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Free JAMB Past Question for chemistry
Q.1 What is the name of the chemical process used to produce soap from fats and oils?
a. Esterification
b. Saponification
c. Neutralization
d. Polymerization
What is the name of the chemical process used to produce soap from fats and oils?
a. Esterification
b. Saponification
c. Neutralization
d. Polymerization
Correct Answer: option b
Further reading: Saponification
Show explanation
Saponification is the hydrolysis of an ester (like fats and oils) using a strong alkali (like sodium hydroxide) to produce soap (a metallic salt of a fatty acid) and glycerol
Q.2What 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.3What 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.4Which 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.5The process of converting petroleum fractions into higher-quality gasoline with a higher octane number is called what?
a. Fractional distillation
b. Polymerization
c. Cracking and reforming
d. Hydrogenation
The process of converting petroleum fractions into higher-quality gasoline with a higher octane number is called what?
a. Fractional distillation
b. Polymerization
c. Cracking and reforming
d. Hydrogenation
Correct Answer: option c
Further reading: Cracking and reforming
Show explanation
Crude oil is separated into fractions through fractional distillation. However, to produce higher-quality gasoline with a better octane rating, processes like cracking (breaking down large hydrocarbon molecules) and reforming (rearranging molecules) are used to produce more branched and aromatic hydrocarbons
Q.6Which 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.7What is the relative atomic mass of an element based on?
a. Hydrogen ( )
b. Carbon-12 isotope ( )
c. Oxygen-16 isotope ( )
d. The mass of a proton
What is the relative atomic mass of an element based on?
a. Hydrogen ( )
b. Carbon-12 isotope ( )
c. Oxygen-16 isotope ( )
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.8Which of the following separation methods is based on the differential solubility and absorption of components?
a. Crystallization
b. Filtration
c. Chromatography
d. Distillation
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
Q.9A 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.10Which scientist proposed the plum pudding model of the atom, suggesting a sphere of positive charge with electrons embedded in it?
a. Ernest Rutherford
b. John Dalton
c. J.J. Thomson
d. Niels Bohr
Which scientist proposed the plum pudding model of the atom, suggesting a sphere of positive charge with electrons embedded in it?
a. Ernest Rutherford
b. John Dalton
c. J.J. Thomson
d. Niels Bohr
Correct Answer: option c
Further reading: Contributions of scientists to atomic structure
Show explanation
Thomson proposed the plum pudding model of the atom in which electrons were embedded in a sphere of uniform positive charge
Q.11What is the chemical composition of rust?
a. Hydrated iron(III) oxide
b. Iron(II) oxide
c. An alloy of iron and carbon
d. Iron(II) tetraoxosulphate(VI)
What is the chemical composition of rust?
a. Hydrated iron(III) oxide
b. Iron(II) oxide
c. An alloy of iron and carbon
d. Iron(II) tetraoxosulphate(VI)
Correct Answer: option a
Further reading: Corrosion
Show explanation
Rust is a hydrated form of iron(III) oxide, with the chemical formula . Corrosion, including rusting, is an electrochemical process where iron reacts with oxygen and water
Q.12Which of the following is an example of a monosaccharide?
a. Starch
b. Sucrose
c. Cellulose
d. Glucose
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.13Which 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.14 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
Q.15An 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.16The 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
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.17What is the IUPAC name for the dicarboxylic acid ?
a. Methanoic acid
b. Ethanoic acid
c. Propanedioic acid
d. Ethanedioic acid
What is the IUPAC name for the dicarboxylic acid ?
a. Methanoic acid
b. Ethanoic acid
c. Propanedioic acid
d. Ethanedioic acid
Correct Answer: option d
Further reading: Alkanoic acids
Show explanation
The compound has two carbon atoms and two carboxyl functional groups. The IUPAC naming for dicarboxylic acids is based on the parent alkane name with the suffix "-dioic acid." For a two-carbon chain, the parent alkane is ethane, so the name is ethanedioic acid, commonly known as oxalic acid
Q.18Which 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.19What is the process of extracting aluminum from its purified ore called?
a. Reduction with carbon
b. Electrolysis
c. Smelting
d. Leaching
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.20Which statement accurately describes a chemical change?
a. No new substance is formed.
b. It is easily reversible.
c. It involves the breaking and forming of chemical bonds.
d. It only changes the state of matter.
Which statement accurately describes a chemical change?
a. No new substance is formed.
b. It is easily reversible.
c. It involves the breaking and forming of chemical bonds.
d. It only changes the state of matter.
Correct Answer: option c
Further reading: Chemical and physical changes
Show explanation
A chemical change, also known as a chemical reaction, involves the rearrangement of atoms and molecules to form new substances with different chemical compositions and properties. This process requires the breaking and forming of chemical bonds