WAEC SSCE - Chemistry - 2007

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Alkenes are hydrocarbons that contain at least one carbon-carbon double bond in their structure. The double bond makes alkenes more reactive than alkanes (saturated hydrocarbons) and capable of undergoing several types of reactions, such as addition, hydration, and polymerization. However, alkenes do not undergo substitution reactions, which involve the replacement of one atom or group of atoms in a molecule with another atom or group of atoms. This is because the double bond in alkenes is too strong to break under normal conditions, which makes it difficult to substitute an atom or group of atoms in the molecule. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is substitution. Alkenes do not undergo substitution reactions.

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An atom becomes an ion by either gaining or losing electrons. When an atom gains an electron, it forms a negative ion (anion) which is larger than its corresponding neutral atom because the added electron increases the electron-electron repulsion and pushes the other electrons further away from the nucleus. Conversely, when an atom loses an electron, it forms a positive ion (cation) which is smaller than its corresponding neutral atom because the lost electron reduces the electron-electron repulsion and the remaining electrons are pulled closer to the nucleus. From the given options, only Chlorine (Cl) gains an electron to form a chloride ion (Cl⁻) which is larger than its atomic radius. The other elements (Na, Mg, and Al) lose electrons to form cations which are smaller than their atomic radii. Therefore, the correct answer is Chlorine (Cl).

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The white precipitate formed by the reaction of the salt X with AgNO₃ indicates the presence of chloride ions, Cl^-. The fact that the precipitate dissolves in excess aqueous ammonia confirms the presence of Cl^- since silver chloride, AgCl, is soluble in excess aqueous ammonia. Therefore, the salt X contains chloride ions, Cl^-.

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NaHCO₃ solution is commonly used as a test for carboxylic acids. When a carboxylic acid is added to NaHCO₃ solution, it reacts to produce carbon dioxide gas, water, and a sodium carboxylate salt. Therefore, the pair of substances that can be distinguished by use of NaHCO₃ solution is: - CH₃CH₂OH and CH₃COOH CH₃CH₂OH is ethanol, which is not a carboxylic acid, and therefore does not react with NaHCO₃ solution. CH₃COOH is ethanoic acid, which is a carboxylic acid, and reacts with NaHCO₃ solution to produce carbon dioxide gas. The other options cannot be distinguished using NaHCO₃ solution because they do not involve carboxylic acids.

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Copper will not liberate hydrogen from dilute HCl. This is because copper is below hydrogen in the reactivity series of metals. Metals below hydrogen in the reactivity series are unable to displace hydrogen from dilute acids. Copper, therefore, cannot react with dilute HCl to liberate hydrogen gas.

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The process illustrated below is the formation of a saturated solution of a solid. The solid S is in equilibrium with its dissolved form in water, represented by the double-headed arrow. The symbol (s) indicates that S is a solid, while (aq) represents the aqueous or dissolved form of S. When the maximum amount of S has been dissolved in the water, the solution is saturated. This process is often used in chemistry to determine the solubility of a solid in water or other solvents.

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Pig-iron is brittle because it contains a high percentage of carbon as impurity. Pig-iron is the product obtained from the smelting of iron ores in a blast furnace. It is a crude form of iron and contains about 4% carbon, along with other impurities such as silicon, sulfur, and phosphorus. The high percentage of carbon in pig-iron makes it brittle and weak, as it tends to form carbon inclusions in the iron matrix, leading to cracks and fractures under stress. Therefore, pig-iron needs to be refined further to remove impurities, including carbon, to make it stronger and more ductile.

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To find the molar mass of the salt (z), we need to use the formula: concentration (mol dm^-3) = number of moles / volume (dm³) We are given the concentration of the solution as 0.80 mol dm^-3 and the volume of the solution as 250 cm³ which is equivalent to 0.250 dm³. Therefore, we can rearrange the above formula to find the number of moles of the salt (z): number of moles = concentration x volume number of moles = 0.80 x 0.250 number of moles = 0.200 Now we can use the formula: molar mass (g mol^-1) = mass (g) / number of moles We are given the mass of the salt (z) as 14.8 g. Therefore: molar mass = 14.8 / 0.200 molar mass = 74.0 g mol^-1 Therefore, the molar mass of the salt (z) is 74.0 g mol^-1.

