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(AlCl3​)m(AlCl3​)÷ M(X)× 2/ν× M(AlCl3​)

30 g of Al and 10 g of Cl2 react according to 2Al + 3Cl2 → 2AlCl3. What mass m of AlCl3 can form?

M(Al) = 26.98M(Cl2) = 70.9M(AlCl3) = 133.33 g/mol
m = g
2.StoichiometryHard
m(Al)n(Al)n(AlCl3​)m(AlCl3​)÷ M(Al)× 2/2× M(AlCl3​)

In the reaction 2Al + 3Cl2 → 2AlCl3, 20 g of Al reacts completely (the other reactants are in excess) and 74.13 g of AlCl3 is collected. Find the percent yield Y.

M(Al) = 26.98 g/molM(AlCl3) = 133.33 g/molactual: 74.13 g
Y = %
3.Molarity & dilutionMedium
2 mol/LV1​0.2 mol/L500 mL

You need 500 mL of 0.2 mol/L solution and have a 2 mol/L stock solution. How much water Vwater do you add to the stock solution?

c1 = 2 mol/Lc2 = 0.2 mol/LV2 = 500 mL
Vwater = mL
4.Molarity & dilutionHard
0.25 mol/L250 mL0.75 mol/L100 mLc = ?350 mL

250 mL of a 0.25 mol/L solution is mixed with 100 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 = 100 mL
c = mol/L
5.Ideal gas lawMedium
470 g of ArV = 50 LT = 85 °CP = ?

A tank of 50 L contains 470 g of Ar at 85 °C. Treat it as an ideal gas and find the pressure P.

m = 470 gM = 39.95 g/molV = 50 LT = 85 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
P = kPa
6.Ideal gas lawHard
State 1State 2

A fixed amount of He goes from 300 kPa, 10 L, 35 °C to 300 kPa and 250 °C. Find the new volume V2.

P1 = 300 kPaV1 = 10 LT1 = 35 °CP2 = 300 kPaT2 = 250 °C
V2 = L
7.Calorimetry & enthalpyMedium
Tf​ = ?Copperm = 75 gT = 90 °Cc = 0.385 J/(g·°C)Waterm = 200 gT = 17 °Cc = 4.18 J/(g·°C)

A 75 g block of copper (c = 0.385 J/(g·°C)) at 90 °C is dropped into 200 g of water (c = 4.18 J/(g·°C)) at 17 °C in an insulated cup. Find the final temperature Tf.

mmetal = 75 gcmetal = 0.385 J/(g·°C)Tmetal = 90 °Cmwater = 200 gTwater = 17 °Ccwater = 4.18 J/(g·°C)
Tf = °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpyHard
H20 g CH3​OH2CH3​OH + 3O₂reactants2CO₂ + 4H₂O(l)productsq = ?

Use the standard enthalpies of formation to find the heat q released when 20 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​HII0.50.50C−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 = 54. Find the equilibrium concentration [H2].

[H₂]₀ = [I₂]₀ = 0.5 mol/LKc = 54
[H2] = mol/L
10.Chemical equilibriumHard
PCl5​PCl3​Cl2​I0.400C−x+x+xE0.4 − xxx

PCl₅ decomposes: PCl₅ ⇌ PCl₃ + Cl₂, with Kc = 0.08 at the reaction temperature. A container starts with 0.4 mol/L of PCl₅ only. Find the equilibrium concentration [PCl5].

[PCl₅]₀ = 0.4 mol/LKc = 0.08
[PCl5] = mol/L
11.pH & buffersMedium
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

Find the pH pH of a 0.5 mol/L solution of formic acid (Ka = 0.00018).

c = 0.5 mol/LKa = 0.00018
pH =
12.pH & buffersHard
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

A 1.00 L buffer contains 0.3 mol benzoic acid and 0.2 mol of its conjugate base (Ka = 6.3 × 10⁻⁵). 0.01 mol of NaOH is added. Find the new pH pH.

n(HA) = 0.3 moln(A⁻) = 0.2 moln(OH⁻) = 0.01 molKa = 6.3 × 10⁻⁵
pH =
13.Reaction kineticsMedium
t (min)C (mol/L)10 minC = ?

