WAEC WASSCE
WAEC Chemistry past questions and answers
Objective Chemistry questions from past WAEC WASSCE papers, with the answer and a short explanation for each. Try a question, then reveal the answer to check your working.
Question 1
WAEC 2024Organic chemistryWhat is the molecular formula of butene?
- Option A: C₄H₁₀
- Option B: C₄H₆
- Option C: C₄H₈
- Option D: C₄H₉
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Answer: C, C₄H₈
Alkenes follow CₙH₂ₙ, so butene with 4 carbon atoms is C₄H₈.
Question 2
WAEC 2024Acids, bases and saltsWhich description fits a solution whose pH is 2?
- Option A: strongly acidic
- Option B: weakly acidic
- Option C: neutral
- Option D: strongly alkaline
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Answer: A, strongly acidic
The lower the pH below 7, the stronger the acid.
Question 3
WAEC 2024Gas lawsA fixed mass of gas occupies 540 cm³ at a pressure of 1 atm. What volume will it occupy at 4 atm if the temperature stays constant?
- Option A: 2160 cm³
- Option B: 540 cm³
- Option C: 270 cm³
- Option D: 135 cm³
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Answer: D, 135 cm³
By Boyle's law, P₁V₁ = P₂V₂, so V₂ = 1 × 540 ÷ 4 = 135 cm³.
Question 4
WAEC 2024Atomic structureAn atom of neon has atomic number 10 and mass number 20. How many neutrons are in its nucleus?
- Option A: 20
- Option B: 10
- Option C: 30
- Option D: 11
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Answer: B, 10
Neutrons = mass number − atomic number = 20 − 10 = 10.
Question 5
WAEC 2024Electronic configurationWhat is the electronic configuration of fluorine (atomic number 9)?
- Option A: 2, 6
- Option B: 2, 8
- Option C: 2, 7
- Option D: 2, 8, 1
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Answer: C, 2, 7
Fill the shells in order, 2 then 8 then 8: fluorine has 9 electrons, arranged 2, 7.
Question 6
WAEC 2023Electronic configurationWhat is the electronic configuration of beryllium (atomic number 4)?
- Option A: 2, 1
- Option B: 2, 3
- Option C: 2, 2
- Option D: 2, 4
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Answer: C, 2, 2
Fill the shells in order, 2 then 8 then 8: beryllium has 4 electrons, arranged 2, 2.
Question 7
WAEC 2023Atomic structureAn atom of nitrogen has atomic number 7 and mass number 14. How many neutrons are in its nucleus?
- Option A: 7
- Option B: 14
- Option C: 21
- Option D: 8
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Answer: A, 7
Neutrons = mass number − atomic number = 14 − 7 = 7.
Question 8
WAEC 2023Chemical symbolsWhat is the chemical symbol of antimony?
- Option A: Sb
- Option B: An
- Option C: A
- Option D: At
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Answer: A, Sb
Antimony is Sb, from its Latin name stibium.
Question 9
WAEC 2023Gas lawsA fixed mass of gas occupies 480 cm³ at a pressure of 3 atm. What volume will it occupy at 2 atm if the temperature stays constant?
- Option A: 320 cm³
- Option B: 480 cm³
- Option C: 720 cm³
- Option D: 2880 cm³
Show the answerHide the answer to question 9
Answer: C, 720 cm³
By Boyle's law, P₁V₁ = P₂V₂, so V₂ = 3 × 480 ÷ 2 = 720 cm³.
Question 10
WAEC 2023Organic chemistryWhat is the molecular formula of propene?
- Option A: C₃H₆
- Option B: C₃H₈
- Option C: C₃H₄
- Option D: C₃H₇
Show the answerHide the answer to question 10
Answer: A, C₃H₆
Alkenes follow CₙH₂ₙ, so propene with 3 carbon atoms is C₃H₆.
More Chemistry: JAMB Chemistry past questions.
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