfall, increase in the sea level and also temperature will be affected. ..................(4)........ people disagree with the theory that the human activity is having an effect on the world’s climate. .........(5).......... scientists need to monitor the Earth’s atmosphere and .........(6)..........human beings need to care for the air, water and plant life that influence world’s weather. |
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Answer» 1. (1) No 2) any 3) any 4) every 5) All 6) several 7) no 8) any 2. (1) Some 2) every 3) some 4) Several 5) All 6) all |
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| 30. |
Write ’the adjectives or adjective phrases that describe the happy and gloomy situations in the village. |
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Answer» Adjectives or adjective phrases describing the happy situations in the village : picturesque, colourful, noisy, brightest boy, children, and chickens sharing the compound. Adjectives or adjective phrases describing the gloomy situations in the village : a) rusting corrugated iron roof b) frowning c) a troubled look d) terrible pain e) mountain of death in the clearing |
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| 31. |
There is a repetition of sentences with ‘some’ in the passage. Read the passage again and write down the sentences and the function of ‘some’ in each one of them. Do you find any other repetitions in the passage? If yes, mention it. . |
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Answer» i) Some of them are badly corroded, their slimy contents of various colours — grey, dark green, bright orange, etc. – leaking out, down, onto the baked African earth and into the stream. ii) Some have fallen down and rolled – or been rolled by playful children – into the bush. iii) Some are smoking in the midday heat. iv) Some are swelling, as if their contents are bursting to get out. v) Some have already burst. |
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| 32. |
Why didn’t the people move from their place? |
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Answer» They had no money to buy land. So they had no choice. |
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| 33. |
Was Thomas Agonyo correct in his findings? Justify your opinion. |
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Answer» Yes, Thomas Agonyo was correct because 13 people had died with terrible pain and lots of children were sick because of the metal drums that contained poisonous chemicals. |
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| 34. |
What harm can the pyramid of identical drums cause to the villagers? (Or)What are the evil effects of pyramid of drums? |
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Answer» The slimy contents of various colours are leaking out from the drums and flowing down on to the African earth and into the stream which is a source of drinking water to the villagers. They may cause health hazards. |
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| 35. |
Why was the Chief smiling’ as the lorries drove away? |
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Answer» The people who unloaded drums gave the Chief a brown paper bag which might contain money. So he smiled as the lorries drove away. |
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| 36. |
Why were the large empty drums placed outside Mr. Nana’s house? |
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Answer» Some chemical factories of Italy unloaded metal drums of poisonous chemical near a stream that the villagers get their drinking water from. There were such large empty metal drums outside Mr. Nana’s house. These drums might have fallen down and rolled or been rolled by playful children. |
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| 37. |
If the number of variables in a non- homogeneous system AX = B is n, then the system possesses a unique solution only when _______ (a) ρ(A) = ρ(A, B) > n (b) ρ(A) = ρ(A, B) = n (c) ρ(A) = ρ(A, B) < n (d) none of these |
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Answer» (b) ρ(A) = ρ(A, B) = n |
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| 38. |
In a transition probability matrix, all the entries are greater than or equal to _______(a) 2 (b) 1 (c) 0(d) 3 |
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Answer» The correct answer is : (c) 0 |
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| 39. |
The narrator said at the end, ‘There is so much they didn’t tell you, I thought”- What was that so much that was not told, according to you? |
