Non-metals and their Compounds: JAMB Chemistry Questions, Answers & Notes

What Non-metals and their Compounds covers in the JAMB Chemistry syllabus

Non-metals include oxygen (21% of air, supports combustion, relights a glowing splint), nitrogen (78% of air, used to make ammonia via the Haber process), carbon dioxide (turns limewater milky, used in fire extinguishers), hydrogen (burns with a 'pop'), chlorine (bleach and water disinfectant) and the inert noble gases (argon/neon in bulbs and signs). Carbon shows allotropy (diamond, graphite — graphite conducts and is used in pencils). Key compounds: ammonia (alkaline, turns damp red litmus blue, makes fertilisers), sulphur(IV) oxide (acidic bleach/preservative), and sulphuric acid (made by the Contact process; concentrated form is a drying agent).

For Non-metals and their Compounds, JAMB expects you to be able to:

• Identify common non-metals and their properties
• Recall tests for common gases (O₂, H₂, CO₂, NH₃)
• Describe important non-metal compounds and industrial processes

Key facts & revision notes: Non-metals and their Compounds

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

• Oxygen is a non-metal; iron, copper and zinc are metals.
• Oxygen is about 21% of air and supports combustion.
• Carbon dioxide turns limewater milky — the standard test for CO₂.
• Nitrogen makes up about 78% of the atmosphere.
• Ammonia is alkaline and turns damp red litmus paper blue.
• Chlorine is used as a bleach and to disinfect water.
• Diamond and graphite are allotropes of carbon (also fullerenes).
• Graphite conducts electricity (delocalised electrons) and is used in pencil 'lead'.
• Hydrogen burns with a squeaky 'pop' when a lighted splint is applied.
• Oxygen relights a glowing (or blowing) splint — the standard test.
• SO₂ is acidic and acts as a bleaching agent and food preservative.
• Concentrated sulphuric acid is a powerful drying/dehydrating agent.
• Oxygen is needed for respiration in living organisms.
• Acid + carbonate → salt + water + carbon dioxide.
• Nitrogen and hydrogen make ammonia in the Haber process.
• The Contact process manufactures sulphuric acid (via SO₂ → SO₃ → H₂SO₄).
• Noble gases such as argon and neon are inert and used in bulbs and neon signs.
• CO₂ smothers fire — it does not support combustion and, being denser than air, blankets the flames.
• Hydrogen chloride (HCl) dissolves in water to form hydrochloric acid.
• Ammonia is used largely to make nitrogenous fertilisers.
• Graphite conducts electricity because of its free electrons.
• Bromine is a dark-red liquid at room temperature.
• Hydrogen is the least dense gas.
• Excess CO₂ forms soluble calcium hydrogencarbonate, clearing the milkiness.

Worked examples

Three Non-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 Non-metals and their Compounds is tested in JAMB Chemistry

Our Non-metals and their Compounds bank holds 40 questions (5 easy, 24 medium, 11 hard). JAMB Chemistry typically returns to Non-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 Non-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 Non-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 Non-metals and their Compounds is repeated timed practice, so use the button above until the recurring patterns feel automatic.

Common mistakes to avoid in Non-metals and their Compounds

The errors that cost marks on Non-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 Non-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 Non-metals and their Compounds part of the JAMB Chemistry syllabus?

Yes. Non-metals and their Compounds is a recognised topic in the JAMB Chemistry syllabus, covering identify common non-metals and their properties. You should be able to recall its key facts and apply them to multiple-choice questions.

How many Non-metals and their Compounds questions can I practise on Belmadeng?

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

Non-metals include oxygen (21% of air, supports combustion, relights a glowing splint), nitrogen (78% of air, used to make ammonia via the Haber process), carbon dioxide (turns limewater milky, used in fire extinguishers), hydrogen (burns with a 'pop'), chlorine (bleach and water disinfectant) and t…

How do I answer Non-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 Non-metals and their Compounds. Practising timed Non-metals and their Compounds questions builds the speed you need for UTME's pace of about 40 seconds per question.

Are these JAMB Chemistry Non-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 Non-metals and their Compounds questions free without signing up?

Right here — tap “Start Non-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.