General Chemistry: cram pack

Formula sheets, the key method steps for every topic and 14 practice problems, with full solutions at the back.

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1Formulas and methods

Stoichiometry

Moles
n = m/M
Concentration
c = n/V
Mole ratio
use the coefficients of the balanced equation
Limiting reactant
the one that runs out first
Percent yield
actual / theoretical × 100%

Method

  1. Write and balance the chemical equation.
  2. Convert the given mass to moles: n = m/M.
  3. Use the coefficients as the mole ratio to find the moles of the substance you want.
  4. Convert back to mass with m = n·M. With two reactants, find the limiting reactant first.

Molarity & dilution

Molarity
c = n/V (mol/L)
Moles
n = m/M
Dilution
c1V1 = c2V2
Mixing
c = (c1V1 + c2V2)/(V1 + V2)

Method

  1. Convert mass to moles with n = m/M.
  2. Convert the volume to litres.
  3. Molarity c = n/V in mol/L.
  4. For a dilution, the moles stay the same: c₁V₁ = c₂V₂.

Ideal gas law

Ideal gas law
pV = nRT
Gas constant
R = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
Combined gas law
p1V1/T1 = p2V2/T2
Moles
n = m/M
Temperature
T[K] = T[°C] + 273.15

Calorimetry & enthalpy

Heat
q = m·c·ΔT
Water
c = 4.18 J/(g·°C)
Calorimeter
heat lost = heat gained
Enthalpy of reaction
ΔH° = ΣΔH°f(products) − ΣΔH°f(reactants)

Chemical equilibrium

Equilibrium constant
Kc = [C]c[D]d/([A]a[B]b)
ICE table
Initial, Change (×coefficient), Equilibrium
Quadratic
x = (−b + √(b² − 4ac))/(2a)

Method

  1. Write Kc with products over reactants, each raised to the power of its coefficient.
  2. Set up an ICE table: Initial, Change (in steps of x times the coefficients), Equilibrium.
  3. Put the equilibrium expressions into Kc and solve for x.
  4. Check whether x is small enough for an approximation; otherwise solve the quadratic.

pH & buffers

pH
pH = −log[H⁺]
pOH
pOH = −log[OH⁻], pH + pOH = 14
Weak acid
[H⁺] ≈ √(Ka·c)
Buffer
pH = pKa + log([A⁻]/[HA])
Dilution
c1V1 = c2V2

Method

  1. Decide whether the acid or base is strong (fully dissociated) or weak.
  2. Strong acid: [H⁺] equals its concentration. Strong base: find [OH⁻] first.
  3. Weak acid: solve Ka = x²/(c − x) for x = [H⁺].
  4. pH = −log[H⁺], and pH + pOH = 14 at 25 °C.

Reaction kinetics

First order
ln(CA/CA0) = −kt
Half-life (first order)
t½ = ln 2/k
Second order
1/CA = 1/CA0 + kt
Arrhenius
k = A·e−Ea/(RT)
Two temperatures
ln(k2/k1) = (Ea/R)(1/T1 − 1/T2)

2Practice problems

1.StoichiometryMedium
m(X)n(X)n(NaCl)m(NaCl)÷ M(X)× 2/ν× M(NaCl)

10 g of Na and 24 g of Cl2 react according to 2Na + Cl2 → 2NaCl. What mass m of NaCl can form?

M(Na) = 22.99M(Cl2) = 70.9M(NaCl) = 58.44 g/mol
m = g
2.StoichiometryHard
m(C3​H8​)n(C3​H8​)n(H2​O)m(H2​O)÷ M(C3​H8​)× 4/1× M(H2​O)

In the reaction C3H8 + 5O2 → 3CO2 + 4H2O, 6 g of C3H8 reacts completely (the other reactants are in excess) and 8.92 g of H2O is collected. Find the percent yield Y.

