IMU CET 2026: 50 MCQs on Basic Chemistry Concepts
Instructions: Each question has four options (a, b, c, d). Choose the correct answer.
No negative marking. Time: 90 minutes.
Easy Questions (1–25)
1. What is the smallest unit of an element that retains its properties?
a) Molecule b) Atom c) Ion d) Compound
Answer: b) Atom
2. The number of protons in an atom is called its:
a) Atomic mass b) Atomic number c) Mass number d) Isotope number
Answer: b) Atomic number
3. Which gas is diatomic in its elemental form?
a) Helium b) Oxygen c) Argon d) Neon
Answer: b) Oxygen
4. The chemical formula for water is:
a) H2 O b) CO2 c) H2 SO4 d) NaCl
Answer: a) H2 O
5. What type of bond involves the sharing of electrons?
a) Ionic b) Covalent c) Metallic d) Hydrogen
Answer: b) Covalent
6. The state of matter with a definite shape and volume is:
a) Gas b) Liquid c) Solid d) Plasma
Answer: c) Solid
7. Which element has the symbol Na?
a) Nitrogen b) Sodium c) Nickel d) Neon
Answer: b) Sodium
8. A substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances is:
a) Compound b) Mixture c) Element d) Solution
Answer: c) Element
9. The pH of a neutral solution is:
a) 0 b) 7 c) 14 d) 1
Answer: b) 7
10. Which particle has a negative charge?
a) Proton b) Neutron c) Electron d) Nucleus
Answer: c) Electron
11. The chemical formula for carbon dioxide is:
a) CO b) CO2 c) C2 O d) C2 O2
Answer: b) CO2
12. In a chemical reaction, the substances that react are called:
a) Products b) Reactants c) Catalysts d) Intermediates
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Answer: b) Reactants
13. Which of the following is a noble gas?
a) Oxygen b) Nitrogen c) Helium d) Hydrogen
Answer: c) Helium
14. A solution with a pH less than 7 is:
a) Neutral b) Acidic c) Basic d) Alkaline
Answer: b) Acidic
15. The number of neutrons in an atom is found by:
a) Atomic number b) Mass number - Atomic number c) Atomic number - Mass
number d) Mass number
Answer: b) Mass number - Atomic number
16. Which bond involves the transfer of electrons?
a) Covalent b) Ionic c) Metallic d) Hydrogen
Answer: b) Ionic
17. The chemical symbol O represents:
a) Osmium b) Oxygen c) Gold d) Iron
Answer: b) Oxygen
18. A homogeneous mixture is also called a:
a) Compound b) Element c) Solution d) Suspension
Answer: c) Solution
19. The atomic number of carbon is:
a) 6 b) 12 c) 8 d) 14
Answer: a) 6
20. Which state of matter has particles that are far apart and move freely?
a) Solid b) Liquid c) Gas d) Plasma
Answer: c) Gas
21. The formula for sodium chloride is:
a) NaCl b) Na2 Cl c) NaCl2 d) Na2 Cl2
Answer: a) NaCl
22. An atom with a different number of neutrons is called:
a) Ion b) Isotope c) Element d) Compound
Answer: b) Isotope
23. Which of the following is a metal?
a) Sulfur b) Chlorine c) Sodium d) Nitrogen
Answer: c) Sodium
24. A substance that speeds up a chemical reaction without being consumed is:
a) Reactant b) Product c) Catalyst d) Inhibitor
Answer: c) Catalyst
25. The charge of a neutron is:
a) Positive b) Negative c) Neutral d) Variable
Answer: c) Neutral
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Moderate Questions (26–40)
26. The maximum number of electrons in the first energy level is:
a) 2 b) 8 c) 18 d) 32
Answer: a) 2
27. In the reaction 2H2 + O2 → 2H 2 O, the product is:
a) H2 b) O2 c) H2 O d) H2 O2
Answer: c) H2 O
28. The valency of oxygen in H2 O is:
a) 1 b) 2 c) 3 d) 4
Answer: b) 2
29. Which type of reaction releases energy?
a) Endothermic b) Exothermic c) Neutral d) Substitution
Answer: b) Exothermic
30. The atomic mass of an element is primarily determined by:
a) Protons only b) Electrons only c) Protons and neutrons d) Neutrons only
Answer: c) Protons and neutrons
31. In a covalent bond, electrons are:
a) Transferred b) Shared c) Lost d) Gained
Answer: b) Shared
32. The pH of a strong acid is closest to:
a) 7 b) 14 c) 1 d) 10
Answer: c) 1
33. In the periodic table, elements in the same group have the same:
a) Atomic number b) Mass number c) Number of valence electrons d) Atomic
mass
Answer: c) Number of valence electrons
34. The formula for sulfuric acid is:
a) HCl b) H2 SO4 c) HNO3 d) H2 CO3
Answer: b) H2 SO4
35. A reaction where two substances combine to form one is called:
a) Decomposition b) Synthesis c) Displacement d) Combustion
Answer: b) Synthesis
36. The number of electrons in a sodium ion (Na+ ) is:
a) 11 b) 10 c) 12 d) 23
Answer: b) 10
37. In a balanced chemical equation, the number of atoms of each element is:
a) Different on both sides b) Equal on both sides c) Always greater on the
product side d) Always greater on the reactant side
Answer: b) Equal on both sides
38. The gas that turns limewater milky is:
a) Oxygen b) Nitrogen c) Carbon dioxide d) Hydrogen
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Answer: c) Carbon dioxide
39. The valency of nitrogen in NH3 is:
a) 1 b) 2 c) 3 d) 4
Answer: c) 3
40. Which of the following is a non-metal?
a) Sodium b) Iron c) Sulfur d) Copper
Answer: c) Sulfur
Hard Questions (41–50)
41. How many moles are in 18 g of H2 O?
a) 1 mole b) 2 moles c) 0.5 mole d) 3 moles
Answer: a) 1 mole (Molar mass of H2 O = 18 g/mol)
42. In the reaction CH4 + 2O2 → CO2 + 2H2 O, what type of reaction is this?
a) Synthesis b) Decomposition c) Combustion d) Displacement
Answer: c) Combustion
43. The electron configuration of oxygen (atomic number 8) is:
a) 1s2 2s2 2p4 b) 1s2 2s2 2p2 c) 1s2 2s2 2p6 d) 1s2 2s2 2p3
Answer: a) 1s2 2s2 2p4
44. The number of molecules in 16 g of methane (CH4 ) is:
a) 6.022 × 1023 b) 3.011 × 1023 c) 12.044 × 1023 d) 1.505 × 1023
Answer: a) 6.022 × 1023 (1 mole = 16 g/mol)
45. The oxidation number of sulfur in H2 SO4 is:
a) +2 b) +4 c) +6 d) +8
Answer: c) +6
46. In the reaction 2Na + Cl2 → 2N aCl, thereducingagentis :
a)N a b)Cl2 c) NaCl d) None
Answer: a) Na
47. The molar mass of CO2 is:
a) 32 g/mol b) 44 g/mol c) 28 g/mol d) 16 g/mol
Answer: b) 44 g/mol
48. The bond angle in a water molecule (H2 O) is approximately:
a) 180° b) 120° c) 104.5° d) 90°
Answer: c) 104.5°
49. In Avogadro’s number, how many particles are in one mole?
a) 6.022 × 1022 b) 6.022 × 1023 c) 6.022 × 1024 d) 6.022 × 1021
Answer: b) 6.022 × 1023
50. The type of bond in NH3 is:
a) Ionic b) Covalent c) Metallic d) Hydrogen
Answer: b) Covalent
