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(H2​)n(H2​)n(H2​O)m(H2​O)÷ M(H2​)× 2/2× M(H2​O)

In the reaction 2H2 + O2 → 2H2O, 8 g of H2 reacts completely (the other reactants are in excess) and 39.33 g of H2O is collected. Find the percent yield Y.

M(H2) = 2.016 g/molM(H2O) = 18.02 g/molactual: 39.33 g
Y = %
3.Molarity & dilutionMedium
6 mol/LV1​ = ?0.5 mol/L250 mL

You need 250 mL of 0.5 mol/L solution and have a 6 mol/L stock solution. What volume V1 of stock solution do you need?

c1 = 6 mol/Lc2 = 0.5 mol/LV2 = 250 mL
V1 = mL
4.Molarity & dilutionHard
0.5 mol/L300 mL0.6 mol/L400 mLc = ?700 mL

300 mL of a 0.5 mol/L solution is mixed with 400 mL of a 0.6 mol/L solution of the same substance. Find the concentration c of the mixture (volumes are additive).

c1 = 0.5 mol/LV1 = 300 mLc2 = 0.6 mol/LV2 = 400 mL
c = mol/L
5.Ideal gas lawMedium
380 g of CO₂V = 20 LT = 85 °CP = ?

A tank of 20 L contains 380 g of CO₂ at 85 °C. Treat it as an ideal gas and find the pressure P.

m = 380 gM = 44.01 g/molV = 20 LT = 85 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
P = kPa
6.Ideal gas lawHard
O₂, M = 32 g/molP = 800 kPaT = 170 °Cρ = ?

Find the density ρ of O₂ at 800 kPa and 170 °C, treating it as an ideal gas.

M = 32 g/molP = 800 kPaT = 170 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
ρ = kg/m³
7.Calorimetry & enthalpyMedium
Tf​ = ?Aluminiumm = 150 gT = 190 °Cc = 0.897 J/(g·°C)Waterm = 300 gT = 16 °Cc = 4.18 J/(g·°C)

A 150 g block of aluminium (c = 0.897 J/(g·°C)) at 190 °C is dropped into 300 g of water (c = 4.18 J/(g·°C)) at 16 °C in an insulated cup. Find the final temperature Tf.

mmetal = 150 gcmetal = 0.897 J/(g·°C)Tmetal = 190 °Cmwater = 300 gTwater = 16 °Ccwater = 4.18 J/(g·°C)
Tf = °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpyHard
H25 g C4​H10​2C4​H10​ + 13O₂reactants8CO₂ + 10H₂O(l)productsq = ?

Use the standard enthalpies of formation to find the heat q released when 25 g of C4H10 (M = 58.12 g/mol) burns completely: 2C4H10 + 13O₂ → 8CO₂ + 10H₂O(l). Give q as a positive number.

ΔH°f(C4H10) = −125.6 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​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 = 36. Find the equilibrium concentration [H2].

[H₂]₀ = [I₂]₀ = 0.8 mol/LKc = 36
[H2] = mol/L
10.Chemical equilibriumHard
PCl5​PCl3​Cl2​I0.800C−x+x+xE0.8 − xxx

PCl₅ decomposes: PCl₅ ⇌ PCl₃ + Cl₂, with Kc = 0.05 at the reaction temperature. A container starts with 0.8 mol/L of PCl₅ only. Find the equilibrium concentration [Cl2].

[PCl₅]₀ = 0.8 mol/LKc = 0.05
[Cl2] = mol/L
11.pH & buffersMedium
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

Find the pH pH of a 0.25 mol/L solution of hypochlorous acid (Ka = 3 × 10⁻⁸).

c = 0.25 mol/LKa = 3 × 10⁻⁸
pH =
12.pH & buffersHard
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

A 1.00 L buffer contains 0.3 mol benzoic acid and 0.2 mol of its conjugate base (Ka = 6.3 × 10⁻⁵). 0.05 mol of NaOH is added. Find the new pH pH.

n(HA) = 0.3 moln(A⁻) = 0.2 moln(OH⁻) = 0.05 molKa = 6.3 × 10⁻⁵
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 2 mol/L. Find its first half-life t½.

