Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) for Class 10 Science: Chapter 02 Acids, Bases and Salts
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Practice Chapter 02 Acids, Bases and Salts MCQs for Class 10 Science
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Practise 35 Class 10 Science MCQs from the chapter Acids, Bases and Salts, with answers, step-by-step explanations and a Teacher's Note on each question. Topics include natural sources of acids, ionisation of HCl in water, a neutralisation calculation, water of crystallisation, Plaster of Paris and gypsum, and pH with hydrogen-ion concentration, plus assertion-reason questions on baking soda, strong acids and zinc with alkalis.
Multiple Choice Questions
(a) Litmus
(b) Turmeric
(c) Vanilla essence
(d) Petunia leaves
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) Vanilla essence
Explanation:
1. A visually impaired student cannot see colour changes, so the indicator must change its smell.
2. Vanilla essence is an olfactory indicator: its smell is retained in acids and lost in bases.
Teacher's Note:
1. Litmus, turmeric and petunia leaves change colour.
2. Onion, clove oil and vanilla change smell.
(a) NaNO3
(b) NaClO3
(c) NaOH
(d) NH4OH
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) NaOH
Explanation:
1. Z turns red litmus blue, so it is basic, and it liberates H2 with zinc, so it is a strong alkali.
2. Electrolysis of brine gives NaOH: 2NaCl + 2H2O → 2NaOH + Cl2 + H2.
3. Hence Z is NaOH.
Teacher's Note:
1. The chlor-alkali process gives NaOH, Cl2 and H2.
2. Zn + 2NaOH → Na2ZnO2 + H2.
(a) Colour of vanilla changes into red
(b) Vanilla becomes colourless
(c) Vanilla loses its smell
(d) Nothing happens
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (d) Nothing happens
Explanation:
1. Vanilla essence keeps its sweet smell in an acidic medium.
2. Its smell is lost only when a base is added.
Teacher's Note:
1. Olfactory indicators change odour in only one type of medium.
2. Vanilla and onion: smell retained in acid, lost in base.
(I) It does not ionise in the solution as it is a covalent compound.
(II) It ionises in the solution.
(III) It gives both hydrogen and hydroxyl ions in the solution.
(IV) It forms hydronium ion in the solution due to the combination of hydrogen ion with water molecule.
(a) Only (I)
(b) Only (III)
(c) (II) and (IV)
(d) (III) and (IV)
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) (II) and (IV)
Explanation:
1. HCl is a polar covalent compound which ionises in water: HCl + H2O → H3O+ + Cl–.
2. So statements II and IV are true.
3. It gives only H+ (not OH–) ions, so statements I and III are false.
Teacher's Note:
1. Hydrogen ions cannot exist alone; they form hydronium ions.
2. Acidic character appears only in water.
(a) H3O+ + Cl–
(b) H3O+ + OH–
(c) Cl– + OH–
(d) unionised HCl
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (a) H3O+ + Cl–
Explanation:
1. Dilute HCl is a strong acid and ionises completely in water.
2. It contains H3O+ and Cl– ions, with almost no unionised HCl.
Teacher's Note:
1. HCl + H2O → H3O+ + Cl–.
2. OH– ions are present only in negligible amount.
(a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct.
(b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are incorrect.
(c) Statement-I is correct and Statement-II is incorrect.
(d) Statement-I is incorrect and Statement-II is correct.
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (d) Statement-I is incorrect and Statement-II is correct.
Explanation:
1. Statement-I is false because oxides such as Al2O3 and ZnO are amphoteric and non-metal oxides are acidic.
2. Statement-II is true: lemon juice (pH about 2) is more acidic than tomato juice (pH about 4).
Teacher's Note:
1. Lower pH means more acidic.
2. Metal oxides are generally basic, not always.
(a) only hydrogen gas
(b) only salt
(c) both salt and hydrogen gas
(d) none of these
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) both salt and hydrogen gas
Explanation:
1. A metal reacts with a dilute acid to give a salt and hydrogen gas.
2. Example: Zn + H2SO4 → ZnSO4 + H2.
Teacher's Note:
1. Metal + acid gives salt + hydrogen.
2. Not all metals react; Cu, Ag and Au do not.
(a) CaCO3
(b) Ca(OH)2
(c) H2O
(d) CO2
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (a) CaCO3
Explanation:
1. CO2 reacts with lime water, Ca(OH)2.
2. Ca(OH)2 + CO2 → CaCO3 + H2O.
3. The insoluble CaCO3 makes the lime water milky.
Teacher's Note:
1. This is the test for carbon dioxide.
2. Excess CO2 dissolves the milkiness.
(a) hydrochloric acid
(b) tartaric acid
(c) acetic acid
(d) sulphuric acid
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (b) tartaric acid
Explanation:
1. Baking powder is a mixture of baking soda (NaHCO3) and a mild edible acid.
2. The acid used is tartaric acid.
Teacher's Note:
1. On heating or in water the mixture gives CO2.
2. This makes cakes soft and spongy.
(a) Marble
(b) Limestone
(c) Baking soda
(d) Lime
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (d) Lime
Explanation:
1. Marble and limestone are CaCO3 and baking soda is NaHCO3; all give CO2 with a dilute acid.
2. Lime (CaO) is a metal oxide and gives only a salt and water with an acid.
Teacher's Note:
1. Carbonates and hydrogencarbonates evolve CO2.
2. Oxides do not.
(a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct.
