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Free JAMB Past Question for chemistry
Q.1An element with an atomic number of 17 and a mass number of 35 has how many protons, neutrons, and electrons?
a. 17 protons, 18 neutrons, 17 electrons
b. 17 protons, 17 neutrons, 18 electrons
c. 18 protons, 17 neutrons, 17 electrons
d. 35 protons, 17 neutrons, 35 electrons
An element with an atomic number of 17 and a mass number of 35 has how many protons, neutrons, and electrons?
a. 17 protons, 18 neutrons, 17 electrons
b. 17 protons, 17 neutrons, 18 electrons
c. 18 protons, 17 neutrons, 17 electrons
d. 35 protons, 17 neutrons, 35 electrons
Correct Answer: option a
Further reading: Atomic structure, atomic number, mass number
Show explanation
The atomic number (Z) equals the number of protons and, in a neutral atom, the number of electrons. The mass number (A) is the sum of protons and neutrons. For this element, protons = 17, electrons = 17.
Q.2A reaction that releases heat into the surroundings is known as what?
a. An endothermic reaction
b. A spontaneous reaction
c. An exothermic reaction
d. An irreversible reaction
A reaction that releases heat into the surroundings is known as what?
a. An endothermic reaction
b. A spontaneous reaction
c. An exothermic reaction
d. An irreversible reaction
Correct Answer: option c
Further reading: Exothermic and endothermic reactions
Show explanation
An exothermic reaction is a chemical reaction that releases energy, usually in the form of heat, into the surroundings. This results in a negative change in enthalpy ( )
Q.3The reaction is an example of what?
a. An irreversible reaction
b. An endothermic reaction
c. A reversible reaction
d. A precipitation reaction
The reaction is an example of what?
a. An irreversible reaction
b. An endothermic reaction
c. A reversible reaction
d. A precipitation reaction
Correct Answer: option c
Further reading: Reversible reactions and equilibrium
Show explanation
This reaction is a classic example of a reversible reaction, where dinitrogen tetroxide ( ) can be converted into nitrogen dioxide ( ), and the nitrogen dioxide can also be converted back into dinitrogen tetroxide. The double arrow ( ) indicates that the reaction proceeds in both the forward and reverse directions
Q.4Which process is used for the industrial preparation of ammonia in Nigeria?
a. Contact process
b. Ostwald process
c. Solvay process
d. Haber process
Which process is used for the industrial preparation of ammonia in Nigeria?
a. Contact process
b. Ostwald process
c. Solvay process
d. Haber process
Correct Answer: option d
Further reading: Haber Process for ammonia production
Show explanation
The Haber process is the industrial method for synthesizing ammonia from nitrogen and hydrogen gases. It involves reacting nitrogen from the air with hydrogen, which is typically obtained from natural gas or petroleum, under high temperature and pressure in the presence of an iron catalyst.
Q.5The conversion of a liquid to a gas at the boiling point is called what?
a. Condensation
b. Freezing
c. Boiling
d. Melting
The conversion of a liquid to a gas at the boiling point is called what?
a. Condensation
b. Freezing
c. Boiling
d. Melting
Correct Answer: option c
Further reading: Vapourization
Show explanation
Boiling is the rapid vaporization of a liquid that occurs when a liquid is heated to its boiling point, and the liquid turns into vapor, forming bubbles within the bulk of the liquid
Q.6According to Boyle's law, if the pressure on a fixed mass of gas is tripled at constant temperature, what happens to its volume?
a. It remains unchanged.
b. It becomes one-third of the original volume.
c. It triples.
d. It becomes six times the original volume.
According to Boyle's law, if the pressure on a fixed mass of gas is tripled at constant temperature, what happens to its volume?
a. It remains unchanged.
b. It becomes one-third of the original volume.
c. It triples.
d. It becomes six times the original volume.
Correct Answer: option b
Further reading: Boyle's law
Show explanation
Boyle's law states that for a fixed mass of gas at constant temperature, the pressure is inversely proportional to the volume . Therefore, if the pressure is tripled, the volume will decrease to one-third of its original value.
Q.7What is the principle involved in the purification of copper using electrolysis?
a. A less pure metal is used as the cathode.
b. The pure metal is deposited at the anode.
c. The impure metal is used as the anode.
d. The electrolyte is a non-conducting solution.
