2026/2027 WAEC/GCE Chemistry Objective and Essay Questions and Answers: 5th October, 2026
PAPER 1
OBJECTIVE TEST (60 Questions)
Time Allowed: 1 Hour 30 Minutes
Instructions
Answer all questions.
Choose the most appropriate option A–D.
Each question carries equal marks.
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1.
Chemistry is the study of
A. living organisms only
B. matter and the changes it undergoes
C. energy alone
D. the earth’s crust only
Answer: B
2.
The smallest particle of an element that can take part in a chemical reaction is
A. molecule
B. atom
C. ion
D. compound
Answer: B
3.
The atomic number of an element is equal to the number of
A. neutrons only
B. protons only
C. electrons and neutrons
D. nucleons
Answer: B
4.
Which of the following is a physical change?
A. Rusting of iron
B. Burning of paper
C. Melting of ice
D. Digestion of food
Answer: C
5.
A substance made up of two or more elements chemically combined is called
A. mixture
B. atom
C. compound
D. solution
Answer: C
6.
The formula of sodium chloride is
A. NaCl
B. Na₂Cl
C. NaCl₂
D. Na₂Cl₂
Answer: A
7.
Which of the following is a mixture?
A. Water
B. Salt
C. Air
D. Ammonia
Answer: C
8.
The process of separating crude oil into components is called
A. sublimation
B. crystallization
C. fractional distillation
D. filtration
Answer: C
9.
The relative molecular mass of H₂O is
A. 16
B. 18
C. 20
D. 22
Answer: B
10.
The SI unit of amount of substance is
A. gram
B. litre
C. mole
D. kilogram
Answer: C
11.
The discovery of the nucleus was made by
A. Dalton
B. Rutherford
C. Bohr
D. Thomson
Answer: B
2026 WAEC Chemistry Objective and Essay Questions and Answers: June 11th 2026
12.
The particles found in the nucleus are
A. electrons and protons
B. electrons and neutrons
C. protons and neutrons
D. protons only
Answer: C
13.
An isotope differs from another isotope of the same element by the number of
A. protons
B. electrons
C. neutrons
D. valence electrons
Answer: C
14.
Elements in the same group have the same
A. atomic mass
B. number of shells
C. valence electrons
D. neutron number
Answer: C
15.
Chlorine belongs to Group
A. I
B. II
C. VII
D. VIII
Answer: C
16.
The most reactive group of metals is
A. Group I
B. Group II
C. Group III
D. Group IV
Answer: A
17.
Which of the following is a noble gas?
A. Chlorine
B. Argon
C. Sulphur
D. Sodium
Answer: B
18.
The periodic law was developed by
A. Mendeleev
B. Dalton
C. Bohr
D. Lavoisier
Answer: A
19.
The electronic configuration of sodium is
A. 2,8,1
B. 2,8,2
C. 2,6
D. 2,7
Answer: A
20.
The valency of oxygen is
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
Answer: B
21.
The bond formed by transfer of electrons is
A. covalent bond
B. ionic bond
C. metallic bond
D. hydrogen bond
Answer: B
22.
Methane contains
A. ionic bonds
B. metallic bonds
C. covalent bonds
D. electrovalent bonds
Answer: C
23.
Which compound exhibits ionic bonding?
A. H₂O
B. NH₃
C. NaCl
D. CH₄
Answer: C
24.
The formula of ammonia is
A. NH₂
B. NH₃
C. N₂H
D. N₂H₄
Answer: B
25.
A shared pair of electrons forms
A. ionic bond
B. covalent bond
C. metallic bond
D. coordinate bond
Answer: B
26.
The pressure of a gas is caused by
A. colour of gas
B. molecular collisions
C. temperature alone
D. volume only
Answer: B
27.
Charles’ law relates volume and
A. pressure
B. mass
C. temperature
D. density
Answer: C
28.
Boyle’s law states that pressure is inversely proportional to
A. density
B. volume
C. temperature
D. mass
Answer: B
29.
