Which formulas matter most in Chemistry in Everyday Life and Environmental Chemistry?

The Chemistry in Everyday Life and Environmental Chemistry sheet on this page has 5 formula entries, starting with Antacids, Aspirin (Acetylsalicylic Acid) Synthesis, Acid Rain Formation, Ozone Layer Depletion, Solving Environmental Chemistry Numericals. Each one comes with when to use it and the trap to avoid.

Chemistry in Everyday Life and Environmental Chemistry for JEE Main & Advanced — formulas, what is asked, and traps

Q: What topics does Chemistry in Everyday Life and Environmental Chemistry cover for JEE?

Chemistry in Everyday Life and Environmental Chemistry covers Drugs and Medicines, Soaps and Detergents, Chemicals in Food, Environmental Pollution, Green Chemistry, Atmospheric Chemistry.

Q: How should I revise Chemistry in Everyday Life and Environmental Chemistry before the exam?

Learn each formula together with its condition of use, read the trap listed beside it, then practise questions and review every mistake. The practice link on this page opens Chemistry in Everyday Life and Environmental Chemistry questions on JEEGenie.

Q: How many previous-year questions are there on Chemistry in Everyday Life and Environmental Chemistry?

JEEGenie has 498 previous-year questions on Chemistry in Everyday Life and Environmental Chemistry, and this page shows a few with worked explanations.

Q: Is practice on Chemistry in Everyday Life and Environmental Chemistry free on JEEGenie?

Sign-up is free and includes a 7-day Pro trial. After the trial, free accounts keep a limited daily quota.

JEEGenie estimates about 2% of JEE Main marks come from Chemistry in Everyday Life and Environmental Chemistry. This page covers 5 formula entries, each with when to use it, what JEE asks and the traps. A common slip: Mixing up agonist (activates) and antagonist (blocks).

Key points to know

Drugs and Chemotherapy. Chemical substances used for diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases are called drugs, and their use in medicine is chemotherapy.
Enzyme Action and Drug Receptors. Drugs interact with enzymes or receptors (proteins) to either inhibit (antagonist) or activate (agonist) biological responses.
Classification of Drugs. Drugs are classified by pharmacological effect (e.g., analgesics), drug action (e.g., antacids), chemical structure (e.g., sulfonamides), or molecular targets (e.g., enzymes).
Antacids. Antacids neutralize excess stomach acid (HCl) to relieve hyperacidity; common examples are Mg(OH)₂ and Al(OH)₃.
Histamine and Antihistamines. Histamine causes allergic reactions; antihistamines (e.g., cetirizine, loratadine) block histamine receptors (H1) to reduce allergy symptoms.
Analgesics: Narcotic vs Non-Narcotic. Narcotic analgesics (e.g., morphine) relieve severe pain but are addictive; non-narcotic (e.g., aspirin, paracetamol) treat mild pain without addiction.
Antimicrobials: Antibiotics, Antiseptics, Disinfectants. Antibiotics kill/inhibit bacteria (e.g., penicillin); antiseptics are applied to living tissue (e.g., dettol); disinfectants are used on non-living surfaces (e.g., phenol 1%).
Broad vs Narrow Spectrum Antibiotics. Broad-spectrum antibiotics (e.g., tetracycline) act on many bacteria; narrow-spectrum (e.g., penicillin G) target specific types.
Antiseptics and Disinfectants: Key Examples. Common antiseptics: dettol (chloroxylenol + terpineol), bithionol, iodine (2% solution); disinfectants: phenol (1%), chlorine (0.2-0.4 ppm in water).
Antifertility Drugs (Oral Contraceptives). Synthetic hormones (e.g., norethindrone, ethynylestradiol) prevent ovulation and are used in birth control pills.
Environmental Chemistry: Air Pollution. Air pollutants include particulate matter (PM), gases (CO, SO₂, NOx), and ozone; they cause smog, acid rain, and health issues.
Photochemical Smog vs Classical Smog. Classical smog (London smog) is reducing, caused by coal burning in cold weather; photochemical smog (Los Angeles smog) is oxidizing, caused by NOx and VOCs in sunlight.
Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming. Greenhouse gases (CO₂, CH₄, N₂O, CFCs) trap infrared radiation, warming the Earth; enhanced effect leads to global warming.
Ozone Layer Depletion. CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) release Cl atoms in stratosphere that catalytically destroy ozone (O₃), leading to ozone hole.
Water Pollution: BOD and COD. BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) measures oxygen needed to decompose organic matter; high BOD indicates pollution. COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand) measures chemical oxidation.
Eutrophication. Excess nutrients (phosphates, nitrates) from fertilizers and detergents cause algal blooms, depleting oxygen and killing aquatic life.
Soil Pollution and Pesticides. Pesticides (e.g., DDT, BHC) persist in soil, bioaccumulate, and cause ecological damage; biodegradable alternatives are preferred.
Green Chemistry Principles. Green chemistry aims to reduce waste, use safer solvents, and design energy-efficient processes; e.g., using H₂O₂ as bleach instead of chlorine.
Detergents: Soap vs Synthetic. Soaps are sodium salts of fatty acids (biodegradable but form scum in hard water); synthetic detergents (e.g., alkyl benzene sulfonates) work in hard water but may be non-biodegradable.

