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)

30 g of H2 and 16 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(Fe2​O3​)n(Fe2​O3​)n(CO2​)m(CO2​)÷ M(Fe2​O3​)× 3/1× M(CO2​)

In the reaction Fe2O3 + 3CO → 2Fe + 3CO2, 12 g of Fe2O3 reacts completely (the other reactants are in excess) and 6.15 g of CO2 is collected. Find the percent yield Y.

M(Fe2O3) = 159.69 g/molM(CO2) = 44.01 g/molactual: 6.15 g
Y = %
3.Molarity & dilutionMedium
2 mol/LV1​0.2 mol/L100 mL

You need 100 mL of 0.2 mol/L solution and have a 2 mol/L stock solution. How much water Vwater do you add to the stock solution?

c1 = 2 mol/Lc2 = 0.2 mol/LV2 = 100 mL
Vwater = mL
4.Molarity & dilutionHard
0.8 mol/L50 mL3 mol/L250 mLc = ?300 mL

50 mL of a 0.8 mol/L solution is mixed with 250 mL of a 3 mol/L solution of the same substance. Find the concentration c of the mixture (volumes are additive).

c1 = 0.8 mol/LV1 = 50 mLc2 = 3 mol/LV2 = 250 mL
c = mol/L
5.Ideal gas lawMedium
120 g of CO₂V = 5 LT = 50 °CP = ?

A tank of 5 L contains 120 g of CO₂ at 50 °C. Treat it as an ideal gas and find the pressure P.

m = 120 gM = 44.01 g/molV = 5 LT = 50 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
P = kPa
6.Ideal gas lawHard
CO₂, M = 44.01 g/molP = 150 kPaT = 50 °Cρ = ?

Find the density ρ of CO₂ at 150 kPa and 50 °C, treating it as an ideal gas.

M = 44.01 g/molP = 150 kPaT = 50 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
ρ = kg/m³
7.Calorimetry & enthalpyMedium
Tf​ = ?Ironm = 75 gT = 170 °Cc = 0.449 J/(g·°C)Waterm = 400 gT = 24 °Cc = 4.18 J/(g·°C)

A 75 g block of iron (c = 0.449 J/(g·°C)) at 170 °C is dropped into 400 g of water (c = 4.18 J/(g·°C)) at 24 °C in an insulated cup. Find the final temperature Tf.

mmetal = 75 gcmetal = 0.449 J/(g·°C)Tmetal = 170 °Cmwater = 400 gTwater = 24 °Ccwater = 4.18 J/(g·°C)
Tf = °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpyHard
H100 g C6​H12​O6​C6​H12​O6​ + 6O₂reactants6CO₂ + 6H₂O(l)productsq = ?

Use the standard enthalpies of formation to find the heat q released when 100 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 [H2].

[H₂]₀ = [I₂]₀ = 0.5 mol/LKc = 25
[H2] = mol/L
10.Chemical equilibriumHard
PCl5​PCl3​Cl2​I0.200C−x+x+xE0.2 − xxx

PCl₅ decomposes: PCl₅ ⇌ PCl₃ + Cl₂, with Kc = 0.01 at the reaction temperature. A container starts with 0.2 mol/L of PCl₅ only. Find the equilibrium concentration [Cl2].

[PCl₅]₀ = 0.2 mol/LKc = 0.01
[Cl2] = mol/L
11.pH & buffersMedium
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

Find the pH pH of a 0.25 mol/L solution of acetic acid (Ka = 1.8 × 10⁻⁵).

c = 0.25 mol/LKa = 1.8 × 10⁻⁵
pH =
12.pH & buffersHard
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

A buffer contains 0.4 mol/L acetic acid and 0.5 mol/L of its sodium salt. Ka = 1.8 × 10⁻⁵. Find the pH pH of the buffer.

[HA] = 0.4[A⁻] = 0.5Ka = 1.8 × 10⁻⁵
pH =
13.Reaction kineticsMedium
t (min)C (mol/L)15 minC = ?

