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 16 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(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 139.4 g of H2O is collected. Find the percent yield Y.

M(H2) = 2.016 g/molM(H2O) = 18.02 g/molactual: 139.4 g
Y = %
3.Molarity & dilutionMedium
3 mol/LV1​0.25 mol/L100 mL

You need 100 mL of 0.25 mol/L solution and have a 3 mol/L stock solution. How much water Vwater do you add to the stock solution?

c1 = 3 mol/Lc2 = 0.25 mol/LV2 = 100 mL
Vwater = mL
4.Molarity & dilutionHard
0.8 mol/L50 mL1.2 mol/L400 mLc = ?450 mL

50 mL of a 0.8 mol/L solution is mixed with 400 mL of a 1.2 mol/L solution of the same substance. Find the concentration c of the mixture (volumes are additive).

c1 = 0.8 mol/LV1 = 50 mLc2 = 1.2 mol/LV2 = 400 mL
c = mol/L
5.Ideal gas lawMedium
80 g of CH₄V = 50 LT = 90 °CP = ?

A tank of 50 L contains 80 g of CH₄ at 90 °C. Treat it as an ideal gas and find the pressure P.

m = 80 gM = 16.04 g/molV = 50 LT = 90 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
P = kPa
6.Ideal gas lawHard
CO₂, M = 44.01 g/molP = 400 kPaT = 150 °Cρ = ?

Find the density ρ of CO₂ at 400 kPa and 150 °C, treating it as an ideal gas.

M = 44.01 g/molP = 400 kPaT = 150 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
ρ = kg/m³
7.Calorimetry & enthalpyMedium
Tf​ = ?Zincm = 50 gT = 190 °Cc = 0.388 J/(g·°C)Waterm = 200 gT = 17 °Cc = 4.18 J/(g·°C)

A 50 g block of zinc (c = 0.388 J/(g·°C)) at 190 °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 = 50 gcmetal = 0.388 J/(g·°C)Tmetal = 190 °Cmwater = 200 gTwater = 17 °Ccwater = 4.18 J/(g·°C)
Tf = °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpyHard
HC2​H5​OH + 3O₂reactants2CO₂ + 3H₂O(l)productsΔH° = ?

Use the standard enthalpies of formation to find ΔH° for the reaction C2H5OH + 3O₂ → 2CO₂ + 3H₂O(l).

ΔH°f(C2H5OH) = −277.7 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​HII0.50.50C−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 = 9. Find the equilibrium concentration [HI].

[H₂]₀ = [I₂]₀ = 0.5 mol/LKc = 9
[HI] = mol/L
10.Chemical equilibriumHard
PCl5​PCl3​Cl2​I0.100C−x+x+xE0.1 − xxx

PCl₅ decomposes: PCl₅ ⇌ PCl₃ + Cl₂, with Kc = 0.08 at the reaction temperature. A container starts with 0.1 mol/L of PCl₅ only. Find the equilibrium concentration [PCl5].

[PCl₅]₀ = 0.1 mol/LKc = 0.08
[PCl5] = mol/L
11.pH & buffersMedium
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

Find the pH pH of a 0.25 mol/L solution of formic acid (Ka = 0.00018).

c = 0.25 mol/LKa = 0.00018
pH =
12.pH & buffersHard
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

A 1.00 L buffer contains 0.1 mol benzoic acid and 0.25 mol of its conjugate base (Ka = 6.3 × 10⁻⁵). 0.02 mol of NaOH is added. Find the new pH pH.

n(HA) = 0.1 moln(A⁻) = 0.25 moln(OH⁻) = 0.02 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 = 0.1 L/(mol·min) and starts at 0.5 mol/L. Find the concentration CA after 10 min.

k = 0.1 L/(mol·min)CA0 = 0.5 mol/Lt = 10 min
CA = mol/L
14.Reaction kineticsHard
Tk50 °Ck1​?4·k1​

A reaction has an activation energy of 80 kJ/mol. At 50 °C it is too slow. To what temperature T2 (in °C) must it be heated to make it 4 times faster?

