JAMB Past Questions

JAMB Chemistry 2006
Questions & Answers

40 questions · Correct answers highlighted · 40 with explanations

40 Total Questions
2006 Exam Year
40 With Explanations
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1
Question 1 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2006

A sodium salt X in water turns litmus red and produces a gas that turns lime water milky when reacted with sodium carbonate. With BaCl2, X forms a white precipitate insoluble in dilute HCl. X is

A. Na2CO3
B. NaHCO3
C. NaHSO4
D. Na2SO4
Explanation

NaHSO4 is acidic (turns litmus red), reacts with Na2CO3 to produce CO2 (milky lime water), and forms BaSO4 with BaCl2, insoluble in dilute HCl.

2
Question 2 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2006

The alkanol obtained as a by-product during soap production is

A. ethanol
B. glycerol
C. methanol
D. propanol
Explanation

Saponification of fats/oils with a base produces soap and glycerol (propane-1,2,3-triol).

3
Question 3 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2006

The flame used by welders for cutting metals is

A. butane gas flame
B. acetylene flame
C. kerosene flame
D. oxy-acetylene flame
Explanation

Oxy-acetylene flame (~3500°C) is ideal for cutting metals due to its high temperature.

4
Question 4 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2006

Consecutive members of an alkane homologous series differ by

A. CH
B. CH2
C. CH3
D. CnH2n
Explanation

Alkanes (CnH2n+2) differ by a CH2 unit (e.g., CH4 to C2H6).

5
Question 5 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2006

An element with electronic configuration 1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p² belongs to

A. s-block
B. p-block
C. d-block
D. f-block
Explanation

The configuration ends in 3p² (e.g., silicon), placing it in the p-block (Group 14).

6
Question 6 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2006

CuSO4·5H2O was heated at 120°C. Wt of crucible = 10.00 g; Wt of crucible + CuSO4·5H2O = 14.98 g; Wt of crucible + residue = 13.54 g. How many water molecules were lost? [Cu=63.5, S=32, O=16, H=1]

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

Mass of CuSO4·5H2O = 4.98 g. Residue = 3.54 g. Water lost = 1.44 g. Moles of water = 1.44 / 18 = 0.08 mol. Moles of CuSO4 = 3.54 / 159.5 ≈ 0.0222 mol. At 120°C, CuSO4·5H2O loses 2 waters, forming CuSO4·3H2O.

7
Question 7 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2006

The three-dimensional shape of methane (CH4) is

A. linear
B. trigonal planar
C. tetrahedral
D. trigonal pyramidal
Explanation

Methane’s carbon is sp³ hybridized, forming four C-H bonds in a tetrahedral arrangement (109.5°).

8
Question 8 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2006

The product of ethanol and ethanoic acid with concentrated H2SO4 is

A. an ester
B. an alkane
C. a soap
D. a sugar
Explanation

Ethanol and ethanoic acid form ethyl ethanoate (ester) via esterification.

9
Question 9 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2006

The IUPAC name for CH3CH2CH2OH is

A. propan-1-ol
B. propan-2-ol
C. ethanol
D. butan-1-ol
Explanation

CH3CH2CH2OH has 3 carbons with -OH on the first carbon, named propan-1-ol.

10
Question 10 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2006

The process converting starch to ethanol is

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

Fermentation converts starch (via glucose) to ethanol using yeast.

11
Question 11 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2006

A mixture of NaCl, NH4Cl, and CaCO3 is best separated by

A. sublimation, then water addition and filtration
B. water addition, filtration, then sublimation
C. fractional crystallization
D. distillation
Explanation

Water dissolves NaCl and NH4Cl, leaving CaCO3 (filtered). NH4Cl sublimes upon heating.

12
Question 12 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2006

Which relationship represents ideal gas behavior?

A. P ∝ VT
B. P ∝ T/V
C. PT ∝ V
D. PV ∝ T
Explanation

Ideal gas law (PV = nRT) implies PV ∝ T at constant n.

13
Question 13 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2006

Which gas turns damp red litmus paper blue?

A. CO2
B. NH3
C. SO2
D. HCl
Explanation

NH3, a base, turns red litmus blue. Others are acidic.

