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Elements and chemistry: GK questions and answers

Chemistry in general knowledge means symbols, common acids, gases and alloys. Many symbols come from Latin names, which is why gold is Au and not Go. Learn the odd ones first.

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Ten questions picked at random from this topic, four choices each. Or go through every question as flash cards.

20 questions on elements and chemistry

  1. What is the chemical symbol of gold? Au It comes from the Latin name aurum.
  2. What is the chemical symbol of silver? Ag It comes from the Latin name argentum.
  3. What is the chemical symbol of iron? Fe It comes from the Latin name ferrum.
  4. What is the chemical symbol of sodium? Na It comes from the Latin name natrium.
  5. What is the chemical symbol of potassium? K It comes from the Latin name kalium.
  6. What is the atomic number of hydrogen? 1 Hydrogen is the first element of the periodic table.
  7. Which is the most plentiful element in the Earth's crust? Oxygen Silicon comes second.
  8. Which is the most plentiful metal in the Earth's crust? Aluminium It is obtained from an ore called bauxite.
  9. Who arranged the elements in the first widely used periodic table? Dmitri Mendeleev He published it in 1869 and left gaps for elements not yet found.
  10. How many elements are there in the modern periodic table? 118 The last of them were made in laboratories.
  11. What is the pH value of pure water? 7 A pH below 7 is acidic and a pH above 7 is basic.
  12. Which acid is found in lemons and oranges? Citric acid It gives citrus fruits their sour taste.
  13. Which acid is found in vinegar? Acetic acid Vinegar is a weak solution of this acid in water.
  14. Which acid is found in curd and sour milk? Lactic acid Bacteria in the milk produce it.
  15. What is the chemical name of baking soda? Sodium bicarbonate Washing soda is sodium carbonate.
  16. Which gas is known as laughing gas? Nitrous oxide Dentists and surgeons have long used it to dull pain.
  17. Which light gas that does not burn is used to fill party balloons and airships? Helium Hydrogen is lighter still, but it catches fire easily.
  18. Dry ice is the solid form of which gas? Carbon dioxide It turns straight from a solid into a gas without melting.
  19. Brass is an alloy of which two metals? Copper and zinc An alloy is a mixture of a metal with other elements.
  20. Bronze is an alloy of which two metals? Copper and tin It gave its name to the Bronze Age.

These are well-established facts, written in our own words and last checked on 11 November 2026. If your textbook says something different, follow your textbook and tell us.

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