A reaction with rate law −rA = k·CA² has k = 0.05 L/(mol·min) and starts at 2 mol/L. Find the concentration CA after 15 min.

k = 0.05 L/(mol·min)CA0 = 2 mol/Lt = 15 min
CA = mol/L
14.Reaction kineticsHard
Tk30 °Ck1​?10·k1​

A reaction has an activation energy of 70 kJ/mol. At 30 °C it is too slow. To what temperature T2 (in °C) must it be heated to make it 10 times faster?

Ea = 70 kJ/molT1 = 30 °Ck2/k1 = 10R = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
T2 = °C

3Solutions

1.Stoichiometry

Answer: m = 18.02 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) = 30/2.016 = 14.88 mol
n(O2) = 16/32 = 0.5 mol

Limiting reactant

14.88/2 = 7.44, 0.5/1 = 0.5 → O2

Mass of product

n(H2O) = 0.5·2 = 1 mol
m = 1·18.02 = 18.02 g

Answer

m = 18.02 g
2.Stoichiometry

Answer: Y = 61.99 %

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(Fe2O3) = 12/159.69 = 0.07515 mol
m = 0.07515·3/1·44.01 = 9.921 g

Percent yield

Y = 6.15/9.921·100 = 61.99%

Answer

Y = 61.99%
3.Molarity & dilution

Answer: Vwater = 90 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 = 0.2·100/2 = 10 mL

Water to add

Vwater = 100 − 10 = 90 mL

Answer

Vwater = 90 mL
4.Molarity & dilution

Answer: c = 2.633 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 + 3·250 = 790 mmol

Concentration of the mixture

c = 790/300 = 2.633 mol/L

Answer

c = 2.633 mol/L
5.Ideal gas law

Answer: P = 1465 kPa

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

Moles

n = m/M = 120/44.01 = 2.727 mol
T = 50 + 273.15 = 323.1 K

Pressure

P = nRT/V = 2.727·8.314·323.1/0.005 = 1465 kPa

Answer

P = 1465 kPa
6.Ideal gas law

Answer: ρ = 2.457 kg/m³

Ideal gas density: ρ = PM/(RT).

Rearrange the gas law

PV = (m/M)RT → ρ = m/V = PM/(RT)
T = 50 + 273.15 = 323.1 K

Density

ρ = 150·44.01/(8.314·323.1) = 2.457 kg/m³

Answer

ρ = 2.457 kg/m³
7.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: Tf = 26.88 °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

75·0.449·(170 − Tf) = 400·4.18·(Tf − 24)

Solve for the final temperature

Tf = (33.68·170 + 1672·24)/(33.68 + 1672) = 26.88 °C

Answer

Tf = 26.88 °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: q = 1555 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 = 100/180.16 = 0.5551 mol
q = n·|ΔH°/1| = 0.5551·2802 = 1555 kJ

Answer

q = 1555 kJ
9.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [H2] = 0.1429 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

[H₂] = 0.5 − x = 0.1429 mol/L

Answer

[H2] = 0.1429 mol/L
10.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [Cl2] = 0.04 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

0.01 = x²/(0.2 − x) → x² + 0.01·x − 0.002 = 0

Solve the quadratic

x = (−0.01 + √(0.01² + 4·0.002))/2 = 0.04 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[Cl₂] = x = 0.04 mol/L

Answer

[Cl2] = 0.04 mol/L
11.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 2.675

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 = 0.002112 mol/L

pH

pH = −log(0.002112) = 2.675

Answer

pH = 2.675
12.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 4.842

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]).

pKa

pKa = 4.745

Henderson–Hasselbalch

pH = 4.745 + log(0.5/0.4) = 4.842

Answer

pH = 4.842
13.Reaction kinetics

Answer: CA = 0.8 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 = 0.5 + 0.05·15 = 1.25 L/mol
CA = 1/1.25 = 0.8 mol/L

Answer

CA = 0.8 mol/L
14.Reaction kinetics

Answer: T2 = 57.4 °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 = 303.1 K

Solve Arrhenius for T₂

1/T2 = 1/303.1 − 8.314·ln(10)/70000 = 3.299 × 10⁻³ − 2.735 × 10⁻⁴ = 3.025 × 10⁻³ K⁻¹
T2 = 330.6 K = 57.4 °C

Answer

T2 = 57.4 °C

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