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(NH3​)m(NH3​)÷ M(X)× 2/ν× M(NH3​)

12 g of N2 and 10 g of H2 react according to N2 + 3H2 → 2NH3. What mass m of NH3 can form?

M(N2) = 28.02M(H2) = 2.016M(NH3) = 17.03 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, 4 g of C3H8 reacts completely (the other reactants are in excess) and 6.15 g of H2O is collected. Find the percent yield Y.

M(C3H8) = 44.1 g/molM(H2O) = 18.02 g/molactual: 6.15 g
Y = %
3.Molarity & dilutionMedium
1 mol/LV1​0.3 mol/L200 mL

You need 200 mL of 0.3 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 = 0.3 mol/LV2 = 200 mL
Vwater = mL
4.Molarity & dilutionHard
1.5 mol/L250 mL3 mol/L500 mLc = ?750 mL

250 mL of a 1.5 mol/L solution is mixed with 500 mL of a 3 mol/L solution of the same substance. Find the concentration c of the mixture (volumes are additive).

c1 = 1.5 mol/LV1 = 250 mLc2 = 3 mol/LV2 = 500 mL
c = mol/L
5.Ideal gas lawMedium
180 g of N₂V = 5 LT = 70 °CP = ?

A tank of 5 L contains 180 g of N₂ at 70 °C. Treat it as an ideal gas and find the pressure P.

m = 180 gM = 28.01 g/molV = 5 LT = 70 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
P = kPa
6.Ideal gas lawHard
CH₄, M = 16.04 g/molP = 500 kPaT = 180 °Cρ = ?

Find the density ρ of CH₄ at 500 kPa and 180 °C, treating it as an ideal gas.

M = 16.04 g/molP = 500 kPaT = 180 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
ρ = kg/m³
7.Calorimetry & enthalpyMedium
Tf​ = ?Zincm = 250 gT = 150 °Cc = 0.388 J/(g·°C)Waterm = 300 gT = 23 °Cc = 4.18 J/(g·°C)

A 250 g block of zinc (c = 0.388 J/(g·°C)) at 150 °C is dropped into 300 g of water (c = 4.18 J/(g·°C)) at 23 °C in an insulated cup. Find the final temperature Tf.

mmetal = 250 gcmetal = 0.388 J/(g·°C)Tmetal = 150 °Cmwater = 300 gTwater = 23 °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​HII0.250.250C−x−x+2xE0.25 − x0.25 − x2x

0.25 mol/L of H₂ and 0.25 mol/L of I₂ are put in a container and react: H₂ + I₂ ⇌ 2HI, with Kc = 36. Find the equilibrium concentration [H2].

[H₂]₀ = [I₂]₀ = 0.25 mol/LKc = 36
[H2] = mol/L
10.Chemical equilibriumHard
PCl5​PCl3​Cl2​I0.200C−x+x+xE0.2 − xxx

PCl₅ decomposes: PCl₅ ⇌ PCl₃ + Cl₂, with Kc = 0.5 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 = 0.5
[PCl5] = mol/L
11.pH & buffersMedium
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

Find the pH pH of a 0.25 mol/L solution of benzoic acid (Ka = 6.3 × 10⁻⁵).

c = 0.25 mol/LKa = 6.3 × 10⁻⁵
pH =
12.pH & buffersHard
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

A 1.00 L buffer contains 0.2 mol hypochlorous acid and 0.25 mol of its conjugate base (Ka = 3 × 10⁻⁸). 0.01 mol of NaOH is added. Find the new pH pH.

n(HA) = 0.2 moln(A⁻) = 0.25 moln(OH⁻) = 0.01 molKa = 3 × 10⁻⁸
pH =
13.Reaction kineticsMedium
t (min)C (mol/L)20 min0.2

In a first-order reaction the concentration of A falls from 0.5 mol/L to 0.2 mol/L in 20 min. Find the rate constant k.

CA0 = 0.5 mol/LCA = 0.2 mol/Lt = 20 min
k = min⁻¹
14.Reaction kineticsHard
t (min)X (%)45 minX = ?

