JAMB Past Questions

JAMB Chemistry 2004
Questions & Answers

40 questions · Correct answers highlighted · 40 with explanations

40 Total Questions
2004 Exam Year
40 With Explanations
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1
Question 1 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2004

What is the oxidation number of sulfur in H₂SO₄?

A. +2
B. +4
C. +6
D. +8
Explanation

In H₂SO₄, H = +1, O = -2. For a neutral molecule: 2(+1) + x + 4(-2) = 0 → 2 + x - 8 = 0 → x = +6. Sulfur’s oxidation number is +6.

2
Question 2 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2004

What is the concentration of a solution containing 2g of NaOH in 100cm³ of solution? [Na = 23, O = 16, H = 1]

A. 0.40 mol dm⁻³
B. 0.50 mol dm⁻³
C. 0.05 mol dm⁻³
D. 0.30 mol dm⁻³
Explanation

Molar mass of NaOH = 40 g/mol. Moles = 2/40 = 0.05 mol. Volume = 100 cm³ = 0.1 dm³. Concentration = 0.05/0.1 = 0.50 mol dm⁻³.

3
Question 3 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2004

Which of the following properties is NOT peculiar to matter?

A. Kinetic energy of particles increases from solid to gas
B. Random motion of particles increases from liquid to gas
C. Orderliness of particles increases from gas to liquid
D. Random motion of particles increases from gas to solid
Explanation

Random motion decreases from gas to solid due to increased orderliness.

4
Question 4 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2004

The principle of column chromatography is based on the ability of the constituents to

A. Move at different speeds in the column
B. Dissolve in each other in the column
C. React with the solvent in the column
D. React with each other in the column
Explanation

Column chromatography separates components based on their differing rates of movement.

5
Question 5 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2004

Which of the following is a characteristic of an ideal gas?

A. Particles have significant volume
B. Particles follow PV = nRT
C. Particles have strong intermolecular forces
D. Particles do not move randomly
Explanation

Ideal gases obey the ideal gas law, PV = nRT, assuming negligible volume and no intermolecular forces.

6
Question 6 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2004

Which of the following statements is correct about the periodic table?

A. The non-metallic properties of the elements tend to decrease across each period
B. The valence electrons of the elements increase progressively across the period
C. Elements in the same group have the same number of electron shells
D. Elements in the same period have the same number of valence electrons
Explanation

Valence electrons increase across a period as atomic number increases.

7
Question 7 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2004

The relative atomic mass of a naturally occurring lithium consisting of 90% ⁷Li and 10% ⁶Li is

A. 6.9
B. 7.1
C. 6.2
D. 6.8
Explanation

R.A.M = (0.9 × 7) + (0.1 × 6) = 6.3 + 0.6 = 6.9.

8
Question 8 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2004

An isotope has an atomic number of 15 and a mass number of 31. The number of protons it contains is

A. 16
B. 15
C. 46
D. 31
Explanation

Atomic number equals the number of protons, which is 15.

9
Question 9 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2004

The molecular lattice of iodine is held together by

A. Dative bond
B. Metallic bond
C. Hydrogen bond
D. Van der Waal's forces
Explanation

Iodine molecules are held together by weak van der Waal's forces in its lattice.

10
Question 10 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2004

The arrangement of particles in crystal lattices can be studied using

A. X-rays
B. γ-rays
C. α-rays
D. β-rays
Explanation

X-rays are used in X-ray diffraction to study crystal lattice structures.

11
Question 11 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2004

The solubility of a solute is 0.6 mol dm⁻³ at 55°C and 0.5 mol dm⁻³ at 40°C. How much solute is deposited when 200 cm³ of the solution is cooled from 55°C to 40°C?

A. 0.02 mol
B. 0.10 mol
C. 0.01 mol
D. 0.20 mol
Explanation

Solubility difference = 0.6 - 0.5 = 0.1 mol dm⁻³. Volume = 200 cm³ = 0.2 dm³. Solute deposited = 0.1 × 0.2 = 0.02 mol.

12
Question 12 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2004

The importance of sodium aluminate (III) in the treatment of water is to

A. Cause coagulation
B. Neutralize acidity
C. Prevent goitre and tooth decay
D. Kill germs
Explanation

Sodium aluminate promotes coagulation, aiding in water purification.

