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(Fe)m(Fe)÷ M(X)× 2/ν× M(Fe)

4 g of Fe2O3 and 24 g of CO react according to Fe2O3 + 3CO → 2Fe + 3CO2. What mass m of Fe can form?

M(Fe2O3) = 159.69M(CO) = 28.01M(Fe) = 55.85 g/mol
m = g
2.StoichiometryHard
m(Fe2​O3​)n(Fe2​O3​)n(CO2​)m(CO2​)÷ M(Fe2​O3​)× 3/1× M(CO2​)

In the reaction Fe2O3 + 3CO → 2Fe + 3CO2, 10 g of Fe2O3 reacts completely (the other reactants are in excess) and 6.45 g of CO2 is collected. Find the percent yield Y.

M(Fe2O3) = 159.69 g/molM(CO2) = 44.01 g/molactual: 6.45 g
Y = %
3.Molarity & dilutionMedium
3 mol/LV1​ = ?0.25 mol/L200 mL

You need 200 mL of 0.25 mol/L solution and have a 3 mol/L stock solution. What volume V1 of stock solution do you need?

c1 = 3 mol/Lc2 = 0.25 mol/LV2 = 200 mL
V1 = mL
4.Molarity & dilutionHard
0.2 mol/L200 mL0.1 mol/L400 mLc = ?600 mL

200 mL of a 0.2 mol/L solution is mixed with 400 mL of a 0.1 mol/L solution of the same substance. Find the concentration c of the mixture (volumes are additive).

c1 = 0.2 mol/LV1 = 200 mLc2 = 0.1 mol/LV2 = 400 mL
c = mol/L
5.Ideal gas lawMedium
390 g of CO₂P = 300 kPaT = 45 °CV = ?

What volume V does 390 g of CO₂ occupy at 300 kPa and 45 °C? Treat it as an ideal gas.

m = 390 gM = 44.01 g/molP = 300 kPaT = 45 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
V = L
6.Ideal gas lawHard
Ar, M = 39.95 g/molP = 400 kPaT = 30 °Cρ = ?

Find the density ρ of Ar at 400 kPa and 30 °C, treating it as an ideal gas.

M = 39.95 g/molP = 400 kPaT = 30 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
ρ = kg/m³
7.Calorimetry & enthalpyMedium
Tf​ = ?Ironm = 100 gT = 180 °Cc = 0.449 J/(g·°C)Waterm = 250 gT = 17 °Cc = 4.18 J/(g·°C)

A 100 g block of iron (c = 0.449 J/(g·°C)) at 180 °C is dropped into 250 g of water (c = 4.18 J/(g·°C)) at 17 °C in an insulated cup. Find the final temperature Tf.

mmetal = 100 gcmetal = 0.449 J/(g·°C)Tmetal = 180 °Cmwater = 250 gTwater = 17 °Ccwater = 4.18 J/(g·°C)
Tf = °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpyHard
H2C2​H6​ + 7O₂reactants4CO₂ + 6H₂O(l)productsΔH° = ?

Use the standard enthalpies of formation to find ΔH° for the reaction 2C2H6 + 7O₂ → 4CO₂ + 6H₂O(l).

ΔH°f(C2H6) = −84.7 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​HII0.20.20C−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 = 9. Find the equilibrium concentration [HI].

[H₂]₀ = [I₂]₀ = 0.2 mol/LKc = 9
[HI] = mol/L
10.Chemical equilibriumHard
PCl5​PCl3​Cl2​I0.500C−x+x+xE0.5 − xxx

PCl₅ decomposes: PCl₅ ⇌ PCl₃ + Cl₂, with Kc = 0.5 at the reaction temperature. A container starts with 0.5 mol/L of PCl₅ only. Find the equilibrium concentration [PCl5].

[PCl₅]₀ = 0.5 mol/LKc = 0.5
[PCl5] = mol/L
11.pH & buffersMedium
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

Find the pH pH of a 0.5 mol/L solution of formic acid (Ka = 0.00018).

c = 0.5 mol/LKa = 0.00018
pH =
12.pH & buffersHard
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

A 1.00 L buffer contains 0.2 mol hypochlorous acid and 0.15 mol of its conjugate base (Ka = 3 × 10⁻⁸). 0.01 mol of NaOH is added. Find the new pH pH.

n(HA) = 0.2 moln(A⁻) = 0.15 moln(OH⁻) = 0.01 molKa = 3 × 10⁻⁸
pH =
13.Reaction kineticsMedium
t (min)C (mol/L)40 min0.16

In a first-order reaction the concentration of A falls from 0.8 mol/L to 0.16 mol/L in 40 min. Find the rate constant k.