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Heat is absorbed when a substance dissolves in water and the process is called endothermic. In this case, KNO3 and NH4CI are ionic compounds that dissolve in water to form ions, and this process is endothermic. On the other hand, concentrated H2SO4 is a molecular compound and does not dissociate into ions when mixed with water, so no heat is absorbed. Therefore, the compounds that will absorb heat when mixed with water are option I and III only, which is answer choice C.

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To solve this problem, we need to use the formula: number of moles = mass / molar mass From the periodic table, the molar mass of hydrogen (H) is 1 g/mol. Therefore, the number of moles of H2 present in 0.5 g is: number of moles = 0.5 g / 2 g/mol = 0.25 mol At standard temperature and pressure (s.t.p), 1 mole of any gas occupies 22.4 dm^3. Therefore, 0.25 moles of H2 will occupy: volume = number of moles x 22.4 dm^3/mol = 0.25 x 22.4 dm^3 = 5.6 dm^3 Therefore, the correct answer is: 5.6 dm^3.

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The finely divided iron catalyst is used to shorten the time for the attainment of equilibrium in the reaction. A catalyst is a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without undergoing any permanent change itself. In the Haber process, which is the industrial process for the production of ammonia, the reaction is slow at room temperature and pressure, even though the overall enthalpy change (∆H) is negative (exothermic). By adding a catalyst such as finely divided iron, the activation energy required for the reaction to proceed is lowered, which speeds up the reaction and allows the system to attain equilibrium faster. This results in a higher yield of ammonia in a shorter amount of time.

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The electronegativity difference between two elements determines the type of bond that can be formed between them. When the difference in electronegativity is large, one element attracts the electrons in the bond more strongly than the other, resulting in the formation of an ionic bond. Therefore, if the difference between the electronegativities of two elements is large, the type of bond that can be formed between them is ionic.

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The given reaction describes the conversion of vegetable oil into some other product in the presence of a catalyst and high temperature. Among the options, the only product that can be obtained from vegetable oil using such a process is margarine. Margarine is made from vegetable oil by a process called hydrogenation, which involves the addition of hydrogen gas in the presence of a catalyst (such as nickel) and high temperature. This process converts the unsaturated fatty acids in vegetable oil to saturated ones, making the oil more solid and suitable for use as a spread. Therefore, the correct answer is margarine.

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The property that is characteristic of the halogens is their ability to accept electrons readily. The halogens are a group of nonmetal elements found in Group 17 (VIIA) of the periodic table. They have seven valence electrons, which means they require only one more electron to achieve a noble gas configuration. Therefore, they have a high tendency to gain an electron and form negatively charged ions, such as Cl-, Br-, and I-. This ability to accept electrons readily is what makes halogens highly reactive and forms the basis for many of their chemical properties. Therefore, the correct answer is "Ability to accept electrons readily."

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Ammonia (NH₃) is lighter than air. This is because its molar mass is lower than that of air, which is mostly composed of nitrogen and oxygen. When released into the air, ammonia gas rises due to the buoyancy force exerted by the air around it. In contrast, carbon dioxide (CO₂), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), and hydrogen chloride (HCl) are heavier than air and tend to settle towards the ground when released.

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The statement that is not true is "Na is smaller in size than Na+". In reality, the ionic radius of Na+ is smaller than the atomic radius of Na. When sodium loses one electron to form Na+, the number of electrons in the atom decreases from 11 to 10 while the number of protons in the nucleus remains the same at 11. This leads to an increase in the effective nuclear charge and a decrease in the size of the ion. Thus, Na+ is smaller than Na. The other statements are true. Na+ is smaller in size than Na, has fewer electrons than Na, and has a greater effective nuclear charge than Na.

