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​)

8 g of Al and 80 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(Na)n(Na)n(NaCl)m(NaCl)÷ M(Na)× 2/2× M(NaCl)

In the reaction 2Na + Cl2 → 2NaCl, 8 g of Na reacts completely (the other reactants are in excess) and 14.24 g of NaCl is collected. Find the percent yield Y.

M(Na) = 22.99 g/molM(NaCl) = 58.44 g/molactual: 14.24 g
Y = %
3.Molarity & dilutionMedium
6 mol/LV1​0.05 mol/L100 mL

You need 100 mL of 0.05 mol/L solution and have a 6 mol/L stock solution. How much water Vwater do you add to the stock solution?

c1 = 6 mol/Lc2 = 0.05 mol/LV2 = 100 mL
Vwater = mL
4.Molarity & dilutionHard
0.4 mol/L150 mL0.75 mol/L100 mLc = ?250 mL

150 mL of a 0.4 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 = 0.4 mol/LV1 = 150 mLc2 = 0.75 mol/LV2 = 100 mL
c = mol/L
5.Ideal gas lawMedium
360 g of O₂V = 10 LT = 10 °CP = ?

A tank of 10 L contains 360 g of O₂ at 10 °C. Treat it as an ideal gas and find the pressure P.

m = 360 gM = 32 g/molV = 10 LT = 10 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
P = kPa
6.Ideal gas lawHard
State 1State 2

A fixed amount of O₂ goes from 350 kPa, 5 L, 35 °C to 550 kPa and 140 °C. Find the new volume V2.

P1 = 350 kPaV1 = 5 LT1 = 35 °CP2 = 550 kPaT2 = 140 °C
V2 = L
7.Calorimetry & enthalpyMedium
Tf​ = ?Zincm = 50 gT = 130 °Cc = 0.388 J/(g·°C)Waterm = 300 gT = 22 °Cc = 4.18 J/(g·°C)

A 50 g block of zinc (c = 0.388 J/(g·°C)) at 130 °C is dropped into 300 g of water (c = 4.18 J/(g·°C)) at 22 °C in an insulated cup. Find the final temperature Tf.

mmetal = 50 gcmetal = 0.388 J/(g·°C)Tmetal = 130 °Cmwater = 300 gTwater = 22 °Ccwater = 4.18 J/(g·°C)
Tf = °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpyHard
H10 g C3​H8​C3​H8​ + 5O₂reactants3CO₂ + 4H₂O(l)productsq = ?

Use the standard enthalpies of formation to find the heat q released when 10 g of C3H8 (M = 44.1 g/mol) burns completely: C3H8 + 5O₂ → 3CO₂ + 4H₂O(l). Give q as a positive number.

ΔH°f(C3H8) = −103.8 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​HII0.20.20C−x−x+2xE0.2 − x0.2 − x2x

0.2 mol/L of H₂ and 0.2 mol/L of I₂ are put in a container and react: H₂ + I₂ ⇌ 2HI, with Kc = 25. Find the equilibrium concentration [H2].

[H₂]₀ = [I₂]₀ = 0.2 mol/LKc = 25
[H2] = mol/L
10.Chemical equilibriumHard
PCl5​PCl3​Cl2​I0.2500C−x+x+xE0.25 − xxx

PCl₅ decomposes: PCl₅ ⇌ PCl₃ + Cl₂, with Kc = 0.5 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 = 0.5
[PCl5] = mol/L
11.pH & buffersMedium
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

Find the pH pH of a 0.1 mol/L solution of formic acid (Ka = 0.00018).

c = 0.1 mol/LKa = 0.00018
pH =
12.pH & buffersHard
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

A 1.00 L buffer contains 0.2 mol benzoic acid and 0.15 mol of its conjugate base (Ka = 6.3 × 10⁻⁵). 0.05 mol of NaOH is added. Find the new pH pH.

n(HA) = 0.2 moln(A⁻) = 0.15 moln(OH⁻) = 0.05 molKa = 6.3 × 10⁻⁵
pH =
13.Reaction kineticsMedium
t (min)C (mol/L)5 min0.24

In a first-order reaction the concentration of A falls from 0.8 mol/L to 0.24 mol/L in 5 min. Find the rate constant k.

CA0 = 0.8 mol/LCA = 0.24 mol/Lt = 5 min
k = min⁻¹
14.Reaction kineticsHard
Tk40 °C0.170 °C?

