JAMB Past Questions

JAMB Chemistry 2000
Questions & Answers

40 questions · Correct answers highlighted · 40 with explanations

40 Total Questions
2000 Exam Year
40 With Explanations
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1
Question 1 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2000

What is the percentage by mass of oxygen in potassium carbonate (K₂CO₃)? [K = 39, C = 12, O = 16]

A. 34.8%
B. 17.4%
C. 52.2%
D. 26.1%
Explanation

Molar mass of K₂CO₃ = (2×39) + 12 + (3×16) = 138 g/mol. Mass of oxygen = 3×16 = 48 g. Percentage = (48/138) × 100 ≈ 34.8%.

2
Question 2 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2000

Which of the following processes involves the absorption of heat?

A. Condensation of steam
B. Burning of methane
C. Evaporation of water
D. Freezing of water
Explanation

Evaporation is endothermic, requiring heat to break intermolecular forces in water.

3
Question 3 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2000

The technique used to separate pigments in a mixture of inks is

A. distillation
B. filtration
C. chromatography
D. crystallization
Explanation

Chromatography separates pigments based on their differing affinities for a stationary phase.

4
Question 4 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2000

A compound contains 52.2% carbon, 13.0% hydrogen, and 34.8% oxygen by mass. What is its empirical formula? [C = 12, H = 1, O = 16]

A. C₂H₆O
B. CH₃O
C. C₃H₈O
D. C₂H₅O
Explanation

Assume 100 g: C = 52.2/12 = 4.35 mol, H = 13.0/1 = 13.0 mol, O = 34.8/16 = 2.175 mol. Divide by 2.175: C:H:O ≈ 2:6:1. Empirical formula = C₂H₆O.

5
Question 5 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2000

A gas occupies 500 cm³ at 37°C and 1 atm. What is its volume at 0°C and 1 atm?

A. 462 cm³
B. 540 cm³
C. 500 cm³
D. 450 cm³
Explanation

Using Charles’ law (V₁/T₁ = V₂/T₂) at constant pressure, T₁ = 310 K, T₂ = 273 K. V₂ = (500 × 273)/310 ≈ 462 cm³.

6
Question 6 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2000

Which element in period 3 forms an amphoteric oxide?

A. Sodium
B. Aluminium
C. Phosphorus
D. Sulfur
Explanation

Aluminium oxide (Al₂O₃) reacts with both acids and bases, making it amphoteric.

7
Question 7 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2000

The oxidation number of nitrogen in NH₄NO₃ is

A. -3 and +5
B. +3 and -5
C. -3 and +3
D. +5 and -5
Explanation

NH₄NO₃ contains NH₄⁺ and NO₃⁻. For NH₄⁺: N + 4(+1) = +1 → N = -3. For NO₃⁻: N + 3(-2) = -1 → N = +5.

8
Question 8 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2000

The bond between carbon and oxygen in CO₂ is

A. ionic
B. covalent
C. metallic
D. hydrogen
Explanation

CO₂ has double covalent bonds between carbon and each oxygen atom.

9
Question 9 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2000

The molecular geometry of ammonia (NH₃) is

A. Trigonal planar
B. Tetrahedral
C. Trigonal pyramidal
D. Linear
Explanation

NH₃ has three bonding pairs and one lone pair, resulting in a trigonal pyramidal shape.

10
Question 10 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2000

Which of the following is a property of transition metals?

A. They form colorless compounds
B. They have variable oxidation states
C. They are non-metallic
D. They have low melting points
Explanation

Transition metals have variable oxidation states due to d-orbital electrons.

11
Question 11 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2000

The emission of a beta particle from a nucleus results in

A. increase in atomic number by 1
B. decrease in atomic number by 1
C. no change in atomic number
D. increase in mass number
Explanation

Beta decay (β⁻) converts a neutron to a proton, increasing the atomic number by 1.

