Particulate Nature of Matter MCQs for UPSC Prelims

A stick of chalk snaps easily, but an iron rod of the same thickness does not. This tells us that

1. A the attraction between iron particles is stronger than that between chalk particles
2. B iron particles are much smaller than chalk particles
3. C chalk has no particles inside it
4. D chalk particles move much faster than iron particles

Sugar dissolves faster in hot milk than in cold milk mainly because

1. A the particles in hot milk move faster and mix the sugar quickly
2. B sugar becomes lighter when the milk is hot
3. C cold milk has no spaces between its particles
4. D hot milk contains more particles than cold milk

Which pair of features together describes the particles of a solid?

1. A Far apart and free to move anywhere
2. B Closely packed and held in fixed positions
3. C Closely packed and free to move anywhere
4. D Far apart and held in fixed positions

A student wants to show diffusion to the class within one minute. Which set-up is most likely to work?

1. A Pressing two metal blocks tightly against each other
2. B Placing a drop of ink at the bottom of a tall jar of still water
3. C Opening a bottle of a strong-smelling liquid at one end of the room
4. D Keeping a sugar cube on a plate beside a glass of water

A solid keeps its own shape because its particles

1. A slide past one another very easily
2. B have no attraction between them at all
3. C are far apart and free to go anywhere
4. D are held in fixed positions by a strong attraction

A steel plate is left in the sun for an hour and becomes hot to touch. What has happened to its particles?

1. A They have stopped vibrating
2. B They have begun to move freely all over the plate
3. C They have each become larger in size
4. D They are vibrating faster about their positions