Grade 12 results are out. Where to check yours

Exam papers

Grade 12 Chemistry entrance exam, 2017 E.C. (2025), round 1

Real questions from the Grade 12 university entrance exam in Chemistry, as students sat it in 2017 E.C. Every question comes with the correct answer and a worked explanation. The 2017 E.C. exam was sat in more than one round. This page holds round 1.

Start practicing freeQuestion paper
Get it on Google Play

  • Natural science stream

    Who sits it

  • 2017 E.C. (2025), round 1

    Exam year

  • 72 questions with answers

    In this set

Try questions from this paper

Answer each question yourself before opening the answer. The explanations point to the exact place in the textbook, so you know which page to reread when you miss one.

Question 1

Which type of glass is made by heating a mixture of silica, sodium carbonate and limestone?

  1. A.Pyrex glass
  2. B.Soda-lime
  3. C.Borosilicate
  4. D.Quartz
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B Soda-lime

Why

Soda-lime glass is the most common type of glass and is manufactured by heating a mixture of silica (silicon dioxide), sodium carbonate (soda), and limestone (calcium carbonate).

Question 2

Consider the following galvanic cell:  When the Zn strip was connected to metal 'B' at 25°C, the voltmeter shows 0.51 V. Which of the following is the standard reduction potential of metal 'B'? (EZn2+/Zn∘=−0.76E^\circ_{\mathrm{Zn}^{2+}/\mathrm{Zn}} = -0.76 V)

  1. A.EB2+/B∘=1.27E^\circ_{\mathrm{B}^{2+}/\mathrm{B}} = 1.27 V
  2. B.EB2+/B∘=0.25E^\circ_{\mathrm{B}^{2+}/\mathrm{B}} = 0.25 V
  3. C.EB2+/B∘=−1.27E^\circ_{\mathrm{B}^{2+}/\mathrm{B}} = -1.27 V
  4. D.EB2+/B∘=−0.25E^\circ_{\mathrm{B}^{2+}/\mathrm{B}} = -0.25 V
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D EB2+/B∘=−0.25E^\circ_{\mathrm{B}^{2+}/\mathrm{B}} = -0.25 V

Why

The standard reduction potential of Zn is −0.76 V-0.76\text{ V}. Since the cell potential is 0.51 V0.51\text{ V}, using Ecell∘=Ecathode∘−Eanode∘E^\circ_{\mathrm{cell}} = E^\circ_{\mathrm{cathode}} - E^\circ_{\mathrm{anode}} and setting Zn as the anode yields 0.51 V=EB2+/B∘−(−0.76 V)0.51\text{ V} = E^\circ_{\mathrm{B}^{2+}/\mathrm{B}} - (-0.76\text{ V}), which gives EB2+/B∘=−0.25 VE^\circ_{\mathrm{B}^{2+}/\mathrm{B}} = -0.25\text{ V}.

Question 3

Which of the following polymer is used to make ropes, clothes, hair combs and stockings?

  1. A.Bakelite
  2. B.Teflon
  3. C.Nylon
  4. D.Perspex
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C Nylon

Why

Nylon is a synthetic polyamide polymer that has high tensile strength and elasticity, making it ideal for manufacturing ropes, stockings, clothes, and combs.

Question 4

Which of the following catalyst is used in the Ostwald process for the production of HNO3HNO_3?

  1. A.CuO
  2. B.Fe
  3. C.V2O5V_2O_5
  4. D.Pt
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D Pt

Why

The Ostwald process converts ammonia to nitric acid, utilizing a platinum (Pt) or platinum-rhodium gauze catalyst in its first step of catalytic oxidation of ammonia.

Question 5

Which of the following factors does NOT affect the rate of a chemical reaction having solid reactants?

  1. A.Volume of reaction vessel
  2. B.Physical state of reactants
  3. C.Temperature of reaction
  4. D.Concentration of reactants
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A Volume of reaction vessel

Why

The volume of the reaction vessel affects the reaction rate only when gaseous reactants are involved. It does not affect reactions occurring purely between solid reactants.

Question 6

What is the electron configuration of O2−O_2^- molecule as per the molecular orbital model? (Atomic number of O=8O = 8)

  1. A.σ₁s² σ₁s*² σ₂s² σ₂s*² σ₂px² (π₂py² = π₂pz²) (π*₂py¹ = π*₂pz¹)
  2. B.σ₁s² σ₁s*² σ₂s² σ₂s*² σ₂px² (π₂py² = π₂pz²) (π*₂pz²)
  3. C.σ₁s² σ₁s*² σ₂s² σ₂s*² σ₂px² (π₂py² = π₂pz²) (π*₂py² = π*₂pz²)
  4. D.σ₁s² σ₁s*² σ₂s² σ₂s*² σ₂px² (π₂py² = π₂pz²) (π*₂py² = π*₂pz¹)
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D σ₁s² σ₁s*² σ₂s² σ₂s*² σ₂px² (π₂py² = π₂pz²) (π*₂py² = π*₂pz¹)

Why

The superoxide ion (O2−O_2^-) has 17 electrons. According to the molecular orbital energy levels for oxygen, the 17th electron enters the degenerate antibonding π2p∗\pi^*_{2p} orbitals, resulting in the configuration ending with (π2py∗)2=(π2pz∗)1(\pi^*_{2p_y})^2 = (\pi^*_{2p_z})^1.

Download the whole paper as a PDF

All 72 questions in this set as a printed paper, and the answer key with 72 worked explanations as a second file. Print them or read them with no data.

Free, and it needs no account.

Question paperAnswer key and explanations

Sit the full paper, timed and scored

A free Temari account gives you the whole Chemistry paper, and every other year, as timed mock exams with instant scoring. It works on any phone, even over a weak connection.

Start practicing free

Temari.et is also an Android app, free on Google Play.

Get it on Google PlayAbout the Temari app

The other Chemistry papers of 2017 E.C.

2017 E.C. (2025)2017 E.C. (2025), version 2

Chemistry papers from other years

2018 E.C. (2026)2018 E.C. (2026), version 12018 E.C. (2026), version 22018 E.C. (2026), version 42016 E.C. (2024)2016 E.C. (2024), Tigray2016 E.C. model exam2015 E.C. (2023)2014 E.C. (2022)2013 E.C. (2021)2012 E.C. (2020)2011 E.C. (2019)2010 E.C. (2018)2009 E.C. (2017)2008 E.C. (2016)2007 E.C. (2015)2006 E.C. (2014)2005 E.C. (2013)

More papers like this one

All Grade 12 Chemistry papersAll papers of 2017 E.C.Every subject and year

Revise Chemistry before you sit this paper

The Grade 12 Chemistry short notes hold 22 cards. Each one gives the rule, what its symbols stand for and the mistake that costs marks, chapter by chapter from the national textbook.

Open the Chemistry notes
Are these the real 2017 E.C. Chemistry entrance exam questions?

Yes. They come from the national university entrance exam in Chemistry that students sat in 2017 E.C. (2025). Our set holds 72 of its questions, each with its answer and an explanation that points back to the textbook.

How do I practice the full paper?

Create a free account with a phone number. The full paper runs as a timed mock exam with instant scoring, and the AI tutor upgrade at 199 ETB per month can walk you through anything you miss.

Can I download the Chemistry 2017 E.C. paper as a PDF?

Yes, and it is free. The question paper is one file and the answer key with its worked explanations is another, so you can attempt the paper first. Print them, or keep them on your phone for revision when there is no data.

Sign inCreate your account