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)

20 g of Fe2O3 and 10 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(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, 4 g of C6H12O6 reacts completely (the other reactants are in excess) and 1.27 g of C2H5OH is collected. Find the percent yield Y.

M(C6H12O6) = 180.16 g/molM(C2H5OH) = 46.07 g/molactual: 1.27 g
Y = %
3.Molarity & dilutionMedium
1.5 mol/LV1​ = ?0.25 mol/L250 mL

You need 250 mL of 0.25 mol/L solution and have a 1.5 mol/L stock solution. What volume V1 of stock solution do you need?

c1 = 1.5 mol/Lc2 = 0.25 mol/LV2 = 250 mL
V1 = mL
4.Molarity & dilutionHard
0.25 mol/L150 mL0.1 mol/L250 mLc = ?400 mL

150 mL of a 0.25 mol/L solution is mixed with 250 mL of a 0.1 mol/L solution of the same substance. Find the concentration c of the mixture (volumes are additive).

c1 = 0.25 mol/LV1 = 150 mLc2 = 0.1 mol/LV2 = 250 mL
c = mol/L
5.Ideal gas lawMedium
460 g of CH₄V = 30 LT = 0 °CP = ?

A tank of 30 L contains 460 g of CH₄ at 0 °C. Treat it as an ideal gas and find the pressure P.

m = 460 gM = 16.04 g/molV = 30 LT = 0 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
P = kPa
6.Ideal gas lawHard
State 1State 2

A fixed amount of O₂ goes from 250 kPa, 20 L, 25 °C to 650 kPa and 90 °C. Find the new volume V2.

P1 = 250 kPaV1 = 20 LT1 = 25 °CP2 = 650 kPaT2 = 90 °C
V2 = L
7.Calorimetry & enthalpyMedium
Tf​ = ?Leadm = 50 gT = 200 °Cc = 0.129 J/(g·°C)Waterm = 200 gT = 20 °Cc = 4.18 J/(g·°C)

A 50 g block of lead (c = 0.129 J/(g·°C)) at 200 °C is dropped into 200 g of water (c = 4.18 J/(g·°C)) at 20 °C in an insulated cup. Find the final temperature Tf.

mmetal = 50 gcmetal = 0.129 J/(g·°C)Tmetal = 200 °Cmwater = 200 gTwater = 20 °Ccwater = 4.18 J/(g·°C)
Tf = °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpyHard
H100 g C2​H5​OHC2​H5​OH + 3O₂reactants2CO₂ + 3H₂O(l)productsq = ?

Use the standard enthalpies of formation to find the heat q released when 100 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​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 = 16. Find the equilibrium concentration [H2].

[H₂]₀ = [I₂]₀ = 0.8 mol/LKc = 16
[H2] = mol/L
10.Chemical equilibriumHard
PCl5​PCl3​Cl2​I100C−x+x+xE1 − xxx

PCl₅ decomposes: PCl₅ ⇌ PCl₃ + Cl₂, with Kc = 0.1 at the reaction temperature. A container starts with 1 mol/L of PCl₅ only. Find the equilibrium concentration [PCl5].

[PCl₅]₀ = 1 mol/LKc = 0.1
[PCl5] = mol/L
11.pH & buffersMedium
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

Find the pH pH of a 0.01 mol/L solution of hydrofluoric acid (Ka = 0.00068).

c = 0.01 mol/LKa = 0.00068
pH =
12.pH & buffersHard
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

A 1.00 L buffer contains 0.1 mol lactic acid and 0.2 mol of its conjugate base (Ka = 0.00014). 0.01 mol of NaOH is added. Find the new pH pH.

n(HA) = 0.1 moln(A⁻) = 0.2 moln(OH⁻) = 0.01 molKa = 0.00014
pH =
13.Reaction kineticsMedium
t (min)X (%)t = ?60%

A first-order reaction in a batch reactor has k = 0.1 min⁻¹. How long does it take to reach 60% conversion? Find t.

k = 0.1 min⁻¹X = 60 %
t = min
14.Reaction kineticsHard
Tk25 °C0.00545 °C0.0295

The rate constant of a reaction is 0.005 min⁻¹ at 25 °C and 0.0295 min⁻¹ at 45 °C. Find the activation energy Ea.