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When air is passed through sodium hydroxide solution, carbon (IV) oxide and water vapour are removed as they react with the alkali to form sodium carbonate and sodium hydrogencarbonate respectively. The remaining gases, which are mainly nitrogen, are passed through alkaline pyrogallol to remove any remaining oxygen, as it reacts with the pyrogallol to form brown precipitate. The nitrogen gas is then passed through concentrated tetraoxosulphate (VI) acid to remove any remaining traces of water vapour. Therefore, the remaining components of air after the above process are nitrogen gas and noble gases such as argon, helium, neon and krypton, which are present in very small amounts. Hence, the correct option is nitrogen and noble gases.

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The hydrogenation of C₆H₆ is a reaction in which hydrogen gas is reacted with benzene in the presence of a nickel catalyst. This reaction is an example of an addition reaction. In this reaction, the carbon-carbon double bond present in benzene is broken and replaced by single carbon-carbon bonds, and each carbon atom forms a single bond with a hydrogen atom. The product of the reaction is cyclohexane, which has the molecular formula C₆H₁₂. Therefore, the answer is option (C) C₆H₁₂.

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The correct statement about rare gases is: - Their outermost shells are fully filled Explanation: Rare gases, also known as noble gases, are elements in Group 18 of the periodic table. They have a complete outermost electron shell, which makes them stable and unreactive. The filled outermost shell is the reason behind their low reactivity with other elements. Therefore, the statement that their outermost shells are fully filled is correct. The other options are incorrect as they do not apply to the properties of rare gases.

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During the electrolysis of concentrated sodium chloride solution using carbon electrodes, the product formed at the cathode is hydrogen. In this process, the chloride ions (Cl⁻) in the solution are attracted to the anode (positive electrode) and undergo oxidation to form chlorine gas (Cl₂) while water (H₂O) molecules are reduced at the cathode (negative electrode) to form hydrogen gas (H₂) and hydroxide ions (OH⁻). The overall reaction can be represented as: 2NaCl + 2H₂O → 2NaOH + H₂ + Cl₂ Since the electrolysis is carried out using carbon electrodes, neither sodium nor oxygen is produced at the electrodes as these reactions would require a more reactive electrode material than carbon. Thus, the product formed at the cathode is hydrogen gas.

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The IUPAC name of the compound represented by the molecular formula NaClO₄ is Sodium tetraoxochlorate (VII). This is because the chlorate ion has a charge of -1 and contains four oxygen atoms, which gives it the formula ClO₄^-. The Roman numeral in the compound's name represents the oxidation state of chlorine in the ion, which is +7 in this case. Therefore, the correct name is Sodium tetraoxochlorate (VII).

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In the given chemical equation, Ca(OH)₂ reacts with CO₂ to form CaCO₃ and H₂O. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is a non-metallic oxide and when it reacts with water, it forms carbonic acid (H₂CO₃). The equation can be written as CO₂ + H₂O → H₂CO₃ Carbonic acid is a weak acid that can donate H+ ions to form HCO₃^- ions. The HCO₃^- ions formed then react with Ca²⁺ ions present in Ca(OH)₂ to form CaCO₃ and H₂O. Thus, CO₂ acts as an acidic oxide in the given reaction. Therefore, the answer is "an acidic oxide".

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Ethanol is a suitable solvent for perfumes. Ethanol is a type of alcohol that can dissolve various types of compounds, including oils and aromatic compounds, which are the main components of perfumes. This property of ethanol makes it an ideal solvent for perfumes. In contrast, benzene and turpentine are toxic and not safe for use in perfumes. Water, on the other hand, is a polar solvent and is not suitable for dissolving non-polar aromatic compounds present in perfumes.

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The statement that is true of the molecules of a gas under ideal conditions is that they move at random. In the kinetic theory of gases, it is assumed that gas molecules are in constant random motion, colliding with each other and the walls of their container. This movement is what gives gases their pressure, as the molecules collide with the walls of the container and exert a force. The other options are not true of ideal gases. Gas molecules under ideal conditions undergo perfectly elastic collisions, meaning they do not lose any kinetic energy during their collisions. They do not attract each other, as they are assumed to be point masses with no intermolecular forces, and they occupy a small volume, as they are assumed to have no volume themselves, but only occupy the space in the container they are in.

