Free Industrial Chemistry MCQs with Answers

292 Industrial Chemistry MCQs from Chemistry, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.

Industrial chemistry applies chemical reactions and material properties to the manufacture of adhesives, dyes and polymers. Coverage includes addition and condensation polymerisation, thermoplastics and thermosetting polymers, the structural basis of colour in dyes, and how adhesive composition enables bonding between surfaces.

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292 questions · page 8 of 15

  • A. Sulfur
  • B. Chlorine
  • C. Oxygen
  • D. Carbon black

Explanation: Vulcanization involves heating natural rubber with sulfur. This process creates cross-links between the long polymer chains of the rubber…

Correct answer: Sulfur
  • A. Ammonia from nitrogen and hydrogen
  • B. Synthetic fuels (hydrocarbons) from syngas
  • C. Aluminum from bauxite
  • D. Sulfuric acid from sulfur

Explanation: The Fischer-Tropsch process is a collection of chemical reactions that converts a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen (known as…

Correct answer: Synthetic fuels (hydrocarbons) from syngas
  • A. Ethylene
  • B. Propylene
  • C. Styrene
  • D. Vinyl chloride

Explanation: Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a widely used thermoplastic polymer. It is produced by the addition polymerization of the vinyl chloride…

Correct answer: Vinyl chloride
  • A. Nitric acid
  • B. Ammonia
  • C. Phosphoric acid
  • D. Formic acid

Explanation: The Ostwald process is the primary industrial method for manufacturing nitric acid (HNO₃).

Correct answer: Nitric acid
  • A. A mixture of methane and ethane
  • B. A mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen
  • C. Purified natural gas
  • D. Flue gas from a power plant

Explanation: Syngas, short for synthesis gas, is a fuel gas mixture consisting mainly of hydrogen (H₂) and carbon monoxide (CO).

Correct answer: A mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen
  • A. Silicon
  • B. Sulfur
  • C. Carbon
  • D. Phosphorus

Explanation: The main goal of steelmaking is to reduce the high carbon content of pig iron (typically 4-5%) to a much lower level (usually less than…

Correct answer: Carbon
  • A. Gold
  • B. Sulfur
  • C. Sodium
  • D. Lithium

Explanation: The Frasch process was a method used to extract sulfur from underground deposits.

Correct answer: Sulfur
  • A. Coal
  • B. Wood
  • C. Petroleum (crude oil) and natural gas
  • D. Agricultural crops

Explanation: The vast majority of monomers, the small molecules used to build plastic polymers, are derived from petrochemicals.

Correct answer: Petroleum (crude oil) and natural gas
  • A. Polyethylene
  • B. Gasoline
  • C. Ethanol
  • D. Sodium carbonate

Explanation: Fermentation is a metabolic process that uses microorganisms like yeast or bacteria to convert sugars into other products.

Correct answer: Ethanol
  • A. To add color to the cement
  • B. To increase the strength of the concrete
  • C. To control the setting time
  • D. To act as a filler

Explanation: Gypsum is added to the cement clinker before the final grinding stage. It acts as a retarder, slowing down the hydration of the cement and…

Correct answer: To control the setting time
  • A. Haber-Bosch process
  • B. Solvay process
  • C. Smelting of sulfide ores and burning high-sulfur coal
  • D. Chlor-alkali process

Explanation: The burning of coal that contains sulfur and the smelting of metal sulfide ores (like those of copper, zinc, and lead) release large…

Correct answer: Smelting of sulfide ores and burning high-sulfur coal
  • A. Soda ash
  • B. Caustic soda
  • C. Slaked lime
  • D. Quicklime

Explanation: Sodium hydroxide is commonly known as caustic soda because it is a highly corrosive (caustic) substance that can burn skin.

Correct answer: Caustic soda
  • A. They are cheaper to produce
  • B. They are more environmentally friendly
  • C. Their calcium and magnesium salts are soluble in water
  • D. They are stronger bases

Explanation: Soaps react with the Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ ions present in hard water to form an insoluble precipitate known as scum.

Correct answer: Their calcium and magnesium salts are soluble in water
  • A. Animal fats
  • B. Vegetable oils
  • C. Petroleum waxes
  • D. Simple sugars

Explanation: Margarine is produced by the catalytic hydrogenation of liquid vegetable oils.

Correct answer: Vegetable oils
  • A. Methane
  • B. Propane
  • C. Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S)
  • D. Nitrogen

Explanation: Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is a toxic and highly corrosive gas that is often present in raw natural gas.

Correct answer: Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S)
  • A. Paper pulp from wood
  • B. Glass from sand
  • C. Steel from iron
  • D. Plastic from oil

Explanation: The Kraft process, also known as the sulfate process, is the most common chemical pulping process used to convert wood into wood pulp.

Correct answer: Paper pulp from wood
  • A. It is the main catalyst
  • B. It deactivates the catalyst
  • C. It is a substance that increases the efficiency of a catalyst
  • D. It is the solid support for the catalyst

Explanation: A promoter is a substance that is added to a catalyst to improve its performance.

Correct answer: It is a substance that increases the efficiency of a catalyst
  • A. The feedstock is a liquid
  • B. The solid catalyst behaves like a fluid when aerated with vapor
  • C. The product is a liquid fuel
  • D. The process uses a liquid catalyst

Explanation: In an FCC unit, the very fine, solid catalyst particles are suspended in the hot, up-flowing hydrocarbon vapor.

Correct answer: The solid catalyst behaves like a fluid when aerated with vapor
  • A. Strong acids
  • B. High pressure
  • C. Enzymes
  • D. Electrolysis

Explanation: The production of HFCS from corn starch is a multi-step process that relies on enzymes as biological catalysts.

Correct answer: Enzymes
  • A. Sulfuric acid
  • B. Ethylene
  • C. Salt (NaCl)
  • D. Polyethylene

Explanation: Primary raw materials are substances obtained directly from nature, such as air, water, salt (halite), coal, petroleum, and minerals.

Correct answer: Salt (NaCl)