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)

6 g of Mg and 16 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(CaCO3​)n(CaCO3​)n(CO2​)m(CO2​)÷ M(CaCO3​)× 1/1× M(CO2​)

In the reaction CaCO3 → CaO + CO2, 16 g of CaCO3 reacts completely (the other reactants are in excess) and 3.87 g of CO2 is collected. Find the percent yield Y.

M(CaCO3) = 100.09 g/molM(CO2) = 44.01 g/molactual: 3.87 g
Y = %
3.Molarity & dilutionMedium
0.5 mol/LV1​0.4 mol/L100 mL

You need 100 mL of 0.4 mol/L solution and have a 0.5 mol/L stock solution. How much water Vwater do you add to the stock solution?

c1 = 0.5 mol/Lc2 = 0.4 mol/LV2 = 100 mL
Vwater = mL
4.Molarity & dilutionHard
0.25 mol/L250 mL0.75 mol/L200 mLc = ?450 mL

250 mL of a 0.25 mol/L solution is mixed with 200 mL of a 0.75 mol/L solution of the same substance. Find the concentration c of the mixture (volumes are additive).

c1 = 0.25 mol/LV1 = 250 mLc2 = 0.75 mol/LV2 = 200 mL
c = mol/L
5.Ideal gas lawMedium
280 g of N₂V = 30 LT = 0 °CP = ?

A tank of 30 L contains 280 g of N₂ at 0 °C. Treat it as an ideal gas and find the pressure P.

m = 280 gM = 28.01 g/molV = 30 LT = 0 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
P = kPa
6.Ideal gas lawHard
State 1State 2

A fixed amount of CH₄ goes from 150 kPa, 5 L, 15 °C to 200 kPa and 170 °C. Find the new volume V2.

P1 = 150 kPaV1 = 5 LT1 = 15 °CP2 = 200 kPaT2 = 170 °C
V2 = L
7.Calorimetry & enthalpyMedium
Tf​ = ?Leadm = 200 gT = 170 °Cc = 0.129 J/(g·°C)Waterm = 400 gT = 20 °Cc = 4.18 J/(g·°C)

A 200 g block of lead (c = 0.129 J/(g·°C)) at 170 °C is dropped into 400 g of water (c = 4.18 J/(g·°C)) at 20 °C in an insulated cup. Find the final temperature Tf.

mmetal = 200 gcmetal = 0.129 J/(g·°C)Tmetal = 170 °Cmwater = 400 gTwater = 20 °Ccwater = 4.18 J/(g·°C)
Tf = °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpyHard
H2C2​H6​ + 7O₂reactants4CO₂ + 6H₂O(l)productsΔH° = ?

Use the standard enthalpies of formation to find ΔH° for the reaction 2C2H6 + 7O₂ → 4CO₂ + 6H₂O(l).

ΔH°f(C2H6) = −84.7 kJ/molΔH°f(CO₂) = −393.5 kJ/molΔH°f(H₂O, l) = −285.8 kJ/molΔH°f(O₂) = 0
ΔH° = 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 = 49. Find the equilibrium concentration [H2].

[H₂]₀ = [I₂]₀ = 0.8 mol/LKc = 49
[H2] = mol/L
10.Chemical equilibriumHard
PCl5​PCl3​Cl2​I0.500C−x+x+xE0.5 − xxx

PCl₅ decomposes: PCl₅ ⇌ PCl₃ + Cl₂, with Kc = 0.05 at the reaction temperature. A container starts with 0.5 mol/L of PCl₅ only. Find the equilibrium concentration [Cl2].

[PCl₅]₀ = 0.5 mol/LKc = 0.05
[Cl2] = 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 0.25 mol/L benzoic acid and 0.3 mol/L of its sodium salt. Ka = 6.3 × 10⁻⁵. Find the pH pH of the buffer.

