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(CO2​)m(CO2​)÷ M(X)× 3/ν× M(CO2​)

16 g of Fe2O3 and 40 g of CO react according to Fe2O3 + 3CO → 2Fe + 3CO2. What mass m of CO2 can form?

M(Fe2O3) = 159.69M(CO) = 28.01M(CO2) = 44.01 g/mol
m = g
2.StoichiometryHard
m(CH4​)n(CH4​)n(CO2​)m(CO2​)÷ M(CH4​)× 1/1× M(CO2​)

In the reaction CH4 + 2O2 → CO2 + 2H2O, 16 g of CH4 reacts completely (the other reactants are in excess) and 38.63 g of CO2 is collected. Find the percent yield Y.

M(CH4) = 16.04 g/molM(CO2) = 44.01 g/molactual: 38.63 g
Y = %
3.Molarity & dilutionMedium
4 mol/LV1​0.3 mol/L500 mL

You need 500 mL of 0.3 mol/L solution and have a 4 mol/L stock solution. How much water Vwater do you add to the stock solution?

c1 = 4 mol/Lc2 = 0.3 mol/LV2 = 500 mL
Vwater = mL
4.Molarity & dilutionHard
0.4 mol/L150 mL3 mol/L400 mLc = ?550 mL

150 mL of a 0.4 mol/L solution is mixed with 400 mL of a 3 mol/L solution of the same substance. Find the concentration c of the mixture (volumes are additive).

c1 = 0.4 mol/LV1 = 150 mLc2 = 3 mol/LV2 = 400 mL
c = mol/L
5.Ideal gas lawMedium
360 g of CH₄V = 50 LT = 85 °CP = ?

A tank of 50 L contains 360 g of CH₄ at 85 °C. Treat it as an ideal gas and find the pressure P.

m = 360 gM = 16.04 g/molV = 50 LT = 85 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
P = kPa
6.Ideal gas lawHard
CH₄, M = 16.04 g/molP = 550 kPaT = 130 °Cρ = ?

Find the density ρ of CH₄ at 550 kPa and 130 °C, treating it as an ideal gas.

M = 16.04 g/molP = 550 kPaT = 130 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
ρ = kg/m³
7.Calorimetry & enthalpyMedium
Tf​ = ?Leadm = 100 gT = 170 °Cc = 0.129 J/(g·°C)Waterm = 300 gT = 17 °Cc = 4.18 J/(g·°C)

A 100 g block of lead (c = 0.129 J/(g·°C)) at 170 °C is dropped into 300 g of water (c = 4.18 J/(g·°C)) at 17 °C in an insulated cup. Find the final temperature Tf.

mmetal = 100 gcmetal = 0.129 J/(g·°C)Tmetal = 170 °Cmwater = 300 gTwater = 17 °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 = 50. Find the equilibrium concentration [HI].

[H₂]₀ = [I₂]₀ = 0.25 mol/LKc = 50
[HI] = 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 acetic acid (Ka = 1.8 × 10⁻⁵).

c = 0.01 mol/LKa = 1.8 × 10⁻⁵
pH =
12.pH & buffersHard
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

A 1.00 L buffer contains 0.2 mol acetic acid and 0.15 mol of its conjugate base (Ka = 1.8 × 10⁻⁵). 0.025 mol of NaOH is added. Find the new pH pH.

n(HA) = 0.2 moln(A⁻) = 0.15 moln(OH⁻) = 0.025 molKa = 1.8 × 10⁻⁵
pH =
13.Reaction kineticsMedium
t (min)X (%)t = ?99%

A first-order reaction in a batch reactor has k = 0.02 min⁻¹. How long does it take to reach 99% conversion? Find t.

k = 0.02 min⁻¹X = 99 %
t = min
14.Reaction kineticsHard
Tk35 °C0.00550 °C0.0148

The rate constant of a reaction is 0.005 min⁻¹ at 35 °C and 0.0148 min⁻¹ at 50 °C. Find the activation energy Ea.

k1 = 0.005 min⁻¹T1 = 35 °Ck2 = 0.0148 min⁻¹T2 = 50 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
Ea = kJ/mol

3Solutions

1.Stoichiometry

Answer: m = 13.23 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) = 16/159.69 = 0.1002 mol
n(CO) = 40/28.01 = 1.428 mol

Limiting reactant

0.1002/1 = 0.1002, 1.428/3 = 0.476 → Fe2O3

Mass of product

n(CO2) = 0.1002·3 = 0.3006 mol
m = 0.3006·44.01 = 13.23 g

Answer

m = 13.23 g
2.Stoichiometry

Answer: Y = 87.99 %

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(CH4) = 16/16.04 = 0.9975 mol
m = 0.9975·1/1·44.01 = 43.9 g

Percent yield

Y = 38.63/43.9·100 = 87.99%

Answer

Y = 87.99%
3.Molarity & dilution

Answer: Vwater = 462.5 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 = 0.3·500/4 = 37.5 mL

Water to add

Vwater = 500 − 37.5 = 462.5 mL

Answer

Vwater = 462.5 mL
4.Molarity & dilution

Answer: c = 2.291 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 = 0.4·150 + 3·400 = 1260 mmol

Concentration of the mixture

c = 1260/550 = 2.291 mol/L

Answer

c = 2.291 mol/L
5.Ideal gas law

Answer: P = 1337 kPa

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

Moles

n = m/M = 360/16.04 = 22.44 mol
T = 85 + 273.15 = 358.1 K

Pressure

P = nRT/V = 22.44·8.314·358.1/0.05 = 1337 kPa

Answer

P = 1337 kPa
6.Ideal gas law

Answer: ρ = 2.632 kg/m³

Ideal gas density: ρ = PM/(RT).

Rearrange the gas law

PV = (m/M)RT → ρ = m/V = PM/(RT)
T = 130 + 273.15 = 403.1 K

Density

ρ = 550·16.04/(8.314·403.1) = 2.632 kg/m³

Answer

ρ = 2.632 kg/m³
7.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: Tf = 18.56 °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

100·0.129·(170 − Tf) = 300·4.18·(Tf − 17)

Solve for the final temperature

Tf = (12.9·170 + 1254·17)/(12.9 + 1254) = 18.56 °C

Answer

Tf = 18.56 °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: [HI] = 0.3898 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/(0.25 − x)²

Take the square root

7.071 = 2x/(0.25 − x) → x = 0.25·7.071/(2 + 7.071) = 0.1949 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[HI] = 2x = 0.3898 mol/L

Answer

[HI] = 0.3898 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 = 3.382

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 = 0.0004154 mol/L

pH

pH = −log(0.0004154) = 3.382

Answer

pH = 3.382
12.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 4.745

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 − 0.025 = 0.175 mol
n(A⁻) = 0.15 + 0.025 = 0.175 mol

Henderson–Hasselbalch

pH = 4.745 + log(0.175/0.175) = 4.745

Answer

pH = 4.745
13.Reaction kinetics

Answer: t = 230.3 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 = 0.01

Solve for the time

t = −ln(1 − X)/k = −ln(0.01)/0.02 = 230.3 min

Answer

t = 230.3 min
14.Reaction kinetics

Answer: Ea = 59.9 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 = 308.1 K, T2 = 323.1 K

Solve Arrhenius for Ea

Ea = −R·ln(k2/k1)/(1/T2 − 1/T1) = −8.314·1.085/(-1.506e-4) = 59895 J/mol
Ea = 59.9 kJ/mol

Answer

Ea = 59.9 kJ/mol

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