Carbon and Its Compounds — Class 10 MCQs with Answers
Class 10 CBSE Science (Chemistry) · Chapter 4
90 practice questions · 30 Easy · 30 Medium · 30 Hard · Updated
Practise the most important Class 10 CBSE Science (Chemistry) questions from Chapter 4, "Carbon and Its Compounds". You get 9 timed quizzes made from 90 NCERT-based MCQs, with answers and explanations. The questions are split into 30 Easy, 30 Medium and 30 Hard. Warm up on the basics, then move on to the exam-level questions that set top scorers in CBSE Board exams and the JEE & NEET foundation years apart.
To score well in "Carbon and Its Compounds", focus on clear concepts in physics, chemistry and biology basics. Each MCQ here is timed and uses exam-style marking (+4 correct, −1 wrong, 0 skipped). This trains you to stay accurate under time pressure, as real papers need. Every question has a short explanation, so a wrong answer becomes a quick lesson. It is the fastest way to fix gaps before a test.
Use this chapter for focused revision. Start with the Easy set to check your basics on Carbon and Its Compounds, then move to Medium and Hard to practise applying them. Your accuracy, streaks and XP save automatically. This chapter also adds to your overall Class 10 Science (Chemistry) mastery score. 14 sample questions are solved in full below, with the answer and a worked explanation. Sign in free to start practising.
Key concepts: Carbon and Its Compounds (Class 10 Science (Chemistry))
Carbon forms more compounds than all other elements combined, because it catenates and has a valency of four. This chapter covers its allotropes, covalent bonding, hydrocarbons, functional groups, homologous series, IUPAC naming and the chemistry of ethanol and ethanoic acid.
- Covalent bond
- A bond formed by the SHARING of electron pairs between atoms, which is how carbon achieves a stable octet.
- Properties of covalent compounds
- Generally low melting and boiling points and poor conductors, since the molecules are neutral and there are no free ions or electrons.
- Catenation
- Carbon's ability to bond with other carbon atoms forming long chains, branches and rings — the main reason for the vast number of carbon compounds.
- Tetravalency
- Carbon has four valence electrons and forms four bonds, allowing it to combine with many other atoms in stable arrangements.
Carbon and Its Compounds — important questions & MCQs with answers (Class 10 Science (Chemistry))
14 solved questions from this chapter's difficulty levels, each with its answer and explanation. The other 76 are timed and scored when you sign in.
- Q1Easy
Valency of carbon is:
A.2B.4✓ CorrectC.6D.8Answer: B. 4
Explanation: Carbon (Z=6) has 4 electrons in its outermost shell, so it shares 4 electrons to complete its octet — giving it a valency of 4, not 2 like oxygen or 6 like sulfur.
- Q2Easy
Methane formula:
A.CH₂B.C₂H₆C.CH₄✓ CorrectD.CH₃Answer: C. CH₄
Explanation: Methane is the first member of the alkane series CₙH₂ₙ₊₂; for n=1 that gives CH₄, since CH₂ or CH₃ can't satisfy carbon's valency of 4.
- Q3Easy
Diamond is a/an:
A.Compound of carbonB.Allotrope of carbon✓ CorrectC.Mineral saltD.AlloyAnswer: B. Allotrope of carbon
Explanation: Diamond and graphite are both pure carbon but differ only in how the atoms are arranged — that structural difference, not composition, is what defines an allotrope.
- Q4Easy
A saturated hydrocarbon contains:
A.Only single bonds✓ CorrectB.Double bondsC.Triple bondsD.No bondsAnswer: A. Only single bonds
Explanation: A saturated hydrocarbon has carbon atoms joined only by single bonds, using up remaining valencies with hydrogen — no double or triple bonds remain.
- Q5Easy
A homologous series differs by:
A.–OH groupB.–CH₂– unit✓ CorrectC.–H atomD.–CO groupAnswer: B. –CH₂– unit
Explanation: Members of a homologous series differ from the next by one −CH₂− unit and share the same general formula and functional group, not just a single H or O atom.
- Q6Easy
–OH group is called:
A.CarboxylB.CarbonylC.Hydroxyl (alcohol)✓ CorrectD.HalideAnswer: C. Hydroxyl (alcohol)
Explanation: The −OH group is the hydroxyl group, the functional group that defines alcohols like ethanol (C₂H₅OH) — not to be confused with −COOH, the acid group.
- Q7Medium
Carbon's ability to form chains/rings is:
A.HydrationB.Catenation✓ CorrectC.SublimationD.PolymerisationAnswer: B. Catenation
Explanation: Catenation = self-linking property.
- Q8Medium
−COOH is the functional group of:
A.AlcoholB.AldehydeC.KetoneD.Carboxylic acid✓ CorrectAnswer: D. Carboxylic acid
Explanation: The −COOH (carboxyl) group defines carboxylic acids, e.g. ethanoic acid, CH₃COOH.