12
Question 12 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2000

What is the molarity of a solution containing 4 g of NaOH in 250 cm³ of solution? [Na = 23, O = 16, H = 1]

A. 0.4 mol dm⁻³
B. 0.1 mol dm⁻³
C. 0.2 mol dm⁻³
D. 0.8 mol dm⁻³
Explanation

Molar mass of NaOH = 40 g/mol. Moles = 4/40 = 0.1 mol. Volume = 0.25 dm³. Molarity = 0.1/0.25 = 0.4 mol dm⁻³.

13
Question 13 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2000

The raw material used in the Ostwald process for nitric acid production is

A. Ammonia
B. Sulfur dioxide
C. Methane
D. Carbon monoxide
Explanation

The Ostwald process oxidizes ammonia (NH₃) to produce nitric acid (HNO₃).

14
Question 14 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2000

The pH of a 0.001 mol dm⁻³ solution of HCl is

A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
Explanation

HCl is a strong acid, [H⁺] = 0.001 M. pH = -log(0.001) = 3.

15
Question 15 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2000

In the reaction 2H₂S + SO₂ → 3S + 2H₂O, the oxidizing agent is

A. H₂S
B. SO₂
C. S
D. H₂O
Explanation

Oxidation: H₂S (S = -2) to S (S = 0). Reduction: SO₂ (S = +4) to S (S = 0). SO₂ is reduced, so it is the oxidizing agent.

16
Question 16 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2000

The catalyst used in the hydrogenation of alkenes is

A. Iron
B. Nickel
C. Vanadium(V) oxide
D. Platinum
Explanation

Nickel catalyzes the addition of hydrogen to alkenes, forming alkanes.

17
Question 17 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2000

Which of the following pollutants is primarily responsible for acid rain?

A. Carbon monoxide
B. Sulfur dioxide
C. Ozone
D. Methane
Explanation

Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) forms sulfuric acid in the atmosphere, causing acid rain.

18
Question 18 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2000

The IUPAC name of CH₃CH(CH₃)CH₂OH is

A. Butan-1-ol
B. Butan-2-ol
C. 2-methylpropan-1-ol
D. 2-methylpropan-2-ol
Explanation

The longest chain is 3 carbons (propane) with -OH on carbon 1 and a methyl group on carbon 2, named 2-methylpropan-1-ol.

19
Question 19 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2000

Which of the following is a ketone?

A. CH₃CHO
B. CH₃COCH₃
C. CH₃COOH
D. CH₃CH₂OH
Explanation

CH₃COCH₃ (propanone) is a ketone with the R₁COR₂ structure.

20
Question 20 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2000

The reaction of an alkene with hydrogen gas in the presence of a catalyst is called

A. addition
B. substitution
C. combustion
D. polymerization
Explanation

Alkenes undergo addition reactions with H₂ to form alkanes.

21
Question 21 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2000

Which of the following is a secondary amine?

A. CH₃NH₂
B. (CH₃)₂NH
C. (CH₃)₃N
D. C₂H₅NH₂
Explanation

(CH₃)₂NH (dimethylamine) is a secondary amine with two alkyl groups.

22
Question 22 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2000

The fractional distillation of crude oil produces

A. only gases
B. only liquids
C. gases, liquids, and solids
D. only solids
Explanation

Crude oil yields gases (LPG), liquids (petrol), and solids (bitumen).

23
Question 23 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2000

The functional group in an alkanoic acid is

A. -OH
B. -COOH
C. -CHO
D. -CO-
Explanation

Alkanoic acids (carboxylic acids) have the -COOH functional group.

24
Question 24 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2000

Which of the following is used to soften hard water?

A. NaCl
B. Na₂CO₃
C. CaSO₄
D. MgCl₂
Explanation

Sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃) precipitates Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ ions to soften water.

25
Question 25 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2000

The molecular formula of the third member of the alkyne homologous series is

A. C₃H₄
B. C₄H₆
C. C₅H₈
D. C₂H₂
Explanation

Alkynes follow CₙH₂ₙ₋₂. The series is C₂H₂ (n=2), C₃H₄ (n=3), C₄H₆ (n=4). The third member is C₄H₆.

