A 'breath test' used by traffic police to check drunken driving uses?

  • A Tumeric on filter paper
  • B Silica gel coated with saliva nitrate
  • C Potassium permanganate-sulphuric acid
  • D Potassium dichromatic-sulphuric acid

The correct answer is D. Potassium dichromatic-sulphuric acid

The earliest developed breathalyzer was based on reaction of alcohol if present in the exhaled air with a cocktail of chemicals containing sulfuric acid, potassium dichromate, silver nitrate, and water. Silver nitrate catalyzes the reaction between alcohol and potassium dichromate in acidic medium.

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