Formula sheet

Name	Formula	When to use
Antacids	$M g (O H)_{2} + 2 H C l \to M g C l_{2} + 2 H_{2} O$	When treating acidity or identifying acid-neutralizing agents.
Aspirin (Acetylsalicylic Acid) Synthesis	$C_{6} H_{4} (O H) C O O H + (C H_{3} C O)_{2} O \to C_{6} H_{4} (O C O C H_{3}) C O O H + C H_{3} C O O H$	When asked about preparation of aspirin.
Acid Rain Formation	$2 S O_{2} + O_{2} \to 2 S O_{3}; S O_{3} + H_{2} O \to H_{2} S O_{4}$	When explaining the chemistry of acid rain.
Ozone Layer Depletion	$C l + O_{3} \to C l O + O_{2}; C l O + O \to C l + O_{2}$	When explaining the mechanism of ozone destruction.
Solving Environmental Chemistry Numericals	$ppm = \frac{mass of solute (mg)}{mass of solution (kg)}$	When calculating pollutant concentrations or oxygen demand.

Open the Chemistry in Everyday Life and Environmental Chemistry formula page

What JEE asks

Drugs and Chemotherapy. JEE often asks to identify which substance is a drug or to define chemotherapy in a multiple-choice context.
Enzyme Action and Drug Receptors. JEE may ask to classify a drug as agonist/antagonist based on its effect on receptors.
Classification of Drugs. JEE often gives a drug name and asks its class (e.g., paracetamol is an analgesic).
Antacids. JEE may ask for the chemical reaction of an antacid with HCl or to identify a non-antacid.
Histamine and Antihistamines. JEE often tests the difference between H1 and H2 antihistamines.
Analgesics: Narcotic vs Non-Narcotic. JEE may ask to identify a narcotic analgesic from a list or state the side effect of aspirin (gastric bleeding).
Aspirin (Acetylsalicylic Acid) Synthesis. JEE may ask the reagent used (acetic anhydride) or the byproduct (acetic acid).
Antimicrobials: Antibiotics, Antiseptics, Disinfectants. JEE often gives an example (e.g., 0.2% phenol is antiseptic, 1% is disinfectant) and asks to classify.
Broad vs Narrow Spectrum Antibiotics. JEE may ask which antibiotic is broad-spectrum or to identify a narrow-spectrum example.
Antiseptics and Disinfectants: Key Examples. JEE often tests the concentration threshold for phenol or the composition of dettol.
Antifertility Drugs (Oral Contraceptives). JEE may ask to name a common oral contraceptive or its mechanism.
Identifying Drug Functional Groups. JEE may give a structure and ask to identify the drug or its class based on functional groups.
Environmental Chemistry: Air Pollution. JEE often asks to classify pollutants or identify the cause of photochemical smog (NOx + hydrocarbons).
Photochemical Smog vs Classical Smog. JEE may ask to match smog type with its components or conditions.
Acid Rain Formation. JEE may ask the final acids formed or the pH of acid rain (<5.6).
Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming. JEE may ask to identify the most abundant greenhouse gas (CO₂) or the one with highest warming potential (CFCs or CH₄).
Ozone Layer Depletion. JEE often asks the catalyst (Cl) or the overall reaction (2O₃ → 3O₂).
Water Pollution: BOD and COD. JEE may ask to interpret BOD values or compare BOD of clean vs polluted water.
Eutrophication. JEE may ask the main cause (phosphate from detergents) or the effect (oxygen depletion).
Soil Pollution and Pesticides. JEE may ask to identify a persistent pesticide (DDT) or its effect.
Solving Environmental Chemistry Numericals. JEE may give a reaction and ask for mass of acid formed from SO₂, or BOD from oxygen consumed.
Green Chemistry Principles. JEE may ask to identify a green chemistry alternative (e.g., using enzymes instead of heavy metals).
Detergents: Soap vs Synthetic. JEE may ask why soaps fail in hard water (Ca²⁺/Mg²⁺ precipitate) or to identify a biodegradable detergent.

