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​)

20 g of C3H8 and 32 g of O2 react according to C3H8 + 5O2 → 3CO2 + 4H2O. What mass m of CO2 can form?

M(C3H8) = 44.1M(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, 8 g of H2 reacts completely (the other reactants are in excess) and 58.64 g of H2O is collected. Find the percent yield Y.

M(H2) = 2.016 g/molM(H2O) = 18.02 g/molactual: 58.64 g
Y = %
3.Molarity & dilutionMedium
5 mol/LV1​ = ?0.05 mol/L500 mL

You need 500 mL of 0.05 mol/L solution and have a 5 mol/L stock solution. What volume V1 of stock solution do you need?

c1 = 5 mol/Lc2 = 0.05 mol/LV2 = 500 mL
V1 = mL
4.Molarity & dilutionHard
2 mol/L250 mL0.3 mol/L50 mLc = ?300 mL

250 mL of a 2 mol/L solution is mixed with 50 mL of a 0.3 mol/L solution of the same substance. Find the concentration c of the mixture (volumes are additive).

c1 = 2 mol/LV1 = 250 mLc2 = 0.3 mol/LV2 = 50 mL
c = mol/L
5.Ideal gas lawMedium
330 g of N₂P = 600 kPaT = 55 °CV = ?

What volume V does 330 g of N₂ occupy at 600 kPa and 55 °C? Treat it as an ideal gas.

m = 330 gM = 28.01 g/molP = 600 kPaT = 55 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
V = L
6.Ideal gas lawHard
State 1State 2

A fixed amount of CH₄ goes from 150 kPa, 5 L, 40 °C to 100 kPa and 200 °C. Find the new volume V2.

P1 = 150 kPaV1 = 5 LT1 = 40 °CP2 = 100 kPaT2 = 200 °C
V2 = L
7.Calorimetry & enthalpyMedium
Tf​ = ?Ironm = 250 gT = 80 °Cc = 0.449 J/(g·°C)Waterm = 300 gT = 20 °Cc = 4.18 J/(g·°C)

A 250 g block of iron (c = 0.449 J/(g·°C)) at 80 °C is dropped into 300 g of water (c = 4.18 J/(g·°C)) at 20 °C in an insulated cup. Find the final temperature Tf.

mmetal = 250 gcmetal = 0.449 J/(g·°C)Tmetal = 80 °Cmwater = 300 gTwater = 20 °Ccwater = 4.18 J/(g·°C)
Tf = °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpyHard
H10 g CH4​CH4​ + 2O₂reactantsCO₂ + 2H₂O(l)productsq = ?

Use the standard enthalpies of formation to find the heat q released when 10 g of CH4 (M = 16.04 g/mol) burns completely: CH4 + 2O₂ → CO₂ + 2H₂O(l). Give q as a positive number.

ΔH°f(CH4) = −74.8 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​HII0.250.250C−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 = 9. Find the equilibrium concentration [H2].

[H₂]₀ = [I₂]₀ = 0.25 mol/LKc = 9
[H2] = mol/L
10.Chemical equilibriumHard
PCl5​PCl3​Cl2​I0.2500C−x+x+xE0.25 − xxx

PCl₅ decomposes: PCl₅ ⇌ PCl₃ + Cl₂, with Kc = 0.02 at the reaction temperature. A container starts with 0.25 mol/L of PCl₅ only. Find the equilibrium concentration [PCl5].

[PCl₅]₀ = 0.25 mol/LKc = 0.02
[PCl5] = mol/L
11.pH & buffersMedium
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

Find the pH pH of a 0.01 mol/L solution of benzoic acid (Ka = 6.3 × 10⁻⁵).

c = 0.01 mol/LKa = 6.3 × 10⁻⁵
pH =
12.pH & buffersHard
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

A buffer contains 0.5 mol/L acetic acid and 0.2 mol/L of its sodium salt. Ka = 1.8 × 10⁻⁵. Find the pH pH of the buffer.

