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(NH3​)m(NH3​)÷ M(X)× 2/ν× M(NH3​)

20 g of N2 and 32 g of H2 react according to N2 + 3H2 → 2NH3. What mass m of NH3 can form?

M(N2) = 28.02M(H2) = 2.016M(NH3) = 17.03 g/mol
m = g
2.StoichiometryHard
m(C6​H12​O6​)n(C6​H12​O6​)n(C2​H5​OH)m(C2​H5​OH)÷ M(C6​H12​O6​)× 2/1× M(C2​H5​OH)

In the reaction C6H12O6 → 2C2H5OH + 2CO2, 20 g of C6H12O6 reacts completely (the other reactants are in excess) and 6.34 g of C2H5OH is collected. Find the percent yield Y.

M(C6H12O6) = 180.16 g/molM(C2H5OH) = 46.07 g/molactual: 6.34 g
Y = %
3.Molarity & dilutionMedium
6 mol/LV1​0.25 mol/L100 mL

You need 100 mL of 0.25 mol/L solution and have a 6 mol/L stock solution. How much water Vwater do you add to the stock solution?

c1 = 6 mol/Lc2 = 0.25 mol/LV2 = 100 mL
Vwater = mL
4.Molarity & dilutionHard
2 mol/L250 mL0.6 mol/L200 mLc = ?450 mL

250 mL of a 2 mol/L solution is mixed with 200 mL of a 0.6 mol/L solution of the same substance. Find the concentration c of the mixture (volumes are additive).

c1 = 2 mol/LV1 = 250 mLc2 = 0.6 mol/LV2 = 200 mL
c = mol/L
5.Ideal gas lawMedium
340 g of N₂V = 10 LT = 35 °CP = ?

A tank of 10 L contains 340 g of N₂ at 35 °C. Treat it as an ideal gas and find the pressure P.

m = 340 gM = 28.01 g/molV = 10 LT = 35 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
P = kPa
6.Ideal gas lawHard
State 1State 2

A fixed amount of CO₂ goes from 150 kPa, 20 L, 35 °C to 800 kPa and 170 °C. Find the new volume V2.

P1 = 150 kPaV1 = 20 LT1 = 35 °CP2 = 800 kPaT2 = 170 °C
V2 = L
7.Calorimetry & enthalpyMedium
Tf​ = ?Copperm = 100 gT = 180 °Cc = 0.385 J/(g·°C)Waterm = 250 gT = 24 °Cc = 4.18 J/(g·°C)

A 100 g block of copper (c = 0.385 J/(g·°C)) at 180 °C is dropped into 250 g of water (c = 4.18 J/(g·°C)) at 24 °C in an insulated cup. Find the final temperature Tf.

mmetal = 100 gcmetal = 0.385 J/(g·°C)Tmetal = 180 °Cmwater = 250 gTwater = 24 °Ccwater = 4.18 J/(g·°C)
Tf = °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpyHard
H2C2​H6​ + 7O₂reactants4CO₂ + 6H₂O(l)productsΔH° = ?

Use the standard enthalpies of formation to find ΔH° for the reaction 2C2H6 + 7O₂ → 4CO₂ + 6H₂O(l).

ΔH°f(C2H6) = −84.7 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​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 = 49. Find the equilibrium concentration [H2].

[H₂]₀ = [I₂]₀ = 1 mol/LKc = 49
[H2] = mol/L
10.Chemical equilibriumHard
PCl5​PCl3​Cl2​I0.100C−x+x+xE0.1 − xxx

PCl₅ decomposes: PCl₅ ⇌ PCl₃ + Cl₂, with Kc = 0.01 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 = 0.01
[PCl5] = mol/L
11.pH & buffersMedium
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

Find the pH pH of a 0.01 mol/L solution of benzoic acid (Ka = 6.3 × 10⁻⁵).

c = 0.01 mol/LKa = 6.3 × 10⁻⁵
pH =
12.pH & buffersHard
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

A buffer contains 0.25 mol/L acetic acid and 0.05 mol/L of its sodium salt. Ka = 1.8 × 10⁻⁵. Find the pH pH of the buffer.

[HA] = 0.25[A⁻] = 0.05Ka = 1.8 × 10⁻⁵
pH =
13.Reaction kineticsMedium
t (min)C (mol/L)15 minC = ?

