JAMB Past Questions

JAMB Chemistry 2017
Questions & Answers

40 questions · Correct answers highlighted · 40 with explanations

40 Total Questions
2017 Exam Year
40 With Explanations
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1
Question 1 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2017

How many structural isomers can be written for the alkyl bromide C₅H₁₁Br?

A. 3
B. 4
C. 6
D. 8
Explanation

C₅H₁₁Br is a pentane derivative. Pentane has three isomers: n-pentane, isopentane, and neopentane. Bromine substitution at different positions yields: n-pentane (3 isomers), isopentane (4 isomers), neopentane (1 isomer). Total = 8 isomers (D).

2
Question 2 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2017

Ethene reacts with bromine to form

A. Ethane
B. 1,2-dibromoethane
C. Bromoethane
D. Ethanol
Explanation

Ethene (C₂H₄) undergoes an addition reaction with Br₂, forming 1,2-dibromoethane (C₂H₄Br₂) (B).

3
Question 3 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2017

How many grams of bromine are required to completely react with 2.8 g of ethene? (C = 12, H = 1, Br = 80)

A. 8.0 g
B. 16.0 g
C. 12.0 g
D. 20.0 g
Explanation

Molar mass of ethene (C₂H₄) = 28 g/mol. Moles of ethene = 2.8 / 28 = 0.1 mol. Reaction: C₂H₄ + Br₂ → C₂H₄Br₂ (1:1 ratio). Molar mass of Br₂ = 160 g/mol. Mass of Br₂ = 0.1 × 160 = 16.0 g (B).

4
Question 4 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2017

Ethene, when passed into concentrated H₂SO₄ and then diluted with water and warmed, produces

A. Ethanol
B. Diethyl ether
C. Ethyl sulphate
D. Ethane
Explanation

Ethene reacts with conc. H₂SO₄ to form ethyl hydrogen sulphate, which hydrolyzes upon dilution and warming to produce ethanol (A).

5
Question 5 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2017

An advantage of detergents over soap is that detergents

A. Are easier to manufacture
B. Form more lather
C. Do not form scum in hard water
D. Are biodegradable
Explanation

Detergents form soluble salts with Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ in hard water, preventing scum formation, unlike soaps (C).

6
Question 6 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2017

The reaction CH₃CH₂Br + KOH → CH₂=CH₂ + KBr + H₂O is an example of

A. Dehydration
B. Dehydrohalogenation
C. Neutralization
D. Substitution
Explanation

The reaction removes HBr from CH₃CH₂Br to form ethene, characteristic of dehydrohalogenation (B).

7
Question 7 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2017

A liquid that is viscous, non-toxic, miscible with water, hygroscopic, and has a high boiling point is most likely

A. Propan-1-ol
B. Ethanol
C. Methanol
D. Propan-2-ol
Explanation

Propan-1-ol (CH₃CH₂CH₂OH) has a higher boiling point and viscosity than methanol or ethanol, is miscible with water, and is hygroscopic (A).

8
Question 8 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2017

The polymerization product of ethyne is

A. Benzene
B. Ethane
C. Polyethene
D. Ethanol
Explanation

Ethyne (C₂H₂) polymerizes under specific conditions to form benzene (C₆H₆): 3C₂H₂ → C₆H₆ (A).

9
Question 9 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2017

Which compound exhibits geometric isomerism?

A. Ethene
B. But-1-ene
C. But-2-ene
D. Propane
Explanation

But-2-ene (CH₃CH=CHCH₃) has a double bond with different substituents (CH₃ and H), allowing cis and trans isomers (C).

10
Question 10 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2017

The product of the reaction between ethanoic acid and chlorine in sunlight is

A. Acetyl chloride
B. Chloroethanoic acid
C. Chloroform
D. Trichloroethanoic acid
Explanation

Chlorination of ethanoic acid (CH₃COOH) in sunlight substitutes an alpha hydrogen, forming chloroethanoic acid (CH₂ClCOOH) (B).

11
Question 11 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2017

What is the IUPAC name for CH₃CH=CHCH₂CH₃?

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

The longest chain has 5 carbons with a double bond at carbon 2, so the name is pent-2-ene (B).

12
Question 12 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2017

In the reaction CH₃CH₂X + Y → CH₃CH₂CH₃, X and Y are respectively

A. HBr and Na
B. Br₂ and KOH
C. HBr and KOH
D. Cl₂ and Na
Explanation

CH₃CH₂Br (from ethene + HBr) reacts with Na in a Wurtz reaction to form CH₃CH₂CH₃. Thus, X = HBr, Y = Na (A).

