Explore topic-wise MCQs in Analytical Instrumentation.

This section includes 40 Mcqs, each offering curated multiple-choice questions to sharpen your Analytical Instrumentation knowledge and support exam preparation. Choose a topic below to get started.

1.

Column bleeding occurs when

A. elution of the analyte is extended over time
B. the column is cracked and stationary phase leaks out
C. traces of the stationary phase are eluted
D. the column breaks during installation and causes personal injury
Answer» D. the column breaks during installation and causes personal injury
2.

Which of the following are not used as stationary phases in a GC column?

A. Polysiloxanes
B. Silica
C. Cyclodextrins
D. None are used as stationary phases
Answer» C. Cyclodextrins
3.

Sample retention in the column is measured by

A. retention time
B. retention factor
C. retention index
D. all of these
Answer» E.
4.

Sample injection is considered successful if

A. all of the sample in the injector has been added to the column
B. the sample is concentrated at the start of the column
C. the sample is spread evenly along the column
D. the sample is homogenously spread along the column
Answer» C. the sample is spread evenly along the column
5.

Which of the following gases is unsuitable for use as a GC carrier gas?

A. Nitrogen
B. Helium
C. Oxygen
D. All of the above
Answer» D. All of the above
6.

Doubling the column's length increases resolution by a factor of

A. (2)0.5
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
Answer» B. 2
7.

What does the retention factor, k', describe?

A. The distribution of an analyte between the stationary and the mobile phase
B. The migration rate of an analyte through a column
C. The velocity of the mobile phase
D. All of these
Answer» C. The velocity of the mobile phase
8.

Given below is the block diagram of gas chromatography. Identify the unmarked component.

A. Pumping system
B. Pressure regulator
C. Flow regulator
D. Sample injection system
Answer» E.
9.

Which of the following is the disadvantage of coiled or helical shaped packed chromatographic column?

A. It cannot be packed uniformly
B. It cannot be repacked easily
C. It is not compact
D. It is not easy to heat it evenly
Answer» C. It is not compact
10.

Which of the following is the advantage of a straight packed column?

A. It can be packed uniformly
B. It can be repacked easily
C. It is compact
D. It is easier to heat it evenly
Answer» D. It is easier to heat it evenly
11.

Which of the following is the commonly used support material for the packed column in gas chromatography?

A. Glass
B. Metal
C. Diatomaceous earth
D. Stainless steel
Answer» D. Stainless steel
12.

Slow injection of large samples leads to band broadening and loss of resolution.

A. True
B. False
Answer» B. False
13.

Which of the following is the disadvantage of nitrogen, which can be used as carrier gas in gas chromatography?

A. Dangerous to use
B. Expensive
C. Reduced sensitivity
D. High density
Answer» D. High density
14.

Which of the following is the disadvantage of helium, which can be used as carrier gas in gas chromatography?

A. Dangerous to use
B. Expensive
C. Reduced sensitivity
D. High density
Answer» C. Reduced sensitivity
15.

In column switching chromatography

A. one column is removed and replaced by another
B. compounds trapped on one column are eluted to another column
C. any of the above
D. the flow to the column is switched on and off repeatedly
Answer» B. compounds trapped on one column are eluted to another column
16.

What does the selectivity factor describe?

A. The maximum number of different species which a column can separate simultaneously
B. The proportional difference in widths of two chromatographic peaks
C. None of the above
D. The relative separation achieved between two species
Answer» E.
17.

What are the benefits of decreasing the column internal diameter?

A. Increased resolution
B. Increased sample capacity
C. All of the above
D. Reduced risk of column overloading
Answer» B. Increased sample capacity
18.

What is the typical internal diameter of fused silica capillary columns?

A. 0.3-0.5mm
B. 0.2-0.3 mm
C. 1.0-2.0 mm
D. 0.5-1.0 mm
Answer» C. 1.0-2.0 mm
19.

Helium is generally preferred as carrier gas over nitrogen and hydrogen because

A. it has a lower viscosity
B. it is inert
C. all of above
D. it doubles up as a party gas for balloons and funny voices
Answer» D. it doubles up as a party gas for balloons and funny voices
20.

Headspace analysis is carried out in order to

A. determine the psychological state of the tutor
B. analyse volatile compounds from solid or liquid samples
C. determine non-volatiles
D. analyse the column contents ahead of the sample
Answer» C. determine non-volatiles
21.

What useful information can be found from a Van Deemter plot?