k = 0.8 L/(mol·min)CA0 = 2 mol/L
t½ = min
14.Reaction kineticsHard
1/Tln kT = 50 °Cln 0.05ln A = ?Ea​ = 100 kJ/mol

A first-order reaction has a rate constant of 0.05 s⁻¹ at 50 °C and an activation energy of 100 kJ/mol. Find the pre-exponential factor A in the Arrhenius equation.

k = 0.05 s⁻¹T = 50 °CEa = 100 kJ/molR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
A = s⁻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) = 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 = 55 %

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) = 8/2.016 = 3.968 mol
m = 3.968·2/2·18.02 = 71.51 g

Percent yield

Y = 39.33/71.51·100 = 55%

Answer

Y = 55%
3.Molarity & dilution

Answer: V1 = 20.83 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 = 0.5·250/6 = 20.83 mL

Answer

V1 = 20.83 mL
4.Molarity & dilution

Answer: c = 0.5571 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 + 0.6·400 = 390 mmol

Concentration of the mixture

c = 390/700 = 0.5571 mol/L

Answer

c = 0.5571 mol/L
5.Ideal gas law

Answer: P = 1286 kPa

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

Moles

n = m/M = 380/44.01 = 8.634 mol
T = 85 + 273.15 = 358.1 K

Pressure

P = nRT/V = 8.634·8.314·358.1/0.02 = 1286 kPa

Answer

P = 1286 kPa
6.Ideal gas law

Answer: ρ = 6.948 kg/m³

Ideal gas density: ρ = PM/(RT).

Rearrange the gas law

PV = (m/M)RT → ρ = m/V = PM/(RT)
T = 170 + 273.15 = 443.1 K

Density

ρ = 800·32/(8.314·443.1) = 6.948 kg/m³

Answer

ρ = 6.948 kg/m³
7.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: Tf = 32.86 °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

150·0.897·(190 − Tf) = 300·4.18·(Tf − 16)

Solve for the final temperature

Tf = (134.6·190 + 1254·16)/(134.6 + 1254) = 32.86 °C

Answer

Tf = 32.86 °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: q = 1238 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

Heat for the given mass

n = 25/58.12 = 0.4301 mol
q = n·|ΔH°/2| = 0.4301·2877 = 1238 kJ

Answer

q = 1238 kJ
9.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [H2] = 0.2 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

36 = (2x)²/(0.8 − x)²

Take the square root

6 = 2x/(0.8 − x) → x = 0.8·6/(2 + 6) = 0.6 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[H₂] = 0.8 − x = 0.2 mol/L

Answer

[H2] = 0.2 mol/L
10.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [Cl2] = 0.1766 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

0.05 = x²/(0.8 − x) → x² + 0.05·x − 0.04 = 0

Solve the quadratic

x = (−0.05 + √(0.05² + 4·0.04))/2 = 0.1766 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[Cl₂] = x = 0.1766 mol/L

Answer

[Cl2] = 0.1766 mol/L
11.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 4.063

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 = 8.659 × 10⁻⁵ mol/L

pH

pH = −log(8.659 × 10⁻⁵) = 4.063

Answer

pH = 4.063
12.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 4.201

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) = 0.3 − 0.05 = 0.25 mol
n(A⁻) = 0.2 + 0.05 = 0.25 mol

Henderson–Hasselbalch

pH = 4.201 + log(0.25/0.25) = 4.201

Answer

pH = 4.201
13.Reaction kinetics

Answer: t½ = 0.625 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/(0.8·2) = 0.625 min

Answer

t½ = 0.625 min

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

14.Reaction kinetics

Answer: A = 7.307 × 10¹⁴ s⁻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 temperature

T = 50 + 273.15 = 323.1 K

Solve Arrhenius for A

Ea/(RT) = 100000/(8.314·323.1) = 37.22
A = k·e37.22 = 0.05·1.461 × 10¹⁶ = 7.307 × 10¹⁴ s⁻¹

Answer

A = 7.307 × 10¹⁴ s⁻¹

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