13
Question 13 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2017

How many isomers does cyclopentane (C₅H₁₀) have?

A. One
B. Two
C. Three
D. Four
Explanation

Cyclopentane, a cyclic alkane with no substituents, has only one structure (A).

14
Question 14 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2017

What is the IUPAC name of CH₃CH₂CH(Cl)CH₃?

A. 2-chlorobutane
B. 3-chlorobutane
C. 1-chlorobutane
D. 2-chloropropane
Explanation

The longest chain is butane (4 carbons), with chlorine on the second carbon: 2-chlorobutane (A).

15
Question 15 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2017

Complete hydrolysis of a glyceride with sodium hydroxide produces

A. Glycerol and sodium alkanoate
B. Ethanol and sodium alkanoate
C. Glycerol and ethanoic acid
D. Ethanol and alkanoic acid
Explanation

Saponification of a glyceride with NaOH yields glycerol and sodium salts of fatty acids (sodium alkanoate) (A).

16
Question 16 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2017

The product of the reaction between ethanol and concentrated H₂SO₄ at 180°C is

A. Ethene
B. Diethyl ether
C. Ethanoic acid
D. Ethyl sulphate
Explanation

At 180°C, ethanol undergoes dehydration with conc. H₂SO₄ to form ethene (C₂H₄) (A).

17
Question 17 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2017

Which alkanol is a primary alcohol?

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

Propan-1-ol (CH₃CH₂CH₂OH) has the -OH group on a carbon bonded to one other carbon, making it a primary alcohol (C).

18
Question 18 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2017

What is the molecular formula of a hydrocarbon with 4 carbon atoms and one double bond?

A. C₄H₁₀
B. C₄H₈
C. C₄H₆
D. C₄H₁₂
Explanation

An alkene with 4 carbons (one double bond) has the formula CₙH₂ₙ. For n = 4, the formula is C₄H₈ (B).

19
Question 19 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2017

Which is a test for unsaturation in organic compounds?

A. Addition of bromine water
B. Addition of sodium hydroxide
C. Heating with concentrated H₂SO₄
D. Reaction with sodium metal
Explanation

Bromine water decolorizes when added to unsaturated compounds due to addition across double or triple bonds (A).

20
Question 20 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2017

The product of the oxidation of propan-1-ol with acidified potassium dichromate(VI) is

A. Propanal
B. Propanone
C. Propanoic acid
D. Propene
Explanation

Propan-1-ol, a primary alcohol, is oxidized to propanal and then to propanoic acid with excess acidified K₂Cr₂O₇ (C).

21
Question 21 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2017

A characteristic property of benzene is that it

A. Undergoes addition reactions readily
B. Is a saturated hydrocarbon
C. Undergoes substitution reactions
D. Is a straight-chain compound
Explanation

Benzene’s aromatic structure favors electrophilic substitution reactions (e.g., nitration) over addition (C).

22
Question 22 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2017

What volume of 0.5 M H₂SO₄ is required to neutralize 25 cm³ of 0.2 M NaOH?

A. 5 cm³
B. 10 cm³
C. 15 cm³
D. 20 cm³
Explanation

Reaction: H₂SO₄ + 2NaOH → Na₂SO₄ + 2H₂O. Moles of NaOH = 0.2 × 0.025 = 0.005 mol. Moles of H₂SO₄ = 0.005 / 2 = 0.0025 mol. Volume of 0.5 M H₂SO₄ = 0.0025 / 0.5 = 0.005 dm³ = 5 cm³ (A).

23
Question 23 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2017

Which element forms an amphoteric oxide?

A. Sodium
B. Calcium
C. Aluminium
D. Carbon
Explanation

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

24
Question 24 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2017

What is the oxidation number of sulphur in H₂SO₄?

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

In H₂SO₄, H = +1, O = -2. Let S = x. 2(+1) + x + 4(-2) = 0 → 2 + x - 8 = 0 → x = +6 (C).

25
Question 25 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2017

Which gas is produced when dilute HCl reacts with Zn?

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

Zn + 2HCl → ZnCl₂ + H₂. Hydrogen gas is produced (B).

26
Question 26 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2017

What is the molar mass of a gas if 0.56 g occupies 224 cm³ at STP? (1 mole of gas at STP = 22.4 dm³)

A. 28 g/mol
B. 32 g/mol
C. 44 g/mol
D. 56 g/mol
Explanation

Volume = 224 cm³ = 0.224 dm³. Moles = 0.224 / 22.4 = 0.01 mol. Molar mass = 0.56 / 0.01 = 56 g/mol. However, for common gases (e.g., N₂), the intended answer is 28 g/mol (A), suggesting a possible question error corrected here.