A. Optimum mobile phase flow rate
B. The selectivity factor
C. Optimum column length
D. Optimum column temperature
Answer» B. The selectivity factor
22.

What does the retention factor, k\', describe?

A. The migration rate of an analyte through a column
B. The distribution of an analyte between the stationary and the mobile phase
C. All of these
D. The velocity of the mobile phase
Answer» B. The distribution of an analyte between the stationary and the mobile phase
23.

Which of the statements is correct?

A. Gas chromatography is used to analyse solids
B. Gas chromatography is used to analyse gases
C. All of the above
D. Gas chromatography is used to analyse gases, solutions and solids
Answer» D. Gas chromatography is used to analyse gases, solutions and solids
24.

Which of these effects result from slow injection of a large sample volume?

A. Decreased resolution
B. Increased resolution
C. Constant resolution
D. Non-linear detector response
Answer» B. Increased resolution
25.

Which of the following detectors give concentration-dependent signals?

A. Thermal conductivity
B. Electron-capture detector
C. All of these
D. Infra-red detector
Answer» D. Infra-red detector
26.

Split injection is carried out by

A. splitting the sample into smaller portions to inject at the same time through parallel ports
B. splitting the sample into smaller portions to inject sequentially
C. none of the above
D. splitting off some of the sample so that it does not enter the column
Answer» E.
27.

Derivatisation of a sample is carried out to

A. increase the detector response
B. reduce polarity of the analytes
C. all of the above
D. increase volatility of the analytes
Answer» D. increase volatility of the analytes
28.

Resolution is proportional to the

A. square root of the number of theoretical plates in a column
B. number of theoretical plates in a column
C. cube root of the number of theoretical plates in a column
D. square of the number of theoretical plates in a column
Answer» B. number of theoretical plates in a column
29.

The GC trace obtained after an experiment is called a

A. chromatogram
B. chromatograph
C. graph
D. chromatophore
Answer» B. chromatograph
30.

WHICH_OF_THE_FOLLOWING_IS_THE_COMMONLY_USED_SUPPORT_MATERIAL_FOR_THE_PACKED_COLUMN_IN_GAS_CHROMATOGRAPHY??$

A. Glass
B. Metal
C. Diatomaceous earth
D. Stainless steel
Answer» D. Stainless steel
31.

Which of the following is the disadvantage of coiled or helical shaped packed chromatographic column?$

A. It cannot be packed uniformly
B. It cannot be repacked easily
C. It is not compact
D. It is not easy to heat it evenly
Answer» C. It is not compact
32.

Which of the following is the advantage of straight packed column?$

A. It can be packed uniformly
B. It can be repacked easily
C. It is compact
D. It is easier to heat it evenly
Answer» D. It is easier to heat it evenly
33.

Which of the following is not a desirable feature of the ovens used in gas chromatography?

A. It must have a fast rate of heating
B. Power consumption should be kept low
C. It must have maximum thermal gradients
D. It should have proper insulation
Answer» D. It should have proper insulation
34.

Sample injection port must be maintained at a temperature at which rapid vapourisation occurs but thermal degradation does not occur.

A. True
B. False
Answer» B. False
35.

Capillary columns are open tubular columns constructed from which of the following materials?

A. Glass
B. Metal
C. Stainless steel
D. Fused silica
Answer» E.
36.

What must be done to the solid samples for it to be introduced into the column without using solid injection syringes in gas chromatography?

A. Introduced in hot-zone of the column
B. Dissolved in volatile liquids
C. Introduced using rotary sample valve
D. Introduced using sampling loops
Answer» C. Introduced using rotary sample valve
37.

In which of the following methods are liquid samples injected into the column in gas chromatography?

A. Gas tight syringe
B. Micro-syringe
C. Rotary sample valve
D. Solid injection syringes
Answer» C. Rotary sample valve
38.

Which of the following is the disadvantage of hydrogen, which can be used as carrier gas in gas chromatography?

A. Dangerous to use
B. Expensive
C. Reduced sensitivity
D. High density
Answer» B. Expensive
39.

Which of the following is not a feature of carrier gas used in gas chromatography?

A. It must be chemically inert
B. It should be suitable for the detector employed
C. It should not be completely pure
D. It should be cheap
Answer» D. It should be cheap
40.

For the separation of which of the following substances, Gas-solid chromatography is being used?

A. Thermally stable organic components
B. Volatile organic components
C. Thermally stable inorganic components
D. Low molecular weight gaseous species
Answer» E.