What is the principle involved in the purification of copper using electrolysis?
a. A less pure metal is used as the cathode.
b. The pure metal is deposited at the anode.
c. The impure metal is used as the anode.
d. The electrolyte is a non-conducting solution.
Correct Answer: option c
Further reading: Uses of electrolysis
Show explanation
In the electrolytic purification of copper, an impure copper block is used as the anode, and a thin strip of pure copper serves as the cathode. When electricity is passed through the copper(II) tetraoxosulphate(VI) electrolyte, copper ions from the anode dissolve and are deposited as pure copper on the cathode
Q.8A student wants to separate a mixture of sand and salt. Which sequence of separation techniques is most appropriate?
a. Filtration, evaporation, dissolution
b. Dissolution, filtration, evaporation
c. Magnetization, filtration, decantation
d. Decantation, evaporation, crystallization
A student wants to separate a mixture of sand and salt. Which sequence of separation techniques is most appropriate?
a. Filtration, evaporation, dissolution
b. Dissolution, filtration, evaporation
c. Magnetization, filtration, decantation
d. Decantation, evaporation, crystallization
Correct Answer: option b
Further reading: Separation processes
Show explanation
First, the salt is dissolved in water while the sand remains undissolved. Next, the sand is separated by filtration. Finally, the salt is recovered from the water by evaporating the solvent.
Q.9Which of the following is a reason for the existence of air as a mixture?
a. The gases react to form new compounds.
b. The components have a fixed ratio by volume.
c. The components can be separated by physical means.
d. Air has a single definite melting point.
Which of the following is a reason for the existence of air as a mixture?
a. The gases react to form new compounds.
b. The components have a fixed ratio by volume.
c. The components can be separated by physical means.
d. Air has a single definite melting point.
Correct Answer: option c
Further reading: Air as a mixture
Show explanation
Air is a mixture because its components, like nitrogen, oxygen, and argon, are not chemically bonded to each other. They can be separated physically, for example, by fractional distillation of liquid air
Q.10A solution that contains more dissolved solute than a saturated solution under the same conditions is called what?
a. Saturated
b. Unsaturated
c. Dilute
d. Supersaturated
A solution that contains more dissolved solute than a saturated solution under the same conditions is called what?
a. Saturated
b. Unsaturated
c. Dilute
d. Supersaturated
Correct Answer: option d
Further reading: Unsaturated, saturated, and supersaturated solutions
Show explanation
A supersaturated solution contains more dissolved solute than a saturated solution at that temperature. It is a metastable state, and the excess solute will often crystallize out if disturbed
Q.11What is the product at the cathode during the electrolysis of molten sodium chloride (NaCl)?
a. Chlorine gas ()
b. Hydrogen gas ( )
c. Sodium metal (Na)
d. Oxygen gas ( )
What is the product at the cathode during the electrolysis of molten sodium chloride (NaCl)?
a. Chlorine gas ()
b. Hydrogen gas ( )
c. Sodium metal (Na)
d. Oxygen gas ( )
Correct Answer: option c
Further reading: Electrolysis of fused salts
Show explanation
The cathode is the negative electrode, where reduction occurs[cite: 205]. In molten NaCl, the ions present are . The positive sodium ions ( ) migrate to the cathode and gain electrons to form sodium metal (Na)
Q.12Which of these is an alloy of copper and zinc?
a. Steel
b. Bronze
c. Duralumin
d. Brass
Which of these is an alloy of copper and zinc?
a. Steel
b. Bronze
c. Duralumin
d. Brass
Correct Answer: option d
Further reading: Alloys
Show explanation
Brass is an alloy primarily composed of copper and zinc. Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin. Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon
Q.13The process of making a substance insoluble in water by reacting it with an acid and a base is a method of preparing what?
a. Soluble salts
b. Double salts
c. Insoluble salts
d. Acidic salts
The process of making a substance insoluble in water by reacting it with an acid and a base is a method of preparing what?
a. Soluble salts
b. Double salts
c. Insoluble salts
d. Acidic salts
Correct Answer: option c
Further reading: Preparation of salts
Show explanation
Insoluble salts are often prepared by a precipitation reaction, where two soluble salts are mixed in an aqueous solution, and the ions combine to form an insoluble product that precipitates out of the solution
Q.14In a reversible reaction at equilibrium, what happens if the concentration of a product is increased?
a. The equilibrium shifts to the left, favoring the reactants.
b. The equilibrium shifts to the right, favoring the products.
c. The equilibrium position remains unchanged.
d. The reaction stops completely.