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A basic salt is a salt that contains a metal cation and the conjugate base of a weak acid. The conjugate base of the weak acid behaves as a base and hence the salt shows basic properties. Among the given options, Zn(OH)CI is the only compound that can be a basic salt. It contains the metal ion zinc (Zn) and the anion of a weak acid, hydroxide (OH^-). The hydroxide ion can act as a base and accept a proton from water molecules, increasing the concentration of hydroxide ions in solution and making the solution basic. Therefore, the correct answer is Zn(OH)CI.

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Iron is extracted from haematite (Fe2O3) and magnetite (Fe3O4) ores. Bauxite (Al2O3), on the other hand, is an ore of aluminum, while cassiterite (SnO2) is an ore of tin. Therefore, the correct option is (b) l and lll only.

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Fehling's solution is a chemical test used to detect the presence of reducing sugars such as glucose. It consists of two solutions: Fehling's A (a solution of copper(II) sulfate) and Fehling's B (a solution of sodium hydroxide and potassium sodium tartrate). When glucose is added to Fehling's solution and heated, the blue color of copper(II) ions in Fehling's A turns into reddish-brown precipitate of copper(I) oxide, Cu2O (not copper (ll) oxide). This happens because glucose acts as a reducing agent and donates electrons to the copper(II) ions, which get reduced to copper(I) ions. The copper(I) ions then combine with hydroxide ions from Fehling's B to form the insoluble copper(I) oxide precipitate. Therefore, the correct answer is copper(I) oxide (Cu2O).

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The method that can be used to separate a mixture of two miscible liquids with different boiling points is distillation. Distillation is a process of separating the components of a mixture based on their different boiling points. In this process, the mixture is heated to its boiling point, and the vapor is condensed and collected. The component with the lower boiling point will vaporize first and will be collected as the distillate, while the component with the higher boiling point will remain in the distillation flask. Therefore, by using distillation, the two liquids can be separated based on their boiling points. The other options, such as decantation, evaporation, and filtration, are not suitable for separating two miscible liquids with different boiling points.

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The ionic radius of an atom generally increases down a group in the periodic table. The reason for this trend is that as you move down a group, the number of electron shells increases, meaning that the atomic size increases. This leads to a decrease in the effective nuclear charge, which reduces the attraction between the nucleus and the outermost electrons, allowing them to spread out and occupy a larger volume. As a result, the ionic radius of the atoms in the group increases, making them larger in size.

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Among the given compounds, only HF has hydrogen bonds between its molecules. Hydrogen bonding occurs when a hydrogen atom is bonded to a highly electronegative element like fluorine, oxygen, or nitrogen, and this hydrogen atom interacts with another electronegative atom from another molecule. In the case of HF, the hydrogen atom is bonded to the highly electronegative fluorine atom, and this hydrogen atom forms a hydrogen bond with the fluorine atom of another HF molecule. HBr, HCl, and HI have covalent bonds between their molecules, but they don't have hydrogen bonds because the hydrogen atoms are not bonded to highly electronegative atoms like fluorine, oxygen, or nitrogen.

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The oxidation number of an element is the charge it would have in a compound if electrons were completely transferred. In K₂CrO₄, the compound is neutral (has no net charge) so we can determine the oxidation number of chromium by adding up the oxidation numbers of all the atoms in the compound and setting the sum equal to zero. The oxidation number of K (potassium) is +1 since it is an alkali metal and forms a +1 ion in compounds. The oxidation number of O (oxygen) is -2 since it usually forms -2 ions in compounds, except in peroxides where it is -1. Let x be the oxidation number of chromium (Cr). So we have: 2(+1) + x + 4(-2) = 0 Simplifying this equation gives: x - 6 = 0 x = +6 Therefore, the oxidation number of chromium in K₂CrO₄ is +6.

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