M(C3H8) = 44.1 g/molM(H2O) = 18.02 g/molactual: 8.92 g
Y = %
3.Molarity & dilutionMedium
3 mol/LV1​ = ?0.25 mol/L100 mL

You need 100 mL of 0.25 mol/L solution and have a 3 mol/L stock solution. What volume V1 of stock solution do you need?

c1 = 3 mol/Lc2 = 0.25 mol/LV2 = 100 mL
V1 = mL
4.Molarity & dilutionHard
0.5 mol/L300 mL3 mol/L200 mLc = ?500 mL

300 mL of a 0.5 mol/L solution is mixed with 200 mL of a 3 mol/L solution of the same substance. Find the concentration c of the mixture (volumes are additive).

c1 = 0.5 mol/LV1 = 300 mLc2 = 3 mol/LV2 = 200 mL
c = mol/L
5.Ideal gas lawMedium
380 g of CH₄P = 100 kPaT = 70 °CV = ?

What volume V does 380 g of CH₄ occupy at 100 kPa and 70 °C? Treat it as an ideal gas.

m = 380 gM = 16.04 g/molP = 100 kPaT = 70 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
V = L
6.Ideal gas lawHard
State 1State 2

A fixed amount of Ar goes from 200 kPa, 20 L, 15 °C to 300 kPa and 200 °C. Find the new volume V2.

P1 = 200 kPaV1 = 20 LT1 = 15 °CP2 = 300 kPaT2 = 200 °C
V2 = L
7.Calorimetry & enthalpyMedium
Tf​ = ?Aluminiumm = 250 gT = 160 °Cc = 0.897 J/(g·°C)Waterm = 150 gT = 23 °Cc = 4.18 J/(g·°C)

A 250 g block of aluminium (c = 0.897 J/(g·°C)) at 160 °C is dropped into 150 g of water (c = 4.18 J/(g·°C)) at 23 °C in an insulated cup. Find the final temperature Tf.

mmetal = 250 gcmetal = 0.897 J/(g·°C)Tmetal = 160 °Cmwater = 150 gTwater = 23 °Ccwater = 4.18 J/(g·°C)
Tf = °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpyHard
HC3​H8​ + 5O₂reactants3CO₂ + 4H₂O(l)productsΔH° = ?

Use the standard enthalpies of formation to find ΔH° for the reaction C3H8 + 5O₂ → 3CO₂ + 4H₂O(l).

ΔH°f(C3H8) = −103.8 kJ/molΔH°f(CO₂) = −393.5 kJ/molΔH°f(H₂O, l) = −285.8 kJ/molΔH°f(O₂) = 0
ΔH° = kJ
9.Chemical equilibriumMedium
H2​I2​HII0.80.80C−x−x+2xE0.8 − x0.8 − x2x

0.8 mol/L of H₂ and 0.8 mol/L of I₂ are put in a container and react: H₂ + I₂ ⇌ 2HI, with Kc = 54. Find the equilibrium concentration [HI].

[H₂]₀ = [I₂]₀ = 0.8 mol/LKc = 54
[HI] = mol/L
10.Chemical equilibriumHard
PCl5​PCl3​Cl2​I0.500C−x+x+xE0.5 − xxx

PCl₅ decomposes: PCl₅ ⇌ PCl₃ + Cl₂, with Kc = 0.1 at the reaction temperature. A container starts with 0.5 mol/L of PCl₅ only. Find the equilibrium concentration [Cl2].

[PCl₅]₀ = 0.5 mol/LKc = 0.1
[Cl2] = mol/L
11.pH & buffersMedium
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

Find the pH pH of a 0.2 mol/L solution of hydrofluoric acid (Ka = 0.00068).

c = 0.2 mol/LKa = 0.00068
pH =
12.pH & buffersHard
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

A buffer contains 0.5 mol/L acetic acid and 0.5 mol/L of its sodium salt. Ka = 1.8 × 10⁻⁵. Find the pH pH of the buffer.

[HA] = 0.5[A⁻] = 0.5Ka = 1.8 × 10⁻⁵
pH =
13.Reaction kineticsMedium
t (min)C (mol/L)t½​ = ?C0​/2

A second-order reaction (−rA = k·CA²) has k = 0.1 L/(mol·min) and an initial concentration of 2 mol/L. Find its first half-life t½.

k = 0.1 L/(mol·min)CA0 = 2 mol/L
t½ = min
14.Reaction kineticsHard
t (min)X (%)30 minX = ?

