The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is a Nigerian entrance examination board for tertiary-level institutions. JAMB conducts entrance examinations for prospective students seeking admission into Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. One of the subjects commonly taken by students in the JAMB examination is Chemistry.
As the saying goes, “practice makes perfect.” Therefore, it is important for students to practice with past questions to increase their chances of success in the examination. In this blog post, we will provide a comprehensive collection of the 2008 JAMB Chemistry past questions and answers to help students prepare effectively for the examination.
This resource will be helpful for students who are planning to take the JAMB examination or anyone who wants to improve their knowledge in Chemistry.
2008 JAMB Chemistry Past Questions and Answers
1. Chlorophyll obtained from given leaves of plant can be shown to be composed of more than one coloured component by the technique of
A
crystallization
B
hydrolysis
C
chromatography
D
sublimation
CORRECT OPTION: c
2
In countries where the temperature falls below 273K, salt is always sprinkled on the icy road in order to
A
lower the melting point of the ice
B
increase the density of the ice
C
make the ice impure
D
raise the melting point of the ice
CORRECT OPTION: a
3
2Na(s) + 2H2O(l) ? 2NaOH(aq) + H2(g)
From the equation above, calculate the mass of sodium hydroxide produced by 2.3g of sodium.
[H = 1, O = 16, Na = 23]
From the equation above, calculate the mass of sodium hydroxide produced by 2.3g of sodium.
[H = 1, O = 16, Na = 23]
A
0.40g
B
0.80g
C
4.00g
D
8.00g
CORRECT OPTION: c
2Na(s) + 2H2O(l) ? 2NaOH(aq) + H2(g)
Relative molecular mass of NaOH = 23 + 16 + 1 = 40smol-1
2 * 23g of sodium react with water to produce
2 * 40g of NaOH
? 2.3g of sodium will react with water to produce
(2.3 * 40 * 2)/(23 * 2) = 4.00g
Relative molecular mass of NaOH = 23 + 16 + 1 = 40smol-1
2 * 23g of sodium react with water to produce
2 * 40g of NaOH
? 2.3g of sodium will react with water to produce
(2.3 * 40 * 2)/(23 * 2) = 4.00g
4
16.8 g of sodium hydrogen trioxocarbonate (IV) is completely decomposed by heat. Calculate the volume of carbon(IV) oxide given off s.t.p
[Na 23, C = 12, O = 16, H = 1, Molar volume of a gas at s.t.p = 22.4 dm3]
[Na 23, C = 12, O = 16, H = 1, Molar volume of a gas at s.t.p = 22.4 dm3]
A
22.40 dm3
B
11.20 dm3
C
2.24 dm3
D
1.12 dm3
CORRECT OPTION: c
2NaHCO3(s) ? Na2CO3(s) + H2O(l) + CO2
Relative molecular mass of NaHCO3 = 23 +1 + 12 + 16 * 3 = 84smol-1
2 * 84g of NaHCO3 will be liberated 22.4dm3 or CO2 at s.t.p
16.8g of NaHCO3 will libertae (16.8 * 22.4)/(2 * 84) = 2.24 dm3
Relative molecular mass of NaHCO3 = 23 +1 + 12 + 16 * 3 = 84smol-1
2 * 84g of NaHCO3 will be liberated 22.4dm3 or CO2 at s.t.p
16.8g of NaHCO3 will libertae (16.8 * 22.4)/(2 * 84) = 2.24 dm3
5
300 cm3 of gas has a pressure of 800 mmHg. If the pressure is reduced to 650 mmHg, find its volume
A
243.75 cm3
B
369.23 cm3
C
738.46 cm3
D
1733.36 cm3
CORRECT OPTION: b
P1V1= P2V2
800 * 300 = 650 * V2
V2 = (800 * 300)/650 = 369.23 cm3
800 * 300 = 650 * V2
V2 = (800 * 300)/650 = 369.23 cm3
6
Diffusion is slowest in solid particles than in particles of liquid and gases because
A
solid particles have more kinetic energy than the particles of liquid and gases
B
solid particles have less kinetic energy than the particles of liqiud and gases
C
solid particles have less restriction in their movement than liquid and gas particles
D
the particles in solids are far apart and the cohesive forces between them are negligible