(b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are incorrect.
(c) Statement-I is correct and Statement-II is incorrect.
(d) Statement-I is incorrect and Statement-II is correct.
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (d) Statement-I is incorrect and Statement-II is correct.
Explanation:
1. Statement-I is false because salts can be acidic, basic or neutral, and only salts of a strong acid and a strong base are neutral.
2. Statement-II is true: a salt is formed by neutralisation of an acid with a base.
Teacher's Note:
1. pH of a salt solution depends on the parent acid and base.
2. NaCl is neutral; Na2CO3 is basic; NH4Cl is acidic.
(I) Gloves keep the hands warm.
(II) Forceps provide better grip than bare hands.
(III) Gloves protect hands from corrosive liquids.
(a) Only (I)
(b) Only (II)
(c) Only (III)
(d) Both (I) and (II)
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) Only (III)
Explanation:
1. Acids, such as the liquids tested with pH paper, can be corrosive and harm the skin.
2. Gloves protect the hands from corrosive liquids; the other reasons are not relevant.
Teacher's Note:
1. Wear gloves and goggles when handling acids and bases.
2. Never touch chemicals with bare hands.
(a) 4 mL
(b) 8 mL
(c) 12 mL
(d) 16 mL
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (d) 16 mL
Explanation:
1. 10 mL of NaOH needs 8 mL of HCl.
2. So 1 mL of NaOH needs 8/10 mL of HCl.
3. 20 mL of NaOH needs (8/10) × 20 = 16 mL.
Teacher's Note:
1. Use a unitary method for the same solutions.
2. Doubling NaOH doubles the HCl needed.
(a) Na2CO3·10H2O
(b) CuSO4·5H2O
(c) CaSO4·2H2O
(d) FeSO4·7H2O
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) CaSO4·2H2O
Explanation:
1. Heating Na2CO3·10H2O, CuSO4·5H2O and FeSO4·7H2O removes all their water of crystallisation.
2. Gypsum, CaSO4·2H2O, heated at 373 K loses only 1½ molecules of water and gives CaSO4·½H2O.
Teacher's Note:
1. Plaster of Paris is made this way.
2. Overheating gives anhydrous dead burnt plaster.
(a) Neutral
(b) Acidic
(c) Amphoteric
(d) Basic
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (d) Basic
Explanation:
1. Quicklime reacts with water: CaO + H2O → Ca(OH)2.
2. Calcium hydroxide is a base, so the product is basic in nature.
Teacher's Note:
1. Metal oxides give bases with water.
2. The reaction is highly exothermic.
(a) Water < Acetic acid < Hydrochloric acid
(b) Water < Hydrochloric acid < Acetic acid
(c) Acetic acid < Water < Hydrochloric acid
(d) Hydrochloric acid < Water < Acetic acid
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (a) Water < Acetic acid < Hydrochloric acid
Explanation:
1. HCl is a strong acid and ionises completely.
2. Acetic acid is a weak acid and ionises only partly.
3. Water is nearly neutral, so the order is water < acetic acid < hydrochloric acid.
Teacher's Note:
1. Strength depends on the extent of ionisation.
2. Strong acid gives more H+ ions.
(a) HCl
(b) NH4Cl
(c) NH4OH
(d) (NH4)2SO4
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (a) HCl
Explanation:
1. NaCl + H2SO4 → NaHSO4 + HCl.
2. HCl gas reacts with ammonia to form dense white fumes of NH4Cl.
Teacher's Note:
1. NH3 + HCl → NH4Cl (white fumes).
2. This is a test for HCl gas.
(a) Dolomite
(b) A marble statue
(c) Calcined gypsum
(d) Sea shells.
