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Free JAMB Past Question for chemistry

Q.1

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.2

The oxidation of primary alkanols produces what?

a. Alkanones

b. Alkenes

c. Alkanals

d. Ethers


Correct Answer: option c

Further reading: Reactions of alkanols

Show explanation

Primary alkanols are oxidized to form alkanals. Further oxidation of the alkanal will produce an alkanoic acid. Secondary alkanols are oxidized to alkanones, while tertiary alkanols are resistant to oxidation

Q.3

Which separation method is best suited for separating a mixture of ethanol and water?

a. Filtration

b. Simple distillation

c. Sublimation

d. Fractional distillation


Correct Answer: option d

Further reading: Separation of Mixtures and Purification of Chemical Substances : Fractional distillation

Show explanation

Fractional distillation is used to separate miscible liquids with close but different boiling points, such as ethanol (boiling point 78°C) and water (boiling point 100°C). Simple distillation is less effective because the liquids would evaporate and condense together, leading to an impure separation.

Q.4

The reaction N2O42NO2N_2O_4 \rightleftharpoons 2NO_2 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 (N2O4N_2O_4 ) can be converted into nitrogen dioxide (NO2NO_2 ), and the nitrogen dioxide can also be converted back into dinitrogen tetroxide. The double arrow (\rightleftharpoons ) indicates that the reaction proceeds in both the forward and reverse directions

Q.5

A solubility curve shows the relationship between the solubility of a substance and what?

a. Pressure

b. Temperature

c. Volume

d. Time


Correct Answer: option b

Further reading: Solubility curves

Show explanation

A solubility curve is a graphical representation that shows how the solubility of a solute changes with temperature. It's used to determine the maximum amount of a solute that can dissolve in a given amount of solvent at a specific temperature

Q.6

An acid is defined as a substance that furnishes H3O+H_3O^+ ions in aqueous solution. Who proposed this definition?

a. Lewis

b. Arrhenius

c. Bronsted-Lowry

d. All of the above


Correct Answer: option b

Further reading: Acid definitions

Show explanation

The Arrhenius definition of an acid is a substance whose aqueous solution furnishes H+H^+ ions (which exist as H3O+H_3O^+ in water)

Q.7

What is the process of extracting aluminum from its purified ore called?

a. Reduction with carbon

b. Electrolysis

c. Smelting

d. Leaching


Correct Answer: option b

Further reading: Electrolytic extraction of metals

Show explanation

Aluminium is a very reactive metal and cannot be extracted by reduction with carbon. It is extracted commercially by the electrolysis of its purified ore, bauxite, which is dissolved in molten cryolite

Q.8

The reaction between an acid and a base is a method of preparing what?

a. A metallic hydroxide

b. An acid oxide

c. A salt

d. A non-metallic oxide


Correct Answer: option c

Further reading: Preparation of salts

Show explanation

The reaction between an acid and a base is a neutralization reaction that produces a salt and water. This is a common method for preparing salts, especially soluble ones

Q.9

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

Q.10

The process of adding a protective coating of zinc to iron to prevent rusting is called what?

a. Galvanization

b. Electroplating

c. Cathodic protection

d. Alloying


Correct Answer: option a

Further reading: Corrosion prevention

Show explanation

Galvanization is a form of cathodic protection where a layer of a more reactive metal, usually zinc, is applied to a steel or iron surface. The zinc corrodes preferentially, protecting the iron underneath from rusting

Q.11

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.12

In the reaction Cl2+2KI2KCl+I2Cl_2 + 2KI \to 2KCl + I_2 , which substance is the oxidizing agent?

a. Cl2Cl_2

b. KIKI

c. KClKCl

d. I2I_2


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 Cl2Cl_2 to -1 in KClKCl .This reduction of chlorine means it has gained electrons and is therefore the oxidizing agent

Q.13

What is the relative atomic mass of an element based on?

a. Hydrogen (H2=1H_2 = 1 )

b. Carbon-12 isotope (12C=12^{12}C = 12 )

c. Oxygen-16 isotope (16O=16^{16}O = 16 )

d. The mass of a proton


Correct Answer: option b

Further reading: Relative atomic mass

Show explanation

The modern standard for relative atomic mass is based on the carbon-12 isotope, which is assigned a mass of exactly 12 atomic mass units. The relative atomic mass of an element is the average mass of its atoms compared to one-twelfth the mass of a carbon-12 atom

Q.14

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.15

What is the product at the cathode during the electrolysis of molten sodium chloride (NaCl)?

a. Chlorine gas (Cl2Cl_2)

b. Hydrogen gas (H2H_2 )

c. Sodium metal (Na)

d. Oxygen gas (O2O_2 )


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 Na+andClNa^+ and Cl^- . The positive sodium ions (Na+Na^+ ) migrate to the cathode and gain electrons to form sodium metal (Na)

Q.16

Which of the following is a characteristic property of transition metals?

a. They have fixed oxidation states.

b. They form colorless ions.

c. They form complex ions.

d. They are highly reactive like alkali metals.


Correct Answer: option c

Further reading: Properties of transition metals

Show explanation

Transition metals are known for several characteristic properties, including forming complex ions, having variable oxidation states, and forming colored ions

Q.17

Which of the following is a raw material for the production of cement?

a. Bauxite

b. Sea shells (calcium trioxocarbonate IV)

c. Crude oil

d. Limestone


Correct Answer: option d

Further reading: Cement production

Show explanation

The main raw materials for cement production are limestone (calcium carbonate) and clay. These are heated together in a kiln to form cement clinker, which is then ground with gypsum to produce cement.

Q.18

Which of the following is an example of a monosaccharide?

a. Starch

b. Sucrose

c. Cellulose

d. Glucose


Correct Answer: option d

Further reading: Carbohydrates classification

Show explanation

Carbohydrates are classified into monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides. Glucose is a simple sugar, a monosaccharide, which is the basic unit of more complex carbohydrates like starch and cellulose

Q.19

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 (ΔH-\Delta H )

Q.20

Which of the following separation methods is based on the differential solubility and absorption of components?

a. Crystallization

b. Filtration

c. Chromatography

d. Distillation


Correct Answer: option c

Further reading: Chromatography

Show explanation

Chromatography, such as paper or column chromatography, separates components of a mixture based on their differing affinities for a stationary phase and a mobile phase

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