13
Question 13 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2004

What type of bond exists between an element with atomic number 12 and an element with atomic number 17?

A. Covalent bond
B. Ionic bond
C. Metallic bond
D. Hydrogen bond
Explanation

Element 12 (Mg) and element 17 (Cl) form MgCl₂ via ionic bonding.

14
Question 14 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2004

Hardness of water is mainly due to the presence of

A. Calcium hydroxide or magnesium hydroxide
B. Calcium trioxocarbonate (IV) or calcium tetraoxosulphate (VI)
C. Sodium hydroxide or magnesium hydroxide
D. Calcium chloride or sodium chloride salts
Explanation

Ca(HCO₃)₂ or CaSO₄ causes water hardness.

15
Question 15 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2004

A suitable solvent for iodine and naphthalene is

A. Carbon (IV) sulphide
B. Ethanol
C. Water
D. Benzene
Explanation

Ethanol effectively dissolves both iodine and naphthalene.

16
Question 16 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2004

Which of the following noble gases is commonly found in the atmosphere?

A. Xenon
B. Neon
C. Helium
D. Argon
Explanation

Argon is the most abundant noble gas in the atmosphere.

17
Question 17 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2004

N₂O₄(g) ⇌ 2NO₂(g) ∆H = +ve. In the reaction above, an increase in temperature will

A. Increase the value of the equilibrium constant
B. Decrease the value of the equilibrium constant
C. Increase in the reactant production
D. Shift the equilibrium to the left
Explanation

Endothermic reaction: higher temperature increases K, shifting equilibrium right.

18
Question 18 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2004

CH₃COOH(aq) + OH⁻(aq) ⇌ CH₃COO⁻(aq) + H₂O(l). In the reaction above, CH₃COO⁻(aq) is

A. Conjugate base
B. Acid
C. Base
D. Conjugate acid
Explanation

CH₃COO⁻ is the conjugate base of CH₃COOH after losing H⁺.

19
Question 19 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2004

How many cations will be produced from a solution of potassium aluminium tetraoxosulphate (VI)?

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

KAl(SO₄)₂ → K⁺ + Al³⁺ + 2SO₄²⁻; produces 2 cations (K⁺, Al³⁺).

20
Question 20 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2004

Which of the following is NOT an alkali?

A. NH₃
B. Mg(OH)₂
C. Ca(OH)₂
D. NaOH
Explanation

NH₃ is a weak base, not an alkali; others are soluble hydroxides.

21
Question 21 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2004

An effect of thermal pollution on water bodies is the

A. Volume of water reduces
B. Volume of chemical waste increase
C. Level of oxides of nitrogen increase
D. Level of oxygen reduces
Explanation

Thermal pollution reduces dissolved oxygen, affecting aquatic life.

22
Question 22 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2004

Which of the following is a deliquescent compound?

A. Na₂CO₃
B. CaCl₂
C. CuO
D. Na₂CO₃·10H₂O
Explanation

CaCl₂ absorbs moisture to form a solution, making it deliquescent.

23
Question 23 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2004

A chemical reaction where the hydration energy is greater than the lattice energy is referred to as

A. A spontaneous reaction
B. An endothermic reaction
C. An exothermic reaction
D. A reversible reaction
Explanation

Hydration energy > lattice energy releases heat, making it exothermic.

24
Question 24 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2004

The function of zinc electrode in a galvanic cell is that it

A. Undergoes reduction
B. Serves as the positive electrode
C. Produces electrons
D. Uses up electrons
Explanation

Zinc undergoes oxidation, producing electrons at the anode.

25
Question 25 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2004

CH₄(g) + Cl₂(g) → CH₃Cl(s) + HCl(g). The major factor that influences the rate of the reaction above is

A. Catalyst
B. Temperature
C. Concentration
D. Light
Explanation

Chlorination of methane requires UV light to initiate the reaction.

26
Question 26 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2004

The energy required to initiate a chemical reaction is called

A. Enthalpy
B. Enthalpy change
C. Activation energy
D. Heat of reaction
Explanation

Activation energy is the minimum energy needed to start a reaction.

27
Question 27 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2004

A decrease in the concentration of reactants in a chemical reaction will generally lead to

A. A decrease in reaction rate
B. An increase in reaction rate
C. No change in reaction rate
D. A change in reaction mechanism
Explanation

Lower concentration reduces collision frequency, slowing the reaction.