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Answer» Vijayasama sighed and reported to the narrator that the leather industry management didn’t tell them that the chemicals would be dumped in open fields and into their rivers. They didn’t tell them that their women would have to walk ten kilometers everyday and they would get ulcer and sores on their bodies. But the narrator thinks that they don’t know some more hidden hazards till now. They don’t know there won’t be any life in Ponnimanthuri village one day. They will either be died or been forcibly evacuated. By keeping this view the narrator said like that at the end. |
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| 40. |
Find λ so that the matrix \(\begin{pmatrix}8 & 9 & 7 \\7 & 8 & 6 \\9 & 10 & λ\end{pmatrix}\) is a singular matrix |
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Answer» Let A = \(\begin{pmatrix} 8 & 9 & 7 \\ 7 & 8 & 6 \\ 9 & 10 & λ \end{pmatrix}\) Given A is singular matrix ⇒ |A| = 0 \(\begin{vmatrix} 8 & 9 & 7 \\ 7 & 8 & 6 \\ 9 & 10 & λ \end{vmatrix}\) = 0 8 (8λ - 60) - 9(7λ - 54) + 7(70 - 72) = 0 64λ - 480 - 63λ + 486 - 14 = 0 λ + 6 - 14 = 0 ⇒ λ = 8 |
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| 41. |
Find the rank of the matrix A = \( \begin{pmatrix} 1 & -3 & 4 & 7 \\ 9 & 1 & 2 & 0\\ \end{pmatrix} \) |
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Answer» A = \( \begin{pmatrix} 1 & -3 & 4 & 7 \\ 9 & 1 & 2 & 0\\ \end{pmatrix} \) Order of A is 2 × 4. So ρ(A) ≤ 2 Consider the second-order minor \(\begin{vmatrix}1 & -3 \\9 & 1\end{vmatrix}\) = 1 + 27 = 28 ≠ 0 There is a minor of order 2 which is not zero. So ρ(A) = 2 |
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| 42. |
The rank of m × n matrix whose elements are unity is _________(a) 0 (b) 1 (c) m (d) n |
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Answer» (b) 1 All the rows except the first row can be made zero |
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| 43. |
If A = \(\begin{pmatrix} 2 & 0 \\ 0 & 8 \end{pmatrix}\) then p(A) is ______ (2, 0)(0, 8)(a) 0(b) 1 (c) 2 (d) n |
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Answer» (c) 2 \(\begin{pmatrix} 2 & 0 \\ 0 & 8 \end{pmatrix}\) \(\begin{vmatrix} 2 & 0 \\ 0 & 8 \end{vmatrix}\)= 16 \(\neq\) 0 So, p(A) = 2 |
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| 44. |
Find the rank of A = \( \begin{bmatrix} 4 & 5 & -6 & -1 \\ 7 & -3 & 0 & 8\\ \end{bmatrix} \) |
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Answer» Given A = \(\begin{bmatrix}4 & 5 & -6 & -1 \\7 & -3 & 0 & 8\\\end{bmatrix}\) Consider the minor \(\begin{vmatrix}5 & -6 \\-3 & 0\end{vmatrix}\) = -18 \(\ne\) 0 Since a minor of order 2 is not zero, rank is 2 |
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| 45. |
Find the rank of A = \(\begin{pmatrix} 1 & 2 & 3 \\ 2 & 3 & 4 \\ 3 & 5 & 7 \end{pmatrix}\) |
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Answer» Given A = \(\begin{pmatrix} 1 & 2 & 3 \\ 2 & 3 & 4 \\ 3 & 5 & 7 \end{pmatrix}\) Consider \(\begin{pmatrix} 1 & 2 & 3 \\ 2 & 3 & 4 \\ 3 & 5 & 7 \end{pmatrix}\) = 1((21 – 20) – 2(14 – 12) + 3(10 – 9)) = 1 – 4 + 3 = 0 Since third order minor equals zero, ρ(A) < 3 Consider = \(\begin{vmatrix} 1 & 2 \\ 2 & 3 \end{vmatrix}\) = 3 – 4 = -1 ≠ 0 There is a minor of order 2 which is not zero. Hence ρ(A) = 2 |
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| 46. |
Show that the inverse of A = \(\begin{pmatrix} -6 & 9 \\ 4 & -6 \end{pmatrix}\) does not exist |
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Answer» Show |A| = 0 |
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| 47. |
For what value of k does the matrix. A = \(\begin{bmatrix}k & -1 \\3 & 2\end{bmatrix}\)does not have inverse?(a) 1(b) -3/2(c) 0(d) -1 |
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Answer» (b) -3/2 For A = \(\begin{bmatrix} k & -1 \\ 3 & 2 \end{bmatrix}\) , if |A| = 0, then inverse does not exists \(\begin{vmatrix} k & -1 \\ 3 & 2 \end{vmatrix}\) = 0 gives 2k + 3 = 0 gives 2k + 3 = 0 or k = -3/2 |
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| 48. |
……. is the best form of government in promoting dignity and freedom of the individual. A) Socialism B) Communism C) Democracy D) Dictatorship |
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Answer» (C) Democracy |
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| 49. |
How were the special war time powers? |
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Answer» Anyone who opposed the government could be jailed without much delay and kept imprisoned for a long time without going to court. Freedom of speech was also curtailed. |
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| 50. |
Which qualities do you like in Mahatma Gandhi? Why? |
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Answer» Qualities of Mahatma Gandhi:
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