Common traps

Confusing drugs with medicines: all medicines are drugs, but not all drugs are medicines (e.g., addictive drugs). Drugs and Chemotherapy
Mixing up agonist (activates) and antagonist (blocks). Enzyme Action and Drug Receptors
Confusing pharmacological effect (what it does) with drug action (how it does it). Classification of Drugs
Thinking antacids stop acid production; they only neutralize existing acid. Antacids
Confusing H1 blockers (allergy) with H2 blockers (ulcers, e.g., ranitidine). Histamine and Antihistamines
Thinking aspirin is narcotic; it is non-narcotic and also anti-inflammatory. Analgesics: Narcotic vs Non-Narcotic
Forgetting the catalyst (conc. H₂SO₄) is needed. Aspirin (Acetylsalicylic Acid) Synthesis
Confusing antiseptics (safe for skin) with disinfectants (harsh). Antimicrobials: Antibiotics, Antiseptics, Disinfectants
Assuming penicillin is always broad-spectrum; it is mainly gram-positive. Broad vs Narrow Spectrum Antibiotics
Thinking dettol is a disinfectant; it is an antiseptic. Antiseptics and Disinfectants: Key Examples
Thinking all hormones are steroids; some are non-steroidal. Antifertility Drugs (Oral Contraceptives)
Ignoring that paracetamol has both amide and phenol groups. Identifying Drug Functional Groups
Confusing primary pollutants (directly emitted) with secondary (formed in air, e.g., ozone). Environmental Chemistry: Air Pollution
Thinking both are same; classical smog has SO₂, photochemical has ozone. Photochemical Smog vs Classical Smog

Topics in Chemistry in Everyday Life and Environmental Chemistry

Drugs and Medicines
Soaps and Detergents
Chemicals in Food
Environmental Pollution
Green Chemistry
Atmospheric Chemistry

Previous-year questions on Chemistry in Everyday Life and Environmental Chemistry

JEEGenie has 498 previous-year questions on Chemistry in Everyday Life and Environmental Chemistry. A few worked examples follow.

Year	Questions
2025	2
2024	4
2023	64
2022	67
2021	62
2020	34
2019	64
2018	10
2017	13
2016	17
2015	11
2014	6
2013	8
2012	14
2011	4
2010	6
2009	4
2008	6
2007	4
2006	4
2005	8
2004	6
2003	5
2002	9
2001	5
2000	4
1999	7
1998	5
1997	4
1996	3
1995	2
1994	3
1993	3
1992	2
1991	2
1990	3
1988	2
1987	2
1986	2
1985	3
1984	4
1983	4
1982	3
1981	3

Question 1 easy

At the sea level, the dry air mass percentage composition is given as nitrogen gas: 70.0 , oxygen gas: 27.0 and argon gas: 3.0 . If total pressure is 1.15 atm , then calculate the ratio of following respectively: (i) partial pressure of nitrogen gas to partial pressure of oxygen gas (ii) partial pressure of oxygen gas to partial pressure of argon gas (Given: Molar mass of N, O and Ar are 14, 16 and

40 g {m o l}^{- 1}

respectively.)

