JAMB UTME - Chemistry - 2023

The sum of the oxidation numbers in a neutral compound is always equal to zero.

Oxidation numbers are assigned to each element in a compound to indicate the redistribution of electrons during a chemical reaction.

The oxidation number represents the charge an atom would have if electrons were transferred completely.

In a neutral compound, the total positive charges must balance the total negative charges. Since electrons are neither gained nor lost in a neutral compound, the sum of the oxidation numbers must equal zero.

Therefore, the answer is 0.

One method that can be used to remove temporary hardness from water is boiling.

When water is heated and boiled, it causes the dissolved minerals that contribute to temporary hardness, such as calcium and magnesium bicarbonates, to precipitate out of the water. These precipitates settle at the bottom of the container or can be filtered out, resulting in the removal of temporary hardness.

Filtration can also help in removing temporary hardness from water. This method involves passing water through a filter that is designed to trap and remove the dissolved mineral ions responsible for hardness. The filter can be made of materials like activated carbon or ion-exchange resin, which have the ability to bind with calcium and magnesium ions and remove them from the water.

Distillation is another effective method for removing temporary hardness from water. Distillation involves heating the water to boiling point, and then collecting and condensing the steam to obtain pure water. As the water is heated and evaporates, the dissolved minerals are left behind, resulting in the separation of the excess minerals and the production of softened water.

Chlorination is not a method that can be used to remove temporary hardness from water. Chlorination refers to the process of adding chlorine or chlorine compounds to water to disinfect and kill harmful microorganisms. It does not have any direct effect on the mineral content of the water, and therefore cannot remove temporary hardness.

In summary, methods such as boiling, filtration, and distillation can be used to remove temporary hardness from water, while chlorination does not have any impact on hardness removal.

Stainless steel is an alloy that is made up of iron and chromium.

An alloy is a mixture of two or more metals, or a metal and another element. In the case of stainless steel, it is primarily composed of iron, which is a strong and durable metal. Chromium is added to the iron to give stainless steel its unique properties.

The addition of chromium to iron results in the formation of a thin, invisible layer on the surface of the steel called chromium oxide. This layer is what gives stainless steel its corrosion-resistant properties. It creates a protective barrier that prevents the iron from reacting with oxygen and moisture in the air, which would otherwise lead to rusting.

In addition to its corrosion resistance, stainless steel is also known for its strength, durability, and aesthetic appeal. It is used in various industries, such as construction, automotive, and kitchenware, due to its ability to withstand harsh environments and maintain its appearance even with regular use.

Therefore, the correct answer is iron and chromium for the composition of stainless steel.

The correct statement regarding the melting and boiling points of pure substances is that the melting and boiling points can vary depending on the substance.

The melting point of a substance is the temperature at which it changes from a solid to a liquid state. On the other hand, the boiling point is the temperature at which a substance changes from a liquid to a gas state.

Both melting and boiling points are unique for each substance. The melting and boiling points are influenced by the strength of the forces of attraction between the molecules or atoms that make up the substance.

Substances with strong intermolecular forces will have higher melting and boiling points, while substances with weak intermolecular forces will have lower melting and boiling points. For example, metals tend to have high melting and boiling points because the metallic bonds between the metal atoms are strong.

Ionic compounds also have high melting and boiling points because of the strong electrostatic attraction between the positively and negatively charged ions. In contrast, molecular substances generally have lower melting and boiling points because the forces of attraction between their molecules are weaker.

This is why substances like water (H2O) have lower melting and boiling points compared to metals or ionic compounds. So, to summarize, the melting and boiling points of pure substances are not always the same and can vary depending on the substance.

The strength of the intermolecular forces determines the melting and boiling points, with substances having stronger forces generally having higher melting and boiling points.

An example of a primary cell is an alkaline battery.

Primary cells are non-rechargeable batteries, meaning once they have been depleted of their energy, they cannot be recharged and must be replaced. These types of batteries are commonly found in everyday household items like remote controls, toys, and flashlights.

The alkaline battery works by converting chemical energy into electrical energy. Inside the battery, there are two electrodes - a negative electrode (anode) and a positive electrode (cathode). These electrodes are separated by an electrolyte, which allows the flow of ions between them.

During use, a chemical reaction occurs at the anode, causing zinc ions to be released into the electrolyte. At the cathode, manganese dioxide reacts with the zinc ions and water, producing hydroxide ions. The movement of ions creates an electron flow from the anode to the cathode, generating an electric current.

As the reactions continue, the zinc anode gradually gets consumed, and the battery loses its ability to produce electricity. Once the chemical reactions are complete, the alkaline battery is considered "dead" and needs to be replaced.

