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)× 1/ν× M(CO2​)

6 g of CH4 and 48 g of O2 react according to CH4 + 2O2 → CO2 + 2H2O. What mass m of CO2 can form?

M(CH4) = 16.04M(O2) = 32M(CO2) = 44.01 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, 20 g of H2 reacts completely (the other reactants are in excess) and 157.3 g of H2O is collected. Find the percent yield Y.

M(H2) = 2.016 g/molM(H2O) = 18.02 g/molactual: 157.3 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
0.1 mol/L150 mL3 mol/L50 mLc = ?200 mL

150 mL of a 0.1 mol/L solution is mixed with 50 mL of a 3 mol/L solution of the same substance. Find the concentration c of the mixture (volumes are additive).

c1 = 0.1 mol/LV1 = 150 mLc2 = 3 mol/LV2 = 50 mL
c = mol/L
5.Ideal gas lawMedium
70 g of N₂P = 250 kPaT = 40 °CV = ?

What volume V does 70 g of N₂ occupy at 250 kPa and 40 °C? Treat it as an ideal gas.

m = 70 gM = 28.01 g/molP = 250 kPaT = 40 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
V = L
6.Ideal gas lawHard
CO₂, M = 44.01 g/molP = 600 kPaT = 160 °Cρ = ?

Find the density ρ of CO₂ at 600 kPa and 160 °C, treating it as an ideal gas.

M = 44.01 g/molP = 600 kPaT = 160 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
ρ = kg/m³
7.Calorimetry & enthalpyMedium
Tf​ = ?Zincm = 150 gT = 140 °Cc = 0.388 J/(g·°C)Waterm = 100 gT = 16 °Cc = 4.18 J/(g·°C)

A 150 g block of zinc (c = 0.388 J/(g·°C)) at 140 °C is dropped into 100 g of water (c = 4.18 J/(g·°C)) at 16 °C in an insulated cup. Find the final temperature Tf.

mmetal = 150 gcmetal = 0.388 J/(g·°C)Tmetal = 140 °Cmwater = 100 gTwater = 16 °Ccwater = 4.18 J/(g·°C)
Tf = °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpyHard
H10 g C2​H6​2C2​H6​ + 7O₂reactants4CO₂ + 6H₂O(l)productsq = ?

Use the standard enthalpies of formation to find the heat q released when 10 g of C2H6 (M = 30.07 g/mol) burns completely: 2C2H6 + 7O₂ → 4CO₂ + 6H₂O(l). Give q as a positive number.

ΔH°f(C2H6) = −84.7 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​HII0.50.50C−x−x+2xE0.5 − x0.5 − x2x

0.5 mol/L of H₂ and 0.5 mol/L of I₂ are put in a container and react: H₂ + I₂ ⇌ 2HI, with Kc = 49. Find the equilibrium concentration [HI].

[H₂]₀ = [I₂]₀ = 0.5 mol/LKc = 49
[HI] = mol/L
10.Chemical equilibriumHard
PCl5​PCl3​Cl2​I1.500C−x+x+xE1.5 − xxx

PCl₅ decomposes: PCl₅ ⇌ PCl₃ + Cl₂, with Kc = 0.04 at the reaction temperature. A container starts with 1.5 mol/L of PCl₅ only. Find the equilibrium concentration [Cl2].

[PCl₅]₀ = 1.5 mol/LKc = 0.04
[Cl2] = mol/L
11.pH & buffersMedium
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

Find the pH pH of a 0.05 mol/L solution of hypochlorous acid (Ka = 3 × 10⁻⁸).

c = 0.05 mol/LKa = 3 × 10⁻⁸
pH =
12.pH & buffersHard
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

A buffer contains 0.25 mol/L hydrofluoric acid and 0.2 mol/L of its sodium salt. Ka = 0.00068. Find the pH pH of the buffer.

[HA] = 0.25[A⁻] = 0.2Ka = 0.00068
pH =
13.Reaction kineticsMedium
t (min)X (%)t = ?30%

A zero-order reaction has k = 0.005 mol/(L·min) and starts at 1.2 mol/L. How long does it take to reach 30% conversion? Find t.

k = 0.005 mol/(L·min)CA0 = 1.2 mol/LX = 30 %
t = min
14.Reaction kineticsHard
CA0​ (mol/L)r (mol/(L·s))run 10.10.012run 20.20.017n = ?

