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(MgO)m(MgO)÷ M(X)× 2/ν× M(MgO)

24 g of Mg and 64 g of O2 react according to 2Mg + O2 → 2MgO. What mass m of MgO can form?

M(Mg) = 24.31M(O2) = 32M(MgO) = 40.3 g/mol
m = g
2.StoichiometryHard
m(N2​)n(N2​)n(NH3​)m(NH3​)÷ M(N2​)× 2/1× M(NH3​)

In the reaction N2 + 3H2 → 2NH3, 30 g of N2 reacts completely (the other reactants are in excess) and 22.61 g of NH3 is collected. Find the percent yield Y.

M(N2) = 28.02 g/molM(NH3) = 17.03 g/molactual: 22.61 g
Y = %
3.Molarity & dilutionMedium
0.5 mol/LV1​ = ?0.2 mol/L500 mL

You need 500 mL of 0.2 mol/L solution and have a 0.5 mol/L stock solution. What volume V1 of stock solution do you need?

c1 = 0.5 mol/Lc2 = 0.2 mol/LV2 = 500 mL
V1 = mL
4.Molarity & dilutionHard
0.25 mol/L200 mL0.3 mol/L100 mLc = ?300 mL

200 mL of a 0.25 mol/L solution is mixed with 100 mL of a 0.3 mol/L solution of the same substance. Find the concentration c of the mixture (volumes are additive).

c1 = 0.25 mol/LV1 = 200 mLc2 = 0.3 mol/LV2 = 100 mL
c = mol/L
5.Ideal gas lawMedium
380 g of CH₄P = 750 kPaT = 50 °CV = ?

What volume V does 380 g of CH₄ occupy at 750 kPa and 50 °C? Treat it as an ideal gas.

m = 380 gM = 16.04 g/molP = 750 kPaT = 50 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
V = L
6.Ideal gas lawHard
State 1State 2

A fixed amount of CH₄ goes from 350 kPa, 5 L, 15 °C to 300 kPa and 160 °C. Find the new volume V2.

P1 = 350 kPaV1 = 5 LT1 = 15 °CP2 = 300 kPaT2 = 160 °C
V2 = L
7.Calorimetry & enthalpyMedium
Tf​ = ?Aluminiumm = 100 gT = 110 °Cc = 0.897 J/(g·°C)Waterm = 150 gT = 15 °Cc = 4.18 J/(g·°C)

A 100 g block of aluminium (c = 0.897 J/(g·°C)) at 110 °C is dropped into 150 g of water (c = 4.18 J/(g·°C)) at 15 °C in an insulated cup. Find the final temperature Tf.

mmetal = 100 gcmetal = 0.897 J/(g·°C)Tmetal = 110 °Cmwater = 150 gTwater = 15 °Ccwater = 4.18 J/(g·°C)
Tf = °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpyHard
H100 g CH3​OH2CH3​OH + 3O₂reactants2CO₂ + 4H₂O(l)productsq = ?

Use the standard enthalpies of formation to find the heat q released when 100 g of CH3OH (M = 32.04 g/mol) burns completely: 2CH3OH + 3O₂ → 2CO₂ + 4H₂O(l). Give q as a positive number.

ΔH°f(CH3OH) = −238.7 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​HII0.40.40C−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 = 50. Find the equilibrium concentration [H2].

[H₂]₀ = [I₂]₀ = 0.4 mol/LKc = 50
[H2] = mol/L
10.Chemical equilibriumHard
PCl5​PCl3​Cl2​I0.200C−x+x+xE0.2 − xxx

PCl₅ decomposes: PCl₅ ⇌ PCl₃ + Cl₂, with Kc = 0.1 at the reaction temperature. A container starts with 0.2 mol/L of PCl₅ only. Find the equilibrium concentration [PCl5].

[PCl₅]₀ = 0.2 mol/LKc = 0.1
[PCl5] = mol/L
11.pH & buffersMedium
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

Find the pH pH of a 0.1 mol/L solution of hypochlorous acid (Ka = 3 × 10⁻⁸).

c = 0.1 mol/LKa = 3 × 10⁻⁸
pH =
12.pH & buffersHard
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

A buffer contains 0.4 mol/L benzoic acid and 0.8 mol/L of its sodium salt. Ka = 6.3 × 10⁻⁵. Find the pH pH of the buffer.

