Question

Naphthalene balls are obtained from coal tar and are used as:
(A) Mosquito repellent
(B) Honey bee repellent
(C) Moth repellent
(D) Snake repellent

Answer 1

Hint: Coal tar is the product obtained from the destructive distillation of coal. It consists of different organic compounds. Naphthalene balls are the type of chemical pesticides and used to kill the fabric pests.

Complete step by step answer:

• Coal tar on fractional distillation produces numerous chemical substances like benzene, toluene, phenol basically the aromatic substances.
• Coal tar is a black liquid with an unpleasant smell and is thick in nature.
• Naphthalene balls are also attained using the coal tar and it is an aromatic hydrocarbon.
• The naphthalene balls are solid in nature and turn into the toxic gas.
• It is a chemical pesticide used while storing clothes or other fabrics, even for the other articles too.
• The toxic gas prevents the damage from moth or moth larvae and other insects i.e. it is used to repel the moth, therefore known as repellent.
• Naphthalene balls are also known as moth balls.
• Thus, naphthalene balls are obtained from coal tar and used as a moth repellent. So, the correct option is C.

Note: Don’t get confused between the different types of repellents. Naphthalene is a compound with sharp odour. Other repellents are not obtained from the coal tar.