In contrast, the other options given are not primary cells:

• A fuel cell is an electrochemical cell that continuously converts fuel and an oxidizing agent into electricity. It differs from a primary cell because the reactants can be replenished, allowing it to produce electricity continuously.
• A lead-acid battery is a rechargeable battery, often used in automotive applications. It can be recharged by reversing the chemical reactions that occur during discharge.
• A lithium-ion battery is also a rechargeable battery commonly used in portable electronic devices. Similar to the lead-acid battery, its chemical reactions can be reversed through charging.

A unique property of water compared to other liquids is that it expands when freezing.

The lanthanides and actinides are located in the f-block of the periodic table.

The periodic table is organized into blocks based on the electron configuration of the elements. The f-block elements are located at the bottom of the periodic table, separated from the rest of the elements.

The lanthanides and actinides are a group of elements that have similar properties and electron configurations. They are also known as the "rare earth elements." These elements have electrons filling the 4f and 5f orbitals, hence they are placed in the f-block.

The f-block elements are very important in many scientific and technological applications. They are used in the production of magnets, catalysts, high-strength alloys, and various electronic devices. Some lanthanides and actinides are also used in medical imaging and cancer treatments.

Overall, the f-block elements play a crucial role in various fields of science and technology, and their placement in the periodic table helps to highlight their unique properties and characteristics.

The reaction where benzene is converted to toluene by the addition of a methyl group is an example of electrophilic substitution. In electrophilic substitution reactions, a hydrogen atom in the benzene ring is replaced by an electrophile (electron deficient species) to form a new compound.

Here, the methyl group is the electrophile that replaces one of the hydrogen atoms in the benzene ring, resulting in the formation of toluene.

During the reaction, the benzene ring undergoes a series of steps:

1. An electrophile, in this case, the methyl group, is attracted to the electron-rich benzene ring.
2. The electrophile forms a bond with one of the carbon atoms in the benzene ring, breaking the aromaticity of the ring.
3. This leads to the formation of a sigma complex, where the electrophile is attached to the benzene ring.
4. Finally, the sigma complex is converted back into an aromatic compound by the loss of a proton, resulting in the formation of toluene.

Therefore, the addition of a methyl group to benzene to form toluene is an example of electrophilic substitution.

An element with an atomic number of 8 and a mass number of 16 has 8 neutrons.

Let's break down the information to understand why.

The atomic number of an element tells you the number of protons in its nucleus. In this case, the element has an atomic number of 8, which means it has 8 protons.

The mass number of an element is the sum of its protons and neutrons. In this case, the mass number is 16.

To calculate the number of neutrons, we subtract the atomic number from the mass number: Number of Neutrons = Mass Number - Atomic Number

So, in this case, the number of neutrons would be: 16 (mass number) - 8 (atomic number) = 8 neutrons.

Therefore, the element in question has 8 neutrons.

The molar mass of water (H2O) is 18 g/mol.

To understand why, we need to look at the atomic masses of the elements present in water.

The atomic mass of hydrogen (H) is approximately 1 g/mol, and the atomic mass of oxygen (O) is approximately 16 g/mol.

In the water molecule (H2O), there are two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.

To calculate the molar mass of water, we multiply the number of atoms of each element by its atomic mass and add them together.

For hydrogen: 2 atoms × 1 g/mol = 2 g/mol

For oxygen: 1 atom × 16 g/mol = 16 g/mol

Adding these two values gives us a total of 18 g/mol.

Therefore, the molar mass of water (H2O) is 18 g/mol.

An electrovalent bond, also known as an ionic bond, is a type of chemical bond that forms between two atoms when one atom transfers electrons to another. This creates a bond between the positively charged ion and the negatively charged ion.

Out of the given compounds, NaCl (sodium chloride) is an example of an electrovalent bond.

In NaCl, a sodium atom transfers one electron to a chlorine atom. This results in the formation of a sodium ion (Na+) and a chlorine ion (Cl-). The sodium ion has a positive charge because it lost an electron and the chlorine ion has a negative charge because it gained an electron.

The opposite charges of the sodium and chlorine ions attract each other, resulting in the formation of a strong electrovalent/ionic bond between them. This bond holds the sodium and chloride ions together to form a crystal lattice structure of sodium chloride.

On the other hand, CO2 (carbon dioxide), H2O (water), and CH4 (methane) do not involve the transfer of electrons between atoms. These compounds have covalent bonds, where electrons are shared between atoms.

Understanding the concept of electrovalent bonds is important because it helps explain the properties and behavior of ionic compounds, such as their high melting and boiling points, solubility in water, and ability to conduct electricity when dissolved or molten.

To calculate the mass of ethanol, we need to use its density and volume. The density of ethanol is given as 0.789 grams per milliliter.

First, let's convert the volume from milliliters to liters. Since there are 1000 milliliters in a liter, 500 mL is equivalent to 0.5 liters.