[HA] = 0.4[A⁻] = 0.8Ka = 6.3 × 10⁻⁵
pH =
13.Reaction kineticsMedium
t (min)X (%)t = ?30%

A zero-order reaction has k = 0.025 mol/(L·min) and starts at 1 mol/L. How long does it take to reach 30% conversion? Find t.

k = 0.025 mol/(L·min)CA0 = 1 mol/LX = 30 %
t = min
14.Reaction kineticsHard
Tk25 °C0.00550 °C0.083

The rate constant of a reaction is 0.005 min⁻¹ at 25 °C and 0.083 min⁻¹ at 50 °C. Find the activation energy Ea.

k1 = 0.005 min⁻¹T1 = 25 °Ck2 = 0.083 min⁻¹T2 = 50 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
Ea = kJ/mol

3Solutions

1.Stoichiometry

Answer: m = 39.79 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(Mg) = 24/24.31 = 0.9872 mol
n(O2) = 64/32 = 2 mol

Limiting reactant

0.9872/2 = 0.4936, 2/1 = 2 → Mg

Mass of product

n(MgO) = 0.4936·2 = 0.9872 mol
m = 0.9872·40.3 = 39.79 g

Answer

m = 39.79 g
2.Stoichiometry

Answer: Y = 62 %

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(N2) = 30/28.02 = 1.071 mol
m = 1.071·2/1·17.03 = 36.47 g

Percent yield

Y = 22.61/36.47·100 = 62%

Answer

Y = 62%
3.Molarity & dilution

Answer: V1 = 200 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 = 0.2·500/0.5 = 200 mL

Answer

V1 = 200 mL
4.Molarity & dilution

Answer: c = 0.2667 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 = 0.25·200 + 0.3·100 = 80 mmol

Concentration of the mixture

c = 80/300 = 0.2667 mol/L

Answer

c = 0.2667 mol/L
5.Ideal gas law

Answer: V = 84.87 L

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

Moles

n = 380/16.04 = 23.69 mol
T = 50 + 273.15 = 323.1 K

Volume

V = nRT/P = 23.69·8.314·323.1/750 = 84.87 L

Answer

V = 84.87 L
6.Ideal gas law

Answer: V2 = 8.769 L

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

Absolute temperatures

T1 = 288.1 K, T2 = 433.1 K

Combined gas law

V2 = V1·(P1/P2)·(T2/T1) = 5·(350/300)·(433.1/288.1) = 8.769 L

Answer

V2 = 8.769 L
7.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: Tf = 26.89 °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

100·0.897·(110 − Tf) = 150·4.18·(Tf − 15)

Solve for the final temperature

Tf = (89.7·110 + 627·15)/(89.7 + 627) = 26.89 °C

Answer

Tf = 26.89 °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: q = 2267 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) + 4·(−285.8)] − [2·(−238.7) + 3·0] = −1453 kJ

Heat for the given mass

n = 100/32.04 = 3.121 mol
q = n·|ΔH°/2| = 3.121·726.4 = 2267 kJ

Answer

q = 2267 kJ
9.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [H2] = 0.08819 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

50 = (2x)²/(0.4 − x)²

Take the square root

7.071 = 2x/(0.4 − x) → x = 0.4·7.071/(2 + 7.071) = 0.3118 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[H₂] = 0.4 − x = 0.08819 mol/L

Answer

[H2] = 0.08819 mol/L
10.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [PCl5] = 0.1 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/(0.2 − x) → x² + 0.1·x − 0.02 = 0

Solve the quadratic

x = (−0.1 + √(0.1² + 4·0.02))/2 = 0.1 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[PCl₅] = 0.2 − 0.1 = 0.1 mol/L

Answer

[PCl5] = 0.1 mol/L
11.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 4.262

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/(0.1 − x) → x = 5.476 × 10⁻⁵ mol/L

pH

pH = −log(5.476 × 10⁻⁵) = 4.262

Answer

pH = 4.262
12.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 4.502

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 = 4.201

Henderson–Hasselbalch

pH = 4.201 + log(0.8/0.4) = 4.502

Answer

pH = 4.502
13.Reaction kinetics

Answer: t = 12 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).

Amount converted

CA0·X = 1·0.3 = 0.3 mol/L

Time

t = CA0·X/k = 0.3/0.025 = 12 min

Answer

t = 12 min
14.Reaction kinetics

Answer: Ea = 90.02 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 = 323.1 K

Solve Arrhenius for Ea

Ea = −R·ln(k2/k1)/(1/T2 − 1/T1) = −8.314·2.809/(-2.595e-4) = 90017 J/mol
Ea = 90.02 kJ/mol

Answer

Ea = 90.02 kJ/mol

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