In a reversible reaction at equilibrium, what happens if the concentration of a product is increased?
a. The equilibrium shifts to the left, favoring the reactants.
b. The equilibrium shifts to the right, favoring the products.
c. The equilibrium position remains unchanged.
d. The reaction stops completely.
Correct Answer: option a
Further reading: Le Chatelier's principle
Show explanation
According to Le Chatelier's principle, if a change of condition is applied to a system in equilibrium, the system will shift in a direction that counteracts the change. Increasing the concentration of a product will cause the equilibrium to shift to the left (towards the reactants) to consume the excess product and restore equilibrium
Q.15What is the mass of sulfur in 35.2 g of iron(II) sulfide (FeS)? (Fe = 56, S = 32)
a. 12.8 g
b. 16.0 g
c. 20.0 g
d. 28.0 g
What is the mass of sulfur in 35.2 g of iron(II) sulfide (FeS)? (Fe = 56, S = 32)
a. 12.8 g
b. 16.0 g
c. 20.0 g
d. 28.0 g
Correct Answer: option a
Further reading: Stoichiometry and mole concept
Show explanation
The molar mass of FeS is . The mass of sulfur in 35.2 g of FeS is calculated as: Mass of .
Q.16Which of the following is a disadvantage of hard water?
a. It forms a lather easily with soap.
b. It causes pipes to corrode faster.
c. It produces a scum with soap, wasting it.
d. It is good for brewing and tanning.
Which of the following is a disadvantage of hard water?
a. It forms a lather easily with soap.
b. It causes pipes to corrode faster.
c. It produces a scum with soap, wasting it.
d. It is good for brewing and tanning.
Correct Answer: option c
Further reading: Hard and soft water
Show explanation
Hard water contains dissolved calcium and magnesium salts. These ions react with soap to form an insoluble precipitate called scum, which prevents the soap from lathering and can stain clothes and fixtures. This leads to a waste of soap.
Q.17What is the basicity of tetraoxosulphate(VI) acid ?
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
What is the basicity of tetraoxosulphate(VI) acid ?
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
Correct Answer: option b
Further reading: Basicity of acids
Show explanation
The basicity of an acid is the number of replaceable hydrogen ions per molecule of the acid. Since one molecule of tetraoxosulphate(VI) acid ( ) can furnish two hydrogen ions, its basicity is 2
Q.18Which of the following elements is a halogen?
a. Neon
b. Potassium
c. Chlorine
d. Aluminium
Which of the following elements is a halogen?
a. Neon
b. Potassium
c. Chlorine
d. Aluminium
Correct Answer: option c
Further reading: Halogens
Show explanation
Halogens are the elements in Group 17 of the periodic table, including fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, and astatine. Chlorine is a representative example
Q.19In the reaction , which substance is the oxidizing agent?
a.
b.
c.
d.
In the reaction , which substance is the oxidizing agent?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Correct Answer: option a
Further reading: Oxidizing and reducing agents
Show explanation
An oxidizing agent is a substance that causes oxidation by accepting electrons. In this reaction, the oxidation number of chlorine changes from 0 in to -1 in .This reduction of chlorine means it has gained electrons and is therefore the oxidizing agent
Q.20 Why is air considered a mixture?
a. Its composition is fixed and definite.
b. Its components can be separated by physical means.
c. It can be represented by a chemical formula.
d. It has a single, uniform boiling point.
Why is air considered a mixture?
a. Its composition is fixed and definite.
b. Its components can be separated by physical means.
c. It can be represented by a chemical formula.
d. It has a single, uniform boiling point.
Correct Answer: option b
Further reading: Air as a mixture
Show explanation
Air is a mixture because its constituent gases, such as nitrogen, oxygen, argon, etc., are not chemically combined and can be separated by physical methods like fractional distillation of liquefied air. The composition of air also varies slightly depending on the location and conditions, which is characteristic of a mixture, not a compound