Waec Chemistry 2003 Past Questions and Answers

Question 41:

• WAEC 2003

(a) i) An organic compound X contains 40% carbon, 6.67% hydrogen, the rest being oxygen. If X has a relative molecular mass of 60, determine its
(i) empirical formula (ii) molecular formula. [H = 1 ; C = 12; O = 16]

(b) An alkanoic acid Y has a relative molecular mass of 74.
(i) State the functional group of Y
(ii) What t of reaction is involved when Y is converted to an alkanoate?
(iii) Determine the structural formula of Y.
(iv) Write an equation for the reaction between Y and sodium
(v) If X in (a) above boils at 118°C and belongs to the same homologous series as Y, state with reason, whether the boiling point of Y will be equal to, higher or lower than 118°C.

(c)(i) What is fermentation?
(ii) Write an equation for the fermentation of glucose.
(iii) What must be added to glucose solution to make it ferment?
(iv) Explain why a tightly corked grass bottle filled to the brim with fresh palm wine shatters on standing.

Question 42:

• WAEC 2003

(a)Give two reasons why aluminium is preferred to copper for making overhead electric cables.
(ii) Describe briefly the electrolytic extraction of aluminium from purified bauxite.

(b) The diagram below represents an electrolytic cell used for the purification of copper.
(i) Which of the electrodes I and II increases in mass during the electrolysis? Give reasons for your answers
(ii) State with reason the site of oxidation
(iii) Identify III and explain why its colour does not change in intensity during the electrolysis.

(c) Calculate the current in amperes that will deposit 8.00 g of calcium from used CaCl\(_2\) in 1 hour 15 minutes. [Ca = 40.0; 1 Faraday = 96500C]

Question 43:

• WAEC 2003

(a) Mention one oxide in each case, which
(i) used in bleaching
(ii) is a redish-brown gas
(iii) reacts with NaOH and also with HCI;
(iv) dissolves in water to give a solution with pH greater than 7;
(v) oxidizes hot, concentrated HCI to chlorine

(b)(i) State three methods that can be used to removo hardness in a sample of water that contains calcium hydrogentrioxocarbonate (IV).
(ii) Explain with the aid of appropriate equation, why it is not advisable to build a house with limestone in an environment polluted by sulphur (IV) oxide.

(c)(i) List two compounds of potassium which yield oxygen when heated strongly
(ii) Calculate the amount (in moles) of gas which occupies 250 cm\(^3\) at s.t.p. [1 mole of gas occupies 22.4 dm\(^3\) at s.t.p]
(iii) If 250 cm\(^3\) of a gas at s.t.p. is heated to 27°C at constant pressure, calculate its new volume.
(iv) Explain in terms of the collision theory what happens as a gas is heated at constant pressure.