A reaction with rate law −rA = k·CA² has k = 0.8 L/(mol·min) and starts at 0.5 mol/L. Find the concentration CA after 10 min.

k = 0.8 L/(mol·min)CA0 = 0.5 mol/Lt = 10 min
CA = mol/L
14.Reaction kineticsHard
Tk30 °C0.00550 °C0.0134

The rate constant of a reaction is 0.005 min⁻¹ at 30 °C and 0.0134 min⁻¹ at 50 °C. Find the activation energy Ea.

k1 = 0.005 min⁻¹T1 = 30 °Ck2 = 0.0134 min⁻¹T2 = 50 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
Ea = kJ/mol

3Solutions

1.Stoichiometry

Answer: m = 12.54 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(Al) = 30/26.98 = 1.112 mol
n(Cl2) = 10/70.9 = 0.141 mol

Limiting reactant

1.112/2 = 0.556, 0.141/3 = 0.04701 → Cl2

Mass of product

n(AlCl3) = 0.04701·2 = 0.09403 mol
m = 0.09403·133.33 = 12.54 g

Answer

m = 12.54 g
2.Stoichiometry

Answer: Y = 75 %

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(Al) = 20/26.98 = 0.7413 mol
m = 0.7413·2/2·133.33 = 98.84 g

Percent yield

Y = 74.13/98.84·100 = 75%

Answer

Y = 75%
3.Molarity & dilution

Answer: Vwater = 450 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 = 0.2·500/2 = 50 mL

Water to add

Vwater = 500 − 50 = 450 mL

Answer

Vwater = 450 mL
4.Molarity & dilution

Answer: c = 0.3929 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 + 0.75·100 = 137.5 mmol

Concentration of the mixture

c = 137.5/350 = 0.3929 mol/L

Answer

c = 0.3929 mol/L
5.Ideal gas law

Answer: P = 700.6 kPa

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

Moles

n = m/M = 470/39.95 = 11.76 mol
T = 85 + 273.15 = 358.1 K

Pressure

P = nRT/V = 11.76·8.314·358.1/0.05 = 700.6 kPa

Answer

P = 700.6 kPa
6.Ideal gas law

Answer: V2 = 16.98 L

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

Absolute temperatures

T1 = 308.1 K, T2 = 523.1 K

Combined gas law

V2 = V1·(P1/P2)·(T2/T1) = 10·(300/300)·(523.1/308.1) = 16.98 L

Answer

V2 = 16.98 L
7.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: Tf = 19.44 °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

75·0.385·(90 − Tf) = 200·4.18·(Tf − 17)

Solve for the final temperature

Tf = (28.88·90 + 836·17)/(28.88 + 836) = 19.44 °C

Answer

Tf = 19.44 °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: q = 453.4 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 = 20/32.04 = 0.6242 mol
q = n·|ΔH°/2| = 0.6242·726.4 = 453.4 kJ

Answer

q = 453.4 kJ
9.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [H2] = 0.107 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

54 = (2x)²/(0.5 − x)²

Take the square root

7.348 = 2x/(0.5 − x) → x = 0.5·7.348/(2 + 7.348) = 0.393 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[H₂] = 0.5 − x = 0.107 mol/L

Answer

[H2] = 0.107 mol/L
10.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [PCl5] = 0.2567 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

0.08 = x²/(0.4 − x) → x² + 0.08·x − 0.032 = 0

Solve the quadratic

x = (−0.08 + √(0.08² + 4·0.032))/2 = 0.1433 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[PCl₅] = 0.4 − 0.1433 = 0.2567 mol/L

Answer

[PCl5] = 0.2567 mol/L
11.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 2.027

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/(0.5 − x) → x = 0.009397 mol/L

pH

pH = −log(0.009397) = 2.027

Answer

pH = 2.027
12.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 4.06

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) = 0.3 − 0.01 = 0.29 mol
n(A⁻) = 0.2 + 0.01 = 0.21 mol

Henderson–Hasselbalch

pH = 4.201 + log(0.21/0.29) = 4.06

Answer

pH = 4.06
13.Reaction kinetics

Answer: CA = 0.1 mol/L

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).

Integrated second-order law

1/CA = 1/CA0 + kt = 2 + 0.8·10 = 10 L/mol
CA = 1/10 = 0.1 mol/L

Answer

CA = 0.1 mol/L
14.Reaction kinetics

Answer: Ea = 40.15 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 = 303.1 K, T2 = 323.1 K

Solve Arrhenius for Ea

Ea = −R·ln(k2/k1)/(1/T2 − 1/T1) = −8.314·0.9858/(-2.042e-4) = 40146 J/mol
Ea = 40.15 kJ/mol

Answer

Ea = 40.15 kJ/mol

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