Preparing for board exams feels much easier when your revision is organized chapter by chapter instead of studying everything together at the last moment. This page on Carbon and Its Compounds Class 10 MCQs helps you practice important objective questions, strengthen concepts, and improve accuracy for CBSE exams through focused revision.
Since Carbon and Its Compounds is one of the most important chemistry chapters in CBSE Board Science, students should regularly solve chapter-wise Class 10 Science MCQs to build better conceptual understanding and confidence before exams. If you are preparing multiple subjects together, you can also explore our complete collection of Class 10 MCQs for structured board preparation in Maths, Science, Social Science, English, and more.
For students looking for complete chapter-wise objective question practice in one place, our main MCQs hub covers important CBSE chapters, quick revision resources, and exam-focused practice designed specifically for Class 10 students.
Carbon and Its Compounds Class 10 MCQs with Answers
This chapter includes conceptual, reaction-based, and application-oriented questions. Before attempting MCQs, revise the core concepts carefully, especially functional groups, hydrocarbons, ethanol reactions, and soaps and detergents.
Q. A salt sample dissolved in water does not form scum with soap. Which substance is present?
A. Magnesium chloride
B. Calcium hydrogen carbonate
C. Sodium nitrate
D. Calcium sulfate
Answer: C. Sodium nitrate
Explanation: Sodium salts do not cause hardness in water, so soap forms lather easily.
Q. Which liquid will conduct electricity strongly?
A. Pure ethanol
B. Potassium chloride solution
C. Glucose solution
D. Solid sodium chloride
Answer: B. Potassium chloride solution
Explanation: Potassium chloride forms free ions in water, which conduct electricity.
Q. Which reactants produce an orange-like fruity ester?
A. Ethanol and ethanoic acid
B. Octanol and ethanoic acid
C. Methanol and propanoic acid
D. Butanol and methanoic acid
Answer: B. Octanol and ethanoic acid
Explanation: Octanol and ethanoic acid form octyl acetate, which has an orange-like smell.
Q. What is the main feature of covalent compounds?
A. High melting point
B. Soluble in water
C. Sharing of electrons
D. Formed by metals
Answer: C. Sharing of electrons
Explanation: Covalent bonds form by sharing valence electrons between atoms.
Q. What does denatured spirit usually contain?
A. Pure ethanol
B. Ethanol with 5% methanol
C. Equal ethanol and methanol
D. Pure methanol
Answer: B. Ethanol with 5% methanol
Explanation: Methanol is added to ethanol to make it unsafe for drinking.
Q. What byproduct is formed during soap preparation?
A. Glycerol
B. Ethylene glycol
C. Isoprene
D. Propanol
Answer: A. Glycerol
Explanation: Saponification produces soap and glycerol.
Q. Choose the correct option.
Assertion: Soaps are biodegradable but do not work well in hard water.
Reason: Detergents clean well in hard water but are often non-biodegradable.
A. Both true and Reason explains Assertion
B. Both true but Reason does not explain Assertion
C. Assertion true, Reason false
D. Assertion false, Reason true
Answer: B
Explanation: Both statements are correct, but the reason does not explain soap failure in hard water.
Q. What forms when sodium reacts with ethanol?
A. Sodium methoxide and hydrogen
B. Sodium ethoxide and hydrogen
C. Sodium acetate and water
D. Ethanoic acid and hydrogen
Answer: B. Sodium ethoxide and hydrogen
Explanation: Sodium reacts with ethanol to form sodium ethoxide and hydrogen gas.
Q. Which pair are isomers?
A. Ethane and propane
B. Propane and butane
C. Butane and 2-methylpropane
D. Methane and ethane
Answer: C. Butane and 2-methylpropane
Explanation: Both have the formula C4H10 but different structures.
Q. Functional groups mainly determine:
A. Density
B. Chemical reactivity
C. Physical state
D. Molecular mass
Answer: B. Chemical reactivity
Explanation: Functional groups decide the chemical behavior of compounds.