[HA] = 0.5[A⁻] = 0.2Ka = 1.8 × 10⁻⁵
pH =
13.Reaction kineticsMedium
t (min)X (%)t = ?99%

A first-order reaction in a batch reactor has k = 0.15 min⁻¹. How long does it take to reach 99% conversion? Find t.

k = 0.15 min⁻¹X = 99 %
t = min
14.Reaction kineticsHard
Tk40 °C0.0150 °C0.0244

The rate constant of a reaction is 0.01 min⁻¹ at 40 °C and 0.0244 min⁻¹ at 50 °C. Find the activation energy Ea.

k1 = 0.01 min⁻¹T1 = 40 °Ck2 = 0.0244 min⁻¹T2 = 50 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
Ea = kJ/mol

3Solutions

1.Stoichiometry

Answer: m = 26.41 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(C3H8) = 20/44.1 = 0.4535 mol
n(O2) = 32/32 = 1 mol

Limiting reactant

0.4535/1 = 0.4535, 1/5 = 0.2 → O2

Mass of product

n(CO2) = 0.2·3 = 0.6 mol
m = 0.6·44.01 = 26.41 g

Answer

m = 26.41 g
2.Stoichiometry

Answer: Y = 82 %

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) = 8/2.016 = 3.968 mol
m = 3.968·2/2·18.02 = 71.51 g

Percent yield

Y = 58.64/71.51·100 = 82%

Answer

Y = 82%
3.Molarity & dilution

Answer: V1 = 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 = 0.05·500/5 = 5 mL

Answer

V1 = 5 mL
4.Molarity & dilution

Answer: c = 1.717 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 = 2·250 + 0.3·50 = 515 mmol

Concentration of the mixture

c = 515/300 = 1.717 mol/L

Answer

c = 1.717 mol/L
5.Ideal gas law

Answer: V = 53.57 L

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

Moles

n = 330/28.01 = 11.78 mol
T = 55 + 273.15 = 328.1 K

Volume

V = nRT/P = 11.78·8.314·328.1/600 = 53.57 L

Answer

V = 53.57 L
6.Ideal gas law

Answer: V2 = 11.33 L

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

Absolute temperatures

T1 = 313.1 K, T2 = 473.1 K

Combined gas law

V2 = V1·(P1/P2)·(T2/T1) = 5·(150/100)·(473.1/313.1) = 11.33 L

Answer

V2 = 11.33 L
7.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: Tf = 24.93 °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

250·0.449·(80 − Tf) = 300·4.18·(Tf − 20)

Solve for the final temperature

Tf = (112.3·80 + 1254·20)/(112.3 + 1254) = 24.93 °C

Answer

Tf = 24.93 °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: q = 555 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° = [1·(−393.5) + 2·(−285.8)] − [1·(−74.8) + 2·0] = −890.3 kJ

Heat for the given mass

n = 10/16.04 = 0.6234 mol
q = n·|ΔH°/1| = 0.6234·890.3 = 555 kJ

Answer

q = 555 kJ
9.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [H2] = 0.1 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

9 = (2x)²/(0.25 − x)²

Take the square root

3 = 2x/(0.25 − x) → x = 0.25·3/(2 + 3) = 0.15 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[H₂] = 0.25 − x = 0.1 mol/L

Answer

[H2] = 0.1 mol/L
10.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [PCl5] = 0.1886 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/(0.25 − x) → x² + 0.02·x − 0.005 = 0

Solve the quadratic

x = (−0.02 + √(0.02² + 4·0.005))/2 = 0.06141 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[PCl₅] = 0.25 − 0.06141 = 0.1886 mol/L

Answer

[PCl5] = 0.1886 mol/L
11.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 3.118

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 = 0.0007629 mol/L

pH

pH = −log(0.0007629) = 3.118

Answer

pH = 3.118
12.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 4.347

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 = 4.745

Henderson–Hasselbalch

pH = 4.745 + log(0.2/0.5) = 4.347

Answer

pH = 4.347
13.Reaction kinetics

Answer: t = 30.7 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)/0.15 = 30.7 min

Answer

t = 30.7 min
14.Reaction kinetics

Answer: Ea = 75.05 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 = 323.1 K

Solve Arrhenius for Ea

Ea = −R·ln(k2/k1)/(1/T2 − 1/T1) = −8.314·0.892/(-9.882e-5) = 75047 J/mol
Ea = 75.05 kJ/mol

Answer

Ea = 75.05 kJ/mol

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