26
Question 26 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2000

The product of the reaction between ethanoic acid and methanol is

A. Methyl ethanoate
B. Ethyl methanoate
C. Methyl methanoate
D. Ethyl ethanoate
Explanation

CH₃COOH + CH₃OH → CH₃COOCH₃ (methyl ethanoate) + H₂O.

27
Question 27 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2000

Which metal is extracted from bauxite?

A. Iron
B. Copper
C. Aluminium
D. Zinc
Explanation

Bauxite (Al₂O₃·nH₂O) is the primary ore for aluminium.

28
Question 28 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2000

The type of isomerism exhibited by CH₃CH₂CHClCH₃ is

A. Geometric
B. Optical
C. Positional
D. Structural
Explanation

2-Chlorobutane (CH₃CH₂CHClCH₃) has a chiral carbon with four different groups (H, Cl, CH₃, C₂H₅), exhibiting optical isomerism.

29
Question 29 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2000

The compound responsible for the temporary hardness of water is

A. CaSO₄
B. Ca(HCO₃)₂
C. MgCl₂
D. Na₂CO₃
Explanation

Calcium hydrogen carbonate (Ca(HCO₃)₂) causes temporary hardness, removable by boiling.

30
Question 30 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2000

The gas used in welding is

A. Ethene
B. Ethyne
C. Methane
D. Ethane
Explanation

Ethyne (acetylene) produces a high-temperature flame for welding.

31
Question 31 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2000

The electrolyte used in the lead-acid battery is

A. NaCl solution
B. H₂SO₄ solution
C. CuSO₄ solution
D. KOH solution
Explanation

Dilute sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) is the electrolyte in lead-acid batteries.

32
Question 32 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2000

Which of the following is a natural polymer?

A. Polyethene
B. Nylon
C. Starch
D. PVC
Explanation

Starch is a natural polysaccharide polymer, unlike synthetic polymers.

33
Question 33 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2000

The test for an aldehyde involves the use of

A. Bromine water
B. Fehling’s solution
C. Sodium hydroxide
D. Hydrochloric acid
Explanation

Aldehydes reduce Fehling’s solution, forming a red Cu₂O precipitate.

34
Question 34 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2000

The major product of the saponification of an ester is

A. an alcohol
B. a soap
C. an alkene
D. an acid
Explanation

Saponification produces a soap (sodium salt of a fatty acid) and an alcohol.

35
Question 35 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2000

Which of the following is an efflorescent substance?

A. Na₂CO₃·10H₂O
B. CaCl₂
C. CuSO₄
D. NaCl
Explanation

Na₂CO₃·10H₂O loses water to the atmosphere, making it efflorescent.

36
Question 36 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2000

The rate of a reaction is doubled when the temperature increases by 10°C. This is due to

A. increased activation energy
B. increased collision frequency
C. decreased concentration
D. decreased surface area
Explanation

Higher temperature increases molecular collisions, doubling the reaction rate.

37
Question 37 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2000

The allotrope of sulfur used in vulcanizing rubber is

A. Rhombic sulfur
B. Monoclinic sulfur
C. Plastic sulfur
D. Amorphous sulfur
Explanation

Rhombic sulfur is used to cross-link rubber during vulcanization.

38
Question 38 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2000

During the electrolysis of dilute H₂SO₄ using platinum electrodes, the gas produced at the anode is

A. Hydrogen
B. Oxygen
C. Sulfur dioxide
D. Chlorine
Explanation

At the anode, water is oxidized: 2H₂O → O₂ + 4H⁺ + 4e⁻, producing oxygen.

39
Question 39 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2000

The compound formed when propene reacts with HBr is

A. 1-bromopropane
B. 2-bromopropane
C. Propyl bromide
D. Dibromopropane
Explanation

Propene (CH₃CH=CH₂) with HBr follows Markovnikov’s rule, forming 2-bromopropane (CH₃CHBrCH₃).

40
Question 40 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2000

The industrial process used to produce ethanol from ethene is

A. fermentation
B. hydration
C. cracking
D. esterification
Explanation

Hydration of ethene (C₂H₄) with steam and a catalyst produces ethanol (C₂H₅OH).

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