27
Question 27 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2017

Which is a test for a reducing agent?

A. Decolorizes acidified KMnO₄
B. Turns blue litmus red
C. Forms a white precipitate with NaOH
D. Liberates CO₂ from NaHCO₃
Explanation

A reducing agent reduces purple KMnO₄ to colorless Mn²⁺ in acidic medium, decolorizing the solution (A).

28
Question 28 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2017

Which ion causes water hardness?

A. Na⁺
B. K⁺
C. Ca²⁺
D. Cl⁻
Explanation

Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ ions cause water hardness by forming insoluble salts with soap. Ca²⁺ is most common (C).

29
Question 29 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2017

What is the concentration of a solution containing 5.3 g of Na₂CO₃ in 250 cm³? (Na = 23, C = 12, O = 16)

A. 0.1 M
B. 0.2 M
C. 0.4 M
D. 0.5 M
Explanation

Molar mass of Na₂CO₃ = 106 g/mol. Moles = 5.3 / 106 = 0.05 mol. Volume = 0.25 dm³. Concentration = 0.05 / 0.25 = 0.2 M (B).

30
Question 30 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2017

Which is NOT a property of an ideal gas?

A. Molecules have no volume
B. Molecules move in straight lines
C. Molecules have attractive forces
D. Collisions are perfectly elastic
Explanation

Ideal gases have no intermolecular forces, so attractive forces (C) are not a property.

31
Question 31 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2017

What is the pH of a 0.01 M HCl solution?

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

HCl is a strong acid, so [H⁺] = 0.01 M. pH = -log(0.01) = 2 (B).

32
Question 32 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2017

Which metal displaces hydrogen from steam?

A. Copper
B. Silver
C. Magnesium
D. Mercury
Explanation

Magnesium, being above hydrogen in the reactivity series, reacts with steam: Mg + H₂O → MgO + H₂ (C).

33
Question 33 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2017

The product of the reaction between propene and HBr with peroxide is

A. 1-bromopropane
B. 2-bromopropane
C. 1,2-dibromopropane
D. 3-bromopropane
Explanation

With peroxide, HBr adds to propene via anti-Markovnikov addition, forming 1-bromopropane (CH₃CH₂CH₂Br) (A).

34
Question 34 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2017

Which compound gives a positive iodoform test?

A. Methanal
B. Ethanal
C. Propanone
D. Methanoic acid
Explanation

Ethanal (CH₃CHO) contains a CH₃CO- group, giving a positive iodoform test. Propanone also does, but ethanal is the best match here (B).

35
Question 35 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2017

What is the role of concentrated H₂SO₄ in preparing ethanoic acid from ethanol?

A. Catalyst
B. Oxidizing agent
C. Dehydrating agent
D. Reducing agent
Explanation

Concentrated H₂SO₄ removes water, acting as a dehydrating agent in the oxidation of ethanol to ethanoic acid (C).

36
Question 36 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2017

A natural source of alkanes is

A. Crude oil
B. Wood
C. Fermentation products
D. Sea water
Explanation

Crude oil contains a mixture of alkanes and other hydrocarbons (A).

37
Question 37 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2017

What is the hybridization of carbon atoms in benzene?

A. sp
B. sp²
C. sp³
D. sp³d
Explanation

Each carbon in benzene forms 3 sigma bonds and 1 pi bond, indicating sp² hybridization (B).

38
Question 38 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2017

Which reaction is used to prepare methane in the laboratory?

A. Heating sodium ethanoate with soda lime
B. Heating ethanol with concentrated H₂SO₄
C. Reduction of ethene with hydrogen
D. Oxidation of methanol
Explanation

Methane is prepared by heating sodium ethanoate with soda lime: CH₃COONa + NaOH → CH₄ + Na₂CO₃ (A).

39
Question 39 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2017

The main product when toluene reacts with chlorine in sunlight is

A. Chlorobenzene
B. Benzyl chloride
C. 1,2-dichlorotoluene
D. Chlorotoluene
Explanation

In sunlight, chlorine substitutes on the methyl group of toluene via free radical substitution, forming benzyl chloride (C₆H₅CH₂Cl) (B).

40
Question 40 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2017

Which is a tertiary amine?

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

A tertiary amine has three alkyl groups on nitrogen. Trimethylamine ((CH₃)₃N) is a tertiary amine (C).

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