- Q9Medium
Which property is shared by diamond and graphite?
A.Same chemical composition (carbon)✓ CorrectB.Same hardnessC.Same lustreD.Same conductivityAnswer: A. Same chemical composition (carbon)
Explanation: Diamond and graphite are allotropes: same element, pure carbon, but different atomic arrangements — which is why hardness, lustre and conductivity differ despite identical composition.
- Q10Medium
General formula of alkanes:
A.CₙHₙB.CₙH₂ₙC.CₙH₂ₙ₋₂D.CₙH₂ₙ₊₂✓ CorrectAnswer: D. CₙH₂ₙ₊₂
Explanation: Alkanes are saturated with only single bonds, so each carbon (except chain ends) bonds to 2 H, giving CₙH₂ₙ₊₂ — two more H than the CₙH₂ₙ of alkenes.
- Q11Medium
Successive members of a homologous series differ by a group of:
A.OHB.CH₃C.C₂H₄D.CH₂✓ CorrectAnswer: D. CH₂
Explanation: A homologous series is a series of compounds in which successive members differ by a −CH₂− unit.
- Q12Hard
In ethene (C₂H₄), the bond between the two carbon atoms consists of:
A.Two sigma bondsB.One sigma and one pi bond✓ CorrectC.Two pi bondsD.One sigma onlyAnswer: B. One sigma and one pi bond
Explanation: A C=C double bond is one strong sigma (σ) bond from head-on orbital overlap plus one weaker pi (π) bond from sideways overlap — not two separate sigma bonds.
- Q13Hard
Smallest alkane that shows structural isomerism:
A.Butane✓ CorrectB.PropaneC.MethaneD.EthaneAnswer: A. Butane
Explanation: Structural isomerism needs at least 4 carbons to branch; C₄H₁₀ exists as straight-chain n-butane and branched isobutane, while propane, ethane and methane have only one possible structure.
- Q14Hard
Carbon compounds may be arranged as straight chains, branched chains or:
A.Metallic sheets onlyB.Ionic latticesC.Rings, which may be saturated or unsaturated✓ CorrectD.Free atomsAnswer: C. Rings, which may be saturated or unsaturated
Explanation: Straight chain, branched chain and cyclic carbon compounds may all be saturated or unsaturated.
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Start this chapter free →Carbon and Its Compounds — FAQs
What are the key concepts in Class 10 Science (Chemistry) Carbon and Its Compounds?+
Carbon forms more compounds than all other elements combined, because it catenates and has a valency of four. This chapter covers its allotropes, covalent bonding, hydrocarbons, functional groups, homologous series, IUPAC naming and the chemistry of ethanol and ethanoic acid. Key ideas include Covalent bond, Properties of covalent compounds, Catenation, Tetravalency.
What does Class 10 Science (Chemistry) Chapter 4 (Carbon and Its Compounds) cover on XamBaaz?+
It has 90 NCERT-based MCQs on "Carbon and Its Compounds": 30 Easy, 30 Medium and 30 Hard. Together they make 9 timed quizzes, and you never get the same set twice. Every question has an instant explanation. They help you prepare for CBSE Board exams and the JEE & NEET foundation years.
Are these "Carbon and Its Compounds" questions free to practise?+
Yes. Sign in with Google to practise "Carbon and Its Compounds" free. Full unlimited access is ₹999/year on a launch offer until 1 December 2026. No chapter is charged separately.
How should I revise "Carbon and Its Compounds" for the exam?+
Start with the Easy quiz to check your basics, then try Medium and Hard to practise applying them. There are 9 timed quizzes on this chapter, so you can come back for a fresh set instead of one you have seen. Read each explanation, retry the questions you miss, and track your accuracy until it stays high.
Are these "Carbon and Its Compounds" MCQs available with answers?+
Yes. 14 sample questions are shown here in full, each with the correct option and a step-by-step "Why" explanation. Sign in free with Google to start practising, with instant scoring.
Is there negative marking in the "Carbon and Its Compounds" quizzes?+
Yes. The timed quizzes use exam-style marking: +4 for a right answer, −1 for a wrong one and 0 for a skip. MHT-CET and CBSE board papers have no negative marking. Our mocks for those are scored their way.
What are the important questions from Carbon and Its Compounds (Class 10 Science (Chemistry))?+
The questions that matter most test Covalent bond, Properties of covalent compounds, Catenation, Tetravalency. This page shows 14 solved important MCQs with answers and explanations; all 90 questions on the chapter are available as timed quizzes once you sign in.
Is there an online quiz for Carbon and Its Compounds?+
Yes — Class 10 Science (Chemistry) Carbon and Its Compounds has timed online quizzes at Easy, Medium and Hard levels, with instant scoring and a worked explanation on every question. The first quiz on the chapter is free.