14
Question 14 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2006

The flame color imparted by calcium ions is

A. green
B. yellow
C. brick-red
D. blue
Explanation

Calcium ions produce a brick-red flame.

15
Question 15 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2006

For the endothermic reaction M + N ⇌ P, ΔH = +Q kJ, what increases [P]?

A. Decreasing [N]
B. Increasing [P]
C. Adding a catalyst
D. Increasing temperature
Explanation

Endothermic reactions favor products at higher temperatures (Le Chatelier’s principle).

16
Question 16 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2006

In which reaction is iron oxidized?

A. Fe + H2SO4 → FeSO4 + H2
B. FeSO4 + H2S → FeS + H2SO4
C. FeCl3 + SnCl2 → 2FeCl2 + SnCl4
D. FeCl2 + Cl2 → 2FeCl3
Explanation

In A, Fe(0) → Fe²⁺ (oxidation). Others involve no Fe oxidation or reduction.

17
Question 17 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2006

What mass of silver is deposited when 2 A is passed through AgNO3 for 4830 s? [Ag=108, F=96500 C/mol]

A. 1.08 g
B. 2.16 g
C. 3.24 g
D. 4.32 g
Explanation

Charge = 2 × 4830 = 9660 C. Ag⁺ + e⁻ → Ag. Mass = (9660 / 96500) × 108 ≈ 2.16 g.

18
Question 18 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2006

In Fe + Cu²⁺ → Fe²⁺ + Cu, iron displaces copper because

A. iron is more reactive
B. copper has higher atomic mass
C. iron has more electrons
D. copper is ionic
Explanation

Iron, higher in the reactivity series, displaces copper.

19
Question 19 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2006

The IUPAC name for CH3C(CH3)=CH2 is

A. 2-methylprop-1-ene
B. 2-methylbut-1-ene
C. 3-methylbut-1-ene
D. 2-methylbut-2-ene
Explanation

CH3C(CH3)=CH2 has a 3-carbon chain, double bond at position 1, methyl on carbon 2: 2-methylprop-1-ene.

20
Question 20 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2006

How many isomers exist for C3H6Br2?

A. 2
B. 3
C. 4
D. 5
Explanation

C3H6Br2 has 4 structural isomers: 1,1-, 1,2-, 1,3-, and 2,2-dibromopropane.

21
Question 21 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2006

Burning sulphur in oxygen produces a gas that forms

A. H2SO4
B. H2SO3
C. SO3
D. H2S
Explanation

S + O2 → SO2, which forms H2SO3 in water.

22
Question 22 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2006

Na2CO3·10H2O losing water on exposure to air is

A. efflorescence
B. deliquescence
C. hygroscopy
D. effervescence
Explanation

Efflorescence is the loss of water of crystallization.

23
Question 23 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2006

During electrolysis of molten NaCl, what occurs at the anode?

A. Na⁺ is reduced
B. Cl⁻ is oxidized
C. Cl2 gains electrons
D. Na is oxidized
Explanation

At the anode, 2Cl⁻ → Cl2 + 2e⁻ (oxidation).

24
Question 24 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2006

Crude oil pollutants in water are best removed by

A. evaporation
B. detergents
C. organic solvents
D. stirring
Explanation

Detergents emulsify oil for removal.

25
Question 25 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2006

An electronegative element

A. loses electrons readily
B. gains electrons readily
C. forms covalent bonds only
D. is gaseous
Explanation

Electronegative elements (e.g., halogens) gain electrons.

26
Question 26 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2006

Solutions with pH 3.0, 5.0, 9.0 are X, Y, Z. Which is true?

A. All are acidic
B. All are basic
C. Y and Z are acidic
D. Z is least acidic
Explanation

pH 3.0 (X) is acidic, 5.0 (Y) is slightly acidic, 9.0 (Z) is basic. Z is least acidic.

27
Question 27 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2006

For reactions: (1) H2 + ½O2 → H2O, ΔH = -286 kJ; (2) C + O2 → CO2, ΔH = -394 kJ, which is true?

A. More heat in (1)
B. More heat in (2)
C. (1) is faster
D. (2) is endothermic
Explanation

Both are exothermic. Reaction 2 releases more heat (-394 kJ vs. -286 kJ).