CORRECT OPTION: b
7
The experiment that showed that atoms have tiny positively charged nucleus was first carried out by
A
Moseley
B
Rutherford
C
Millikan
D
Dalton
CORRECT OPTION: b
8
The atom of an element X is represented as zyX. The basic chemical properties of X depends on the value of
A
Y
B
Z
C
Y – Z
D
Z – Y
CORRECT OPTION: b
9
The diagram above represent the electron sub-level for
A
carbon
B
nitrogen
C
oxygen
D
flourine
CORRECT OPTION: c
10
In the periodic table, the electrical and thermal conductivities are properties of elements that
A
decrease across the period and increase down the group
B
increase across the period and decrease down the group
C
decrease across the period and down the group`
D
increase acrosss the period and down the group
CORRECT OPTION: a
11
1111��+01�?1124��
The reaction above is an example of
The reaction above is an example of
A
nuclear fission
B
nuclear fusion
C
artificial transmutation
D
beta decay
CORRECT OPTION: c
12
Air boiled out of water as steam is richer in
A
nitrogen and oxygen
B
carbon (IV) oxide and oxygen
C
noble gases and carbon (IV) oxide
D
oxygen and noble gases
CORRECT OPTION: b
13
In the course of purifying water for town supply the water is passed through large settlings tanks, containing sodium aluminate (III) to remove
A
large particles
B
germs
C
fine particles
D
odour
CORRECT OPTION: a
14
When a few drops of water is added to a blue anhydrous cobalt (II) chloride, the colour changes to
A
white
B
pink
C
red
D
blue
CORRECT OPTION: b
15
The vulcanizer’s solution is prepared by dissolving rubber in
A
ethanol
B
kerosine
C
benzene
D
petrol
CORRECT OPTION: c
16
117.0g of sodium chloride was dissolved in the solubility in 1.0dm3 of distilled water at 25oC. Determine the solubility in mol dm-3 of sodium chloride at that temperature
[Na = 23, Cl = 35.5]
[Na = 23, Cl = 35.5]
A
1.0
B
2.0
C
3.0
D
4.0
CORRECT OPTION: b
Relative molecular mass of NaCl = 23 + 35.5 = 55.5 g/mol
No. of mole of NaCl = 117/55.5 = 2.1 mol
No. of mole of NaCl = 117/55.5 = 2.1 mol
17
The uncovered raw food that is sold along major roads is likely to contain some amounts of
A
Pb
B
Cu
C
Ag
D
Na
CORRECT OPTION: a
18
What is the pH of 0.001 mol dm-3 solution of sodium hydroxide
A
14
B
13
C
12
D
11
CORRECT OPTION: d
[H+] [OH–] = 10-14
[H+] = 10-14/[OH–] = 10-14/(1 * 10-3) = 10-11
pH = -Log10[H+]
= – Log10[10-11] = – 1 * -11 Log10[10-11] = 1 = -1 * -11 * 1 = 11
[H+] = 10-14/[OH–] = 10-14/(1 * 10-3) = 10-11
pH = -Log10[H+]
= – Log10[10-11] = – 1 * -11 Log10[10-11] = 1 = -1 * -11 * 1 = 11
19
The basicity of CH3COOH is
A
1
B
2
C
3
D
4
CORRECT OPTION: a
20
0.05 mol dm-3 HCl is neutralized by 25 cm3 NaOH. If the volume of acid used is 32.00cm3, what is the concentration of the base
A
0.016 mol dm-3
B
0.032 mol dm-3
C
0.039 mol dm-3
D
0.064 mol dm-3
CORRECT OPTION: d
HCl + NaOH ? NaCl + H2O
CAVA = NA/NB = (0.05 * 32)/(CB * 25)
? CB = (0.05 * 32)/25 = 0.064 mol dm-3
CAVA = NA/NB = (0.05 * 32)/(CB * 25)
? CB = (0.05 * 32)/25 = 0.064 mol dm-3
21
Insoluble salts can be prepared by
A
titrating an alkali against an appropriate acid
B
reacting an acid with trioxocarbonatr (IV) salt
C
directing combination of the elements which make up the salt
D
mixing two soluble compounds containing the metallic radical and the acidic radical
CORRECT OPTION: d
Two soluble metal salts react with each other to form one soluble salt and one insoluble salt . Lead nitrate solution and sodium chloride solution react to produce solid lead chloride , leaving soluble sodium nitrate in solution. The lead chloride can be recovered by filtration.
