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(Fe)m(Fe)÷ M(X)× 2/ν× M(Fe)

10 g of Fe2O3 and 40 g of CO react according to Fe2O3 + 3CO → 2Fe + 3CO2. What mass m of Fe can form?

M(Fe2O3) = 159.69M(CO) = 28.01M(Fe) = 55.85 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, 20 g of C3H8 reacts completely (the other reactants are in excess) and 22.88 g of H2O is collected. Find the percent yield Y.

M(C3H8) = 44.1 g/molM(H2O) = 18.02 g/molactual: 22.88 g
Y = %
3.Molarity & dilutionMedium
1 mol/LV1​0.25 mol/L100 mL

You need 100 mL of 0.25 mol/L solution and have a 1 mol/L stock solution. How much water Vwater do you add to the stock solution?

c1 = 1 mol/Lc2 = 0.25 mol/LV2 = 100 mL
Vwater = mL
4.Molarity & dilutionHard
0.4 mol/L300 mL1.2 mol/L200 mLc = ?500 mL

300 mL of a 0.4 mol/L solution is mixed with 200 mL of a 1.2 mol/L solution of the same substance. Find the concentration c of the mixture (volumes are additive).

c1 = 0.4 mol/LV1 = 300 mLc2 = 1.2 mol/LV2 = 200 mL
c = mol/L
5.Ideal gas lawMedium
450 g of ArP = 100 kPaT = 5 °CV = ?

What volume V does 450 g of Ar occupy at 100 kPa and 5 °C? Treat it as an ideal gas.

m = 450 gM = 39.95 g/molP = 100 kPaT = 5 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
V = L
6.Ideal gas lawHard
State 1State 2

A fixed amount of N₂ goes from 100 kPa, 2 L, 35 °C to 450 kPa and 50 °C. Find the new volume V2.

P1 = 100 kPaV1 = 2 LT1 = 35 °CP2 = 450 kPaT2 = 50 °C
V2 = L
7.Calorimetry & enthalpyMedium
Tf​ = ?Copperm = 75 gT = 190 °Cc = 0.385 J/(g·°C)Waterm = 250 gT = 24 °Cc = 4.18 J/(g·°C)

A 75 g block of copper (c = 0.385 J/(g·°C)) at 190 °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 = 75 gcmetal = 0.385 J/(g·°C)Tmetal = 190 °Cmwater = 250 gTwater = 24 °Ccwater = 4.18 J/(g·°C)
Tf = °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpyHard
H10 g C2​H5​OHC2​H5​OH + 3O₂reactants2CO₂ + 3H₂O(l)productsq = ?

Use the standard enthalpies of formation to find the heat q released when 10 g of C2H5OH (M = 46.07 g/mol) burns completely: C2H5OH + 3O₂ → 2CO₂ + 3H₂O(l). Give q as a positive number.

ΔH°f(C2H5OH) = −277.7 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 = 25. Find the equilibrium concentration [H2].

[H₂]₀ = [I₂]₀ = 1 mol/LKc = 25
[H2] = mol/L
10.Chemical equilibriumHard
PCl5​PCl3​Cl2​I0.2500C−x+x+xE0.25 − xxx

PCl₅ decomposes: PCl₅ ⇌ PCl₃ + Cl₂, with Kc = 0.04 at the reaction temperature. A container starts with 0.25 mol/L of PCl₅ only. Find the equilibrium concentration [Cl2].

[PCl₅]₀ = 0.25 mol/LKc = 0.04
[Cl2] = mol/L
11.pH & buffersMedium
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

Find the pH pH of a 0.01 mol/L solution of acetic acid (Ka = 1.8 × 10⁻⁵).

c = 0.01 mol/LKa = 1.8 × 10⁻⁵
pH =
12.pH & buffersHard
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

A buffer contains 0.1 mol/L acetic acid and 0.1 mol/L of its sodium salt. Ka = 1.8 × 10⁻⁵. Find the pH pH of the buffer.

[HA] = 0.1[A⁻] = 0.1Ka = 1.8 × 10⁻⁵
pH =
13.Reaction kineticsMedium
t (min)C (mol/L)20 min0.48

In a first-order reaction the concentration of A falls from 1.2 mol/L to 0.48 mol/L in 20 min. Find the rate constant k.