k1 = 0.005 min⁻¹T1 = 25 °Ck2 = 0.0295 min⁻¹T2 = 45 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
Ea = kJ/mol

3Solutions

1.Stoichiometry

Answer: m = 13.29 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) = 20/159.69 = 0.1252 mol
n(CO) = 10/28.01 = 0.357 mol

Limiting reactant

0.1252/1 = 0.1252, 0.357/3 = 0.119 → CO

Mass of product

n(Fe) = 0.119·2 = 0.238 mol
m = 0.238·55.85 = 13.29 g

Answer

m = 13.29 g
2.Stoichiometry

Answer: Y = 62.08 %

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) = 4/180.16 = 0.0222 mol
m = 0.0222·2/1·46.07 = 2.046 g

Percent yield

Y = 1.27/2.046·100 = 62.08%

Answer

Y = 62.08%
3.Molarity & dilution

Answer: V1 = 41.67 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 = 0.25·250/1.5 = 41.67 mL

Answer

V1 = 41.67 mL
4.Molarity & dilution

Answer: c = 0.1563 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 = 0.25·150 + 0.1·250 = 62.5 mmol

Concentration of the mixture

c = 62.5/400 = 0.1563 mol/L

Answer

c = 0.1563 mol/L
5.Ideal gas law

Answer: P = 2171 kPa

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

Moles

n = m/M = 460/16.04 = 28.68 mol
T = 0 + 273.15 = 273.1 K

Pressure

P = nRT/V = 28.68·8.314·273.1/0.03 = 2171 kPa

Answer

P = 2171 kPa
6.Ideal gas law

Answer: V2 = 9.369 L

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

Absolute temperatures

T1 = 298.1 K, T2 = 363.1 K

Combined gas law

V2 = V1·(P1/P2)·(T2/T1) = 20·(250/650)·(363.1/298.1) = 9.369 L

Answer

V2 = 9.369 L
7.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: Tf = 21.38 °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

50·0.129·(200 − Tf) = 200·4.18·(Tf − 20)

Solve for the final temperature

Tf = (6.45·200 + 836·20)/(6.45 + 836) = 21.38 °C

Answer

Tf = 21.38 °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: q = 2967 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 = 100/46.07 = 2.171 mol
q = n·|ΔH°/1| = 2.171·1367 = 2967 kJ

Answer

q = 2967 kJ
9.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [H2] = 0.2667 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

16 = (2x)²/(0.8 − x)²

Take the square root

4 = 2x/(0.8 − x) → x = 0.8·4/(2 + 4) = 0.5333 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[H₂] = 0.8 − x = 0.2667 mol/L

Answer

[H2] = 0.2667 mol/L
10.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [PCl5] = 0.7298 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

0.1 = x²/(1 − x) → x² + 0.1·x − 0.1 = 0

Solve the quadratic

x = (−0.1 + √(0.1² + 4·0.1))/2 = 0.2702 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[PCl₅] = 1 − 0.2702 = 0.7298 mol/L

Answer

[PCl5] = 0.7298 mol/L
11.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 2.64

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 = 0.00229 mol/L

pH

pH = −log(0.00229) = 2.64

Answer

pH = 2.64
12.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 4.222

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) = 0.1 − 0.01 = 0.09 mol
n(A⁻) = 0.2 + 0.01 = 0.21 mol

Henderson–Hasselbalch

pH = 3.854 + log(0.21/0.09) = 4.222

Answer

pH = 4.222
13.Reaction kinetics

Answer: t = 9.163 min

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).

Conversion and concentration

C/C0 = 1 − X = 0.4

Solve for the time

t = −ln(1 − X)/k = −ln(0.4)/0.1 = 9.163 min

Answer

t = 9.163 min
14.Reaction kinetics

Answer: Ea = 69.99 kJ/mol

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 = 298.1 K, T2 = 318.1 K

Solve Arrhenius for Ea

Ea = −R·ln(k2/k1)/(1/T2 − 1/T1) = −8.314·1.775/(-2.108e-4) = 69990 J/mol
Ea = 69.99 kJ/mol

Answer

Ea = 69.99 kJ/mol

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