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JAMB Chemistry 2025
Questions & Answers

40 questions · Correct answers highlighted · 40 with explanations

40 Total Questions
2025 Exam Year
40 With Explanations
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1
Question 1 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2025

Which of the following gases can be collected by the upward displacement of air?

A. Chlorine
B. Ammonia
C. Sulphur(IV) oxide
D. Hydrogen chloride
Explanation

Ammonia (NH₃, molar mass 17) is lighter than air (molar mass ~29), collected by upward displacement.

2
Question 2 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2025

The oxide that remains unchanged when heated in hydrogen is

A. CuO
B. PbO
C. Fe₂O₃
D. ZnO
Explanation

Fe₂O₃ resists reduction by hydrogen under standard conditions; CuO, PbO, ZnO reduce to metals.

3
Question 3 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2025

What is the change in oxidation number of sulfur in the reaction: S + O₂ → SO₂?

A. 0 to +2
B. 0 to +4
C. +2 to +4
D. +4 to +6
Explanation

Sulfur: 0 in S, +4 in SO₂ (O = -2, 2 × -2 = -4, so S = +4). Change is 0 to +4.

4
Question 4 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2025

A reaction characteristic of an unsaturated hydrocarbon is

A. substitution
B. addition
C. oxidation
D. hydrolysis
Explanation

Unsaturated hydrocarbons (e.g., alkenes) undergo addition reactions due to double/triple bonds.

5
Question 5 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2025

For the reaction 2X + Y → Z, the rate of formation of Z is independent of the concentration of Y and quadruples when the concentration of X is doubled. The rate equation is

A. R = k[X][Y]
B. R = k[X]²
C. R = k[X][Y]²
D. R = k[X]²[Y]
Explanation

Independent of [Y] (order 0), quadruples when [X] doubles (order 2). Rate = k[X]².

6
Question 6 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2025

For the reaction 2X + Y ⇌ Z, exothermic in the forward direction, a decrease in temperature will

A. favour the reverse reaction
B. favour the forward reaction
C. have no effect on the equilibrium state
D. double the rate of the reverse reaction
Explanation

Exothermic forward reaction is favored by lower temperature (Le Chatelier’s principle).

7
Question 7 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2025

Pure metals are often used in electrical wiring because

A. metals are ductile
B. metallic properties are improved in alloys
C. alloys are a mixture of metals
D. metals are strong
Explanation

Pure metals (e.g., copper) are ductile, drawn into wires, and highly conductive.

8
Question 8 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2025

The structural formula of 2-methylbutan-2-ol is

A. CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂OH
B. (CH₃)₃COH
C. CH₃CH(OH)CH₂CH₃
D. (CH₃)₂CHCH₂OH
Explanation

2-methylbutan-2-ol is (CH₃)₃COH, a tertiary alcohol with —OH on the second carbon.

9
Question 9 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2025

Dehydration of CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂OH gives

A. CH₂=CHCH₂CH₃
B. CH₃CH=CHCH₃
C. CH₃CH₂CH=CH₂
D. CH₂=CHCH=CH₂
Explanation

Butan-1-ol (CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂OH) dehydrates to but-1-ene (CH₂=CHCH₂CH₃).

10
Question 10 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2025

Which of the following is a primary alcohol?

A. CH₃CH₂OH
B. (CH₃)₂CHOH
C. (CH₃)₃COH
D. CH₃CH(OH)CH₃
Explanation

CH₃CH₂OH (ethanol) is primary (—OH on carbon with one other carbon).

11
Question 11 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2025

The product of the reaction between ethanoic acid and ethanol in the presence of concentrated H₂SO₄ is

A. CH₃COOC₂H₅
B. C₂H₅COOCH₃
C. CH₃COOH
D. C₂H₅OH
Explanation

CH₃COOH + C₂H₅OH → CH₃COOC₂H₅ (ethyl ethanoate) + H₂O.

12
Question 12 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2025

The IUPAC name of CH₃CH₂COOH is

A. propanoic acid
B. ethanoic acid
C. butanoic acid
D. methanoic acid
Explanation

CH₃CH₂COOH (three carbons) is propanoic acid.

13
Question 13 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2025

Which of the following is a secondary amine?