22
The oxidation state of carbon in HCOOH is
A
-1
B
+2
C
+3
D
zero
CORRECT OPTION: b
HCOOH
O.N of H + O.N of C + 2* O.N of oxygen of
H = 0
1 + X + 2X – 2 + 1 = 0
2 + X -4 = 0
X = 4 – 2 = +2
O.N of H + O.N of C + 2* O.N of oxygen of
H = 0
1 + X + 2X – 2 + 1 = 0
2 + X -4 = 0
X = 4 – 2 = +2
23
What is the IUPAC nomenclature of the compound NaCIO?
A
sodium oxochlorate (I)
B
sodium chloro (I) oxide
C
sodium monooxochlorate (II)
D
sodium chloro (I) monoxide
CORRECT OPTION: a
24
In recharging a lead-acid accumulator, the reaction at the cathode can be represented as
A
Pb2+(aq) + SO2-4(aq) ?PbSO4(s)
B
Pb2+(aq) + 2e– ?Pb(s)
C
Pb2+(aq) + 2H2O(l) ? PbO2(s) + 4H+(aq) + 4e–
D
Pb(s) ? Pb2+(aq) + 2e–
25
If a given quantity of electricity liberates 0.65g of Zn2+, what amount of Hg2+ would be liberated by the same quantity of current?
[Zn = 65, Hg = 201]
[Zn = 65, Hg = 201]
A
1.00g
B
2.10g
C
4.02g
D
8.04g
CORRECT OPTION: b
26
NH3(g) + HCl(s) ? NH4Cl(s)
The entropy change in the system above is
The entropy change in the system above is
A
positive
B
zero
C
negative
D
indeterminate
CORRECT OPTION: c
27
Which of the following reaction is endothermic?
A
C(s) + O2(g) ? CO2(g)
B
CaO(s) + H2O(l) ? Ca(OH)2(s)
C
C(s) + H2O(g) ? CO(g) + H2(g)
D
HCl(aq) + NaOH(aq) ? NaCl(aq) + H2O(l)
CORRECT OPTION: c
28
A catalyst speeds up the rate of chemical reaction by
A
taking part in the reaction
B
increasing the activation energy of the reaction
C
lowering the activation energy of the reaction
D
increasing the heat content
CORRECT OPTION: c
29
The rate of a reaction usually decrease in the concentration of reactants because
A
kinetic energy decrease
B
temperature increase
C
speed increases
D
reactants collision decrease
CORRECT OPTION: d
30
The substance that is used in the steel industry for the removal of carbon, sulphur and phosphorus impurities from pig iron is
A
oxygen
B
chlorine
C
nitrogen
D
hydrogen
CORRECT OPTION: a
31
Which of the following compounds of trioxonitrate (V) will decomposes to give dinitrogen (i) oxide and water when heated?
A
NaNO3
B
Zn(NO3)2
C
Cu(NO3)2
D
NH4NO3
32
When a solution of ammonium trioxocarbonate (IV) is added to a solution of an unknown salt, a white precipitate which is soluble in dilute hydrochloric acid but insoluble in ethanoic acid is formed. This indicates the presence of
A
Ca2+
B
Na+
C
Zn2+
D
K+
CORRECT OPTION: a
33
Leads is used for making bullets and lead shots because of its
A
resistance to corrosion
B
low melting point
C
high density
D
flexibility
CORRECT OPTION: c
34
which of the following gives a precipitate when treated with NaOH solution?
