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)

20 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(Na)n(Na)n(NaCl)m(NaCl)÷ M(Na)× 2/2× M(NaCl)

In the reaction 2Na + Cl2 → 2NaCl, 12 g of Na reacts completely (the other reactants are in excess) and 25.93 g of NaCl is collected. Find the percent yield Y.

M(Na) = 22.99 g/molM(NaCl) = 58.44 g/molactual: 25.93 g
Y = %
3.Molarity & dilutionMedium
1 mol/LV1​ = ?0.25 mol/L200 mL

You need 200 mL of 0.25 mol/L solution and have a 1 mol/L stock solution. What volume V1 of stock solution do you need?

c1 = 1 mol/Lc2 = 0.25 mol/LV2 = 200 mL
V1 = mL
4.Molarity & dilutionHard
1 mol/L50 mL0.3 mol/L250 mLc = ?300 mL

50 mL of a 1 mol/L solution is mixed with 250 mL of a 0.3 mol/L solution of the same substance. Find the concentration c of the mixture (volumes are additive).

c1 = 1 mol/LV1 = 50 mLc2 = 0.3 mol/LV2 = 250 mL
c = mol/L
5.Ideal gas lawMedium
290 g of CO₂P = 800 kPaT = 90 °CV = ?

What volume V does 290 g of CO₂ occupy at 800 kPa and 90 °C? Treat it as an ideal gas.

m = 290 gM = 44.01 g/molP = 800 kPaT = 90 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
V = L
6.Ideal gas lawHard
Ar, M = 39.95 g/molP = 750 kPaT = 90 °Cρ = ?

Find the density ρ of Ar at 750 kPa and 90 °C, treating it as an ideal gas.

M = 39.95 g/molP = 750 kPaT = 90 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
ρ = kg/m³
7.Calorimetry & enthalpyMedium
Tf​ = ?Zincm = 150 gT = 160 °Cc = 0.388 J/(g·°C)Waterm = 150 gT = 21 °Cc = 4.18 J/(g·°C)

A 150 g block of zinc (c = 0.388 J/(g·°C)) at 160 °C is dropped into 150 g of water (c = 4.18 J/(g·°C)) at 21 °C in an insulated cup. Find the final temperature Tf.

mmetal = 150 gcmetal = 0.388 J/(g·°C)Tmetal = 160 °Cmwater = 150 gTwater = 21 °Ccwater = 4.18 J/(g·°C)
Tf = °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpyHard
H2C4​H10​ + 13O₂reactants8CO₂ + 10H₂O(l)productsΔH° = ?

Use the standard enthalpies of formation to find ΔH° for the reaction 2C4H10 + 13O₂ → 8CO₂ + 10H₂O(l).

ΔH°f(C4H10) = −125.6 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​HII0.20.20C−x−x+2xE0.2 − x0.2 − x2x

0.2 mol/L of H₂ and 0.2 mol/L of I₂ are put in a container and react: H₂ + I₂ ⇌ 2HI, with Kc = 9. Find the equilibrium concentration [H2].

[H₂]₀ = [I₂]₀ = 0.2 mol/LKc = 9
[H2] = mol/L
10.Chemical equilibriumHard
PCl5​PCl3​Cl2​I100C−x+x+xE1 − xxx

PCl₅ decomposes: PCl₅ ⇌ PCl₃ + Cl₂, with Kc = 0.02 at the reaction temperature. A container starts with 1 mol/L of PCl₅ only. Find the equilibrium concentration [Cl2].

[PCl₅]₀ = 1 mol/LKc = 0.02
[Cl2] = mol/L
11.pH & buffersMedium
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

Find the pH pH of a 0.05 mol/L solution of lactic acid (Ka = 0.00014).

c = 0.05 mol/LKa = 0.00014
pH =
12.pH & buffersHard
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

A 1.00 L buffer contains 0.2 mol hypochlorous acid and 0.2 mol of its conjugate base (Ka = 3 × 10⁻⁸). 0.05 mol of NaOH is added. Find the new pH pH.

n(HA) = 0.2 moln(A⁻) = 0.2 moln(OH⁻) = 0.05 molKa = 3 × 10⁻⁸
pH =
13.Reaction kineticsMedium
t (min)C (mol/L)20 minC = ?

