JAMB Chemistry Practice: Empirical & Molecular Formulas
Instructions: Try to solve these using only a periodic table and a calculator. (Time yourself: 90
seconds per question).
1. What is the empirical formula of a hydrocarbon containing $80\%$ carbon and $20\%$
hydrogen by mass? ($C = 12, H = 1$)
A. $CH$
B. $CH_2$
C. $CH_3$
D. $C_2H_6$
2. A compound has an empirical formula of $CH_2O$ and a molar mass of $180\text{ g/mol}$.
What is its molecular formula? ($C = 12, H = 1, O = 16$)
A. $C_3H_6O_3$
B. $C_6H_{12}O_6$
C. $C_5H_{10}O_5$
D. $C_4H_8O_4$
3. The simplest formula of a compound is known as the:
A. Structural formula
B. Molecular formula
C. Empirical formula
D. General formula
4. Determine the empirical formula of a compound that contains $52.2\%$ Carbon, $13.0\%$
Hydrogen, and $34.8\%$ Oxygen. ($C = 12, H = 1, O = 16$)
A. $C_2H_6O$
B. $CH_3O$
C. $C_2H_5O$
D. $C_4H_{12}O_2$
5. If the empirical formula of a compound is $CH$ and its vapor density is $39$, what is its
molecular formula? ($C = 12, H = 1$)
A. $C_2H_2$
B. $C_4H_4$
C. $C_6H_6$
D. $C_3H_3$
Quick Answer Key (For later check)
1. C | 2. B | 3. C | 4. A | 5. C
Certainly! Here is a clean, printable version of the organic chemistry summary and the JAMB
quiz. You can highlight all the text below, copy it (Ctrl + C), and paste it (Ctrl + V) directly into
Microsoft Word.
Organic Chemistry Study Guide & JAMB Practice
I. Essential Concepts
Tetravalency: Carbon has 4 valence electrons and forms 4 covalent bonds.
Hybridization:
o sp³: Single bonds (Tetrahedral, 109.5°)
o sp²: Double bonds (Trigonal planar, 120°)
o sp: Triple bonds (Linear, 180°)
Homologous Series: A group of compounds with the same functional group where each member
differs by a $-CH_2$ unit.
Common Functional Groups
Name Functional Group General Formula
Alkanes $C-C$ (Single bond) $C_nH_{2n+2}$
Alkenes $C=C$ (Double bond) $C_nH_{2n}$
Alkynes $C≡C$ (Triple bond) $C_nH_{2n-2}$
Alkanols $-OH$ (Hydroxyl) $R-OH$
Alkanoic Acids $-COOH$ (Carboxyl) $R-COOH$
II. JAMB Practice Quiz
1. Which of the following properties is characteristic of a homologous series?
A. Members have the same physical properties
B. Members have the same functional group
C. Members have the same empirical formula
D. Members have the same molecular mass
2. What is the IUPAC name for the compound $CH_3CH(CH_3)CH_2CH_2OH$?
A. 2-methylbutan-4-ol
B. Pentanol
C. 3-methylbutan-1-ol
D. Isopentanol
3. The hybridization of the carbon atoms in ethyne ($C_2H_2$) is:
A. sp³
B. sp²
C. sp
D. dsp²
4. Which of these reagents is used to distinguish between an alkene and an alkane?
A. Bromine water
B. Fehling's solution
C. Litmus paper
D. Sodium hydroxide
5. The reaction between ethanol and ethanoic acid in the presence of concentrated
$H_2SO_4$ is known as:
A. Saponification
B. Esterification
C. Neutralization
D. Hydration
6. Which of the following compounds will undergo an addition reaction?
A. Ethane
B. Ethene
C. Benzene
D. Toluene
7. The functional group representing the alkanoic acids is:
A. $-CHO$
B. $-OH$
C. $-COOH$
D. $-CO-$
8. What is the general formula for the Alkyne series?
A. $C_nH_{2n+2}$
B. $C_nH_{2n}$
C. $C_nH_{2n-2}$
D. $C_nH_{2n-4}$
9. A substance that can be used to test for the presence of the hydroxyl group in ethanol is:
A. Sodium metal
B. Copper(II) sulfate
C. Sodium chloride
D. Calcium carbonate
10. The conversion of glucose to ethanol and carbon dioxide is known as:
A. Oxidation
B. Fermentation
C. Distillation
D. Hydrolysis
Answer Key
1. B | 2. C | 3. C | 4. A | 5. B | 6. B | 7. C | 8. C | 9. A | 10. B
Would you like me to explain the step-by-step naming process for any of the complex
structures mentioned in the quiz?