$5.46, 17.8$
$2.96, 11.2$
$4.26, 19.3$
$2.59, 11.85$

Answer: B

Explanation. Given mass percentages, convert to mole fractions using molar masses. For 100 g dry air:

n_{N_{2}} = \frac{70.0}{28} = 2.50

mol

n_{O_{2}} = \frac{27.0}{32} = 0.84375

mol

n_{A r} = \frac{3.0}{40} = 0.075

mol Total moles

= 2.50 + 0.84375 + 0.075 = 3.41875

mol Mole fractions:

χ_{N_{2}} = \frac{2.50}{3.41875} \approx 0.7312 χ_{O_{2}} = \frac{0.84375}{3.41875} \approx 0.2468 χ_{A r} = \frac{0.075}{3.41875} \approx 0.02194

Partial pressure

P_{i} = χ_{i} P_{total}

, so ratios equal mole ratios: (i)

\frac{P_{N_{2}}}{P_{O_{2}}} = \frac{0.7312}{0.2468} \approx 2.96

(ii)

\frac{P_{O_{2}}}{P_{A r}} = \frac{0.2468}{0.02194} \approx 11.2

Thus the answer is option B.

From NTA/IIT papers: JEE Main 2025 · 7 Apr Shift 1

Question 2 easy

The adsorbent used in adsorption chromatography is/are - A. silica gel B. alumina C. quick lime D. magnesia Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below :

C and D only
A only
B only
A and B only

Answer: D

Explanation. Adsorption chromatography relies on polar adsorbents that can bind solutes via surface interactions. Silica gel and alumina are the classic stationary phases due to their high surface area and polarity. Quick lime (

C a O

) and magnesia (

M g O

) are basic oxides used in other contexts but not as standard adsorbents in this technique. Hence, only A and B are correct.

From NTA/IIT papers: JEE Main 2024 · 4 Apr Shift 2

Question 3 medium

A compound is formed by two elements

X

and

Y

. The element

Y

forms cubic close packed arrangement and those of element

X

occupy one third of the tetrahedral voids. What is the formula of the compound?

${X Y}_{3}$
${X_{3} Y}_{2}$
$X_{3} Y$
${X_{2} Y}_{3}$

Answer: D

Explanation. In a cubic close packed (ccp) arrangement, the number of atoms of Y per unit cell is:

Z_{Y} = 4

The number of tetrahedral voids in a ccp unit cell is twice the number of atoms:

Tetrahedral voids = 2 \times 4 = 8

X occupies one third of these voids:

Z_{X} = \frac{1}{3} \times 8 = \frac{8}{3}

Thus, the ratio of X to Y is:

X : Y = \frac{8}{3} : 4 = 8 : 12 = 2 : 3

So the formula is:

X_{2} Y_{3}

**Answer: D)

X_{2} Y_{3}

From NTA/IIT papers: JEE Main 2023 · 6 Apr Shift 1

Frequently asked questions

How much of JEE Main comes from Chemistry in Everyday Life and Environmental Chemistry?: JEEGenie estimates about 2% of JEE Main marks come from Chemistry in Everyday Life and Environmental Chemistry, based on recent papers. The share varies from year to year.
Which formulas matter most in Chemistry in Everyday Life and Environmental Chemistry?: The Chemistry in Everyday Life and Environmental Chemistry sheet on this page has 5 formula entries, starting with Antacids, Aspirin (Acetylsalicylic Acid) Synthesis, Acid Rain Formation, Ozone Layer Depletion, Solving Environmental Chemistry Numericals. Each one comes with when to use it and the trap to avoid.
What topics does Chemistry in Everyday Life and Environmental Chemistry cover for JEE?: Chemistry in Everyday Life and Environmental Chemistry covers Drugs and Medicines, Soaps and Detergents, Chemicals in Food, Environmental Pollution, Green Chemistry, Atmospheric Chemistry.
How should I revise Chemistry in Everyday Life and Environmental Chemistry before the exam?: Learn each formula together with its condition of use, read the trap listed beside it, then practise questions and review every mistake. The practice link on this page opens Chemistry in Everyday Life and Environmental Chemistry questions on JEEGenie.
How many previous-year questions are there on Chemistry in Everyday Life and Environmental Chemistry?: JEEGenie has 498 previous-year questions on Chemistry in Everyday Life and Environmental Chemistry, and this page shows a few with worked explanations.
Is practice on Chemistry in Everyday Life and Environmental Chemistry free on JEEGenie?: Sign-up is free and includes a 7-day Pro trial. After the trial, free accounts keep a limited daily quota.