A reaction with rate law −rA = k·CA² has k = 0.05 L/(mol·min) and starts at 1.5 mol/L. Find the concentration CA after 15 min.

k = 0.05 L/(mol·min)CA0 = 1.5 mol/Lt = 15 min
CA = mol/L
14.Reaction kineticsHard
t (min)X (%)15 minX = ?

A first-order reaction has k = 0.02 min⁻¹ at 20 °C and an activation energy of 50 kJ/mol. The batch reactor is now run at 45 °C for 15 min. Find the conversion X reached.

k1 = 0.02 min⁻¹T1 = 20 °CEa = 50 kJ/molT2 = 45 °Ct = 15 minR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
X = %

3Solutions

1.Stoichiometry

Answer: m = 24.31 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(N2) = 20/28.02 = 0.7138 mol
n(H2) = 32/2.016 = 15.87 mol

Limiting reactant

0.7138/1 = 0.7138, 15.87/3 = 5.291 → N2

Mass of product

n(NH3) = 0.7138·2 = 1.428 mol
m = 1.428·17.03 = 24.31 g

Answer

m = 24.31 g
2.Stoichiometry

Answer: Y = 61.98 %

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(C6H12O6) = 20/180.16 = 0.111 mol
m = 0.111·2/1·46.07 = 10.23 g

Percent yield

Y = 6.34/10.23·100 = 61.98%

Answer

Y = 61.98%
3.Molarity & dilution

Answer: Vwater = 95.83 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 = 0.25·100/6 = 4.167 mL

Water to add

Vwater = 100 − 4.167 = 95.83 mL

Answer

Vwater = 95.83 mL
4.Molarity & dilution

Answer: c = 1.378 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 = 2·250 + 0.6·200 = 620 mmol

Concentration of the mixture

c = 620/450 = 1.378 mol/L

Answer

c = 1.378 mol/L
5.Ideal gas law

Answer: P = 3110 kPa

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

Moles

n = m/M = 340/28.01 = 12.14 mol
T = 35 + 273.15 = 308.1 K

Pressure

P = nRT/V = 12.14·8.314·308.1/0.01 = 3110 kPa

Answer

P = 3110 kPa
6.Ideal gas law

Answer: V2 = 5.393 L

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

Absolute temperatures

T1 = 308.1 K, T2 = 443.1 K

Combined gas law

V2 = V1·(P1/P2)·(T2/T1) = 20·(150/800)·(443.1/308.1) = 5.393 L

Answer

V2 = 5.393 L
7.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: Tf = 29.54 °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

100·0.385·(180 − Tf) = 250·4.18·(Tf − 24)

Solve for the final temperature

Tf = (38.5·180 + 1045·24)/(38.5 + 1045) = 29.54 °C

Answer

Tf = 29.54 °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: ΔH° = −3119 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

Answer

ΔH° = −3119 kJ

Negative: the reaction gives off heat (exothermic).

9.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [H2] = 0.2222 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

49 = (2x)²/(1 − x)²

Take the square root

7 = 2x/(1 − x) → x = 1·7/(2 + 7) = 0.7778 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[H₂] = 1 − x = 0.2222 mol/L

Answer

[H2] = 0.2222 mol/L
10.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [PCl5] = 0.07298 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

0.01 = x²/(0.1 − x) → x² + 0.01·x − 0.001 = 0

Solve the quadratic

x = (−0.01 + √(0.01² + 4·0.001))/2 = 0.02702 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[PCl₅] = 0.1 − 0.02702 = 0.07298 mol/L

Answer

[PCl5] = 0.07298 mol/L
11.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 3.118

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/(0.01 − x) → x = 0.0007629 mol/L

pH

pH = −log(0.0007629) = 3.118

Answer

pH = 3.118
12.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 4.046

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(0.05/0.25) = 4.046

Answer

pH = 4.046
13.Reaction kinetics

Answer: CA = 0.7059 mol/L

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).

Integrated second-order law

1/CA = 1/CA0 + kt = 0.6667 + 0.05·15 = 1.417 L/mol
CA = 1/1.417 = 0.7059 mol/L

Answer

CA = 0.7059 mol/L
14.Reaction kinetics

Answer: X = 77.77 %

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 = 293.1 K, T2 = 318.1 K
k2 = 0.02·e−(50000/8.314)·(1/318.1 − 1/293.1) = 0.1003 min⁻¹

Conversion

X = 1 − e−0.1003·15 = 1 − 0.2223 = 77.77 %

Answer

X = 77.77 %

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