Acids, Bases and Salts: JAMB Chemistry Questions, Answers & Notes

What Acids, Bases and Salts covers in the JAMB Chemistry syllabus

Acids produce H⁺ ions in water; bases accept them, and a soluble base (alkali) produces OH⁻ ions. The pH scale runs 0–14: below 7 acidic, 7 neutral, above 7 alkaline. Acids react with metals (→ salt + hydrogen), with carbonates (→ salt + water + carbon dioxide) and with bases (neutralisation → salt + water). Strong acids ionise completely, weak acids partially. Salts are normal, acid (with replaceable H) or basic; oxides are acidic, basic, neutral or amphoteric (react with both). Indicators (litmus, phenolphthalein, methyl orange, universal indicator) show acidity, and titration finds unknown concentrations using a standard solution.

For Acids, Bases and Salts, JAMB expects you to be able to:

• Define acids, bases, alkalis and salts and use the pH scale
• Describe reactions of acids and neutralisation, and strong vs weak acids
• Classify salts and oxides and understand titration and indicators

Key facts & revision notes: Acids, Bases and Salts

These are the recurring points our Acids, Bases and Salts questions test — revise them until each feels automatic, then practise the questions above to lock them in.

• An acid produces hydrogen ions (H⁺) in water.
• A soluble base is an alkali; it produces hydroxide ions (OH⁻) in water.
• A neutral solution (pure water) has a pH of 7.
• A pH of 2 is well below 7, so the solution is strongly acidic.
• A pH of 12 is well above 7, so the solution is strongly alkaline.
• Acid + base → salt + water is a neutralisation reaction.
• A reactive metal with an acid gives a salt and hydrogen gas.
• Acid + carbonate → salt + water + carbon dioxide.
• Blue litmus turns red in acid; red litmus turns blue in alkali.
• Indicators like phenolphthalein or methyl orange show the endpoint of a titration.
• A strong acid ionises completely in water (e.g.
• A weak acid is only partially ionised in water (e.g.
• A normal salt has all the acid's replaceable hydrogen replaced by a metal (e.g.
• An acid salt still contains replaceable hydrogen from the parent acid (e.g.
• Al₂O₃, ZnO) react with both acids and bases.
• Na₂O is a basic (metallic) oxide; CO₂, SO₂ and NO₂ are acidic (non-metallic) oxides.
• Titration determines an unknown concentration using a standard solution and an indicator.
• A deliquescent substance absorbs so much moisture from the air that it dissolves.
• Hydrochloric acid forms chloride salts; sulphuric acid forms sulphates; nitric acid nitrates.
• Universal indicator turns green at pH 7 (neutral).
• Alkalis release OH⁻ ions in water.
• A Brønsted–Lowry acid is a proton donor.
• A Brønsted–Lowry base accepts protons.
• Lower pH means higher H⁺ concentration, i.e.

Worked examples

Three Acids, Bases and Salts questions with the answer and a short explanation, so you can see how the topic is set before you practise the full set.

How Acids, Bases and Salts is tested in JAMB Chemistry

Our Acids, Bases and Salts bank holds 40 questions (7 easy, 27 medium, 6 hard). JAMB Chemistry typically returns to Acids, Bases and Salts year after year, so steady practice on this topic is high-value revision. Questions are multiple-choice with four options, and at UTME pace you get roughly 40 seconds each — which is why timed practice matters.

How to answer Acids, Bases and Salts questions

Work the stem first and predict the answer before you look at the options; then eliminate the ones that contradict the key facts above. Watch for “which is not…”, “all of the above” and “except” style stems, which are where rushed candidates lose easy marks on Acids, Bases and Salts. If a calculation or a precise definition is involved, work it from first principles rather than guessing from a half-remembered rule. When two options look right, re-read the stem for the qualifier that separates them — JAMB rarely repeats an option by accident. If you are still unsure, eliminate the two weakest choices to lift your odds, flag the question, and move on; never burn a full minute on one Chemistry item when the exam gives you about forty seconds each. Then come back to flagged questions with whatever time remains. The single most reliable way to get faster at Acids, Bases and Salts is repeated timed practice, so use the button above until the recurring patterns feel automatic.

Common mistakes to avoid in Acids, Bases and Salts

The errors that cost marks on Acids, Bases and Salts are usually careless rather than conceptual: misreading a negative stem, confusing two similar terms, or rushing a definition you actually know. Candidates also over-rely on “expo” and last-minute cramming instead of understanding the topic — which fails the moment JAMB rephrases a familiar idea. Treat every option as a claim to be checked against the facts above, keep your working tidy for any calculation, and don’t change a considered answer on a hunch. Above all, revise Acids, Bases and Salts actively by answering questions, not just by re-reading notes — recall under time is what the exam rewards.

Frequently asked questions

Is Acids, Bases and Salts part of the JAMB Chemistry syllabus?

Yes. Acids, Bases and Salts is a recognised topic in the JAMB Chemistry syllabus, covering define acids, bases, alkalis and salts and use the pH scale. You should be able to recall its key facts and apply them to multiple-choice questions.

How many Acids, Bases and Salts questions can I practise on Belmadeng?

There are 40 original, JAMB-standard Acids, Bases and Salts questions in our free bank, each with the correct answer and a worked explanation. You can practise them untimed or as a timed test.

What are the most important points to know about Acids, Bases and Salts?

Acids produce H⁺ ions in water; bases accept them, and a soluble base (alkali) produces OH⁻ ions. The pH scale runs 0–14: below 7 acidic, 7 neutral, above 7 alkaline. Acids react with metals (→ salt + hydrogen), with carbonates (→ salt + water + carbon dioxide) and with bases (neutralisation → salt …

How do I answer Acids, Bases and Salts questions quickly in JAMB?

Read the stem carefully, eliminate clearly wrong options, and match the remaining choices to the key facts for Acids, Bases and Salts. Practising timed Acids, Bases and Salts questions builds the speed you need for UTME's pace of about 40 seconds per question.

Are these JAMB Chemistry Acids, Bases and Salts questions past questions or original?

They are original questions written to JAMB (UTME) standard and mapped to the official syllabus — not reproduced past papers. This keeps them legal to use freely while closely mirroring how the real exam tests the topic.

Where can I practise Acids, Bases and Salts questions free without signing up?

Right here — tap “Start Acids, Bases and Salts practice” on this page to begin instantly. Belmadeng's CBT practice is completely free and needs no sign-up, download or subscription.

About these questions: original, JAMB-standard items written from the official UTME Chemistry syllabus (last reviewed 2026-09-18). Belmadeng is an independent study platform and is not affiliated with JAMB. Spotted an error? Use the report link.