Ea = 80 kJ/molT1 = 50 °Ck2/k1 = 4R = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
T2 = °C

3Solutions

1.Stoichiometry

Answer: m = 20.06 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) = 16/70.9 = 0.2257 mol

Limiting reactant

1.112/2 = 0.556, 0.2257/3 = 0.07522 → Cl2

Mass of product

n(AlCl3) = 0.07522·2 = 0.1504 mol
m = 0.1504·133.33 = 20.06 g

Answer

m = 20.06 g
2.Stoichiometry

Answer: Y = 78 %

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 = 139.4/178.8·100 = 78%

Answer

Y = 78%
3.Molarity & dilution

Answer: Vwater = 91.67 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 = 0.25·100/3 = 8.333 mL

Water to add

Vwater = 100 − 8.333 = 91.67 mL

Answer

Vwater = 91.67 mL
4.Molarity & dilution

Answer: c = 1.156 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 = 0.8·50 + 1.2·400 = 520 mmol

Concentration of the mixture

c = 520/450 = 1.156 mol/L

Answer

c = 1.156 mol/L
5.Ideal gas law

Answer: P = 301.2 kPa

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

Moles

n = m/M = 80/16.04 = 4.988 mol
T = 90 + 273.15 = 363.1 K

Pressure

P = nRT/V = 4.988·8.314·363.1/0.05 = 301.2 kPa

Answer

P = 301.2 kPa
6.Ideal gas law

Answer: ρ = 5.004 kg/m³

Ideal gas density: ρ = PM/(RT).

Rearrange the gas law

PV = (m/M)RT → ρ = m/V = PM/(RT)
T = 150 + 273.15 = 423.1 K

Density

ρ = 400·44.01/(8.314·423.1) = 5.004 kg/m³

Answer

ρ = 5.004 kg/m³
7.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: Tf = 20.92 °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

50·0.388·(190 − Tf) = 200·4.18·(Tf − 17)

Solve for the final temperature

Tf = (19.4·190 + 836·17)/(19.4 + 836) = 20.92 °C

Answer

Tf = 20.92 °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: ΔH° = −1367 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) + 3·(−285.8)] − [1·(−277.7) + 3·0] = −1367 kJ

Answer

ΔH° = −1367 kJ

Negative: the reaction gives off heat (exothermic).

9.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [HI] = 0.6 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/(0.5 − x)²

Take the square root

3 = 2x/(0.5 − x) → x = 0.5·3/(2 + 3) = 0.3 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[HI] = 2x = 0.6 mol/L

Answer

[HI] = 0.6 mol/L
10.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [PCl5] = 0.04202 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/(0.1 − x) → x² + 0.08·x − 0.008 = 0

Solve the quadratic

x = (−0.08 + √(0.08² + 4·0.008))/2 = 0.05798 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[PCl₅] = 0.1 − 0.05798 = 0.04202 mol/L

Answer

[PCl5] = 0.04202 mol/L
11.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 2.179

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/(0.25 − x) → x = 0.006619 mol/L

pH

pH = −log(0.006619) = 2.179

Answer

pH = 2.179
12.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 4.729

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 − 0.02 = 0.08 mol
n(A⁻) = 0.25 + 0.02 = 0.27 mol

Henderson–Hasselbalch

pH = 4.201 + log(0.27/0.08) = 4.729

Answer

pH = 4.729
13.Reaction kinetics

Answer: CA = 0.3333 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 + 0.1·10 = 3 L/mol
CA = 1/3 = 0.3333 mol/L

Answer

CA = 0.3333 mol/L
14.Reaction kinetics

Answer: T2 = 65.78 °C

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 temperature

T1 = 323.1 K

Solve Arrhenius for T₂

1/T2 = 1/323.1 − 8.314·ln(4)/80000 = 3.095 × 10⁻³ − 1.441 × 10⁻⁴ = 2.950 × 10⁻³ K⁻¹
T2 = 338.9 K = 65.78 °C

Answer

T2 = 65.78 °C

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