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(H2​O)m(H2​O)÷ M(X)× 2/ν× M(H2​O)

30 g of H2 and 8 g of O2 react according to 2H2 + O2 → 2H2O. What mass m of H2O can form?

M(H2) = 2.016M(O2) = 32M(H2O) = 18.02 g/mol
m = g
2.StoichiometryHard
m(H2​)n(H2​)n(H2​O)m(H2​O)÷ M(H2​)× 2/2× M(H2​O)

In the reaction 2H2 + O2 → 2H2O, 10 g of H2 reacts completely (the other reactants are in excess) and 78.66 g of H2O is collected. Find the percent yield Y.

M(H2) = 2.016 g/molM(H2O) = 18.02 g/molactual: 78.66 g
Y = %
3.Molarity & dilutionMedium
2 mol/LV1​ = ?0.5 mol/L1000 mL

You need 1000 mL of 0.5 mol/L solution and have a 2 mol/L stock solution. What volume V1 of stock solution do you need?

c1 = 2 mol/Lc2 = 0.5 mol/LV2 = 1000 mL
V1 = mL
4.Molarity & dilutionHard
0.5 mol/L250 mL0.05 mol/L100 mLc = ?350 mL

250 mL of a 0.5 mol/L solution is mixed with 100 mL of a 0.05 mol/L solution of the same substance. Find the concentration c of the mixture (volumes are additive).

c1 = 0.5 mol/LV1 = 250 mLc2 = 0.05 mol/LV2 = 100 mL
c = mol/L
5.Ideal gas lawMedium
400 g of O₂P = 450 kPaT = 90 °CV = ?

What volume V does 400 g of O₂ occupy at 450 kPa and 90 °C? Treat it as an ideal gas.

m = 400 gM = 32 g/molP = 450 kPaT = 90 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
V = L
6.Ideal gas lawHard
CH₄, M = 16.04 g/molP = 150 kPaT = 190 °Cρ = ?

Find the density ρ of CH₄ at 150 kPa and 190 °C, treating it as an ideal gas.

M = 16.04 g/molP = 150 kPaT = 190 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
ρ = kg/m³
7.Calorimetry & enthalpyMedium
Tf​ = ?Leadm = 100 gT = 180 °Cc = 0.129 J/(g·°C)Waterm = 400 gT = 20 °Cc = 4.18 J/(g·°C)

A 100 g block of lead (c = 0.129 J/(g·°C)) at 180 °C is dropped into 400 g of water (c = 4.18 J/(g·°C)) at 20 °C in an insulated cup. Find the final temperature Tf.

mmetal = 100 gcmetal = 0.129 J/(g·°C)Tmetal = 180 °Cmwater = 400 gTwater = 20 °Ccwater = 4.18 J/(g·°C)
Tf = °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpyHard
H250 g C2​H6​2C2​H6​ + 7O₂reactants4CO₂ + 6H₂O(l)productsq = ?

Use the standard enthalpies of formation to find the heat q released when 250 g of C2H6 (M = 30.07 g/mol) burns completely: 2C2H6 + 7O₂ → 4CO₂ + 6H₂O(l). Give q as a positive number.

ΔH°f(C2H6) = −84.7 kJ/molΔH°f(CO₂) = −393.5 kJ/molΔH°f(H₂O, l) = −285.8 kJ/molΔH°f(O₂) = 0
q = kJ
9.Chemical equilibriumMedium
H2​I2​HII110C−x−x+2xE1 − x1 − x2x

1 mol/L of H₂ and 1 mol/L of I₂ are put in a container and react: H₂ + I₂ ⇌ 2HI, with Kc = 50. Find the equilibrium concentration [H2].

[H₂]₀ = [I₂]₀ = 1 mol/LKc = 50
[H2] = mol/L
10.Chemical equilibriumHard
PCl5​PCl3​Cl2​I0.100C−x+x+xE0.1 − xxx

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

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

Find the pH pH of a 0.25 mol/L solution of hydrofluoric acid (Ka = 0.00068).

c = 0.25 mol/LKa = 0.00068
pH =
12.pH & buffersHard
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

A buffer contains 0.4 mol/L hydrofluoric acid and 0.5 mol/L of its sodium salt. Ka = 0.00068. Find the pH pH of the buffer.

