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)

10 g of Mg and 80 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(Na)n(Na)n(NaCl)m(NaCl)÷ M(Na)× 2/2× M(NaCl)

In the reaction 2Na + Cl2 → 2NaCl, 16 g of Na reacts completely (the other reactants are in excess) and 30.5 g of NaCl is collected. Find the percent yield Y.

M(Na) = 22.99 g/molM(NaCl) = 58.44 g/molactual: 30.5 g
Y = %
3.Molarity & dilutionMedium
0.5 mol/LV1​ = ?0.25 mol/L500 mL

You need 500 mL of 0.25 mol/L solution and have a 0.5 mol/L stock solution. What volume V1 of stock solution do you need?

c1 = 0.5 mol/Lc2 = 0.25 mol/LV2 = 500 mL
V1 = mL
4.Molarity & dilutionHard
0.5 mol/L200 mL0.75 mol/L50 mLc = ?250 mL

200 mL of a 0.5 mol/L solution is mixed with 50 mL of a 0.75 mol/L solution of the same substance. Find the concentration c of the mixture (volumes are additive).

c1 = 0.5 mol/LV1 = 200 mLc2 = 0.75 mol/LV2 = 50 mL
c = mol/L
5.Ideal gas lawMedium
90 g of CO₂P = 700 kPaT = 5 °CV = ?

What volume V does 90 g of CO₂ occupy at 700 kPa and 5 °C? Treat it as an ideal gas.

m = 90 gM = 44.01 g/molP = 700 kPaT = 5 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
V = L
6.Ideal gas lawHard
State 1State 2

A fixed amount of He goes from 350 kPa, 20 L, 25 °C to 500 kPa and 210 °C. Find the new volume V2.

P1 = 350 kPaV1 = 20 LT1 = 25 °CP2 = 500 kPaT2 = 210 °C
V2 = L
7.Calorimetry & enthalpyMedium
Tf​ = ?Copperm = 50 gT = 90 °Cc = 0.385 J/(g·°C)Waterm = 300 gT = 16 °Cc = 4.18 J/(g·°C)

A 50 g block of copper (c = 0.385 J/(g·°C)) at 90 °C is dropped into 300 g of water (c = 4.18 J/(g·°C)) at 16 °C in an insulated cup. Find the final temperature Tf.

mmetal = 50 gcmetal = 0.385 J/(g·°C)Tmetal = 90 °Cmwater = 300 gTwater = 16 °Ccwater = 4.18 J/(g·°C)
Tf = °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpyHard
H2C4​H10​ + 13O₂reactants8CO₂ + 10H₂O(l)productsΔH° = ?

Use the standard enthalpies of formation to find ΔH° for the reaction 2C4H10 + 13O₂ → 8CO₂ + 10H₂O(l).

ΔH°f(C4H10) = −125.6 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 = 64. Find the equilibrium concentration [HI].

[H₂]₀ = [I₂]₀ = 0.25 mol/LKc = 64
[HI] = mol/L
10.Chemical equilibriumHard
PCl5​PCl3​Cl2​I0.800C−x+x+xE0.8 − xxx

PCl₅ decomposes: PCl₅ ⇌ PCl₃ + Cl₂, with Kc = 0.02 at the reaction temperature. A container starts with 0.8 mol/L of PCl₅ only. Find the equilibrium concentration [Cl2].

[PCl₅]₀ = 0.8 mol/LKc = 0.02
[Cl2] = mol/L
11.pH & buffersMedium
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

Find the pH pH of a 0.05 mol/L solution of acetic acid (Ka = 1.8 × 10⁻⁵).

c = 0.05 mol/LKa = 1.8 × 10⁻⁵
pH =
12.pH & buffersHard
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

A 1.00 L buffer contains 0.1 mol hypochlorous acid and 0.2 mol of its conjugate base (Ka = 3 × 10⁻⁸). 0.05 mol of NaOH is added. Find the new pH pH.

n(HA) = 0.1 moln(A⁻) = 0.2 moln(OH⁻) = 0.05 molKa = 3 × 10⁻⁸
pH =
13.Reaction kineticsMedium
t (min)C (mol/L)t½​ = ?C0​/2

A second-order reaction (−rA = k·CA²) has k = 0.8 L/(mol·min) and an initial concentration of 0.5 mol/L. Find its first half-life t½.