Now, we can use the formula:

Mass = Density x Volume

Substituting the value, we have:

Mass = 0.789 g/mL x 0.5 L

Multiplying these values, we find that the mass of 500 mL of ethanol is 0.3945 grams. Therefore, the correct answer is 394.5 g.

Calcium belongs to the alkaline earth metals group in the periodic table.

The periodic table is a chart that organizes elements based on their properties and atomic number. It consists of rows, called periods, and columns, called groups or families.

The alkaline earth metals group is found in the second column of the periodic table, specifically group 2. This group includes elements such as beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, and barium.

So, why does calcium belong to the alkaline earth metals group? It's because of its characteristics and behavior.

Firstly, alkaline earth metals are highly reactive and relatively soft metals. Calcium, like other elements in this group, readily loses its two outermost electrons to form a positive ion with a +2 charge.

Secondly, alkaline earth metals have similar chemical properties. They all react with water to form alkaline solutions and with non-metals to form compounds.

Lastly, calcium is found abundantly in Earth's crust, mainly as calcium carbonate in limestone and chalk. It is an essential element for living organisms and is involved in various biological processes, such as muscle contraction and bone formation.

In conclusion, calcium belongs to the alkaline earth metals group in the periodic table due to its reactivity, similar chemical properties to other group members, and abundance on Earth.

Eutrophication is the excessive growth of algae in water bodies, such as lakes, rivers, and oceans, due to an increase in nutrients in the water. These nutrients, mainly nitrogen and phosphorus, come from various sources including agricultural runoff, wastewater discharge, and soil erosion.

When there is an excess of nutrients in the water, it acts as a fertilizer for algae and other aquatic plants. These plants grow rapidly and form dense colonies on the water surface, resulting in what we commonly call an "algal bloom".

During the algal bloom, the water becomes green or murky and can sometimes emit an unpleasant odor. This excessive growth of algae can have several negative impacts on the aquatic ecosystem.

As the algae die and decompose, they consume a large amount of oxygen from the water, leading to oxygen depletion. This reduction in oxygen levels can be harmful to fish and other organisms that depend on oxygen to survive. It can lead to the death of fish and other aquatic organisms, creating what is known as a "dead zone".

Furthermore, the dense layer of algae on the water surface can block sunlight from penetrating into the water, limiting photosynthesis for other aquatic plants and organisms. This can disrupt the balance of the ecosystem, affecting the biodiversity of the water body.

In summary, eutrophication is caused by an excess of nutrients in the water, leading to the rapid growth of algae and the subsequent negative impacts on oxygen levels and biodiversity in the aquatic ecosystem.

The separation technique used to separate different pigments in a mixture based on their affinity for a stationary phase and a mobile phase is chromatography.

Chromatography is a method that takes advantage of the fact that different substances have different affinities for the components of the mixture. It involves two phases: the stationary phase and the mobile phase.

The stationary phase is a solid or a liquid that does not move, while the mobile phase is a liquid or a gas that moves through or over the stationary phase.

When the mixture is applied to the stationary phase, the pigments begin to separate based on their affinity for each phase. Some pigments may have a higher affinity for the stationary phase, causing them to move more slowly, while others have a higher affinity for the mobile phase, causing them to move more quickly.

As the mobile phase moves through the stationary phase, the individual pigments are carried along at different rates, resulting in their separation. The separated pigments can then be collected and analyzed.

In summary, chromatography is used to separate different pigments in a mixture based on their affinity for a stationary phase and a mobile phase. It exploits the fact that each pigment has a different affinity for the phases, allowing for their separation and analysis.

The position of equilibrium shifts to the left.

A colloid is a type of mixture where tiny particles of one substance are dispersed evenly throughout another substance. The particles in a colloid are larger than the molecules in a solution, which allows them to scatter light and give the mixture a cloudy or opaque appearance. Now let's analyze each option to determine which one is an example of a colloid:

1. Milk: Milk is an example of a colloid. It consists of tiny fat globules (particles) dispersed throughout a watery substance. When light shines through milk, it scatters off of the fat globules, giving it a cloudy appearance.

2. Orange juice: Orange juice is not an example of a colloid. It is a homogenous mixture of water and dissolved molecules, such as sugars and vitamins. The particles in orange juice are too small to scatter light.

3. Saltwater: Saltwater is a solution, not a colloid. It consists of salt (solute) dissolved in water (solvent). In a solution, the particles are very small and evenly distributed, and they do not scatter light.

4. Sugar dissolved in water: Sugar dissolved in water is also a solution, not a colloid. The sugar particles are molecular in size and are completely dispersed in the water.

In conclusion, milk is the only option that is an example of a colloid. The tiny fat globules in milk are larger than the molecules in a solution, causing them to scatter light and give the mixture its cloudy appearance.

The trace gas in the atmosphere that plays a significant role in the greenhouse effect is carbon dioxide.

