Question

Naphthalene balls are obtained from:

(A) Coke

(B) Plants

(C) Coal tar

(D) Petroleum

Answer 1

It is a dark thick liquid which is a by-product of the production of coke and coal gas from coal.

Complete answer:

- Let us see what Naphthalene is.

Naphthalene is a white, volatile, solid polyclinic hydrocarbon with a strong mothball odor. Naphthalene appears as a white crystalline volatile solid with a strong coal-tar odor. The solid is denser than water and insoluble in water. Naphthalene is obtained from either coal tar or petroleum distillation and is primarily used to manufacture phthalic anhydride.

- Let us see how naphthalene is obtained from coal tar.

Step 1: coal tar is the raw material used.

Step 2: Naphthalene is fractionated through a weight removing column.

Step 3: crude naphthalene is obtained and then industrial naphthalene is prepared through a crude naphthalene rectifying column.

- Let us try to understand how naphthalene actually works!

When naphthalene gas is inhaled, the body breaks it down into other chemicals that react with cells in the body and damage tissue.

- Uses of Naphthalene

Naphthalene is used to make mothballs, PVC, insecticides , dyes , deodorant blocks and phthalic anhydride. Naphthalene is flammable and potentially explosive.

Hence, Naphthalene balls are obtained from coal tar. Therefore, option C is the required answer.

Note: Naphthalene is found in cigarette smoke, car exhaust and smoke from forest fires. It is used as an insecticide and pest repellent.