k = 0.8 L/(mol·min)CA0 = 0.5 mol/L
t½ = min
14.Reaction kineticsHard
Tk40 °C0.155 °C0.373

The rate constant of a reaction is 0.1 min⁻¹ at 40 °C and 0.373 min⁻¹ at 55 °C. Find the activation energy Ea.

k1 = 0.1 min⁻¹T1 = 40 °Ck2 = 0.373 min⁻¹T2 = 55 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
Ea = kJ/mol

3Solutions

1.Stoichiometry

Answer: m = 16.58 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) = 10/24.31 = 0.4114 mol
n(O2) = 80/32 = 2.5 mol

Limiting reactant

0.4114/2 = 0.2057, 2.5/1 = 2.5 → Mg

Mass of product

n(MgO) = 0.2057·2 = 0.4114 mol
m = 0.4114·40.3 = 16.58 g

Answer

m = 16.58 g
2.Stoichiometry

Answer: Y = 74.99 %

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(Na) = 16/22.99 = 0.696 mol
m = 0.696·2/2·58.44 = 40.67 g

Percent yield

Y = 30.5/40.67·100 = 74.99%

Answer

Y = 74.99%
3.Molarity & dilution

Answer: V1 = 250 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 = 0.25·500/0.5 = 250 mL

Answer

V1 = 250 mL
4.Molarity & dilution

Answer: c = 0.55 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 = 0.5·200 + 0.75·50 = 137.5 mmol

Concentration of the mixture

c = 137.5/250 = 0.55 mol/L

Answer

c = 0.55 mol/L
5.Ideal gas law

Answer: V = 6.756 L

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

Moles

n = 90/44.01 = 2.045 mol
T = 5 + 273.15 = 278.1 K

Volume

V = nRT/P = 2.045·8.314·278.1/700 = 6.756 L

Answer

V = 6.756 L
6.Ideal gas law

Answer: V2 = 22.69 L

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

Absolute temperatures

T1 = 298.1 K, T2 = 483.1 K

Combined gas law

V2 = V1·(P1/P2)·(T2/T1) = 20·(350/500)·(483.1/298.1) = 22.69 L

Answer

V2 = 22.69 L
7.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: Tf = 17.12 °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

50·0.385·(90 − Tf) = 300·4.18·(Tf − 16)

Solve for the final temperature

Tf = (19.25·90 + 1254·16)/(19.25 + 1254) = 17.12 °C

Answer

Tf = 17.12 °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: ΔH° = −5755 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° = [8·(−393.5) + 10·(−285.8)] − [2·(−125.6) + 13·0] = −5755 kJ

Answer

ΔH° = −5755 kJ

Negative: the reaction gives off heat (exothermic).

9.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [HI] = 0.4 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

64 = (2x)²/(0.25 − x)²

Take the square root

8 = 2x/(0.25 − x) → x = 0.25·8/(2 + 8) = 0.2 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[HI] = 2x = 0.4 mol/L

Answer

[HI] = 0.4 mol/L
10.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [Cl2] = 0.1169 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

0.02 = x²/(0.8 − x) → x² + 0.02·x − 0.016 = 0

Solve the quadratic

x = (−0.02 + √(0.02² + 4·0.016))/2 = 0.1169 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[Cl₂] = x = 0.1169 mol/L

Answer

[Cl2] = 0.1169 mol/L
11.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 3.027

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/(0.05 − x) → x = 0.0009397 mol/L

pH

pH = −log(0.0009397) = 3.027

Answer

pH = 3.027
12.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 8.222

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) = 0.1 − 0.05 = 0.05 mol
n(A⁻) = 0.2 + 0.05 = 0.25 mol

Henderson–Hasselbalch

pH = 7.523 + log(0.25/0.05) = 8.222

Answer

pH = 8.222
13.Reaction kinetics

Answer: t½ = 2.5 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).

Second-order half-life

t½ = 1/(k·CA0) = 1/(0.8·0.5) = 2.5 min

Answer

t½ = 2.5 min

Each later half-life is twice as long, because C₀ has halved.

14.Reaction kinetics

Answer: Ea = 74.98 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 = 313.1 K, T2 = 328.1 K

Solve Arrhenius for Ea

Ea = −R·ln(k2/k1)/(1/T2 − 1/T1) = −8.314·1.316/(-1.460e-4) = 74978 J/mol
Ea = 74.98 kJ/mol

Answer

Ea = 74.98 kJ/mol

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