Metals and their Compounds: JAMB Chemistry Questions, Answers & Notes

What Metals and their Compounds covers in the JAMB Chemistry syllabus

Metals are typically shiny, malleable, ductile and good conductors, and form basic oxides. The reactivity series ranks them: very reactive metals (potassium, sodium) react with cold water and are extracted by electrolysis, while less reactive ones (iron) are extracted in the blast furnace and unreactive ones (copper, gold) occur nearly free. A more reactive metal displaces a less reactive one from its salt solution (e.g. iron displaces copper). Alloys (steel = iron + carbon; brass = copper + zinc) improve properties. Iron rusts in the presence of oxygen and water; rusting is prevented by galvanising (zinc coating), painting or oiling. Sodium is stored under oil; aluminium resists corrosion via its oxide layer.

For Metals and their Compounds, JAMB expects you to be able to:

• State the properties of metals and the reactivity series
• Explain extraction of metals, alloys, rusting and its prevention
• Apply displacement reactions and properties of metal compounds

Key facts & revision notes: Metals and their Compounds

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

• Metals are typically shiny, malleable, ductile and good conductors of heat and electricity.
• Potassium is very high in the reactivity series; gold, silver and copper are unreactive.
• The reactivity series lists metals in order of how readily they react.
• Sodium reacts vigorously with cold water, releasing hydrogen.
• Copper is below hydrogen in the reactivity series, so it does not displace hydrogen from dilute acids.
• Metallurgy is the extraction and processing of metals from their ores.
• Very reactive metals are extracted by electrolysis of their molten compounds.
• Iron is extracted from iron ore in the blast furnace, using coke and limestone.
• An alloy is a mixture of metals (or a metal with a non-metal) with improved properties.
• Steel is mainly an alloy of iron with a small amount of carbon.
• Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc.
• Rusting of iron needs both oxygen and water (moisture).
• Galvanising coats iron/steel with a protective layer of zinc to prevent rust.
• A more reactive metal displaces a less reactive one from its salt solution.
• Iron is more reactive than copper, so it displaces copper from copper(II) sulphate.
• Sodium is so reactive that it is stored under oil to keep it away from air and moisture.
• Bauxite is the main ore of aluminium; haematite is an iron ore.
• Metals typically form basic oxides (non-metals form acidic oxides).
• Ductility is the ability to be drawn into wires; malleability is being hammered into sheets.
• Aluminium forms a thin, tough oxide layer that protects the metal beneath from further corrosion.
• Metals conduct both heat and electricity well.
• Silver is the best electrical conductor of the common metals.
• Potassium is very reactive, near the top of the series.
• Gold is unreactive and occurs native.

Worked examples

Three Metals and their Compounds questions with the answer and a short explanation, so you can see how the topic is set before you practise the full set.

How Metals and their Compounds is tested in JAMB Chemistry

Our Metals and their Compounds bank holds 40 questions (4 easy, 24 medium, 12 hard). JAMB Chemistry typically returns to Metals and their Compounds 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 Metals and their Compounds 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 Metals and their Compounds. 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 Metals and their Compounds is repeated timed practice, so use the button above until the recurring patterns feel automatic.

Common mistakes to avoid in Metals and their Compounds

The errors that cost marks on Metals and their Compounds 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 Metals and their Compounds actively by answering questions, not just by re-reading notes — recall under time is what the exam rewards.

Frequently asked questions

Is Metals and their Compounds part of the JAMB Chemistry syllabus?

Yes. Metals and their Compounds is a recognised topic in the JAMB Chemistry syllabus, covering state the properties of metals and the reactivity series. You should be able to recall its key facts and apply them to multiple-choice questions.

How many Metals and their Compounds questions can I practise on Belmadeng?

There are 40 original, JAMB-standard Metals and their Compounds 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 Metals and their Compounds?

Metals are typically shiny, malleable, ductile and good conductors, and form basic oxides. The reactivity series ranks them: very reactive metals (potassium, sodium) react with cold water and are extracted by electrolysis, while less reactive ones (iron) are extracted in the blast furnace and unreac…

How do I answer Metals and their Compounds questions quickly in JAMB?

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

Are these JAMB Chemistry Metals and their Compounds 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 Metals and their Compounds questions free without signing up?

Right here — tap “Start Metals and their Compounds 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.