STP means
A. Standard Temperature and Pressure
B. Simple Temperature Pressure
C. Standard Thermal Point
D. System Temperature Point
Answer: A
30.
The molar volume of a gas at STP is
A. 22.4 dm³
B. 24 dm³
C. 18 dm³
D. 32 dm³
Answer: A
31.
Litmus turns red in
A. alkali
B. acid
C. neutral solution
D. salt solution
Answer: B
32.
A common laboratory acid is
A. sodium hydroxide
B. hydrochloric acid
C. sodium chloride
D. ammonia
Answer: B
33.
A base soluble in water is called
A. acid
B. salt
C. alkali
D. oxide
Answer: C
2026 WAEC Chemistry Objective and Essay Questions and Answers: June 11th 2026
34.
The pH of a neutral solution is
A. 0
B. 5
C. 7
D. 14
Answer: C
35.
Neutralization produces
A. acid only
B. base only
C. salt and water
D. hydrogen only
Answer: C
36.
Which of the following is an alkali?
A. HCl
B. H₂SO₄
C. NaOH
D. CO₂
Answer: C
37.
The common indicator used in acid-base titration is
A. iodine
B. methyl orange
C. chlorine
D. copper sulphate
Answer: B
38.
Sulphuric acid is
A. monobasic acid
B. dibasic acid
C. tribasic acid
D. weak acid
Answer: B
39.
The formula of nitric acid is
A. HNO₃
B. H₂SO₄
C. HCl
D. H₂CO₃
Answer: A
40.
The gas evolved when zinc reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid is
A. oxygen
B. hydrogen
C. nitrogen
D. chlorine
Answer: B
41.
The simplest hydrocarbon is
A. methane
B. ethene
C. propane
D. butane
Answer: A
42.
The general formula of alkanes is
A. CnH2n
B. CnH2n+2
C. CnH2n−2
D. CnHn
Answer: B
43.
Ethene belongs to the family of
A. alkanes
B. alkenes
C. alkynes
D. alcohols
Answer: B
44.
Fermentation of sugar produces
A. ethanol
B. methane
C. ammonia
D. chlorine
Answer: A
45.
The functional group of alcohols is
A. –COOH
B. –OH
C. –CHO
D. –NH₂
Answer: B
46.
Soap is produced through
A. cracking
B. polymerization
C. saponification
D. esterification
Answer: C
47.
Petrol is obtained from
A. coal
B. crude oil
C. limestone
D. wood
Answer: B
48.
The process of breaking large hydrocarbon molecules into smaller ones is
A. cracking
B. polymerization
C. hydrogenation
D. distillation
Answer: A
49.
Polyethene is made from
A. ethene
B. methane
C. propane
D. ethanol
Answer: A
2026 WAEC Chemistry Objective and Essay Questions and Answers: June 11th 2026
50.
The IUPAC name of CH₃CH₂OH is
A. methanol
B. ethanol
C. propanol
D. butanol
Answer: B
51.
The main component of natural gas is
A. methane
B. ethane
C. propane
D. butane
Answer: A
52.
Acid rain is mainly caused by
A. oxygen and nitrogen
B. sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides
C. carbon and hydrogen
D. chlorine gas
Answer: B
53.
The process used to manufacture ammonia industrially is
A. Contact process
B. Haber process
C. Solvay process
D. Ostwald process
Answer: B
54.
The Contact Process is used in manufacturing
A. nitric acid
B. hydrochloric acid
C. sulphuric acid
D. ammonia
Answer: C
55.
Corrosion of iron produces
A. copper oxide
B. rust
C. limestone
D. carbon
Answer: B
56.
Water hardness is caused mainly by
A. sodium salts
B. potassium salts
C. calcium and magnesium salts
D. iron salts
Answer: C
57.
Temporary hardness can be removed by
A. boiling
B. filtration
C. distillation only
D. evaporation
Answer: A
58.
An oxidizing agent
A. loses oxygen
B. gains electrons
C. accepts electrons
D. forms acids only
Answer: C
59.
Electrolysis involves
A. heating compounds
B. use of electricity to decompose substances
C. cooling solutions
D. crystallization
Answer: B
60.