28
Question 28 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2006

Which metals react with dilute HCl?

A. Mg, Fe, Cu
B. Mg, Fe, Zn
C. Fe, Cu, Pb
D. Mg, Cu, Pb
Explanation

Mg, Fe, Zn react with HCl, being above hydrogen in the reactivity series.

29
Question 29 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2006

Stainless steel is an alloy of

A. Fe, C, Cr
B. Fe, C, Cu
C. Fe, C, Pb
D. Fe, C, Al
Explanation

Stainless steel contains iron, carbon, and chromium.

30
Question 30 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2006

What volume of 0.5 M H2SO4 neutralizes 20 cm³ of 0.1 M NaOH? [H2SO4 + 2NaOH → Na2SO4 + 2H2O]

A. 5.0 cm³
B. 10.0 cm³
C. 20.0 cm³
D. 40.0 cm³
Explanation

Moles of NaOH = 0.1 × 0.02 = 0.002 mol. H2SO4:NaOH = 1:2, so moles of H2SO4 = 0.001 mol. Volume = 0.001 / 0.5 = 0.002 L = 5 cm³.

31
Question 31 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2006

Which gas pair does not react with oxygen at 100–400°C?

A. SO2, NH3
B. CO2, N2
C. NO, SO3
D. SO2, NO2
Explanation

CO2 and N2 are stable and do not react with O2 at 100–400°C.

32
Question 32 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2006

The extraction method for aluminum is

A. thermal reduction
B. electrolysis
C. chemical reduction
D. roasting
Explanation

Aluminum is extracted via electrolysis (Hall-Héroult process).

33
Question 33 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2006

To prepare Cu(NO3)2 from CuO, which step is incorrect?

A. React with dilute HNO3
B. Concentrate the solution
C. Cool to crystallize
D. React with dilute H2SO4
Explanation

H2SO4 forms CuSO4, not Cu(NO3)2. HNO3 is needed.

34
Question 34 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2006

To obtain >95% ethanol from palm wine, use

A. simple distillation
B. fractional distillation with dehydrant
C. evaporation
D. filtration
Explanation

Fractional distillation with a dehydrant (e.g., CaO) ensures >95% ethanol purity.

35
Question 35 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2006

Increasing gas pressure at constant temperature

A. decreases density
B. lowers kinetic energy
C. increases density
D. decreases temperature
Explanation

Pressure increase compresses gas, increasing density.

36
Question 36 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2006

2.5 g of hydrated BaCl2 gave 2.13 g anhydrous BaCl2. How many water molecules were lost? [Ba=137, Cl=35.5, H=1, O=16]

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

Water lost = 2.5 - 2.13 = 0.37 g. Moles of BaCl2 = 2.13 / 208 ≈ 0.01024 mol. Moles of water = 0.37 / 18 ≈ 0.02056 mol. Ratio ≈ 2.

37
Question 37 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2006

3.06 g of KClO3 saturates 10 cm³ water at 25°C. What is the solubility? [K=39, Cl=35.5, O=16]

A. 1.0 mol/dm³
B. 2.5 mol/dm³
C. 3.0 mol/dm³
D. 5.0 mol/dm³
Explanation

Molar mass of KClO3 = 122.5 g/mol. Moles = 3.06 / 122.5 ≈ 0.025 mol. Solubility = 0.025 / 0.01 = 2.5 mol/dm³.

38
Question 38 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2006

Cracking in the petroleum industry

A. purifies crude oil
B. produces lubricants
C. increases petrol yield
D. yields asphalt
Explanation

Cracking breaks large hydrocarbons into smaller fractions like petrol.

39
Question 39 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2006

Which gas reduces Cl2 and oxidizes H2S?

A. NH3
B. SO2
C. CO2
D. O2
Explanation

SO2 reduces Cl2 to HCl and oxidizes H2S to S.

40
Question 40 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2006

Which solution gives a white precipitate with BaCl2 and a green flame test?

A. Na2SO4
B. CuSO4
C. CaSO4
D. (NH4)2SO4
Explanation

Sulfates form BaSO4 precipitate. CuSO4 gives a green flame.

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