Chemistry · General Awareness

Carbon and Fossil Fuels

1,756 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

Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists List I List II A. Pyrolysis 1. Takes place in the absence of oxygen B. Gasification 2. Transfer of solid fuel to gaseous energy carrier C. Biomass liquefaction 3. Direct transfer of solid organic waste to liquid fuel D. Combustion 4. Takes place in the presence of oxygen

  1. A-1 B-2 C-3 D-4

  2. A-2 B-3 C-4 D-1

  3. A-1 B-3 C-2 D-4

  4. A-3 B-2 C-1 D-4
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The matching is correct: Pyrolysis is thermal decomposition without oxygen (A-1). Gasification converts solid fuel to gaseous fuel (B-2). Biomass liquefaction directly converts solid organic waste to liquid fuel (C-3). Combustion requires oxygen presence (D-4). All processes are valid biomass conversion methods.

Multiple choice

The end product obtained after burning leaves and husks is

  1. fodder

  2. smoke

  3. manure

  4. biogas

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

Burning of leaves and husks (biodegradable wastes) produce smoke. Smoke is a mass of tiny particles in the air that rises up for when something is burned. Hence, smoke is the correct answer.

Multiple choice

Of the following fuels, one that causes minimum pollution is

  1. kerosene

  2. diesel

  3. coal

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

Hydrogen is correct because its combustion produces only water vapor (H2O), making it the cleanest burning fuel among the options. Coal produces maximum pollutants including CO2, SO2, NOx, and particulate matter. Diesel and kerosene are fossil fuels that produce various emissions including carbon monoxide, unburnt hydrocarbons, and particulates. Hydrogen fuel cells produce zero emissions at point of use.

Multiple choice

Algal biofuel is an alternative to fossil fuel in this modern era. Which among the following biofuels is made from algae by using only a solar powered biorefinery?

  1. Green diesel

  2. Biodiesel

  3. Methane

  4. Butanol

  5. Biogasoline
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Butanol can be made from algae or diatoms using only a solar powered biorefinery. This fuel has an energy density 10% less than gasoline, and greater than that of either ethanol or methanol. In most gasoline engines, butanol can be used in place of gasoline with no modifications.

Multiple choice

Which process includes the burning of wax?

  1. Reversible process

  2. Irreversible process

  3. Sublimation process

  4. Expansion process

  5. Decomposition process
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Changes that cannot be reversed are called irreversible changes.

Multiple choice

Consider the following statements :

  1. Gondwana coal is a laminated, bituminous coal.
  2. Gondwana coal is completely free from moisture, sulphur and phosphorus. Which of the statements given above is /are correct?

  1. 1 only

  2. 2 only

  3. Both 1 and 2

  4. Neither 1 nor 2
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Gondwana coal is indeed laminated and bituminous in nature, making statement 1 correct. However, statement 2 is incorrect because Gondwana coal is NOT completely free from moisture, sulphur, and phosphorus - it contains small amounts of these impurities though generally less than Tertiary coal. The first statement accurately describes the coal's physical structure.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is used as lubricants?

  1. Graphite

  2. Silica

  3. Diamond

  4. Iron oxide
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Graphite is an excellent lubricant because of its layered structure. The weak van der Waals forces between graphene layers allow them to slide easily over each other, reducing friction. Diamond is extremely hard, silica is abrasive, and iron oxide is rust - none serve as lubricants.

Multiple choice

Why are coal and petroleum called exhaustible natural resources?

  1. Their consumption is very fast.

  2. They are expensive.

  3. Amount of these resources is limited in nature.

  4. Their demand is more than their supply.

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

 Coal and petroleum are the fossil fuels, which take lots of years to form. They are being used continuously but the formation rate is very low in comparison to that of consumption. That is why they are known as exhaustible natural resources. 

Multiple choice

At what temperature and pressure do dead plants and animals get decomposed slowly and are converted into coal and petroleum?

  1. At high temperature and low pressure

  2. At low temperature and high pressure

  3. At low temperature and low pressure

  4. At very high temperature and high pressure

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

Decomposition of dead plants and animals for the formation of coal and petroleum requires very high temperature and high pressure. This is because the high temperature and pressure maximise the activity of microorganisms. 

Multiple choice

In which of the following processes coal is not used?

  1. Thermal power stations to produce electricity.

  2. Railway engines to produce steam to run the engine.

  3. Fuel in various industries.

  4. As a fuel in automobiles and vehicles engine.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Coal is widely used to generate energy in thermal power stations, railway engines, and industries but is not used as a fuel in the vehicles.

Multiple choice

Why are coal and petroleum called fossil fuels?

  1. Because they are formed from dead remains of living organisms.

  2. Because they are very good fuels and their calorific value is very high.

  3. Because they are widely used in houses, industries and in vehicles also.

  4. Because they take millions of year for formation and are formed inside the earth.

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

Fossil fuels are the fuels, which are formed due to the decay of dead plants and animal remains. This process takes millions of years. Coal and petroleum are formed in nature with the same process. So, they are known as fossil fuels.