Science · X-Factor Notes
Non-Metals revision notes for UPPCS Prelims.
High-Yield Revision| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Metal Properties | Generally possess high ionization energies and high electronegativities. They are poor thermal and electrical conductors. | |
| States of Non-Metals | Non-metals generally exist as gases (like Hydrogen, Oxygen), solids (like Carbon, Sulphur), or liquid (Bromine). | |
| Carbon Compound Formation | Carbon forms the maximum number of compounds among common elements due to its ability to bond extensively. | U.P. P.C.S. (Mains) 2016, U.P. U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2001, UPPCS (Mains) 2015 |
| Allotropy | Allotropy is the property of some chemical elements to exist in two or more different forms in the same physical state. Allotropes have different physical structures and properties but consist of the same element. | |
| Allotropes of Carbon | Diamond, Graphite, and Fullerenes are allotropes of Carbon. Oxocarbon is an inorganic compound (carbon and oxygen only) and is not an additional form (allotrope) of Carbon. | U.P. U.D.A./L.D.A. (Spl.) (Mains) 2010 |
| Graphite Stability | Graphite is thermodynamically the most stable form of carbon. | U.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 2022 |
| Pencil Lead Composition | Pencil cores are made of Graphite (mixed with clay binder). Lead Pencil contains Graphite, not lead. | UPPCS (Pre) 1994, UPPCS (Mains) 2006 |
| Diamond Use | Diamond is used to etch or scratch glass due to its hardness, alongside Hydrofluoric Acid. | |
| Coal Type with Highest Carbon | Anthracite coal contains the highest percentage of Carbon (more than 85%). | U.P. U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2001 |
| Pig Iron Carbon Content | Pig Iron has the highest Carbon content (typically 3.5–4.5%) among options like Wrought Iron and Steel. | UPPCS (Mains) 2014 |
| Substance Lacking Carbon | Sand (silicon dioxide) does not contain carbon (among Diamond, Graphite, Coal). | U.P. Lower Sub. (Mains) 2013 |
| Lubricant for Heavy Machines | Graphite is used as a lubricant for heavy machines. | |
| Graphene Strength | Graphene is described as the strongest material among alternatives such as German Silver, Brass, and Steel. | UPPCS (Mains) 2015 |
| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Hydrogen % in Water (H2O) | By weight, the percentage of Hydrogen in water is 11.11%. | |
| Heavy Water Definition/ Formula | Heavy Water is water in which isotopes take the place of Hydrogen. Its chemical formula is D2O. | |
| Heavy Water Molecular Weight |
| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Atmospheric Nitrogen | Nitrogen is the most abundant gas in the atmosphere, comprising about 78-79% by volume. | |
| Nitrogen Uptake by Plants | Plants primarily receive Nitrogen in the form of the Nitrate ion (NO3-). | U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2021, U.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 2016 |
| Insectivorous Plants |
| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Acid Rain Components | Acid rain is mainly composed of Nitric Acid (HNO3) and Sulphuric Acid (H2SO4). | U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2016 |
| Vinegar Composition | Vinegar is an aqueous solution of Acetic acid. | U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2016, U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2014, UPPCS (Mains) 2017 |
| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Mine Explosions | Most explosions in mines are caused by a mixture of Methane and Air. | |
| Nobel Oil | Trinitroglycerin (TNG) is also known as Nobel oil. | U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2015 |
| RDX Alternative Name | RDX (Cyclotrimethylene Trinitramine) is also known as |
| Heavy water (D2O) has a molecular weight of 20. |
| Water as Solvent | Water is a good solvent for ionic salts because it has a high dipole moment. |
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| Purity of Water | Rainwater is the purest form of water (among tap, sea, distilled). |
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| Catalyst in Hydrogenation | Nickel (Ni) is the catalyst used in the hydrogenation of vegetable oils (conversion to vanaspati ghee). | U.P. P.C.S. (Mains) 2016, U.P. U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2001 |
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| U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2013, U.P. P.C.S. (Mains) 2016 |
| Hard Non-Metal Conductor | Graphite is a non-metal that is not a poor conductor of electricity. |
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| Liquid Non-Metal | Bromine is the only non-metallic element that exists in the liquid state at room temperature. |
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| Laughing Gas | Nitrous oxide (N2O) is known as laughing gas and used as anesthesia. Nitric oxide (NO) is not laughing gas. | UPPCS (Mains) 2010 |
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| Tear Gas Component | Chlorine (or related compounds) is used as tear gas. |
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| Iodine Source | Seaweeds are a rich natural source of Iodine. | UPPCS (Mains) 2015, U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Pre) 2017 |
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| Phosphorus Use (Matchbox) | Red Phosphorus is the main element used in making matchboxes. Potassium chlorate is on the match tip. | U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2004 |
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| White Phosphorus | When kept in air and darkness, White phosphorus glows spontaneously (is phosphorescent). Kept in water,ignites spontaneously in air at about 30°C. | U.P. P.C.S. (Mains) 2016 |
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| Lemon Acidity | Lemon is citrus due to the presence of Citric acid. | U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2014 |
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| Souring of Milk | Souring of milk is caused by the formation of Lactic acid. | U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2016 |
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| Baking Soda Formula/Name | Baking Soda is Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate (NaHCO3). |
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| Washing Soda Formula/Name | Washing Soda is Sodium Carbonate (Na2CO3). |
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| Blue Vitriol (Neela Thotha) | Chemically, it is Copper Sulphate (CuSO4.5H2O). Used to destroy fungi in water tanks. | U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2002 |
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| Photography Chemical | Silver Bromide is the useful element/compound used in photography (coated on the photographic plate). | UPPCS (Pre) 1992, UPPCS (Mains) 2015 |
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| Quartz in Clocks | Quartz crystals used in clocks are composed of Silicon Dioxide (SiO2). |
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| Alkaline Soil Reclamation | Hydrated Calcium Sulphate (Gypsum) acts as a reclamation agent for alkaline soil. |
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| Car Battery Acid | The acid used in a car battery (accumulator cell) is Sulphuric acid. | U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 1998 |
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| Dry Cell Electrolyte | Dry cells use Ammonium Chloride and Zinc Chloride as electrolytes. | UPPCS (Pre) 2015 |
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| HMX Full Form | HMX stands for High Melting Explosive. |
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| Oxygen Absence | Kerosene is a hydrocarbon liquid and does not contain oxygen (unlike glass, soil, or cement). |
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| Artificial Rain | Silver Iodide is the chemical used in artificial rain (cloud seeding). | UPPCS (Mains) 2013 |
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| Zinc Phosphide | Zinc Phosphide is categorized as a Rodenticide. | UPPCS (Pre) 2019 |
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| Acetone Use | Acetone is commonly used as a Nail polish remover. | U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2013 |
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| Carbon Tetrachloride | Carbon Tetrachloride is used as a Fire extinguisher. | U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2013 |
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| Liquid Ammonia | Liquid ammonia is commonly used as a Refrigerant. | U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2013 |
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| Freon | Freon is used as a Refrigerant. | UPPCS (Mains) 2013 |
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| Tetraethyl lead | Tetraethyl lead is used as an Anti-knocking agent. | UPPCS (Mains) 2013 |
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| Carbon Dioxide Use | Carbon Dioxide is essential for the process of Photosynthesis. | U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2009 |
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| Silicon Carbide Use | Silicon Carbide (SiC) is associated with the production of Artificial Diamond. | U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2009 |
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