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

(CH₃)₂NH is a secondary amine (R₂NH). Others are primary or tertiary.

14
Question 14 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2025

The reaction of ethene with bromine water produces

A. 1,2-dibromoethane
B. bromoethane
C. ethanol
D. ethanoic acid
Explanation

C₂H₄ + Br₂ → C₂H₄Br₂ (1,2-dibromoethane).

15
Question 15 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2025

The functional group present in CH₃COCH₃ is

A. alcohol
B. aldehyde
C. ketone
D. carboxylic acid
Explanation

CH₃COCH₃ (propanone) has a ketone group (C=O with two alkyl groups).

16
Question 16 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2025

The product of the complete combustion of methane (CH₄) in oxygen is

A. CO + H₂O
B. CO₂ + H₂O
C. CO₂ + H₂
D. C + H₂O
Explanation

CH₄ + 2O₂ → CO₂ + 2H₂O (complete combustion).

17
Question 17 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2025

Which of the following is NOT a property of an ideal gas?

A. No intermolecular forces
B. Molecules have negligible volume
C. Collisions are perfectly elastic
D. Molecules attract each other
Explanation

Ideal gases have no intermolecular attractions.

18
Question 18 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2025

The compound formed when ethanol is heated with concentrated H₂SO₄ at 180°C is

A. ethene
B. ethanal
C. ethanoic acid
D. ethyl ethanoate
Explanation

C₂H₅OH → C₂H₄ + H₂O (dehydration to ethene).

19
Question 19 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2025

The oxidation number of sulphur in H₂SO₄ is

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

H = +1, O = -2. 2(+1) + S + 4(-2) = 0 → S = +6.

20
Question 20 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2025

What is the product when copper(II) sulfate is electrolyzed using copper electrodes?

A. Copper metal at the cathode
B. Copper metal at the anode
C. Oxygen gas at the anode
D. Sulfur dioxide at the cathode
Explanation

Cu²⁺ + 2e⁻ → Cu (cathode); Cu → Cu²⁺ + 2e⁻ (anode).

21
Question 21 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2025

For the reaction 2H₂(g) + O₂(g) → 2H₂O(l), ΔH = -572 kJ. What is the enthalpy change for the formation of 1 mole of H₂O?

A. -286 kJ
B. -143 kJ
C. +286 kJ
D. +572 kJ
Explanation

ΔH = -572 kJ for 2 moles H₂O. For 1 mole: -572/2 = -286 kJ.

22
Question 22 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2025

What is the activation energy in a reaction?

A. The energy released during the reaction
B. The energy absorbed during the reaction
C. The minimum energy required to start the reaction
D. The total energy of the products
Explanation

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

23
Question 23 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2025

What is the atomic number of an element with 2 protons and 2 neutrons?

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

Atomic number = number of protons = 2 (helium).

24
Question 24 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2025

What gas is produced when copper(II) sulfate reacts with iron?

A. Oxygen
B. Hydrogen
C. Sulfur dioxide
D. No gas is produced
Explanation

Fe + CuSO₄ → FeSO₄ + Cu (displacement, no gas).

25
Question 25 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2025

Clothes should be properly rinsed with water after bleaching because?

A. the bleach decolourizes the clothes
B. chlorine reacts with fabrics during bleaching
C. the clothes are sterilized during bleaching
D. hydrogen chloride solution is produced during bleaching
Explanation

Chlorine can damage fabrics if not rinsed off.

26
Question 26 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2025

Which of these metals CANNOT replace hydrogen from alkaline solutions?

A. Aluminum
B. Zinc
C. Tin
D. Iron
Explanation

Iron, below hydrogen in reactivity series, cannot displace hydrogen.

27
Question 27 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2025

The relatively high boiling point of alkanol is due to?

A. ionic bonding
B. aromatic character
C. covalent bonding
D. hydrogen bonding
Explanation

Alkanols have high boiling points due to hydrogen bonding.

28
Question 28 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2025

What is the product of the reaction between calcium carbonate and dilute hydrochloric acid?

A. Calcium chloride and oxygen
B. Calcium chloride, water, and carbon dioxide
C. Calcium hydroxide and carbon dioxide
D. Calcium chloride and hydrogen gas
Explanation

CaCO₃ + 2HCl → CaCl₂ + H₂O + CO₂.

