FSc Part 1 Chemistry chapter 2: Experimental techniques in chemistry MCQs with answers

By Team Megalecture · Updated 4 Nov 2026

20 exam-style questions on Experimental techniques in chemistry, each with the answer and a short explanation. Ten of them are below to try. The chapter test draws ten fresh questions each time and is marked the moment you finish, with your score by topic.

20 questions · 2 topics · 10 per test

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What chapter 2 covers

Ten Experimental techniques in chemistry questions with answers

Try each one, then open the answer. These ten stay the same; the test draws new ones every time.

1. Paper chromatography is classified as

  1. A
    partition chromatography
  2. B
    adsorption chromatography
  3. C
    ion-exchange chromatography
  4. D
    gas chromatography
Show answer

Answer: A. Components are distributed (partitioned) between the water held on the paper and the moving solvent, so it is partition chromatography.

2. Which property is essential in a solvent chosen for crystallisation?

  1. A
    it dissolves the substance equally well when hot and when cold
  2. B
    it reacts with the impurities
  3. C
    it dissolves the substance only when cold
  4. D
    it dissolves the substance well when hot but only sparingly when cold
Show answer

Answer: D. A large difference in solubility between hot and cold solvent lets most of the substance crystallise on cooling while impurities stay in solution.

3. The perforated bottom of a Gooch crucible is covered with

  1. A
    a mat of asbestos
  2. B
    a layer of animal charcoal
  3. C
    a sintered glass disc
  4. D
    a layer of cotton wool
Show answer

Answer: A. A Gooch crucible is a porcelain crucible whose perforated base is covered with an asbestos mat, and it is used with suction. The sintered glass disc belongs to the sintered glass crucible.

4. 1.0 g of solute is in 100 cm3 of water; the distribution coefficient (ether/water) is 4. What total mass is extracted using two separate 50 cm3 portions of ether?

  1. A
    0.80 g
  2. B
    0.89 g
  3. C
    0.67 g
  4. D
    0.96 g
Show answer

Answer: B. First portion: (x/50) ÷ ((1 − x)/100) = 4 gives x = 0.667 g, leaving 0.333 g. Second: y = 2/3 of 0.333 = 0.222 g. Total = 0.889 ≈ 0.89 g, more than the 0.80 g from one 100 cm3 portion.

5. Why is a filter paper sometimes folded into a fluted shape before filtration?

  1. A
    to make the paper stronger
  2. B
    to stop the precipitate dissolving
  3. C
    to increase the rate of filtration
  4. D
    to remove coloured impurities
Show answer

Answer: C. Fluting increases the area of paper in contact with the liquid and lets air escape, so the liquid passes through faster.

6. Two dyes A and B have Rf values 0.30 and 0.72. The solvent front has moved 15 cm. How far apart are the two spots?

  1. A
    4.5 cm
  2. B
    10.8 cm
  3. C
    6.3 cm
  4. D
    0.42 cm
Show answer

Answer: C. A moves 0.30 × 15 = 4.5 cm and B moves 0.72 × 15 = 10.8 cm, so they are 10.8 − 4.5 = 6.3 cm apart.

7. Which substance can be purified by sublimation?

  1. A
    iodine
  2. B
    sodium chloride
  3. C
    potassium nitrate
  4. D
    copper(II) sulphate
Show answer

Answer: A. Iodine changes directly from solid to vapour on heating and back to solid on a cold surface. The other salts melt or decompose instead.

8. In crystallisation, why is the hot saturated solution filtered before it is allowed to cool?

  1. A
    to remove insoluble impurities while the product is still dissolved
  2. B
    to remove soluble impurities
  3. C
    to make the crystals grow larger
  4. D
    to speed up the cooling
Show answer

Answer: A. Hot filtration removes insoluble matter while the desired compound stays in solution. Soluble impurities remain in the mother liquor after crystallisation.

9. 1.0 g of solute is dissolved in 100 cm3 of water and shaken once with 100 cm3 of ether. The distribution coefficient (ether/water) is 4. What mass passes into the ether?

  1. A
    0.20 g
  2. B
    0.25 g
  3. C
    0.80 g
  4. D
    1.0 g
Show answer

Answer: C. (x/100) ÷ ((1 − x)/100) = 4, so x = 4 − 4x and x = 0.80 g. 0.20 g is the mass left in the water.

10. A hot concentrated acid solution must be filtered. Why is a Gooch crucible or sintered glass crucible used rather than filter paper?

  1. A
    the acid would attack and damage the filter paper
  2. B
    filter paper cannot be used with any hot liquid
  3. C
    crucibles make the filtrate evaporate faster
  4. D
    filter paper adsorbs all the dissolved ions
Show answer

Answer: A. Strong acids, and oxidising solutions such as KMnO4, react with the cellulose of filter paper, so a crucible with an asbestos mat or sintered glass base is used.

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Ways to practise this chapter

Experimental techniques in chemistry: questions students ask

How many Experimental techniques in chemistry MCQs are there?

20, each with the answer and a short explanation, across 2 topics: Filtration, crystallisation and sublimation, Solvent extraction and chromatography. Every chapter test draws ten of them, so you can take it many times.

Is the FSc Part 1 Chemistry chapter 2 test free?

Yes. The test, the answers and the explanations are free and need no sign-up. Sign in only if you want your scores kept across devices.

How is the chapter test marked?

The moment you press Finish: your score, the right answer and an explanation for every question, and the ones you got wrong saved in My mistakes to retry.

Can I read the explanations in Urdu?

Yes. In practice mode and on your results you can switch the explanations to Urdu.

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