A reaction has a rate constant of 0.1 min⁻¹ at 40 °C and an activation energy of 80 kJ/mol. Find the rate constant k2 at 70 °C.

k1 = 0.1 min⁻¹T1 = 40 °CT2 = 70 °CEa = 80 kJ/molR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
k2 = min⁻¹

3Solutions

1.Stoichiometry

Answer: m = 39.53 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) = 8/26.98 = 0.2965 mol
n(Cl2) = 80/70.9 = 1.128 mol

Limiting reactant

0.2965/2 = 0.1483, 1.128/3 = 0.3761 → Al

Mass of product

n(AlCl3) = 0.1483·2 = 0.2965 mol
m = 0.2965·133.33 = 39.53 g

Answer

m = 39.53 g
2.Stoichiometry

Answer: Y = 70.02 %

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) = 8/22.99 = 0.348 mol
m = 0.348·2/2·58.44 = 20.34 g

Percent yield

Y = 14.24/20.34·100 = 70.02%

Answer

Y = 70.02%
3.Molarity & dilution

Answer: Vwater = 99.17 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 = 0.05·100/6 = 0.8333 mL

Water to add

Vwater = 100 − 0.8333 = 99.17 mL

Answer

Vwater = 99.17 mL
4.Molarity & dilution

Answer: c = 0.54 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 = 0.4·150 + 0.75·100 = 135 mmol

Concentration of the mixture

c = 135/250 = 0.54 mol/L

Answer

c = 0.54 mol/L
5.Ideal gas law

Answer: P = 2648 kPa

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

Moles

n = m/M = 360/32 = 11.25 mol
T = 10 + 273.15 = 283.1 K

Pressure

P = nRT/V = 11.25·8.314·283.1/0.01 = 2648 kPa

Answer

P = 2648 kPa
6.Ideal gas law

Answer: V2 = 4.266 L

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

Absolute temperatures

T1 = 308.1 K, T2 = 413.1 K

Combined gas law

V2 = V1·(P1/P2)·(T2/T1) = 5·(350/550)·(413.1/308.1) = 4.266 L

Answer

V2 = 4.266 L
7.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: Tf = 23.65 °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·(130 − Tf) = 300·4.18·(Tf − 22)

Solve for the final temperature

Tf = (19.4·130 + 1254·22)/(19.4 + 1254) = 23.65 °C

Answer

Tf = 23.65 °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: q = 503.4 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° = [3·(−393.5) + 4·(−285.8)] − [1·(−103.8) + 5·0] = −2220 kJ

Heat for the given mass

n = 10/44.1 = 0.2268 mol
q = n·|ΔH°/1| = 0.2268·2220 = 503.4 kJ

Answer

q = 503.4 kJ
9.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [H2] = 0.05714 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

25 = (2x)²/(0.2 − x)²

Take the square root

5 = 2x/(0.2 − x) → x = 0.2·5/(2 + 5) = 0.1429 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[H₂] = 0.2 − x = 0.05714 mol/L

Answer

[H2] = 0.05714 mol/L
10.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [PCl5] = 0.06699 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

0.5 = x²/(0.25 − x) → x² + 0.5·x − 0.125 = 0

Solve the quadratic

x = (−0.5 + √(0.5² + 4·0.125))/2 = 0.183 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[PCl₅] = 0.25 − 0.183 = 0.06699 mol/L

Answer

[PCl5] = 0.06699 mol/L
11.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 2.382

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/(0.1 − x) → x = 0.004154 mol/L

pH

pH = −log(0.004154) = 2.382

Answer

pH = 2.382
12.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 4.326

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) = 0.2 − 0.05 = 0.15 mol
n(A⁻) = 0.15 + 0.05 = 0.2 mol

Henderson–Hasselbalch

pH = 4.201 + log(0.2/0.15) = 4.326

Answer

pH = 4.326
13.Reaction kinetics

Answer: k = 0.2408 min⁻¹

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).

Integrated first-order law

k = ln(CA0/CA)/t = ln(0.8/0.24)/5 = 1.204/5 = 0.2408 min⁻¹

Answer

k = 0.2408 min⁻¹
14.Reaction kinetics

Answer: k2 = 1.468 min⁻¹

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 = 343.1 K

Arrhenius ratio

ln(k2/k1) = −(80000/8.314)·(1/343.1 − 1/313.1) = 2.686
k2 = 0.1·e2.686 = 1.468 min⁻¹

Answer

k2 = 1.468 min⁻¹

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