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UPSC IAS/IPS MCQ questions — History, Polity, Economy, Science, General Studies.

207 Q 5 Subjects Graduate
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Difficulty: All Easy Medium Hard 201–207 of 207
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Q.201 Medium General Science Physics
The escape velocity from the surface of a planet depends on which two fundamental properties of that planet?
A Radius and temperature
B Mass and radius
C Density and temperature
D Atmospheric pressure and mass
Correct Answer:  B. Mass and radius
EXPLANATION

Escape velocity is mathematically derived as v = √(2GM/R), where G is gravitational constant, M is the planet's mass, and R is its radius.

These two properties directly determine the gravitational field strength at the planet's surface, which defines the minimum velocity needed to escape gravitational attraction.

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Q.202 Easy General Science Space & Astronomy
Which celestial phenomenon occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, blocking the Sun's light and casting a shadow on Earth?
A Solar Eclipse
B Lunar Eclipse
C Penumbral Eclipse
D Annular Eclipse
Correct Answer:  A. Solar Eclipse
EXPLANATION

A solar eclipse happens when the Moon's orbit places it directly between Earth and the Sun, creating a shadow on Earth's surface.

This is distinct from a lunar eclipse where Earth blocks sunlight from reaching the Moon, and from penumbral or annular eclipses which are specific types with different characteristics.

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Q.203 Hard General Science Chemistry
Which of the following substances will have the lowest lattice enthalpy among ionic compounds?
A NaCl
B MgO
C CsI
D CaF₂
Correct Answer:  C. CsI
EXPLANATION

Lattice enthalpy depends inversely on ionic radius and directly on ionic charge.

CsI has the lowest lattice enthalpy (~604 kJ/mol) because both Cs⁺ and I⁻ are large ions with 1+ and 1- charges respectively.

In contrast, MgO has very high lattice enthalpy due to small, highly charged ions (Mg²⁺ and O²⁻), while NaCl and CaF₂ have intermediate values.

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Q.204 Medium General Science Chemistry
What is the hybridization state of the central carbon atom in the carbonate ion (CO₃²⁻)?
A sp
B sp²
C sp³
D sp³d
Correct Answer:  B. sp²
EXPLANATION

In the carbonate ion CO₃²⁻, the central carbon atom forms three sigma bonds with oxygen atoms and is involved in resonance structures with delocalized pi electrons.

This trigonal planar geometry requires sp² hybridization, with three hybrid orbitals arranged at 120° angles and one unhybridized p orbital for pi bonding.

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Q.205 Hard General Science Chemistry
Which of the following compounds exhibits both ionic and covalent bonding characteristics and is commonly used in coordination chemistry?
A Sodium chloride
B Potassium hexacyanoferrate(III)
C Carbon dioxide
D Calcium oxide
Correct Answer:  B. Potassium hexacyanoferrate(III)
EXPLANATION

Potassium hexacyanoferrate(III) contains both ionic bonds (between K⁺ and the [Fe(CN)₆]³⁻ complex) and covalent bonds (between Fe and CN ligands, and within the CN groups).

This complex salt is extensively used in coordination chemistry and analytical procedures like the Prussian blue test.

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Q.206 Medium General Science Chemistry
In the reaction between potassium permanganate and oxalic acid in acidic medium, what is the ratio of KMnO₄ to H₂C₂O₄ in the balanced equation?
A 1:2
B 2:5
C 3:5
D 5:2
Correct Answer:  B. 2:5
EXPLANATION

The balanced equation for this redox reaction in acidic medium is: 2KMnO₄ + 5H₂C₂O₄ + 3H₂SO₄ → K₂SO₄ + 2MnSO₄ + 10CO₂ + 8H₂O.

Potassium permanganate acts as an oxidizing agent (Mn⁷⁺ → Mn²⁺), while oxalic acid is oxidized (C²⁺ → C⁴⁺), giving the 2:5 molar ratio.

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Q.207 Easy General Science Chemistry
Which of the following elements has the highest electronegativity value on the Pauling scale?
A Fluorine
B Oxygen
C Chlorine
D Nitrogen
Correct Answer:  A. Fluorine
EXPLANATION

Fluorine has the highest electronegativity value of 3.98 on the Pauling scale, making it the most electronegative element.

This is because it has the smallest atomic radius and the highest effective nuclear charge among all elements, causing it to attract electrons most strongly in a chemical bond.

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