Acids Bases and Salts Practice Questions

WAEC (West Africa) · WAEC Chemistry · 136 free MCQs with instant results and detailed explanations.

136
Total
38
Easy
70
Medium
28
Hard

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Sample Questions from Acids Bases and Salts

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Q1
Easy
Which of the following is a characteristic property of acids?
A. They turn blue litmus paper red.
B. They taste bitter.
C. They feel slippery.
D. They react with metals to produce hydrogen gas.
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: A
Acids are known to turn blue litmus paper red, which is a definitive property used to identify them in a laboratory setting.
Q2
Easy
Which of the following can be classified as a base?
A. HCl
B. NaOH
C. H2SO4
D. CH3COOH
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B
NaOH (sodium hydroxide) is a base because it dissociates in water to produce hydroxide ions (OH-), which is characteristic of basic substances.
Q3
Easy
What is the main product when an acid reacts with a base?
A. Salt
B. Water
C. Hydrogen gas
D. Oxygen gas
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: A
The main product of the neutralization reaction between an acid and a base is a salt, accompanied by water, but salt is the primary focus.
Q4
Medium
When sodium hydroxide (NaOH) reacts with hydrochloric acid (HCl), what is the resulting salt formed?
A. Sodium chloride (NaCl)
B. Sodium sulfate (Na₂SO₄)
C. Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃)
D. Sodium acetate (CH₃COONa)
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: A
The reaction between sodium hydroxide (a base) and hydrochloric acid produces sodium chloride (NaCl), a salt, along with water.
Q5
Medium
Which of the following indicators would be most suitable for identifying the endpoint of a titration between a strong acid and a strong base?
A. Phenolphthalein
B. Methyl orange
C. Litmus paper
D. Universal indicator
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Correct Answer: A
Phenolphthalein is the most suitable indicator for a titration between a strong acid and a strong base as it changes color sharply at pH around 7-8, which is the endpoint for such titrations.
Q6
Medium
What volume of 0.1 M hydrochloric acid (HCl) is required to neutralize 50 mL of 0.1 M sodium hydroxide (NaOH)?
A. 50 mL
B. 25 mL
C. 100 mL
D. 75 mL
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: A
In a neutralization reaction between a strong acid and a strong base, the volumes are equal at the same molarity. Therefore, 50 mL of 0.1 M HCl is needed to neutralize 50 mL of 0.1 M NaOH.
Q7
Medium
Which of the following indicates a basic solution when using litmus paper?
A. Turns red to blue
B. Remains blue
C. Turns blue to red
D. Remains red
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: A
Litmus paper turns red in acidic solutions and blue in basic solutions. Therefore, if a solution turns red litmus paper to blue, it indicates that the solution is basic.
Q8
Hard
Which of the following is not a characteristic of strong acids when dissolved in water?
A. They completely ionize in solution.
B. They have a pH less than 7.
C. They conduct electricity poorly.
D. They produce a high concentration of hydrogen ions.
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: C
Strong acids fully dissociate in water, producing a high concentration of hydrogen ions and conducting electricity well. Therefore, option C, stating they conduct electricity poorly, is incorrect.
Q9
Hard
What is the expected pH of a solution that results from mixing 0.1 M hydrochloric acid (HCl) with 0.1 M sodium hydroxide (NaOH)?
A. 7
B. 14
C. 0
D. 10
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: A
The mixing of equal molar concentrations of a strong acid (HCl) and a strong base (NaOH) results in a neutralization reaction, producing water and salt, leading to a pH of 7.
Q10
Hard
Which of the following statements correctly describes the effect of a strong acid on an aqueous solution of a weak base?
A. The pH of the solution will increase significantly.
B. The solution will become neutral.
C. The pH of the solution will decrease.
D. The solution will become more basic.
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: C
A strong acid completely dissociates in solution, increasing the concentration of H+ ions, which leads to a decrease in pH of the solution. This is particularly true when it is added to a weak base, hindering its ability to neutralize the acid effectively.

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Acids Bases and Salts — WAEC (West Africa) WAEC Chemistry Practice Questions Online

This page contains 136 practice MCQs for the chapter Acids Bases and Salts in WAEC (West Africa) WAEC Chemistry. The questions are organized by difficulty — 38 easy, 70 medium, 28 hard — so you can choose the right level for your preparation.

Every question includes a detailed explanation to help you understand the concept, not just memorize answers. Take a timed quiz to simulate exam conditions, or practice at your own pace with no time limit.