28
Question 28 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2004

MnO₄⁻(aq) + Y + 5Fe²⁺(aq) → Mn²⁺(aq) + 5Fe³⁺(aq) + 4H₂O(l). In the equation above, Y is

A. 5H⁺(aq)
B. 4H⁺(aq)
C. 10H⁺(aq)
D. 8H⁺(aq)
Explanation

Balancing H and charge: 8H⁺ is required to form 4H₂O and balance the equation.

29
Question 29 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2004

Given that M is the mass of a substance deposited during electrolysis and Q is the quantity of electricity consumed, then Faraday's first law can be written as

A. M = Z/Q
B. M = ZQ
C. M = Z
D. M = Q/Z
Explanation

Faraday's first law: M ∝ Q, so M = ZQ, where Z is the electrochemical equivalent.

30
Question 30 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2004

The impurities formed during the laboratory preparation of chlorine gas are removed by

A. H₂O
B. NH₃
C. H₂SO₄
D. HCl
Explanation

Concentrated H₂SO₄ removes moisture and impurities during chlorine preparation.

31
Question 31 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2004

The effect of the presence of impurities such as carbon and sulphur on iron is that they

A. Give it high tensile strength
B. Make it malleable and ductile
C. Increase its melting point
D. Lower its melting point
Explanation

Carbon and sulphur impurities lower iron’s melting point.

32
Question 32 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2004

A few drops of concentrated HNO₃ is added to an unknown solution and boiled for a while. If this produces a brown solution, the cation present is likely to be

A. Pb²⁺
B. Cu²⁺
C. Fe³⁺
D. Fe²⁺
Explanation

Fe²⁺ is oxidized to Fe³⁺ by HNO₃, forming a brown solution.

33
Question 33 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2004

The property of concentrated H₂SO₄ that makes it suitable for preparing HNO₃ is its

A. Boiling point
B. Density
C. Oxidizing properties
D. Dehydrating properties
Explanation

H₂SO₄’s dehydrating property helps produce HNO₃ from nitrate salts.

34
Question 34 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2004

The bleaching action of chlorine gas is effective due to the presence of

A. Hydrogen chloride
B. Water
C. Air
D. Oxygen
Explanation

Cl₂ reacts with water to form HClO, which is responsible for bleaching.

35
Question 35 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2004

In the laboratory preparation of oxygen, dried oxygen is usually collected over

A. Hydrochloric acid
B. Mercury
C. Calcium chloride
D. Tetraoxosulphate (VI) acid
Explanation

Oxygen is collected over mercury due to its insolubility in it.

36
Question 36 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2004

Bronze is preferred to copper in the making of medals because it

A. Is stronger
B. Can withstand low temperature
C. Is lighter
D. Has low tensile strength
Explanation

Bronze (Cu + Sn) is stronger than pure copper, ideal for medals.

37
Question 37 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2004

The constituent of baking powder that makes the dough rise is

A. NaHCO₃
B. NaOH
C. Na₂CO₃
D. NaCl
Explanation

NaHCO₃ decomposes to release CO₂, causing dough to rise.

38
Question 38 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2004

What volume of 0.5 mol dm⁻³ H₂SO₄ will exactly neutralize 20 cm³ of 0.1 mol dm⁻³ NaOH solution?

A. 2.0 cm³
B. 4.0 cm³
C. 6.0 cm³
D. 8.0 cm³
Explanation

H₂SO₄ + 2NaOH → Na₂SO₄ + 2H₂O. Moles of NaOH = 0.1 × 0.02 = 0.002 mol. Moles of H₂SO₄ = 0.002/2 = 0.001 mol. Volume of H₂SO₄ = 0.001/0.5 = 0.002 dm³ = 4.0 cm³.

39
Question 39 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2004

Which of the following gases is produced when a metal reacts with dilute acid?

A. Nitrogen
B. Oxygen
C. Hydrogen
D. Carbon dioxide
Explanation

Metals react with dilute acids to produce hydrogen gas.

40
Question 40 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2004

The general formula of an alkyne is

A. CₙH₂ₙ₊₂
B. CₙH₂ₙ
C. CₙH₂ₙ₋₂
D. CₙH₂ₙ₊₁
Explanation

Alkynes have a triple bond, with the general formula CₙH₂ₙ₋₂.

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