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(NH3​)m(NH3​)÷ M(X)× 2/ν× M(NH3​)

24 g of N2 and 64 g of H2 react according to N2 + 3H2 → 2NH3. What mass m of NH3 can form?

M(N2) = 28.02M(H2) = 2.016M(NH3) = 17.03 g/mol
m = g
2.StoichiometryHard
m(C3​H8​)n(C3​H8​)n(CO2​)m(CO2​)÷ M(C3​H8​)× 3/1× M(CO2​)

In the reaction C3H8 + 5O2 → 3CO2 + 4H2O, 16 g of C3H8 reacts completely (the other reactants are in excess) and 37.36 g of CO2 is collected. Find the percent yield Y.

M(C3H8) = 44.1 g/molM(CO2) = 44.01 g/molactual: 37.36 g
Y = %
3.Molarity & dilutionMedium
0.5 mol/LV1​0.3 mol/L200 mL

You need 200 mL of 0.3 mol/L solution and have a 0.5 mol/L stock solution. How much water Vwater do you add to the stock solution?

c1 = 0.5 mol/Lc2 = 0.3 mol/LV2 = 200 mL
Vwater = mL
4.Molarity & dilutionHard
0.4 mol/L50 mL0.3 mol/L250 mLc = ?300 mL

50 mL of a 0.4 mol/L solution is mixed with 250 mL of a 0.3 mol/L solution of the same substance. Find the concentration c of the mixture (volumes are additive).

c1 = 0.4 mol/LV1 = 50 mLc2 = 0.3 mol/LV2 = 250 mL
c = mol/L
5.Ideal gas lawMedium
160 g of CO₂V = 20 LT = 5 °CP = ?

A tank of 20 L contains 160 g of CO₂ at 5 °C. Treat it as an ideal gas and find the pressure P.

m = 160 gM = 44.01 g/molV = 20 LT = 5 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
P = kPa
6.Ideal gas lawHard
State 1State 2

A fixed amount of He goes from 400 kPa, 10 L, 10 °C to 350 kPa and 210 °C. Find the new volume V2.

P1 = 400 kPaV1 = 10 LT1 = 10 °CP2 = 350 kPaT2 = 210 °C
V2 = L
7.Calorimetry & enthalpyMedium
Tf​ = ?Leadm = 50 gT = 170 °Cc = 0.129 J/(g·°C)Waterm = 100 gT = 25 °Cc = 4.18 J/(g·°C)

A 50 g block of lead (c = 0.129 J/(g·°C)) at 170 °C is dropped into 100 g of water (c = 4.18 J/(g·°C)) at 25 °C in an insulated cup. Find the final temperature Tf.

mmetal = 50 gcmetal = 0.129 J/(g·°C)Tmetal = 170 °Cmwater = 100 gTwater = 25 °Ccwater = 4.18 J/(g·°C)
Tf = °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpyHard
HCH4​ + 2O₂reactantsCO₂ + 2H₂O(l)productsΔH° = ?

Use the standard enthalpies of formation to find ΔH° for the reaction CH4 + 2O₂ → CO₂ + 2H₂O(l).

ΔH°f(CH4) = −74.8 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​HII0.250.250C−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 = 36. Find the equilibrium concentration [H2].

[H₂]₀ = [I₂]₀ = 0.25 mol/LKc = 36
[H2] = mol/L
10.Chemical equilibriumHard
PCl5​PCl3​Cl2​I0.400C−x+x+xE0.4 − xxx

PCl₅ decomposes: PCl₅ ⇌ PCl₃ + Cl₂, with Kc = 0.2 at the reaction temperature. A container starts with 0.4 mol/L of PCl₅ only. Find the equilibrium concentration [Cl2].

[PCl₅]₀ = 0.4 mol/LKc = 0.2
[Cl2] = mol/L
11.pH & buffersMedium
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

Find the pH pH of a 0.1 mol/L solution of hydrofluoric acid (Ka = 0.00068).

c = 0.1 mol/LKa = 0.00068
pH =
12.pH & buffersHard
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

A 1.00 L buffer contains 0.2 mol acetic acid and 0.15 mol of its conjugate base (Ka = 1.8 × 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 = 1.8 × 10⁻⁵
pH =
13.Reaction kineticsMedium
t (min)C (mol/L)10 min0.7

In a first-order reaction the concentration of A falls from 2 mol/L to 0.7 mol/L in 10 min. Find the rate constant k.