CA0 = 0.8 mol/LCA = 0.16 mol/Lt = 40 min
k = min⁻¹
14.Reaction kineticsHard
Tk25 °C0.150 °C4.23

The rate constant of a reaction is 0.1 min⁻¹ at 25 °C and 4.23 min⁻¹ at 50 °C. Find the activation energy Ea.

k1 = 0.1 min⁻¹T1 = 25 °Ck2 = 4.23 min⁻¹T2 = 50 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
Ea = kJ/mol

3Solutions

1.Stoichiometry

Answer: m = 2.798 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(Fe2O3) = 4/159.69 = 0.02505 mol
n(CO) = 24/28.01 = 0.8568 mol

Limiting reactant

0.02505/1 = 0.02505, 0.8568/3 = 0.2856 → Fe2O3

Mass of product

n(Fe) = 0.02505·2 = 0.0501 mol
m = 0.0501·55.85 = 2.798 g

Answer

m = 2.798 g
2.Stoichiometry

Answer: Y = 78.01 %

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(Fe2O3) = 10/159.69 = 0.06262 mol
m = 0.06262·3/1·44.01 = 8.268 g

Percent yield

Y = 6.45/8.268·100 = 78.01%

Answer

Y = 78.01%
3.Molarity & dilution

Answer: V1 = 16.67 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 = 0.25·200/3 = 16.67 mL

Answer

V1 = 16.67 mL
4.Molarity & dilution

Answer: c = 0.1333 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 = 0.2·200 + 0.1·400 = 80 mmol

Concentration of the mixture

c = 80/600 = 0.1333 mol/L

Answer

c = 0.1333 mol/L
5.Ideal gas law

Answer: V = 78.13 L

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

Moles

n = 390/44.01 = 8.862 mol
T = 45 + 273.15 = 318.1 K

Volume

V = nRT/P = 8.862·8.314·318.1/300 = 78.13 L

Answer

V = 78.13 L
6.Ideal gas law

Answer: ρ = 6.34 kg/m³

Ideal gas density: ρ = PM/(RT).

Rearrange the gas law

PV = (m/M)RT → ρ = m/V = PM/(RT)
T = 30 + 273.15 = 303.1 K

Density

ρ = 400·39.95/(8.314·303.1) = 6.34 kg/m³

Answer

ρ = 6.34 kg/m³
7.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: Tf = 23.72 °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

100·0.449·(180 − Tf) = 250·4.18·(Tf − 17)

Solve for the final temperature

Tf = (44.9·180 + 1045·17)/(44.9 + 1045) = 23.72 °C

Answer

Tf = 23.72 °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: ΔH° = −3119 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° = [4·(−393.5) + 6·(−285.8)] − [2·(−84.7) + 7·0] = −3119 kJ

Answer

ΔH° = −3119 kJ

Negative: the reaction gives off heat (exothermic).

9.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [HI] = 0.24 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/(0.2 − x)²

Take the square root

3 = 2x/(0.2 − x) → x = 0.2·3/(2 + 3) = 0.12 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[HI] = 2x = 0.24 mol/L

Answer

[HI] = 0.24 mol/L
10.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [PCl5] = 0.191 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/(0.5 − x) → x² + 0.5·x − 0.25 = 0

Solve the quadratic

x = (−0.5 + √(0.5² + 4·0.25))/2 = 0.309 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[PCl₅] = 0.5 − 0.309 = 0.191 mol/L

Answer

[PCl5] = 0.191 mol/L
11.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 2.027

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/(0.5 − x) → x = 0.009397 mol/L

pH

pH = −log(0.009397) = 2.027

Answer

pH = 2.027
12.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 7.448

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 − 0.01 = 0.19 mol
n(A⁻) = 0.15 + 0.01 = 0.16 mol

Henderson–Hasselbalch

pH = 7.523 + log(0.16/0.19) = 7.448

Answer

pH = 7.448
13.Reaction kinetics

Answer: k = 0.04024 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(0.8/0.16)/40 = 1.609/40 = 0.04024 min⁻¹

Answer

k = 0.04024 min⁻¹
14.Reaction kinetics

Answer: Ea = 120 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 = 298.1 K, T2 = 323.1 K

Solve Arrhenius for Ea

Ea = −R·ln(k2/k1)/(1/T2 − 1/T1) = −8.314·3.745/(-2.595e-4) = 119988 J/mol
Ea = 120 kJ/mol

Answer

Ea = 120 kJ/mol

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