CA0 = 1.2 mol/LCA = 0.48 mol/Lt = 20 min
k = min⁻¹
14.Reaction kineticsHard
t (min)X (%)15 minX = ?

A first-order reaction has k = 0.02 min⁻¹ at 30 °C and an activation energy of 70 kJ/mol. The batch reactor is now run at 40 °C for 15 min. Find the conversion X reached.

k1 = 0.02 min⁻¹T1 = 30 °CEa = 70 kJ/molT2 = 40 °Ct = 15 minR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
X = %

3Solutions

1.Stoichiometry

Answer: m = 6.995 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(Fe2O3) = 10/159.69 = 0.06262 mol
n(CO) = 40/28.01 = 1.428 mol

Limiting reactant

0.06262/1 = 0.06262, 1.428/3 = 0.476 → Fe2O3

Mass of product

n(Fe) = 0.06262·2 = 0.1252 mol
m = 0.1252·55.85 = 6.995 g

Answer

m = 6.995 g
2.Stoichiometry

Answer: Y = 69.99 %

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) = 20/44.1 = 0.4535 mol
m = 0.4535·4/1·18.02 = 32.69 g

Percent yield

Y = 22.88/32.69·100 = 69.99%

Answer

Y = 69.99%
3.Molarity & dilution

Answer: Vwater = 75 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 = 0.25·100/1 = 25 mL

Water to add

Vwater = 100 − 25 = 75 mL

Answer

Vwater = 75 mL
4.Molarity & dilution

Answer: c = 0.72 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 = 0.4·300 + 1.2·200 = 360 mmol

Concentration of the mixture

c = 360/500 = 0.72 mol/L

Answer

c = 0.72 mol/L
5.Ideal gas law

Answer: V = 260.5 L

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

Moles

n = 450/39.95 = 11.26 mol
T = 5 + 273.15 = 278.1 K

Volume

V = nRT/P = 11.26·8.314·278.1/100 = 260.5 L

Answer

V = 260.5 L
6.Ideal gas law

Answer: V2 = 0.4661 L

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

Absolute temperatures

T1 = 308.1 K, T2 = 323.1 K

Combined gas law

V2 = V1·(P1/P2)·(T2/T1) = 2·(100/450)·(323.1/308.1) = 0.4661 L

Answer

V2 = 0.4661 L
7.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: Tf = 28.46 °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

75·0.385·(190 − Tf) = 250·4.18·(Tf − 24)

Solve for the final temperature

Tf = (28.88·190 + 1045·24)/(28.88 + 1045) = 28.46 °C

Answer

Tf = 28.46 °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: q = 296.7 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° = [2·(−393.5) + 3·(−285.8)] − [1·(−277.7) + 3·0] = −1367 kJ

Heat for the given mass

n = 10/46.07 = 0.2171 mol
q = n·|ΔH°/1| = 0.2171·1367 = 296.7 kJ

Answer

q = 296.7 kJ
9.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [H2] = 0.2857 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

25 = (2x)²/(1 − x)²

Take the square root

5 = 2x/(1 − x) → x = 1·5/(2 + 5) = 0.7143 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[H₂] = 1 − x = 0.2857 mol/L

Answer

[H2] = 0.2857 mol/L
10.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [Cl2] = 0.08198 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

0.04 = x²/(0.25 − x) → x² + 0.04·x − 0.01 = 0

Solve the quadratic

x = (−0.04 + √(0.04² + 4·0.01))/2 = 0.08198 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[Cl₂] = x = 0.08198 mol/L

Answer

[Cl2] = 0.08198 mol/L
11.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 3.382

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 = 0.0004154 mol/L

pH

pH = −log(0.0004154) = 3.382

Answer

pH = 3.382
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(0.1/0.1) = 4.745

Answer

pH = 4.745
13.Reaction kinetics

Answer: k = 0.04581 min⁻¹

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).

Integrated first-order law

k = ln(CA0/CA)/t = ln(1.2/0.48)/20 = 0.9163/20 = 0.04581 min⁻¹

Answer

k = 0.04581 min⁻¹
14.Reaction kinetics

Answer: X = 51.73 %

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 = 313.1 K
k2 = 0.02·e−(70000/8.314)·(1/313.1 − 1/303.1) = 0.04855 min⁻¹

Conversion

X = 1 − e−0.04855·15 = 1 − 0.4827 = 51.73 %

Answer

X = 51.73 %

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