CA0 = 2 mol/LCA = 0.7 mol/Lt = 10 min
k = min⁻¹
14.Reaction kineticsHard
Tk30 °C0.0270 °C?

A reaction has a rate constant of 0.02 min⁻¹ at 30 °C and an activation energy of 75 kJ/mol. Find the rate constant k2 at 70 °C.

k1 = 0.02 min⁻¹T1 = 30 °CT2 = 70 °CEa = 75 kJ/molR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
k2 = min⁻¹

3Solutions

1.Stoichiometry

Answer: m = 29.17 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(N2) = 24/28.02 = 0.8565 mol
n(H2) = 64/2.016 = 31.75 mol

Limiting reactant

0.8565/1 = 0.8565, 31.75/3 = 10.58 → N2

Mass of product

n(NH3) = 0.8565·2 = 1.713 mol
m = 1.713·17.03 = 29.17 g

Answer

m = 29.17 g
2.Stoichiometry

Answer: Y = 77.99 %

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(C3H8) = 16/44.1 = 0.3628 mol
m = 0.3628·3/1·44.01 = 47.9 g

Percent yield

Y = 37.36/47.9·100 = 77.99%

Answer

Y = 77.99%
3.Molarity & dilution

Answer: Vwater = 80 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 = 0.3·200/0.5 = 120 mL

Water to add

Vwater = 200 − 120 = 80 mL

Answer

Vwater = 80 mL
4.Molarity & dilution

Answer: c = 0.3167 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 = 0.4·50 + 0.3·250 = 95 mmol

Concentration of the mixture

c = 95/300 = 0.3167 mol/L

Answer

c = 0.3167 mol/L
5.Ideal gas law

Answer: P = 420.4 kPa

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

Moles

n = m/M = 160/44.01 = 3.636 mol
T = 5 + 273.15 = 278.1 K

Pressure

P = nRT/V = 3.636·8.314·278.1/0.02 = 420.4 kPa

Answer

P = 420.4 kPa
6.Ideal gas law

Answer: V2 = 19.5 L

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

Absolute temperatures

T1 = 283.1 K, T2 = 483.1 K

Combined gas law

V2 = V1·(P1/P2)·(T2/T1) = 10·(400/350)·(483.1/283.1) = 19.5 L

Answer

V2 = 19.5 L
7.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: Tf = 27.2 °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

50·0.129·(170 − Tf) = 100·4.18·(Tf − 25)

Solve for the final temperature

Tf = (6.45·170 + 418·25)/(6.45 + 418) = 27.2 °C

Answer

Tf = 27.2 °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: ΔH° = −890.3 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

Answer

ΔH° = −890.3 kJ

Negative: the reaction gives off heat (exothermic).

9.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [H2] = 0.0625 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

36 = (2x)²/(0.25 − x)²

Take the square root

6 = 2x/(0.25 − x) → x = 0.25·6/(2 + 6) = 0.1875 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[H₂] = 0.25 − x = 0.0625 mol/L

Answer

[H2] = 0.0625 mol/L
10.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [Cl2] = 0.2 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

0.2 = x²/(0.4 − x) → x² + 0.2·x − 0.08 = 0

Solve the quadratic

x = (−0.2 + √(0.2² + 4·0.08))/2 = 0.2 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[Cl₂] = x = 0.2 mol/L

Answer

[Cl2] = 0.2 mol/L
11.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 2.102

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 = 0.007913 mol/L

pH

pH = −log(0.007913) = 2.102

Answer

pH = 2.102
12.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 4.87

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 = 4.745 + log(0.2/0.15) = 4.87

Answer

pH = 4.87
13.Reaction kinetics

Answer: k = 0.105 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(2/0.7)/10 = 1.05/10 = 0.105 min⁻¹

Answer

k = 0.105 min⁻¹
14.Reaction kinetics

Answer: k2 = 0.6419 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 = 303.1 K, T2 = 343.1 K

Arrhenius ratio

ln(k2/k1) = −(75000/8.314)·(1/343.1 − 1/303.1) = 3.469
k2 = 0.02·e3.469 = 0.6419 min⁻¹

Answer

k2 = 0.6419 min⁻¹

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