The positive electrode in electrolysis is called
A. cathode
B. anode
C. electrolyte
D. ion
Answer: B
PAPER 2
ESSAY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Question 1
(a) Explain the kinetic theory of matter.
(b) State five differences between solids and gases.
Answer
The kinetic theory of matter states that all matter is composed of tiny particles that are in constant random motion. The degree of motion depends on temperature. As temperature increases, the kinetic energy of particles also increases.
Differences Between Solids and Gases
Solids Gases
Definite shape No definite shape
Definite volume No definite volume
Particles closely packed Particles far apart
Difficult to compress Easily compressed
Strong intermolecular forces Weak intermolecular forces
Question 2
(a) Define an acid according to Arrhenius.
(b) Describe how standard sodium hydroxide solution can be prepared in the laboratory.
(c) Explain neutralization reaction with an example.
Answer
An Arrhenius acid is a substance that produces hydrogen ions (H⁺) when dissolved in water.
Preparation of Sodium Hydroxide Solution
Weigh the required mass of sodium hydroxide pellets.
Dissolve in distilled water.
Transfer into a volumetric flask.
Add water to the calibration mark.
Shake thoroughly.
Neutralization
Neutralization is the reaction between an acid and a base to produce salt and water.
Example:
HCl+NaOH→NaCl+H2OHCl + NaOH \rightarrow NaCl + H_2OHCl+NaOH→NaCl+H2O
Hydrochloric acid reacts with sodium hydroxide to form sodium chloride and water.
2026 WAEC Chemistry Objective and Essay Questions and Answers: June 11th 2026
Question 3
(a) What is crude oil?
(b) Explain fractional distillation of crude oil.
(c) State four products obtained from crude oil and their uses.
Answer
Crude oil is a naturally occurring mixture of hydrocarbons found beneath the earth’s surface.
Fractional Distillation
Crude oil is heated in a furnace and vaporized. The vapours enter a fractionating column where they condense at different temperatures according to their boiling points.
Products and Uses
Product Use
Petrol Fuel for cars
Kerosene Aviation fuel
Diesel Fuel for engines
Bitumen Road construction
Question 4
(a) Define oxidation and reduction.
(b) Explain electrolysis.
(c) State three applications of electrolysis.
Answer
Oxidation
Oxidation is the loss of electrons or gain of oxygen.
Reduction
Reduction is the gain of electrons or loss of oxygen.
Electrolysis
Electrolysis is the chemical decomposition of an electrolyte by the passage of electric current.
Applications
Electroplating.
Purification of copper.
Extraction of aluminium.
Question 5
(a) Explain the manufacture of ammonia by the Haber Process.
(b) State the conditions necessary for the process.
(c) Mention four uses of ammonia.
Answer
The Haber Process is an industrial method for producing ammonia from nitrogen and hydrogen gases.
The reaction is:
N2+3H2⇌2NH3N_2 + 3H_2 \rightleftharpoons 2NH_3N2+3H2⇌2NH3
Conditions
Temperature of about 450°C.
Pressure of about 200 atmospheres.
Finely divided iron catalyst.
Continuous recycling of unreacted gases.
Uses of Ammonia
Production of fertilizers.
Manufacture of nitric acid.
Refrigeration systems.
Production of explosives.
Question 6
(a) Define hydrocarbons.
(b) Differentiate between alkanes and alkenes.
(c) State three properties and three uses of ethanol.
Answer
Hydrocarbons are compounds containing only carbon and hydrogen.
Differences Between Alkanes and Alkenes
Alkanes Alkenes
Saturated Unsaturated
Single bonds only At least one double bond
Less reactive More reactive
Properties of Ethanol
Colourless liquid.
Miscible with water.
Flammable.
Uses of Ethanol
Industrial solvent.
Fuel additive.
Manufacture of alcoholic beverages.
This structure closely follows the standard WAEC Chemistry format, covering Physical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Industrial Chemistry, Environmental Chemistry, and calculation-related theory questions.