JAMB Chemistry Practice Questions

1. Separation of Mixtures and Purification of Substances (JAMB 2021, Q12)

Which method is most suitable for separating a mixture of sand and salt?

A. Filtration

B. Distillation

C. Decantation

D. Crystallization

Answer: A) Filtration

Explanation:

The mixture of sand and salt is separated by dissolving the salt in water, filtering to remove the sand, and then evaporating the water to retrieve the salt.

2. Chemical Combinations and Stoichiometry (JAMB 2020, Q18)

If 4.4 g of carbon dioxide is produced by burning 1 g of carbon in oxygen, calculate the mass of oxygen that reacted. (C = 12, O = 16)

A. 3.0 g

B. 3.2 g

C. 2.4 g

D. 1.6 g

Answer: B) 3.2 g

Explanation:

The reaction is \( C + O_2 \rightarrow CO_2 \).

From the molar mass: \( 12 + 32 = 44 \, g/mol \).

Mass of oxygen: \( \frac{32}{44} \times 4.4 = 3.2 \, g \).

3. Kinetic Theory of Matter and Gas Laws (JAMB 2019, Q24)

Which gas law explains why a balloon expands when heated?

A. Charles' Law

B. Boyle's Law

C. Dalton's Law

D. Graham's Law

Answer: A) Charles' Law

Explanation:

Charles' Law states that the volume of a gas is directly proportional to its temperature at constant pressure, causing the balloon to expand when heated.

4. Atomic Theories and Structure (JAMB 2021, Q10)

Who proposed the nuclear model of the atom?

A. Dalton

B. Thomson

C. Rutherford

D. Bohr

Answer: C) Rutherford

Explanation:

Ernest Rutherford proposed the nuclear model of the atom after his gold foil experiment, showing that atoms have a dense nucleus.

5. Periodic Table and Periodicity (JAMB 2022, Q6)

Which of the following increases across a period in the periodic table?

A. Atomic radius

B. Electronegativity

C. Metallic character

D. Ionization energy

Answer: B) Electronegativity

Explanation:

Electronegativity increases across a period due to an increase in nuclear charge, attracting electrons more strongly.

6. Types of Chemical Bonds (JAMB 2018, Q19)

Which of the following is an example of a covalent compound?

A. NaCl

B. MgO

C. H2O

D. KBr

Answer: C) H2O

Explanation:

H2O is a covalent compound because it involves the sharing of electrons between hydrogen and oxygen atoms.

7. Shapes of Molecules (JAMB 2020, Q13)

What is the shape of a methane (CH4) molecule?

A. Linear

B. Tetrahedral

C. Trigonal planar

D. Bent

Answer: B) Tetrahedral

Explanation:

Methane has a tetrahedral shape due to the arrangement of four bonding pairs of electrons around the central carbon atom.

8. Nuclear Chemistry (JAMB 2021, Q21)

What particle is emitted during the conversion of a neutron to a proton in a nucleus?

A. Alpha particle

B. Beta particle

C. Gamma ray

D. Positron

Answer: B) Beta particle

Explanation:

A beta particle is emitted when a neutron decays into a proton and an electron.

9. Gas Laws (JAMB 2017, Q11)

A gas occupies 200 cm³ at 27°C. What volume will it occupy at 127°C, if the pressure remains constant?

A. 260 cm³

B. 267 cm³

C. 273 cm³

D. 300 cm³

Answer: B) 267 cm³

Explanation:

Using Charles' Law:

\( \frac{V_1}{T_1} = \frac{V_2}{T_2} \)

\( \frac{200}{27 + 273} = \frac{V_2}{127 + 273} \)

\( V_2 = 267 \, cm^3 \).

10. Stoichiometry (JAMB 2016, Q22)

How many moles of oxygen are in 4.4 g of CO2? (C = 12, O = 16)

A. 0.1

B. 0.2

C. 0.3

D. 0.4

Answer: B) 0.2

Explanation:

Molar mass of CO2: \( 12 + (16 \times 2) = 44 \, g/mol \).

Moles of CO2: \( \frac{4.4}{44} = 0.1 \).

Each CO2 molecule has 2 moles of oxygen, so \( 0.1 \times 2 = 0.2 \, \text{moles of oxygen} \).