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(H2​O)m(H2​O)÷ M(X)× 2/ν× M(H2​O)

12 g of H2 and 40 g of O2 react according to 2H2 + O2 → 2H2O. What mass m of H2O can form?

M(H2) = 2.016M(O2) = 32M(H2O) = 18.02 g/mol
m = g
2.StoichiometryHard
m(N2​)n(N2​)n(NH3​)m(NH3​)÷ M(N2​)× 2/1× M(NH3​)

In the reaction N2 + 3H2 → 2NH3, 16 g of N2 reacts completely (the other reactants are in excess) and 12.06 g of NH3 is collected. Find the percent yield Y.

M(N2) = 28.02 g/molM(NH3) = 17.03 g/molactual: 12.06 g
Y = %
3.Molarity & dilutionMedium
5 mol/LV1​ = ?0.5 mol/L1000 mL

You need 1000 mL of 0.5 mol/L solution and have a 5 mol/L stock solution. What volume V1 of stock solution do you need?

c1 = 5 mol/Lc2 = 0.5 mol/LV2 = 1000 mL
V1 = mL
4.Molarity & dilutionHard
0.25 mol/L300 mL2.5 mol/L500 mLc = ?800 mL

300 mL of a 0.25 mol/L solution is mixed with 500 mL of a 2.5 mol/L solution of the same substance. Find the concentration c of the mixture (volumes are additive).

c1 = 0.25 mol/LV1 = 300 mLc2 = 2.5 mol/LV2 = 500 mL
c = mol/L
5.Ideal gas lawMedium
140 g of CH₄P = 700 kPaT = 90 °CV = ?

What volume V does 140 g of CH₄ occupy at 700 kPa and 90 °C? Treat it as an ideal gas.

m = 140 gM = 16.04 g/molP = 700 kPaT = 90 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
V = L
6.Ideal gas lawHard
O₂, M = 32 g/molP = 900 kPaT = 190 °Cρ = ?

Find the density ρ of O₂ at 900 kPa and 190 °C, treating it as an ideal gas.

M = 32 g/molP = 900 kPaT = 190 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
ρ = kg/m³
7.Calorimetry & enthalpyMedium
Tf​ = ?Copperm = 250 gT = 170 °Cc = 0.385 J/(g·°C)Waterm = 150 gT = 17 °Cc = 4.18 J/(g·°C)

A 250 g block of copper (c = 0.385 J/(g·°C)) at 170 °C is dropped into 150 g of water (c = 4.18 J/(g·°C)) at 17 °C in an insulated cup. Find the final temperature Tf.

mmetal = 250 gcmetal = 0.385 J/(g·°C)Tmetal = 170 °Cmwater = 150 gTwater = 17 °Ccwater = 4.18 J/(g·°C)
Tf = °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpyHard
H50 g C6​H12​O6​C6​H12​O6​ + 6O₂reactants6CO₂ + 6H₂O(l)productsq = ?

Use the standard enthalpies of formation to find the heat q released when 50 g of C6H12O6 (M = 180.16 g/mol) burns completely: C6H12O6 + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O(l). Give q as a positive number.

ΔH°f(C6H12O6) = −1274 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 = 25. Find the equilibrium concentration [HI].

[H₂]₀ = [I₂]₀ = 0.5 mol/LKc = 25
[HI] = mol/L
10.Chemical equilibriumHard
PCl5​PCl3​Cl2​I1.500C−x+x+xE1.5 − xxx

PCl₅ decomposes: PCl₅ ⇌ PCl₃ + Cl₂, with Kc = 0.04 at the reaction temperature. A container starts with 1.5 mol/L of PCl₅ only. Find the equilibrium concentration [Cl2].

[PCl₅]₀ = 1.5 mol/LKc = 0.04
[Cl2] = mol/L
11.pH & buffersMedium
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

Find the pH pH of a 0.1 mol/L solution of lactic acid (Ka = 0.00014).

c = 0.1 mol/LKa = 0.00014
pH =
12.pH & buffersHard
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

A 1.00 L buffer contains 0.3 mol hydrofluoric acid and 0.25 mol of its conjugate base (Ka = 0.00068). 0.025 mol of NaOH is added. Find the new pH pH.

n(HA) = 0.3 moln(A⁻) = 0.25 moln(OH⁻) = 0.025 molKa = 0.00068
pH =
13.Reaction kineticsMedium
t (min)X (%)t = ?30%

A zero-order reaction has k = 0.05 mol/(L·min) and starts at 1.2 mol/L. How long does it take to reach 30% conversion? Find t.