A first-order reaction has k = 0.01 min⁻¹ at 30 °C and an activation energy of 50 kJ/mol. The batch reactor is now run at 60 °C for 30 min. Find the conversion X reached.

k1 = 0.01 min⁻¹T1 = 30 °CEa = 50 kJ/molT2 = 60 °Ct = 30 minR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
X = %

3Solutions

1.Stoichiometry

Answer: m = 25.42 g

Stoichiometry: a balanced equation counts particles, not grams. Convert mass to moles with n = m/M, use the coefficients of the equation as the mole ratio, then convert back with m = n·M. With two reactants, the limiting reactant is the one that runs out first and fixes how much product forms.

Moles of each reactant

n(Na) = 10/22.99 = 0.435 mol
n(Cl2) = 24/70.9 = 0.3385 mol

Limiting reactant

0.435/2 = 0.2175, 0.3385/1 = 0.3385 → Na

Mass of product

n(NaCl) = 0.2175·2 = 0.435 mol
m = 0.435·58.44 = 25.42 g

Answer

m = 25.42 g
2.Stoichiometry

Answer: Y = 90.96 %

Stoichiometry: a balanced equation counts particles, not grams. Convert mass to moles with n = m/M, use the coefficients of the equation as the mole ratio, then convert back with m = n·M. With two reactants, the limiting reactant is the one that runs out first and fixes how much product forms.

Theoretical yield

n(C3H8) = 6/44.1 = 0.1361 mol
m = 0.1361·4/1·18.02 = 9.807 g

Percent yield

Y = 8.92/9.807·100 = 90.96%

Answer

Y = 90.96%
3.Molarity & dilution

Answer: V1 = 8.333 mL

Molarity: concentration c = n/V in mol/L, with n = m/M. Diluting adds solvent but not solute, so the number of moles stays the same: c₁·V₁ = c₂·V₂. When two solutions of the same solute are mixed, the moles add up and so do the volumes.

Volume of stock solution

V1 = c2·V2/c1 = 0.25·100/3 = 8.333 mL

Answer

V1 = 8.333 mL
4.Molarity & dilution

Answer: c = 1.5 mol/L

Molarity: concentration c = n/V in mol/L, with n = m/M. Diluting adds solvent but not solute, so the number of moles stays the same: c₁·V₁ = c₂·V₂. When two solutions of the same solute are mixed, the moles add up and so do the volumes.

Total amount

n = 0.5·300 + 3·200 = 750 mmol

Concentration of the mixture

c = 750/500 = 1.5 mol/L

Answer

c = 1.5 mol/L
5.Ideal gas law

Answer: V = 675.9 L

Ideal gas law: PV = nRT, with n = m/M.

Moles

n = 380/16.04 = 23.69 mol
T = 70 + 273.15 = 343.1 K

Volume

V = nRT/P = 23.69·8.314·343.1/100 = 675.9 L

Answer

V = 675.9 L
6.Ideal gas law

Answer: V2 = 21.89 L

Combined gas law: for a fixed amount of ideal gas, P1V1/T1 = P2V2/T2.

Absolute temperatures

T1 = 288.1 K, T2 = 473.1 K

Combined gas law

V2 = V1·(P1/P2)·(T2/T1) = 20·(200/300)·(473.1/288.1) = 21.89 L

Answer

V2 = 21.89 L
7.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: Tf = 59.09 °C

Heat and enthalpy: heating a substance takes q = m·c·ΔT. In a calorimeter the heat lost by the hot object equals the heat gained by the cold one. The enthalpy change of a reaction follows from enthalpies of formation: ΔH° = ΣΔH°f(products) − ΣΔH°f(reactants), each multiplied by its coefficient.

Heat balance

250·0.897·(160 − Tf) = 150·4.18·(Tf − 23)

Solve for the final temperature

Tf = (224.3·160 + 627·23)/(224.3 + 627) = 59.09 °C

Answer

Tf = 59.09 °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: ΔH° = −2220 kJ

Heat and enthalpy: heating a substance takes q = m·c·ΔT. In a calorimeter the heat lost by the hot object equals the heat gained by the cold one. The enthalpy change of a reaction follows from enthalpies of formation: ΔH° = ΣΔH°f(products) − ΣΔH°f(reactants), each multiplied by its coefficient.

