Chemistry · General Awareness

Carbon and Fossil Fuels

1,898 Questions

Review fundamental concepts regarding carbon compounds, coal distillation, and fossil fuel formation. This segment covers the chemical properties and industrial applications of natural gas and crude oil. Practicing these questions will strengthen your chemistry foundation for general science sections.

Coal distillationPetroleum formationProperties of crude oilNatural gas applications

Carbon and Fossil Fuels Questions

Multiple choice

Which of the following is not a fossil fuel?

  1. LPG

  2. Petroleum

  3. Natural gas

  4. Biogas

  5. Coal

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct option as biogas is not a fossil fuel. Biogas is produced by the fermentation of organic matter.

 
 

Multiple choice

Match the following:

1. Carbon monoxide i. Combustion of fuels
2. CFCs ii. Acid rain
3. Oxides of sulphur iii. Spray cans
4. Soot iv. Incomplete combustion

  1. 1 - i, 2 - ii, 3 - iii, 4 - iv

  2. 1 - ii, 2 - i, 3 - iv, 4 - iii

  3. 1 - iii, 2 - iv, 3 - i, 4 - ii

  4. 1 - iv, 2 - iii, 3 - ii, 4 - i
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation
1. Carbon monoxide i. Incomplete combustion
2. CFCs ii. Spray cans
3. Oxides of sulphur iii. Acid rain
4. Soot iv. Combustion of fuels
Multiple choice

Vegetable oils are hydrogenated in the presence of finely divided

  1. alumina

  2. nickel

  3. charcoal

  4. silica
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The hydrogenation of vegetable oils (converting unsaturated fats to saturated fats) is catalyzed by finely divided nickel metal at elevated temperatures and pressures. Nickel is an excellent hydrogenation catalyst due to its ability to absorb hydrogen and activate both hydrogen and the unsaturated bonds. Alumina, charcoal, and silica are not effective hydrogenation catalysts.

Multiple choice

Which chemical compound becomes a powerful tool of destruction, when mixed with diesel fuel?

  1. Semtex

  2. C-4

  3. TNT

  4. Ammonium nitrate
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Ammonium nitrate is a fertilizer compound that becomes a powerful explosive when mixed with diesel fuel or other fuel sources. This mixture, known as ANFO (Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil), has been widely used in mining and construction, and unfortunately also in terrorist attacks like the Oklahoma City bombing. Pure ammonium nitrate is stable, but the addition of fuel makes it highly explosive.

Multiple choice

Which of these conditions is most important for the formation of petroleum?

  1. Oxygen saturation

  2. Abiotic

  3. Anoxic conditions

  4. Dead zones

  5. Anthropogenic impact
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Petroleum is a fossil fuel derived from ancient fossilised organic materials, such as zooplankton and algae. Vast quantities of these remains settled  in sea or lake bottoms, mixing with sediments and being buried under anoxic conditions.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements regarding coal is incorrect?

  1. The only product produced after processing coal is coke.

  2. It is used to generate electricity.

  3. It is a hard and black substance.

  4. It is used to bake bricks.

  5. Coal is a fossil fuel.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Yes, it is the correct answer. After processing of coal, the products produced are coke, coal tar and coal gas.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements correctly defines coal?

  1. Coal is soft and black stone like substance formed from the remains of dead animals.

  2. Coal is hard and black stone like substance formed from the remains of dead plants.

  3. Coal is soft and black stone like substance formed from the remains of dead animals and plants.

  4. Coal is hard and black stone like substance formed from the remains of dead animals and plants.

  5. Coal is hard and black stone formed by deposition of sand.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Yes, it is the correct answer. It is hard and black stone like substance formed by the decomposition of the dead remains of plants when they got buried under high temperature and high pressure.

Multiple choice

Petrol and diesel are the most common fuels used for automobiles. They are obtained from petroleum and are formed from

  1. dead plants

  2. dead animals buried underground

  3. dead organisms of the sea

  4. dead marine plants

  5. All of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Yes, it is correct. Sea organisms that die get accumulated at the bottom of the sea. The deposition of sand and clay on them compresses this organic material and converts it into petroleum.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is not a method of conserving petroleum?

  1. Correct pressure levels in the tyres while driving a petrol vehicle

  2. Driving at high speed and reaching the destination faster

  3. Using public transport

  4. Switching off engines at traffic junctions

  5. Timely servicing of vehicles
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Yes, it is the correct answer. Fuel consumption increases significantly over 90 km/h. At 110 km/h, a car uses up to 25 per cent more fuel than it would consume at 90 km/h.