[HA] = 0.4[A⁻] = 0.5Ka = 0.00068
pH =
13.Reaction kineticsMedium
t (min)C (mol/L)t½​ = ?C0​/2

A second-order reaction (−rA = k·CA²) has k = 0.8 L/(mol·min) and an initial concentration of 1 mol/L. Find its first half-life t½.

k = 0.8 L/(mol·min)CA0 = 1 mol/L
t½ = min
14.Reaction kineticsHard
Tk35 °C0.0275 °C?

A reaction has a rate constant of 0.02 min⁻¹ at 35 °C and an activation energy of 90 kJ/mol. Find the rate constant k2 at 75 °C.

k1 = 0.02 min⁻¹T1 = 35 °CT2 = 75 °CEa = 90 kJ/molR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
k2 = min⁻¹

3Solutions

1.Stoichiometry

Answer: m = 9.01 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(H2) = 30/2.016 = 14.88 mol
n(O2) = 8/32 = 0.25 mol

Limiting reactant

14.88/2 = 7.44, 0.25/1 = 0.25 → O2

Mass of product

n(H2O) = 0.25·2 = 0.5 mol
m = 0.5·18.02 = 9.01 g

Answer

m = 9.01 g
2.Stoichiometry

Answer: Y = 88 %

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(H2) = 10/2.016 = 4.96 mol
m = 4.96·2/2·18.02 = 89.38 g

Percent yield

Y = 78.66/89.38·100 = 88%

Answer

Y = 88%
3.Molarity & dilution

Answer: V1 = 250 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 = 0.5·1000/2 = 250 mL

Answer

V1 = 250 mL
4.Molarity & dilution

Answer: c = 0.3714 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 = 0.5·250 + 0.05·100 = 130 mmol

Concentration of the mixture

c = 130/350 = 0.3714 mol/L

Answer

c = 0.3714 mol/L
5.Ideal gas law

Answer: V = 83.87 L

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

Moles

n = 400/32 = 12.5 mol
T = 90 + 273.15 = 363.1 K

Volume

V = nRT/P = 12.5·8.314·363.1/450 = 83.87 L

Answer

V = 83.87 L
6.Ideal gas law

Answer: ρ = 0.6248 kg/m³

Ideal gas density: ρ = PM/(RT).

Rearrange the gas law

PV = (m/M)RT → ρ = m/V = PM/(RT)
T = 190 + 273.15 = 463.1 K

Density

ρ = 150·16.04/(8.314·463.1) = 0.6248 kg/m³

Answer

ρ = 0.6248 kg/m³
7.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: Tf = 21.22 °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

100·0.129·(180 − Tf) = 400·4.18·(Tf − 20)

Solve for the final temperature

Tf = (12.9·180 + 1672·20)/(12.9 + 1672) = 21.22 °C

Answer

Tf = 21.22 °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: q = 12967 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° = [4·(−393.5) + 6·(−285.8)] − [2·(−84.7) + 7·0] = −3119 kJ

Heat for the given mass

n = 250/30.07 = 8.314 mol
q = n·|ΔH°/2| = 8.314·1560 = 12967 kJ

Answer

q = 12967 kJ
9.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [H2] = 0.2205 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

50 = (2x)²/(1 − x)²

Take the square root

7.071 = 2x/(1 − x) → x = 1·7.071/(2 + 7.071) = 0.7795 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[H₂] = 1 − x = 0.2205 mol/L

Answer

[H2] = 0.2205 mol/L
10.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [PCl5] = 0.01459 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

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

Solve the quadratic

x = (−0.5 + √(0.5² + 4·0.05))/2 = 0.08541 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[PCl₅] = 0.1 − 0.08541 = 0.01459 mol/L

Answer

[PCl5] = 0.01459 mol/L
11.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 1.896

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/(0.25 − x) → x = 0.0127 mol/L

pH

pH = −log(0.0127) = 1.896

Answer

pH = 1.896
12.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 3.264

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 = 3.167

Henderson–Hasselbalch

pH = 3.167 + log(0.5/0.4) = 3.264

Answer

pH = 3.264
13.Reaction kinetics

Answer: t½ = 1.25 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/(0.8·1) = 1.25 min

Answer

t½ = 1.25 min

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

14.Reaction kinetics

Answer: k2 = 1.132 min⁻¹

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).

Absolute temperatures

T1 = 308.1 K, T2 = 348.1 K

Arrhenius ratio

ln(k2/k1) = −(90000/8.314)·(1/348.1 − 1/308.1) = 4.036
k2 = 0.02·e4.036 = 1.132 min⁻¹

Answer

k2 = 1.132 min⁻¹

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