Q. What is completely water-free ethanol called?
A. Rectified spirit
B. Denatured alcohol
C. Absolute alcohol
D. Power alcohol
Answer: C. Absolute alcohol
Explanation: Absolute alcohol contains almost 100% ethanol.
Q. Which carbon allotrope conducts electricity?
A. Diamond
B. Graphite
C. Fullerene
D. Charcoal
Answer: B. Graphite
Explanation: Graphite contains free electrons that conduct electricity.
Q. Which compound does not belong to the alkane series?
A. CH4
B. C2H6
C. C3H8
D. C4H8
Answer: D. C4H8
Explanation: C4H8 belongs to the alkene series, not alkane.
Q. How many covalent bonds are present in ethane?
A. 6
B. 7
C. 8
D. 9
Answer: B. 7
Explanation: Ethane has 6 C-H bonds and 1 C-C bond.
Q. Which functional group is present in butanone?
A. Carboxylic acid
B. Aldehyde
C. Ketone
D. Alcohol
Answer: C. Ketone
Explanation: The suffix '-one' indicates a ketone group.
Q. What is the molecular formula of propane?
A. CH4
B. C2H6
C. C3H8
D. C4H10
Answer: C. C3H8
Explanation: Propane follows the alkane formula CnH2n+2.
Q. What is the IUPAC name of acetaldehyde?
A. Ethanol
B. Ethanal
C. Methanal
D. Propanal
Answer: B. Ethanal
Explanation: Ethanal is the IUPAC name of acetaldehyde.
Q. Why are lower alcohols soluble in water?
A. Low density
B. Volatility
C. Ion formation
D. Hydrogen bonding
Answer: D. Hydrogen bonding
Explanation: Alcohols form hydrogen bonds with water molecules.
Q. What is the maximum number of covalent bonds carbon forms?
A. 2
B. 3
C. 4
D. 6
Answer: C. 4
Explanation: Carbon forms four covalent bonds to complete its octet.
Q. Methane reacts with chlorine in sunlight by:
A. Addition reaction
B. Substitution reaction
C. Oxidation reaction
D. Dehydration reaction
Answer: B. Substitution reaction
Explanation: Chlorine replaces hydrogen atoms in methane.
Q. Why does pure ethanoic acid freeze in winter?
A. High boiling point
B. Melting point near 17°C
C. Insoluble in water
D. Decomposition
Answer: B. Melting point near 17°C
Explanation: Ethanoic acid freezes around 17°C, forming ice-like crystals.
Q. What is the formula of cyclobutane?
A. C4H10
B. C4H6
C. C4H8
D. C4H4
Answer: C. C4H8
Explanation: Cycloalkanes follow the formula CnH2n.
Q. In a soap micelle:
A. Head dissolves in oil
B. Both ends mix randomly
C. Tail dissolves in oil and head faces water
D. Tail faces water
Answer: C
Explanation: Soap tails trap oil while ionic heads remain in water.
Q. What is the main feature of a homologous series?
A. Same density
B. Unsaturated structure
C. Difference of CH2 unit
D. Same preparation method
Answer: C. Difference of CH2 unit
Explanation: Consecutive members differ by one CH2 group.
Q. Which formula belongs to an alkyne?
A. C6H6
B. C2H6
C. C2H4
D. C3H4
Answer: D. C3H4
Explanation: Alkynes follow the formula CnH2n-2.
Q. What is true about ethene?
A. It has 6 hydrogen atoms
B. It contains a single bond
C. Carbon atoms share two pairs of electrons
D. Carbon atoms share three pairs of electrons
Answer: C
Explanation: Ethene contains a carbon-carbon double bond.
Q. Which statement is correct about C60?
A. Harder than diamond
B. Soccer ball structure
C. Only hexagonal rings
D. Amorphous structure
Answer: B. Soccer ball structure
Explanation: Buckminsterfullerene has a spherical soccer-ball-like shape.