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) Calcined gypsum
Explanation:
1. Dolomite, marble and sea shells contain calcium carbonate.
2. Calcined gypsum is CaSO4·½H2O (Plaster of Paris) and has no carbonate.
Teacher's Note:
1. Limestone, chalk and marble are forms of CaCO3.
2. Gypsum is a sulphate, not a carbonate.
(a) glycolic acid
(b) lactic acid
(c) citric acid
(d) tartaric acid
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (b) lactic acid
Explanation:
1. Milk turns sour when bacteria convert lactose to lactic acid.
2. So lactic acid is present in sour milk and curd.
Teacher's Note:
1. Citric acid: lemon. Tartaric acid: tamarind.
2. Lactic acid: curd.
(a) decreased level of dissolved oxygen and increased growth of algae
(b) decreased level of dissolved oxygen and no effect of growth of algae
(c) increased level of dissolved oxygen and increased growth of algae
(d) decreased level of dissolved oxygen and decreased growth of algae
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (a) decreased level of dissolved oxygen and increased growth of algae
Explanation:
1. Phosphate from detergents acts as a fertiliser for algae and causes their rapid growth.
2. When the algae die and decay, they use up dissolved oxygen.
3. So oxygen decreases and algae increase.
Teacher's Note:
1. This is called eutrophication.
2. Aquatic animals die for lack of oxygen.
| List-I (Name of Acid) | List-II (Source) |
|---|---|
| P. Lactic acid | (i) Tamarind |
| Q. Oxalic acid | (ii) Curd |
| R. Acetic acid | (iii) Tomato |
| S. Tartaric acid | (iv) Vinegar |
(a) P–(i), Q–(iv), R–(ii), S–(iii)
(b) P–(ii), Q–(i), R–(iv), S–(iii)
(c) P–(ii), Q–(i), R–(iii), S–(iv)
(d) P–(ii), Q–(iii), R–(iv), S–(i)
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (d) P–(ii), Q–(iii), R–(iv), S–(i)
Explanation:
1. Lactic acid is found in curd (ii) and oxalic acid in tomato (iii).
2. Acetic acid is the acid of vinegar (iv) and tartaric acid is found in tamarind (i).
3. So P–(ii), Q–(iii), R–(iv), S–(i).
Teacher's Note:
1. Memorise the natural sources of acids.
2. Citric acid: lemon and orange.
A solution with pH = 8 will have the concentration of H+ ions (in mol/L) equal to:
(a) 108
(b) 10−8
(c) 1008
(d) log 108
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (b) 10−8
Explanation:
1. pH = –log[H+], so [H+] = 10–pH.
2. For pH = 8, [H+] = 10−8 mol/L.
Teacher's Note:
1. Higher pH means a smaller H+ concentration.
2. Each unit of pH changes [H+] ten times.
(Refer to the passage given with Question 22.)
(a) C2H5OH
(b) H3PO4
(c) H2CO3
(d) CH3COOH
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (a) C2H5OH
Explanation:
1. Ethanol (C2H5OH) has hydrogen but does not ionise in water.
2. H3PO4, H2CO3 and CH3COOH are acids that give H+.
Teacher's Note:
1. Having hydrogen does not make a compound an acid.
2. Alcohols and glucose are non-electrolytes.
(Refer to the passage given with Question 22.)
(a) A has a higher concentration of hydronium ions than solution C
(b) B has a higher concentration of hydronium ions than solution D
(c) A and B will turn red litmus solution into blue
(d) A is highly acidic while B is weakly basic
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) A and B will turn red litmus solution into blue
Explanation:
1. pH 1 and 3 are acidic, pH 9 and 13 are basic.
2. A (pH 1) is acidic and cannot turn red litmus blue, so statement (c) is incorrect.
3. The other statements are correct.
Teacher's Note:
1. Acids turn blue litmus red; only bases turn red litmus blue.
2. Lower pH means a higher hydronium concentration.
(Refer to the passage given with Question 22.)
(a) An increase in pH value from 7 to 14 indicates an increase in hydrogen ions
(b) The strength of an acid or base is determined by a universal indicator
(c) pH < 7 indicates that the solution is acidic
(d) Higher the hydrogen ion concentration, lower the pH value
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (a) An increase in pH value from 7 to 14 indicates an increase in hydrogen ions
Explanation:
1. As pH increases from 7 to 14 the H+ concentration decreases and the OH– concentration increases.
2. So statement (a) is incorrect; the other statements are correct.
Teacher's Note:
1. pH 7 is neutral; above 7 is basic.
2. Basic strength grows with OH– concentration.
The difference in the number of water molecules in gypsum and Plaster of Paris is:
(a) 5/2
(b) 2
(c) 1/2
(d) 3/2
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (d) 3/2
Explanation:
1. Gypsum is CaSO4·2H2O, with 2 water molecules.
2. Plaster of Paris is CaSO4·½H2O, with ½ molecule.
3. The difference is 2 – ½ = 3/2.
Teacher's Note:
1. Heating gypsum at 373 K removes 1½ water molecules.
2. They are written as 3/2 H2O in the equation.
(Refer to the passage given with Question 26.)
(a) releasing CO2
(b) converting into CaCO3
(c) combining with water
(d) losing out water
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) combining with water
Explanation:
1. Plaster of Paris combines with water to form gypsum.
2. CaSO4·½H2O + 1½H2O → CaSO4·2H2O, which sets as a hard mass.
Teacher's Note:
1. No CO2 is involved in setting.
2. Hardening is hydration.
(Refer to the passage given with Question 26.)