Enthalpy of reaction

ΔH° = [3·(−393.5) + 4·(−285.8)] − [1·(−103.8) + 5·0] = −2220 kJ

Answer

ΔH° = −2220 kJ

Negative: the reaction gives off heat (exothermic).

9.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [HI] = 1.258 mol/L

Chemical equilibrium: for aA + bB ⇌ cC + dD, the equilibrium constant is Kc = [C]c[D]d/([A]a[B]b), using concentrations at equilibrium. An ICE table (Initial, Change, Equilibrium) links the starting amounts to the equilibrium amounts through one unknown x, scaled by the coefficients.

Equilibrium expression

54 = (2x)²/(0.8 − x)²

Take the square root

7.348 = 2x/(0.8 − x) → x = 0.8·7.348/(2 + 7.348) = 0.6288 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[HI] = 2x = 1.258 mol/L

Answer

[HI] = 1.258 mol/L
10.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [Cl2] = 0.1791 mol/L

Chemical equilibrium: for aA + bB ⇌ cC + dD, the equilibrium constant is Kc = [C]c[D]d/([A]a[B]b), using concentrations at equilibrium. An ICE table (Initial, Change, Equilibrium) links the starting amounts to the equilibrium amounts through one unknown x, scaled by the coefficients.

Equilibrium expression

0.1 = x²/(0.5 − x) → x² + 0.1·x − 0.05 = 0

Solve the quadratic

x = (−0.1 + √(0.1² + 4·0.05))/2 = 0.1791 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[Cl₂] = x = 0.1791 mol/L

Answer

[Cl2] = 0.1791 mol/L
11.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 1.946

pH: pH = −log₁₀[H₃O⁺] and pOH = −log₁₀[OH⁻], with pH + pOH = 14 at 25 °C. Strong acids and bases ionise completely. A weak acid only partly: Ka = x²/(c − x), where x = [H₃O⁺]. A buffer of a weak acid and its conjugate base follows Henderson–Hasselbalch: pH = pKa + log([A⁻]/[HA]).

Equilibrium

HA ⇌ H⁺ + A⁻: x mol/L of acid ionises.

Ka = x²/(0.2 − x) → x = 0.01133 mol/L

pH

pH = −log(0.01133) = 1.946

Answer

pH = 1.946
12.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 4.745

pH: pH = −log₁₀[H₃O⁺] and pOH = −log₁₀[OH⁻], with pH + pOH = 14 at 25 °C. Strong acids and bases ionise completely. A weak acid only partly: Ka = x²/(c − x), where x = [H₃O⁺]. A buffer of a weak acid and its conjugate base follows Henderson–Hasselbalch: pH = pKa + log([A⁻]/[HA]).

pKa

pKa = 4.745

Henderson–Hasselbalch

pH = 4.745 + log(0.5/0.5) = 4.745

Answer

pH = 4.745
13.Reaction kinetics

Answer: t½ = 5 min

Integrated rate laws: zero order: C = C₀ − kt (straight line, t½ = C₀/(2k)); first order: ln(C₀/C) = kt (t½ = ln 2/k); second order: 1/C − 1/C₀ = kt (t½ = 1/(kC₀)). Conversion X means C = C₀(1 − X).

Second-order half-life

t½ = 1/(k·CA0) = 1/(0.1·2) = 5 min

Answer

t½ = 5 min

Each later half-life is twice as long, because C₀ has halved.

14.Reaction kinetics

Answer: X = 83.31 %

Reaction rates: for a first-order reaction −dC/dt = kC, so C = C₀·e−kt and the half-life ln 2/k does not depend on concentration. For a second-order reaction 1/C = 1/C₀ + kt. The rate constant rises with temperature following Arrhenius: k = A·e−Ea/(RT).

Rate constant at the new temperature

T1 = 303.1 K, T2 = 333.1 K
k2 = 0.01·e−(50000/8.314)·(1/333.1 − 1/303.1) = 0.05968 min⁻¹

Conversion

X = 1 − e−0.05968·30 = 1 − 0.1669 = 83.31 %

Answer

X = 83.31 %

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