k = 0.05 mol/(L·min)CA0 = 1.2 mol/LX = 30 %
t = min
14.Reaction kineticsHard
Tk35 °C0.00275 °C0.113

The rate constant of a reaction is 0.002 min⁻¹ at 35 °C and 0.113 min⁻¹ at 75 °C. Find the activation energy Ea.

k1 = 0.002 min⁻¹T1 = 35 °Ck2 = 0.113 min⁻¹T2 = 75 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
Ea = kJ/mol

3Solutions

1.Stoichiometry

Answer: m = 45.05 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(H2) = 12/2.016 = 5.952 mol
n(O2) = 40/32 = 1.25 mol

Limiting reactant

5.952/2 = 2.976, 1.25/1 = 1.25 → O2

Mass of product

n(H2O) = 1.25·2 = 2.5 mol
m = 2.5·18.02 = 45.05 g

Answer

m = 45.05 g
2.Stoichiometry

Answer: Y = 62.01 %

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(N2) = 16/28.02 = 0.571 mol
m = 0.571·2/1·17.03 = 19.45 g

Percent yield

Y = 12.06/19.45·100 = 62.01%

Answer

Y = 62.01%
3.Molarity & dilution

Answer: V1 = 100 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 = 0.5·1000/5 = 100 mL

Answer

V1 = 100 mL
4.Molarity & dilution

Answer: c = 1.656 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 = 0.25·300 + 2.5·500 = 1325 mmol

Concentration of the mixture

c = 1325/800 = 1.656 mol/L

Answer

c = 1.656 mol/L
5.Ideal gas law

Answer: V = 37.65 L

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

Moles

n = 140/16.04 = 8.728 mol
T = 90 + 273.15 = 363.1 K

Volume

V = nRT/P = 8.728·8.314·363.1/700 = 37.65 L

Answer

V = 37.65 L
6.Ideal gas law

Answer: ρ = 7.479 kg/m³

Ideal gas density: ρ = PM/(RT).

Rearrange the gas law

PV = (m/M)RT → ρ = m/V = PM/(RT)
T = 190 + 273.15 = 463.1 K

Density

ρ = 900·32/(8.314·463.1) = 7.479 kg/m³

Answer

ρ = 7.479 kg/m³
7.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: Tf = 37.36 °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

250·0.385·(170 − Tf) = 150·4.18·(Tf − 17)

Solve for the final temperature

Tf = (96.25·170 + 627·17)/(96.25 + 627) = 37.36 °C

Answer

Tf = 37.36 °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: q = 777.6 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° = [6·(−393.5) + 6·(−285.8)] − [1·(−1274) + 6·0] = −2802 kJ

Heat for the given mass

n = 50/180.16 = 0.2775 mol
q = n·|ΔH°/1| = 0.2775·2802 = 777.6 kJ

Answer

q = 777.6 kJ
9.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [HI] = 0.7143 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/(0.5 − x)²

Take the square root

5 = 2x/(0.5 − x) → x = 0.5·5/(2 + 5) = 0.3571 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[HI] = 2x = 0.7143 mol/L

Answer

[HI] = 0.7143 mol/L
10.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [Cl2] = 0.2258 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

0.04 = x²/(1.5 − x) → x² + 0.04·x − 0.06 = 0

Solve the quadratic

x = (−0.04 + √(0.04² + 4·0.06))/2 = 0.2258 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[Cl₂] = x = 0.2258 mol/L

Answer

[Cl2] = 0.2258 mol/L
11.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 2.435

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 = 0.003672 mol/L

pH

pH = −log(0.003672) = 2.435

Answer

pH = 2.435
12.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 3.167

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 − 0.025 = 0.275 mol
n(A⁻) = 0.25 + 0.025 = 0.275 mol

Henderson–Hasselbalch

pH = 3.167 + log(0.275/0.275) = 3.167

Answer

pH = 3.167
13.Reaction kinetics

Answer: t = 7.2 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).

Amount converted

CA0·X = 1.2·0.3 = 0.36 mol/L

Time

t = CA0·X/k = 0.36/0.05 = 7.2 min

Answer

t = 7.2 min
14.Reaction kinetics

Answer: Ea = 89.96 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 = 308.1 K, T2 = 348.1 K

Solve Arrhenius for Ea

Ea = −R·ln(k2/k1)/(1/T2 − 1/T1) = −8.314·4.034/(-3.728e-4) = 89958 J/mol
Ea = 89.96 kJ/mol

Answer

Ea = 89.96 kJ/mol

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