A reaction with rate law −rA = k·CA² has k = 0.5 L/(mol·min) and starts at 1.5 mol/L. Find the concentration CA after 20 min.

k = 0.5 L/(mol·min)CA0 = 1.5 mol/Lt = 20 min
CA = mol/L
14.Reaction kineticsHard
CA0​ (mol/L)r (mol/(L·s))run 10.10.01run 20.20.02n = ?

Two experiments measure the initial rate of A → products. With CA0 = 0.1 mol/L the rate is 0.01 mol/(L·s); with CA0 = 0.2 mol/L it is 0.02 mol/(L·s). Find the reaction order n with respect to A.

CA0,1 = 0.1 mol/Lr1 = 0.01 mol/(L·s)CA0,2 = 0.2 mol/Lr2 = 0.02 mol/(L·s)
n =

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) = 20/2.016 = 9.921 mol
n(O2) = 8/32 = 0.25 mol

Limiting reactant

9.921/2 = 4.96, 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 = 85.01 %

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(Na) = 12/22.99 = 0.522 mol
m = 0.522·2/2·58.44 = 30.5 g

Percent yield

Y = 25.93/30.5·100 = 85.01%

Answer

Y = 85.01%
3.Molarity & dilution

Answer: V1 = 50 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 = 0.25·200/1 = 50 mL

Answer

V1 = 50 mL
4.Molarity & dilution

Answer: c = 0.4167 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 = 1·50 + 0.3·250 = 125 mmol

Concentration of the mixture

c = 125/300 = 0.4167 mol/L

Answer

c = 0.4167 mol/L
5.Ideal gas law

Answer: V = 24.87 L

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

Moles

n = 290/44.01 = 6.589 mol
T = 90 + 273.15 = 363.1 K

Volume

V = nRT/P = 6.589·8.314·363.1/800 = 24.87 L

Answer

V = 24.87 L
6.Ideal gas law

Answer: ρ = 9.924 kg/m³

Ideal gas density: ρ = PM/(RT).

Rearrange the gas law

PV = (m/M)RT → ρ = m/V = PM/(RT)
T = 90 + 273.15 = 363.1 K

Density

ρ = 750·39.95/(8.314·363.1) = 9.924 kg/m³

Answer

ρ = 9.924 kg/m³
7.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: Tf = 32.81 °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

150·0.388·(160 − Tf) = 150·4.18·(Tf − 21)

Solve for the final temperature

Tf = (58.2·160 + 627·21)/(58.2 + 627) = 32.81 °C

Answer

Tf = 32.81 °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: ΔH° = −5755 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° = [8·(−393.5) + 10·(−285.8)] − [2·(−125.6) + 13·0] = −5755 kJ

Answer

ΔH° = −5755 kJ

Negative: the reaction gives off heat (exothermic).

9.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [H2] = 0.08 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

9 = (2x)²/(0.2 − x)²

Take the square root

3 = 2x/(0.2 − x) → x = 0.2·3/(2 + 3) = 0.12 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[H₂] = 0.2 − x = 0.08 mol/L

Answer

[H2] = 0.08 mol/L
10.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [Cl2] = 0.1318 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

0.02 = x²/(1 − x) → x² + 0.02·x − 0.02 = 0

Solve the quadratic

x = (−0.02 + √(0.02² + 4·0.02))/2 = 0.1318 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[Cl₂] = x = 0.1318 mol/L

Answer

[Cl2] = 0.1318 mol/L
11.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 2.589

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/(0.05 − x) → x = 0.002577 mol/L

pH

pH = −log(0.002577) = 2.589

Answer

pH = 2.589
12.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 7.745

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]).

Neutralisation

n(HA) = 0.2 − 0.05 = 0.15 mol
n(A⁻) = 0.2 + 0.05 = 0.25 mol

Henderson–Hasselbalch

pH = 7.523 + log(0.25/0.15) = 7.745

Answer

pH = 7.745
13.Reaction kinetics

Answer: CA = 0.09375 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 + 0.5·20 = 10.67 L/mol
CA = 1/10.67 = 0.09375 mol/L

Answer

CA = 0.09375 mol/L
14.Reaction kinetics

Answer: n = 1

Method of initial rates: for r = k·Cⁿ, comparing two runs that differ only in the starting concentration removes k: r₂/r₁ = (C₂/C₁)ⁿ. Doubling C doubles the rate for first order and quadruples it for second order.

Ratios

r2/r1 = 0.02/0.01 = 2
C2/C1 = 0.2/0.1 = 2

Order

n = ln(2)/ln(2) = 1

Answer

n = 1

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