The greenhouse effect is a natural process that helps to regulate the Earth's temperature. When sunlight reaches the Earth's surface, some of it is absorbed and warms the planet. However, some of this heat is also radiated back into space.

Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, trap some of this heat and prevent it from escaping into space. They act like a blanket around the Earth, keeping it warm. Without these greenhouse gases, the Earth would be much colder and life as we know it would not be possible.

However, human activities, such as burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas, have been increasing the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. This excessive amount of carbon dioxide has enhanced the greenhouse effect, leading to global warming.

Global warming is the long-term increase in Earth's average temperature due to the increased levels of greenhouse gases. It is causing changes in climate patterns, melting of polar ice caps, rising sea levels, and extreme weather events.

So, in summary, carbon dioxide is the trace gas in the atmosphere that plays a significant role in the greenhouse effect and contributes to global warming.

The organic compound responsible for the characteristic aroma of fruits is ester.

Esters are organic compounds that are formed when an alcohol reacts with an organic acid in the presence of a catalyst. They have a pleasant fruity, floral, or sweet smell, which is why they are often used in perfumes and flavorings. Esters are volatile compounds, meaning they easily evaporate and contribute to the aroma of fruits.

On the other hand, alkanes and alkynes are hydrocarbons that do not have a specific aroma. They are odorless and are typically found in substances like petroleum and natural gas.

Amines, although they can have distinct odors, are not primarily responsible for the characteristic aroma of fruits. Amines often have a fishy or ammonia-like smell and are found in substances like rotten eggs or urine.

Therefore, the correct answer is ester, as it is the organic compound that gives fruits their delightful scent.

The functional group present in alkanals is the carbonyl group (C=O).

In organic chemistry, functional groups are specific groups of atoms that are responsible for the characteristic chemical reactions and properties of a compound.

The carbonyl group consists of a carbon atom bonded to an oxygen atom with a double bond (C=O). It is often found at the end of the carbon chain in alkanals, which are a type of organic compound derived from alkanes.

The presence of the carbonyl group gives alkanals several important properties and reactivities. For example:

• Polarity: The presence of the highly electronegative oxygen atom in the carbonyl group creates a significant dipole moment, making the molecule polar.
• Oxidation: The carbonyl group is easily oxidized, leading to the formation of carboxylic acids.
• Nucleophilic addition: The carbon atom of the carbonyl group can undergo nucleophilic addition reactions, leading to the formation of new bonds with nucleophiles.

In summary, the presence of the carbonyl group (C=O) is the defining feature of alkanals, giving them specific chemical properties and reactivities.

When a substance is oxidized, it loses electrons.

Oxidation is a chemical process in which a substance reacts with another substance or element, resulting in the loss of electrons from the oxidized substance. In other words, the oxidized substance gives away electrons to another substance or element.

This loss of electrons during oxidation is significant because electrons are negatively charged particles that play a crucial role in chemical reactions. By losing electrons, the oxidized substance becomes positively charged or oxidized.

It's important to note that oxidation doesn't necessarily involve the gain of oxygen atoms. While some reactions involving oxidation do include the addition of oxygen, it is not a defining characteristic of oxidation. The key factor is the loss of electrons, regardless of whether oxygen atoms are involved or not.

A laboratory indicator is a substance that changes color in the presence of an acid or a base. It helps us determine the nature of a solution, whether it is acidic or basic.

Out of the given options, Phenolphthalein is a common laboratory indicator for bases.

Phenolphthalein is a colorless compound that turns pink or purple in the presence of a base. It is widely used because it has a clear and distinct color change, making it easy to identify the presence of a base. When a base is added to a solution containing phenolphthalein, the compound undergoes a chemical reaction and changes its structure, resulting in a change in color.

Methyl orange, on the other hand, is a laboratory indicator for acids. It changes color in the presence of an acid but remains unchanged in the presence of a base.

Bromothymol blue is another laboratory indicator commonly used to test for acids and bases. It turns yellow in the presence of an acid and blue in the presence of a base.

Litmus is a natural dye extracted from lichens. It is a general indicator that turns red in the presence of an acid and blue in the presence of a base.

However, out of the options provided, Phenolphthalein is the specific laboratory indicator commonly used to test for bases.

The type of salt found in antacid medications to relieve heartburn and indigestion is magnesium chloride.

Magnesium chloride is used as an active ingredient in antacids because it has the ability to neutralize excess stomach acid. When you have heartburn or indigestion, it means that there is too much acid in your stomach, causing discomfort and a burning sensation.

Magnesium chloride works by reacting with the excess stomach acid to form magnesium hydroxide. This compound, magnesium hydroxide, is a strong base that can effectively neutralize the acid, reducing the symptoms of heartburn and indigestion.

By taking antacid medications that contain magnesium chloride, you can help to balance the acidity in your stomach and provide relief from the discomfort caused by excess acid.