(a) POP is used to make ornate designs on walls and ceilings.
(b) On heating gypsum above 373 K, CaSO4 is obtained.
(c) Dead burnt plaster is CaSO4·2H2O.
(d) The setting of plaster is due to its hydration into gypsum.
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) Dead burnt plaster is CaSO4·2H2O.
Explanation:
1. Dead burnt plaster is anhydrous CaSO4, formed by heating gypsum above 373 K.
2. It is not CaSO4·2H2O, so statement (c) is incorrect.
Teacher's Note:
1. Dead burnt plaster does not set with water.
2. Control the temperature to 373 K for Plaster of Paris.
(Refer to the passage given with Question 26.)
(a) It is slightly soluble in water
(b) It is also known as alabaster
(c) On heating gypsum at 373 K, it loses water molecules and becomes calcium sulphate hemihydrate
(d) The chemical formula of gypsum is CaSO4·½H2O
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (d) The chemical formula of gypsum is CaSO4·½H2O
Explanation:
1. Gypsum is calcium sulphate dihydrate, CaSO4·2H2O.
2. The formula CaSO4·½H2O belongs to Plaster of Paris, so statement (d) is incorrect.
Teacher's Note:
1. Gypsum: 2 water molecules.
2. Plaster of Paris: half a water molecule.
Assertion–Reason Questions
Assertion (A): Sodium hydrogen carbonate is used in fire extinguisher.
Reason (R): Sodium hydrogen carbonate is a mild base.
(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true, but R is false.
(d) A is false, but R is true.
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
Explanation:
1. Sodium hydrogencarbonate is used in soda-acid fire extinguishers, so the assertion is true.
2. It is a mild base, which is also true.
3. It works because it reacts with an acid to release CO2, not because it is basic, so R is not the explanation.
Teacher's Note:
1. NaHCO3 + acid gives CO2 which smothers the fire.
2. Both true does not mean R explains A.
Reason (R): pH value of such salts is more than 7.
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true and Reason is the correct explanation of the Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true but Reason is not the correct explanation of the Assertion.
(c) Assertion is true but Reason is false.
(d) Both Assertion and Reason are false.
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (d) Both Assertion and Reason are false.
Explanation:
1. Salts of a strong acid and a weak base (for example NH4Cl) give acidic solutions, so the assertion is false.
2. The pH of such salt solutions is less than 7, so the reason (pH more than 7) is also false.
3. Both A and R are false.
Teacher's Note:
1. Salt of strong acid + weak base is acidic (pH below 7).
2. Salt of weak acid + strong base is basic (pH above 7).
Assertion (A): On adding H2SO4 to water the resulting aqueous solution gets corrosive.
Reason (R): Hydronium ions are responsible for corrosive action.
(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true, but R is false.
(d) A is false, but R is true.
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Explanation:
1. H2SO4 is a strong acid and ionises completely in water.
2. The hydronium ions formed make the solution corrosive.
3. Both statements are true and R explains A.
Teacher's Note:
1. Concentrated acids damage skin and cloth.
2. Handle with care.
Assertion (A): Baking soda creates acidity in the stomach.
Reason (R): Baking soda is alkaline.
(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true, but R is false.
(d) A is false, but R is true.
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (d) A is false, but R is true.
Explanation:
1. Baking soda is alkaline, so it neutralises stomach acid and does not create acidity; the assertion is false.
2. The reason, that baking soda is alkaline, is true.
Teacher's Note:
1. NaHCO3 is an antacid.
2. It is mildly basic.
Assertion (A): Dry HCl gas does not change the colour of blue litmus paper to red.
Reason (R): Dry HCl gas is strongly basic.
(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true, but R is false.
(d) A is false, but R is true.
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) A is true, but R is false.
Explanation:
1. Dry HCl gas does not change the colour of blue litmus because it has no H+ ions in the absence of water, so the assertion is true.
2. HCl is an acidic gas, not basic, so the reason is false.
Teacher's Note:
1. Acidic nature needs water.
2. HCl is a strong acid.
Assertion (A): Sodium hydroxide reacts with zinc to produce hydrogen gas.
Reason (R): Acids react with active metals to produce hydrogen gas.
(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true, but R is false.
(d) A is false, but R is true.
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
Explanation:
1. Zinc reacts with NaOH: Zn + 2NaOH → Na2ZnO2 + H2, so the assertion is true.
2. Acids also react with active metals to give hydrogen, which is true.
3. But this does not explain why NaOH reacts with zinc.
Teacher's Note:
1. Zinc is amphoteric.
2. Both true does not always mean R explains A.
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Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) for Class 10 Science Chapter 02 Acids, Bases and Salts
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