[HA] = 0.25[A⁻] = 0.3Ka = 6.3 × 10⁻⁵
pH =
13.Reaction kineticsMedium
t (min)X (%)t = ?80%

A first-order reaction in a batch reactor has k = 0.1 min⁻¹. How long does it take to reach 80% conversion? Find t.

k = 0.1 min⁻¹X = 80 %
t = min
14.Reaction kineticsHard
Tk20 °Ck1​?3·k1​

A reaction has an activation energy of 50 kJ/mol. At 20 °C it is too slow. To what temperature T2 (in °C) must it be heated to make it 3 times faster?

Ea = 50 kJ/molT1 = 20 °Ck2/k1 = 3R = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
T2 = °C

3Solutions

1.Stoichiometry

Answer: m = 9.947 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) = 6/24.31 = 0.2468 mol
n(O2) = 16/32 = 0.5 mol

Limiting reactant

0.2468/2 = 0.1234, 0.5/1 = 0.5 → Mg

Mass of product

n(MgO) = 0.1234·2 = 0.2468 mol
m = 0.2468·40.3 = 9.947 g

Answer

m = 9.947 g
2.Stoichiometry

Answer: Y = 55.01 %

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(CaCO3) = 16/100.09 = 0.1599 mol
m = 0.1599·1/1·44.01 = 7.035 g

Percent yield

Y = 3.87/7.035·100 = 55.01%

Answer

Y = 55.01%
3.Molarity & dilution

Answer: Vwater = 20 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 = 0.4·100/0.5 = 80 mL

Water to add

Vwater = 100 − 80 = 20 mL

Answer

Vwater = 20 mL
4.Molarity & dilution

Answer: c = 0.4722 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 = 0.25·250 + 0.75·200 = 212.5 mmol

Concentration of the mixture

c = 212.5/450 = 0.4722 mol/L

Answer

c = 0.4722 mol/L
5.Ideal gas law

Answer: P = 756.7 kPa

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

Moles

n = m/M = 280/28.01 = 9.996 mol
T = 0 + 273.15 = 273.1 K

Pressure

P = nRT/V = 9.996·8.314·273.1/0.03 = 756.7 kPa

Answer

P = 756.7 kPa
6.Ideal gas law

Answer: V2 = 5.767 L

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

Absolute temperatures

T1 = 288.1 K, T2 = 443.1 K

Combined gas law

V2 = V1·(P1/P2)·(T2/T1) = 5·(150/200)·(443.1/288.1) = 5.767 L

Answer

V2 = 5.767 L
7.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: Tf = 22.28 °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

200·0.129·(170 − Tf) = 400·4.18·(Tf − 20)

Solve for the final temperature

Tf = (25.8·170 + 1672·20)/(25.8 + 1672) = 22.28 °C

Answer

Tf = 22.28 °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: ΔH° = −3119 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° = [4·(−393.5) + 6·(−285.8)] − [2·(−84.7) + 7·0] = −3119 kJ

Answer

ΔH° = −3119 kJ

Negative: the reaction gives off heat (exothermic).

9.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [H2] = 0.1778 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

49 = (2x)²/(0.8 − x)²

Take the square root

7 = 2x/(0.8 − x) → x = 0.8·7/(2 + 7) = 0.6222 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[H₂] = 0.8 − x = 0.1778 mol/L

Answer

[H2] = 0.1778 mol/L
10.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [Cl2] = 0.1351 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/(0.5 − x) → x² + 0.05·x − 0.025 = 0

Solve the quadratic

x = (−0.05 + √(0.05² + 4·0.025))/2 = 0.1351 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[Cl₂] = x = 0.1351 mol/L

Answer

[Cl2] = 0.1351 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 = 4.28

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(0.3/0.25) = 4.28

Answer

pH = 4.28
13.Reaction kinetics

Answer: t = 16.09 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 = 0.2

Solve for the time

t = −ln(1 − X)/k = −ln(0.2)/0.1 = 16.09 min

Answer

t = 16.09 min
14.Reaction kinetics

Answer: T2 = 36.59 °C

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

T1 = 293.1 K

Solve Arrhenius for T₂

1/T2 = 1/293.1 − 8.314·ln(3)/50000 = 3.411 × 10⁻³ − 1.827 × 10⁻⁴ = 3.229 × 10⁻³ K⁻¹
T2 = 309.7 K = 36.59 °C

Answer

T2 = 36.59 °C

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