Two experiments measure the initial rate of A → products. With CA0 = 0.1 mol/L the rate is 0.012 mol/(L·s); with CA0 = 0.2 mol/L it is 0.017 mol/(L·s). Find the reaction order n with respect to A.

CA0,1 = 0.1 mol/Lr1 = 0.012 mol/(L·s)CA0,2 = 0.2 mol/Lr2 = 0.017 mol/(L·s)
n =

3Solutions

1.Stoichiometry

Answer: m = 16.46 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(CH4) = 6/16.04 = 0.3741 mol
n(O2) = 48/32 = 1.5 mol

Limiting reactant

0.3741/1 = 0.3741, 1.5/2 = 0.75 → CH4

Mass of product

n(CO2) = 0.3741·1 = 0.3741 mol
m = 0.3741·44.01 = 16.46 g

Answer

m = 16.46 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) = 20/2.016 = 9.921 mol
m = 9.921·2/2·18.02 = 178.8 g

Percent yield

Y = 157.3/178.8·100 = 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 = 0.825 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 = 0.1·150 + 3·50 = 165 mmol

Concentration of the mixture

c = 165/200 = 0.825 mol/L

Answer

c = 0.825 mol/L
5.Ideal gas law

Answer: V = 26.03 L

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

Moles

n = 70/28.01 = 2.499 mol
T = 40 + 273.15 = 313.1 K

Volume

V = nRT/P = 2.499·8.314·313.1/250 = 26.03 L

Answer

V = 26.03 L
6.Ideal gas law

Answer: ρ = 7.333 kg/m³

Ideal gas density: ρ = PM/(RT).

Rearrange the gas law

PV = (m/M)RT → ρ = m/V = PM/(RT)
T = 160 + 273.15 = 433.1 K

Density

ρ = 600·44.01/(8.314·433.1) = 7.333 kg/m³

Answer

ρ = 7.333 kg/m³
7.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: Tf = 31.15 °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

150·0.388·(140 − Tf) = 100·4.18·(Tf − 16)

Solve for the final temperature

Tf = (58.2·140 + 418·16)/(58.2 + 418) = 31.15 °C

Answer

Tf = 31.15 °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: q = 518.7 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

Heat for the given mass

n = 10/30.07 = 0.3326 mol
q = n·|ΔH°/2| = 0.3326·1560 = 518.7 kJ

Answer

q = 518.7 kJ
9.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [HI] = 0.7778 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/(0.5 − x)²

Take the square root

7 = 2x/(0.5 − x) → x = 0.5·7/(2 + 7) = 0.3889 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[HI] = 2x = 0.7778 mol/L

Answer

[HI] = 0.7778 mol/L
10.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [Cl2] = 0.2258 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

0.04 = x²/(1.5 − x) → x² + 0.04·x − 0.06 = 0

Solve the quadratic

x = (−0.04 + √(0.04² + 4·0.06))/2 = 0.2258 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[Cl₂] = x = 0.2258 mol/L

Answer

[Cl2] = 0.2258 mol/L
11.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 4.412

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/(0.05 − x) → x = 3.871 × 10⁻⁵ mol/L

pH

pH = −log(3.871 × 10⁻⁵) = 4.412

Answer

pH = 4.412
12.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 3.071

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 = 3.167

Henderson–Hasselbalch

pH = 3.167 + log(0.2/0.25) = 3.071

Answer

pH = 3.071
13.Reaction kinetics

Answer: t = 72 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 = 1.2·0.3 = 0.36 mol/L

Time

t = CA0·X/k = 0.36/0.005 = 72 min

Answer

t = 72 min
14.Reaction kinetics

Answer: n = 0.5025

Method of initial rates: for r = k·Cⁿ, comparing two runs that differ only in the starting concentration removes k: r₂/r₁ = (C₂/C₁)ⁿ. Doubling C doubles the rate for first order and quadruples it for second order.

Ratios

r2/r1 = 0.017/0.012 = 1.417
C2/C1 = 0.2/0.1 = 2

Order

n = ln(1.417)/ln(2) = 0.5025

Answer

n = 0.5025

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