Name Functional Group General Formula
Alkanes $C-C$ (Single bond) $C_nH_{2n+2}$
Alkenes $C=C$ (Double bond) $C_nH_{2n}$
Alkynes $C≡C$ (Triple bond) $C_nH_{2n-2}$
Alkanols $-OH$ (Hydroxyl) $R-OH$
Alkanoic Acids $-COOH$ (Carboxyl) $R-COOH$
Certainly! Here is a clean, printable version of the organic chemistry summary and the JAMB
quiz. You can highlight all the text below, copy it (Ctrl + C), and paste it (Ctrl + V) directly into
Microsoft Word.
Organic Chemistry Study Guide & JAMB Practice
I. Essential Concepts
Tetravalency: Carbon has 4 valence electrons and forms 4 covalent bonds.
Hybridization:
o sp³: Single bonds (Tetrahedral, 109.5°)
o sp²: Double bonds (Trigonal planar, 120°)
o sp: Triple bonds (Linear, 180°)
Homologous Series: A group of compounds with the same functional group where each member
differs by a $-CH_2$ unit.
Common Functional Groups
Name Functional Group General Formula
Alkanes $C-C$ (Single bond) $C_nH_{2n+2}$
Alkenes $C=C$ (Double bond) $C_nH_{2n}$
Alkynes $C≡C$ (Triple bond) $C_nH_{2n-2}$
Alkanols $-OH$ (Hydroxyl) $R-OH$
Alkanoic Acids $-COOH$ (Carboxyl) $R-COOH$
II. JAMB Practice Quiz
1. Which of the following properties is characteristic of a homologous series?
A. Members have the same physical properties
B. Members have the same functional group
C. Members have the same empirical formula
D. Members have the same molecular mass
2. What is the IUPAC name for the compound $CH_3CH(CH_3)CH_2CH_2OH$?
A. 2-methylbutan-4-ol
B. Pentanol
C. 3-methylbutan-1-ol
D. Isopentanol
3. The hybridization of the carbon atoms in ethyne ($C_2H_2$) is:
A. sp³
B. sp²
C. sp
D. dsp²
4. Which of these reagents is used to distinguish between an alkene and an alkane?
A. Bromine water
B. Fehling's solution
C. Litmus paper
D. Sodium hydroxide
5. The reaction between ethanol and ethanoic acid in the presence of concentrated
$H_2SO_4$ is known as:
A. Saponification
B. Esterification
C. Neutralization
D. Hydration
6. Which of the following compounds will undergo an addition reaction?
A. Ethane
B. Ethene
C. Benzene
D. Toluene
7. The functional group representing the alkanoic acids is:
A. $-CHO$
B. $-OH$
C. $-COOH$
D. $-CO-$
8. What is the general formula for the Alkyne series?
A. $C_nH_{2n+2}$
B. $C_nH_{2n}$
C. $C_nH_{2n-2}$
D. $C_nH_{2n-4}$
9. A substance that can be used to test for the presence of the hydroxyl group in ethanol is:
A. Sodium metal
B. Copper(II) sulfate
C. Sodium chloride
D. Calcium carbonate
10. The conversion of glucose to ethanol and carbon dioxide is known as:
A. Oxidation
B. Fermentation
C. Distillation
D. Hydrolysis
Answer Key
1. B | 2. C | 3. C | 4. A | 5. B | 6. B | 7. C | 8. C | 9. A | 10. B
Would you like me to explain the step-by-step naming process for any of the complex
structures mentioned in the quiz?