Q. Which reagent converts ethanol into ethanoic acid?
A. Concentrated sulfuric acid
B. Alkaline potassium permanganate
C. Nickel catalyst
D. Dilute hydrochloric acid
Answer: B
Explanation: Potassium permanganate oxidizes ethanol into ethanoic acid.
Q. What forms when ethanol is heated with concentrated sulfuric acid at 443 K?
A. Carbon dioxide
B. Ethene
C. Methane
D. Carbon
Answer: B. Ethene
Explanation: Sulfuric acid removes water from ethanol to form ethene.
Q. What is commercial vinegar?
A. 50% ethanoic acid in alcohol
B. 5% to 8% ethanoic acid in water
C. Methanoic acid solution
D. Citric acid and ethanol mixture
Answer: B. 5% to 8% ethanoic acid in water
Explanation: Vinegar is a dilute aqueous solution of ethanoic acid.
Quick Chapter Overview
Carbon is a versatile element that forms a large number of compounds because of its ability to create strong covalent bonds and long chains. In this chapter, students study carbon compounds, hydrocarbons, functional groups, ethanol, ethanoic acid, and the cleansing action of soaps and detergents.
This chapter is important for CBSE exams because many questions are concept-based and application-focused.
Why This Chapter Is Important for Board Exams
Carbon and Its Compounds is one of the highest-scoring chemistry chapters in Class 10 Science. CBSE frequently asks MCQs from:
- covalent bonding
- homologous series
- functional groups
- saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons
- ethanol and ethanoic acid reactions
- soaps and detergents
Students should focus on understanding concepts rather than memorizing definitions only.
Key Concepts Covered in These MCQs
| Topic | Important Concepts |
|---|---|
| Covalent Bonding | Electron sharing and bonding properties |
| Hydrocarbons | Saturated and unsaturated compounds |
| Homologous Series | Common formula and similar properties |
| Functional Groups | Alcohol, aldehyde, carboxylic acid |
| Ethanol and Ethanoic Acid | Important reactions and uses |
| Soaps and Detergents | Cleansing action and micelle formation |
Quick Revision Notes
Carbon Forms Covalent Bonds
Carbon shares electrons to complete its outer shell instead of gaining or losing four electrons.
Catenation
Carbon can form long chains and ring structures. This property is called catenation.
Saturated vs Unsaturated Hydrocarbons
| Type | Bond Present |
|---|---|
| Saturated Hydrocarbons | Single bonds only |
| Unsaturated Hydrocarbons | Double or triple bonds |
Functional Groups
| Functional Group | Example |
|---|---|
| Alcohol | Ethanol |
| Aldehyde | Ethanal |
| Carboxylic Acid | Ethanoic acid |
Esterification Reaction
Ethanol reacts with ethanoic acid in the presence of concentrated sulphuric acid to form an ester.
Soap Cleansing Action
Soap molecules form micelles that trap oily dirt particles and help remove them with water.
Important Exam Focus Areas
Students should revise these topics multiple times before exams:
- functional groups
- homologous series
- ethanol reactions
- ethanoic acid reactions
- saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons
- cleansing action of soaps
Questions from these areas are commonly asked in MCQs, assertion reason, and competency-based formats.
Tips for Solving MCQs
- Focus on functional groups and their identification.
- Practice reaction-based questions separately.
- Revise NCERT examples carefully.
- Learn differences between similar compounds clearly.
- Use elimination method in conceptual MCQs.
Common Mistakes Students Make
| Mistake | Correct Approach |
|---|---|
| Confusing saturated and unsaturated compounds | Focus on bond types |
| Forgetting functional groups | Practice structures regularly |
| Mixing ethanol and ethanoic acid reactions | Revise reactions repeatedly |
| Ignoring soaps and detergents | Study cleansing action properly |
Conclusion
Carbon and Its Compounds is an important chapter for understanding the basics of organic chemistry and improving board exam performance. Regular revision and consistent MCQ practice can help students strengthen concepts, improve accuracy, and score better in exams.
Focus especially on reactions, functional groups, and concept-based questions while preparing this chapter.
