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(NaCl)m(NaCl)÷ M(X)× 2/ν× M(NaCl)

24 g of Na and 80 g of Cl2 react according to 2Na + Cl2 → 2NaCl. What mass m of NaCl can form?

M(Na) = 22.99M(Cl2) = 70.9M(NaCl) = 58.44 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, 24 g of H2 reacts completely (the other reactants are in excess) and 188.8 g of H2O is collected. Find the percent yield Y.

M(H2) = 2.016 g/molM(H2O) = 18.02 g/molactual: 188.8 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
0.2 mol/L50 mL2.5 mol/L400 mLc = ?450 mL

50 mL of a 0.2 mol/L solution is mixed with 400 mL of a 2.5 mol/L solution of the same substance. Find the concentration c of the mixture (volumes are additive).

c1 = 0.2 mol/LV1 = 50 mLc2 = 2.5 mol/LV2 = 400 mL
c = mol/L
5.Ideal gas lawMedium
500 g of O₂P = 700 kPaT = 25 °CV = ?

What volume V does 500 g of O₂ occupy at 700 kPa and 25 °C? Treat it as an ideal gas.

m = 500 gM = 32 g/molP = 700 kPaT = 25 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
V = L
6.Ideal gas lawHard
O₂, M = 32 g/molP = 450 kPaT = 30 °Cρ = ?

Find the density ρ of O₂ at 450 kPa and 30 °C, treating it as an ideal gas.

M = 32 g/molP = 450 kPaT = 30 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
ρ = kg/m³
7.Calorimetry & enthalpyMedium
Tf​ = ?Copperm = 250 gT = 140 °Cc = 0.385 J/(g·°C)Waterm = 250 gT = 25 °Cc = 4.18 J/(g·°C)

A 250 g block of copper (c = 0.385 J/(g·°C)) at 140 °C is dropped into 250 g of water (c = 4.18 J/(g·°C)) at 25 °C in an insulated cup. Find the final temperature Tf.

mmetal = 250 gcmetal = 0.385 J/(g·°C)Tmetal = 140 °Cmwater = 250 gTwater = 25 °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​HII0.40.40C−x−x+2xE0.4 − x0.4 − x2x

0.4 mol/L of H₂ and 0.4 mol/L of I₂ are put in a container and react: H₂ + I₂ ⇌ 2HI, with Kc = 54. Find the equilibrium concentration [H2].

[H₂]₀ = [I₂]₀ = 0.4 mol/LKc = 54
[H2] = mol/L
10.Chemical equilibriumHard
PCl5​PCl3​Cl2​I0.200C−x+x+xE0.2 − xxx

PCl₅ decomposes: PCl₅ ⇌ PCl₃ + Cl₂, with Kc = 0.01 at the reaction temperature. A container starts with 0.2 mol/L of PCl₅ only. Find the equilibrium concentration [Cl2].

[PCl₅]₀ = 0.2 mol/LKc = 0.01
[Cl2] = mol/L
11.pH & buffersMedium
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

Find the pH pH of a 0.2 mol/L solution of lactic acid (Ka = 0.00014).

c = 0.2 mol/LKa = 0.00014
pH =
12.pH & buffersHard
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

A buffer contains 0.1 mol/L acetic acid and 0.8 mol/L of its sodium salt. Ka = 1.8 × 10⁻⁵. Find the pH pH of the buffer.

[HA] = 0.1[A⁻] = 0.8Ka = 1.8 × 10⁻⁵
pH =
13.Reaction kineticsMedium
t (min)C (mol/L)20 min0.6

In a first-order reaction the concentration of A falls from 1 mol/L to 0.6 mol/L in 20 min. Find the rate constant k.

CA0 = 1 mol/LCA = 0.6 mol/Lt = 20 min
k = min⁻¹
14.Reaction kineticsHard
1/Tln kT = 50 °Cln 0.05ln A = ?Ea​ = 70 kJ/mol

A first-order reaction has a rate constant of 0.05 s⁻¹ at 50 °C and an activation energy of 70 kJ/mol. Find the pre-exponential factor A in the Arrhenius equation.

k = 0.05 s⁻¹T = 50 °CEa = 70 kJ/molR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
A = s⁻¹

3Solutions

1.Stoichiometry

Answer: m = 61.01 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(Na) = 24/22.99 = 1.044 mol
n(Cl2) = 80/70.9 = 1.128 mol

Limiting reactant

1.044/2 = 0.522, 1.128/1 = 1.128 → Na

Mass of product

n(NaCl) = 0.522·2 = 1.044 mol
m = 1.044·58.44 = 61.01 g

Answer

m = 61.01 g
2.Stoichiometry

Answer: Y = 88 %

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) = 24/2.016 = 11.9 mol
m = 11.9·2/2·18.02 = 214.5 g

Percent yield

Y = 188.8/214.5·100 = 88%

Answer

Y = 88%
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 = 2.244 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 = 0.2·50 + 2.5·400 = 1010 mmol

Concentration of the mixture

c = 1010/450 = 2.244 mol/L

Answer

c = 2.244 mol/L
5.Ideal gas law

Answer: V = 55.33 L

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

Moles

n = 500/32 = 15.63 mol
T = 25 + 273.15 = 298.1 K

Volume

V = nRT/P = 15.63·8.314·298.1/700 = 55.33 L

Answer

V = 55.33 L
6.Ideal gas law

Answer: ρ = 5.713 kg/m³

Ideal gas density: ρ = PM/(RT).

Rearrange the gas law

PV = (m/M)RT → ρ = m/V = PM/(RT)
T = 30 + 273.15 = 303.1 K

Density

ρ = 450·32/(8.314·303.1) = 5.713 kg/m³

Answer

ρ = 5.713 kg/m³
7.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: Tf = 34.7 °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

250·0.385·(140 − Tf) = 250·4.18·(Tf − 25)

Solve for the final temperature

Tf = (96.25·140 + 1045·25)/(96.25 + 1045) = 34.7 °C

Answer

Tf = 34.7 °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] = 0.08558 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

54 = (2x)²/(0.4 − x)²

Take the square root

7.348 = 2x/(0.4 − x) → x = 0.4·7.348/(2 + 7.348) = 0.3144 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[H₂] = 0.4 − x = 0.08558 mol/L

Answer

[H2] = 0.08558 mol/L
10.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [Cl2] = 0.04 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/(0.2 − x) → x² + 0.01·x − 0.002 = 0

Solve the quadratic

x = (−0.01 + √(0.01² + 4·0.002))/2 = 0.04 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[Cl₂] = x = 0.04 mol/L

Answer

[Cl2] = 0.04 mol/L
11.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 2.282

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/(0.2 − x) → x = 0.005222 mol/L

pH

pH = −log(0.005222) = 2.282

Answer

pH = 2.282
12.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 5.648

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(0.8/0.1) = 5.648

Answer

pH = 5.648
13.Reaction kinetics

Answer: k = 0.02554 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(1/0.6)/20 = 0.5108/20 = 0.02554 min⁻¹

Answer

k = 0.02554 min⁻¹
14.Reaction kinetics

Answer: A = 1.034 × 10¹⁰ 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) = 70000/(8.314·323.1) = 26.05
A = k·e26.05 = 0.05·2.067 × 10¹¹ = 1.034 × 10¹⁰ s⁻¹

Answer

A = 1.034 × 10¹⁰ s⁻¹

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