A first-order reaction has k = 0.002 min⁻¹ at 30 °C and an activation energy of 50 kJ/mol. The batch reactor is now run at 55 °C for 45 min. Find the conversion X reached.

k1 = 0.002 min⁻¹T1 = 30 °CEa = 50 kJ/molT2 = 55 °Ct = 45 minR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
X = %

3Solutions

1.Stoichiometry

Answer: m = 14.59 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(N2) = 12/28.02 = 0.4283 mol
n(H2) = 10/2.016 = 4.96 mol

Limiting reactant

0.4283/1 = 0.4283, 4.96/3 = 1.653 → N2

Mass of product

n(NH3) = 0.4283·2 = 0.8565 mol
m = 0.8565·17.03 = 14.59 g

Answer

m = 14.59 g
2.Stoichiometry

Answer: Y = 94.07 %

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) = 4/44.1 = 0.0907 mol
m = 0.0907·4/1·18.02 = 6.538 g

Percent yield

Y = 6.15/6.538·100 = 94.07%

Answer

Y = 94.07%
3.Molarity & dilution

Answer: Vwater = 140 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 = 0.3·200/1 = 60 mL

Water to add

Vwater = 200 − 60 = 140 mL

Answer

Vwater = 140 mL
4.Molarity & dilution

Answer: c = 2.5 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 = 1.5·250 + 3·500 = 1875 mmol

Concentration of the mixture

c = 1875/750 = 2.5 mol/L

Answer

c = 2.5 mol/L
5.Ideal gas law

Answer: P = 3667 kPa

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

Moles

n = m/M = 180/28.01 = 6.426 mol
T = 70 + 273.15 = 343.1 K

Pressure

P = nRT/V = 6.426·8.314·343.1/0.005 = 3667 kPa

Answer

P = 3667 kPa
6.Ideal gas law

Answer: ρ = 2.129 kg/m³

Ideal gas density: ρ = PM/(RT).

Rearrange the gas law

PV = (m/M)RT → ρ = m/V = PM/(RT)
T = 180 + 273.15 = 453.1 K

Density

ρ = 500·16.04/(8.314·453.1) = 2.129 kg/m³

Answer

ρ = 2.129 kg/m³
7.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: Tf = 32.12 °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

250·0.388·(150 − Tf) = 300·4.18·(Tf − 23)

Solve for the final temperature

Tf = (97·150 + 1254·23)/(97 + 1254) = 32.12 °C

Answer

Tf = 32.12 °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] = 0.0625 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

36 = (2x)²/(0.25 − x)²

Take the square root

6 = 2x/(0.25 − x) → x = 0.25·6/(2 + 6) = 0.1875 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[H₂] = 0.25 − x = 0.0625 mol/L

Answer

[H2] = 0.0625 mol/L
10.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [PCl5] = 0.04689 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

0.5 = x²/(0.2 − x) → x² + 0.5·x − 0.1 = 0

Solve the quadratic

x = (−0.5 + √(0.5² + 4·0.1))/2 = 0.1531 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[PCl₅] = 0.2 − 0.1531 = 0.04689 mol/L

Answer

[PCl5] = 0.04689 mol/L
11.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 2.405

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/(0.25 − x) → x = 0.003937 mol/L

pH

pH = −log(0.003937) = 2.405

Answer

pH = 2.405
12.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 7.659

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) = 0.2 − 0.01 = 0.19 mol
n(A⁻) = 0.25 + 0.01 = 0.26 mol

Henderson–Hasselbalch

pH = 7.523 + log(0.26/0.19) = 7.659

Answer

pH = 7.659
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(0.5/0.2)/20 = 0.9163/20 = 0.04581 min⁻¹

Answer

k = 0.04581 min⁻¹
14.Reaction kinetics

Answer: X = 33.5 %

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 = 328.1 K
k2 = 0.002·e−(50000/8.314)·(1/328.1 − 1/303.1) = 0.009066 min⁻¹

Conversion

X = 1 − e−0.009066·45 = 1 − 0.665 = 33.5 %

Answer

X = 33.5 %

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