29
Question 29 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2025

What is the pH at the equivalence point of a titration between HCl and NaOH?

A. 7
B. 5
C. 9
D. 3
Explanation

Strong acid (HCl) + strong base (NaOH) yields neutral pH 7 at equivalence.

30
Question 30 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2025

Which of the following processes involves a decrease in entropy?

A. Dissolving sugar in water
B. Evaporation of water
C. Condensation of steam
D. Melting of ice
Explanation

Condensation (gas to liquid) decreases entropy by reducing disorder.

31
Question 31 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2025

What is the effect of increasing pressure on the equilibrium of the reaction N₂(g) + 3H₂(g) ⇌ 2NH₃(g)?

A. Shifts the equilibrium to the left
B. Shifts the equilibrium to the right
C. No effect on the equilibrium
D. Increases the rate of the reverse reaction
Explanation

Increasing pressure favors fewer gas moles (4 to 2), shifting equilibrium right.

32
Question 32 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2025

A mixture of 0.20 mole of Ar, 0.20 mole of N₂, and 0.30 mole of He exerts a total pressure of 2.1 atm. The partial pressure of He is

A. 0.70 atm
B. 0.90 atm
C. 1.2 atm
D. 0.60 atm
Explanation

Total moles = 0.70. He mole fraction = 0.30/0.70 = 3/7. Partial pressure = (3/7) × 2.1 = 0.9 atm.

33
Question 33 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2025

Which pair of elements has the same chemical properties?

A. Li and Be
B. Na and K
C. Mg and Ca
D. B and C
Explanation

Na and K (Group 1) share similar properties due to one valence electron.

34
Question 34 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2025

In the periodic table, what is the property that decreases along a period and increases down a group?

A. Atomic number
B. Electron affinity
C. Ionization potential
D. Atomic radius
Explanation

Atomic radius decreases across a period (increased nuclear charge), increases down a group (more shells).

35
Question 35 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2025

Oxygen is a mixture of two isotopes, ¹⁶O and ¹⁸O, with a relative abundance of 90% and 10% respectively. The relative atomic mass of oxygen is

A. 16.0
B. 16.2
C. 17.0
D. 18.0
Explanation

(0.9 × 16) + (0.1 × 18) = 14.4 + 1.8 = 16.2.

36
Question 36 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2025

Which of the following pollutants is the most dangerous?

A. Hydrogen sulphide
B. Carbon(IV) oxide
C. Sulphur(IV) oxide
D. Carbon(II) oxide
Explanation

Carbon(II) oxide (CO) is highly toxic, binding to hemoglobin, causing suffocation.

37
Question 37 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2025

The hydroxide ion concentration, [OH⁻], in a solution of sodium hydroxide with pH 10.0 is

A. 10⁻⁴ mol dm⁻³
B. 10⁻⁶ mol dm⁻³
C. 10⁻⁸ mol dm⁻³
D. 10⁻¹⁰ mol dm⁻³
Explanation

pH = 10 → pOH = 14 - 10 = 4 → [OH⁻] = 10⁻⁴ mol dm⁻³.

38
Question 38 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2025

When platinum electrodes are used during the electrolysis of copper(II) tetraoxosulphate(IV) solution, the solution becomes progressively

A. acidic
B. basic
C. neutral
D. amphoteric
Explanation

Anode produces H⁺ (2H₂O → O₂ + 4H⁺ + 4e⁻), making the solution acidic.

39
Question 39 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2025

What is the oxidation number of Zn in ZnCl₂?

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

Cl = -1. Zn + 2(-1) = 0 → Zn = +2.

40
Question 40 of 40
JAMB · Chemistry · 2025

The reaction that is accompanied by a decrease in entropy when carried out at constant temperature is

A. N₂(g) + O₂(g) → 2NO(g)
B. N₂(g) + 3H₂(g) → 2NH₃(g)
C. CaCO₃(s) → CaO(s) + CO₂(g)
D. 2H₂(g) + O₂(g) → 2H₂O(g)
Explanation

N₂ + 3H₂ → 2NH₃ reduces gas moles (4 to 2), decreasing entropy.

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