A
AlCl3
B
NH4Cl
C
Na2CO3
D
CH3COONa
CORRECT OPTION: a
35
The most common ores of iron include
A
haematite, malachite and limonite
B
chalcolite, calamine and bornite
C
magnetite, haematite and bornite
D
magnetite, chalcolite and bornite
CORRECT OPTION: c
36
The type of isomerism shown by cis- and trans- isomers is
A
optical isomerism
B
positional isomerism
C
functional isomerism
D
geometrical isomerism
CORRECT OPTION: d
37
If the silver mirror test is positive, it indicates the presence of an
A
alkyne
B
alkanol
C
alkanone
D
alkanal
38
If glucose is heated with concentration tetraoxosulphate (VI) acid, it will be dehydrated to
A
carbon
B
carbon (IV) oxide
C
ethene
D
ethanol
CORRECT OPTION: a
39
The IUPAC nomenclature for the structure above is
A
2, 3 – dichloro – 4, 4, 5 – trimethyl pent – 2 – ene
B
4, 5 – dichloro – 2, 3 – dimethyl hex – 2 – ene
C
2, 3 – dichloro – 4, 4 – dimethyl hex – 2- ene
D
2, 3 dichloro – 2, 2 – dimethyl hex – 2 – ene
CORRECT OPTION: c
40
A hydrocarbon X with a molar mass of 26 consists of 92.3% carbon. What is its molecular formular
A
C2H2
B
C3H3
C
C4H4
D
C5H5
CORRECT OPTION: a
% of H2 = 100 – 92.3 = 7.7%
mole = 92.3/12 7.7/1
7.1/7.1 7.1/7.1
empirical formula = CH
(CH)n = 26
(12 + 1)n = 26
(13)n = 26
n = 26/13 = 2
molecular formula = C2H2
mole = 92.3/12 7.7/1
7.1/7.1 7.1/7.1
empirical formula = CH
(CH)n = 26
(12 + 1)n = 26
(13)n = 26
n = 26/13 = 2
molecular formula = C2H2
41
A red precipitate of copper (I) carbide is formed when ammonium solution of copper (I) chloride is introduced into
A
CH2 = CH – CH2 – CH3
B
CH3 CH2 – C ? CH
C
CH3 CH2 CH2 CH3
D
CH3 – C C – CH3
CORRECT OPTION: b
42
Reduction of nitroalkanes, nitrites and amides is a route for the preparation of
A
amines
B
alkenes
C
polymers
D
detergents
CORRECT OPTION: a
43
Reduction of alkanonoes with LialH4 produces
A
primary alkanols
B
secondary alkanols
C
tertiary alkanols
D
polyhydric alkanols
CORRECT OPTION: b
44
The product obtained when a mixture of benzene vapour and hydrogen are passed over nickel catalyst at 180oC is
A
cyclohexane
B
cyclopentane
C
n- hexane
D
n – pentane
CORRECT OPTION: a
45
Polyvinyl chloride is used in the production of
A
glass
B
alloy
C
pipes
D
ceramics
CORRECT OPTION: c
46
Detergents are manufactured with straight hydrocarbon chains so as to make them
A
soluble
B
biodegradable
C
cheaper
D
foamy
CORRECT OPTION: b
47
Use the diagram to answer this question. The gas that can be used to demonstrate the experiment is
A
hydrogen chloride
B
hydrogen sulphide
C
nitrogen(ll) oxide
D
dinitrogen (l) oxide
CORRECT OPTION: a
48
Use the diagram to answer this question.The colour of the fountain water is
A
blue
B
orange
C
red
D
yellow
CORRECT OPTION: c
49
Choose the correct option from the structure above
A
A
B
B
C
C
D
D
CORRECT OPTION: c