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(MgO)m(MgO)÷ M(X)× 2/ν× M(MgO)

30 g of Mg and 80 g of O2 react according to 2Mg + O2 → 2MgO. What mass m of MgO can form?

M(Mg) = 24.31M(O2) = 32M(MgO) = 40.3 g/mol
m = g
2.StoichiometryHard
m(Al)n(Al)n(AlCl3​)m(AlCl3​)÷ M(Al)× 2/2× M(AlCl3​)

In the reaction 2Al + 3Cl2 → 2AlCl3, 8 g of Al reacts completely (the other reactants are in excess) and 29.65 g of AlCl3 is collected. Find the percent yield Y.

M(Al) = 26.98 g/molM(AlCl3) = 133.33 g/molactual: 29.65 g
Y = %
3.Molarity & dilutionMedium
2.5 mol/LV1​ = ?0.05 mol/L200 mL

You need 200 mL of 0.05 mol/L solution and have a 2.5 mol/L stock solution. What volume V1 of stock solution do you need?

c1 = 2.5 mol/Lc2 = 0.05 mol/LV2 = 200 mL
V1 = mL
4.Molarity & dilutionHard
1.5 mol/L150 mL0.75 mol/L400 mLc = ?550 mL

150 mL of a 1.5 mol/L solution is mixed with 400 mL of a 0.75 mol/L solution of the same substance. Find the concentration c of the mixture (volumes are additive).

c1 = 1.5 mol/LV1 = 150 mLc2 = 0.75 mol/LV2 = 400 mL
c = mol/L
5.Ideal gas lawMedium
270 g of CH₄V = 10 LT = 55 °CP = ?

A tank of 10 L contains 270 g of CH₄ at 55 °C. Treat it as an ideal gas and find the pressure P.

m = 270 gM = 16.04 g/molV = 10 LT = 55 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
P = kPa
6.Ideal gas lawHard
CO₂, M = 44.01 g/molP = 900 kPaT = 170 °Cρ = ?

Find the density ρ of CO₂ at 900 kPa and 170 °C, treating it as an ideal gas.

M = 44.01 g/molP = 900 kPaT = 170 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
ρ = kg/m³
7.Calorimetry & enthalpyMedium
Tf​ = ?Ironm = 75 gT = 120 °Cc = 0.449 J/(g·°C)Waterm = 100 gT = 15 °Cc = 4.18 J/(g·°C)

A 75 g block of iron (c = 0.449 J/(g·°C)) at 120 °C is dropped into 100 g of water (c = 4.18 J/(g·°C)) at 15 °C in an insulated cup. Find the final temperature Tf.

mmetal = 75 gcmetal = 0.449 J/(g·°C)Tmetal = 120 °Cmwater = 100 gTwater = 15 °Ccwater = 4.18 J/(g·°C)
Tf = °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpyHard
H20 g C2​H5​OHC2​H5​OH + 3O₂reactants2CO₂ + 3H₂O(l)productsq = ?

Use the standard enthalpies of formation to find the heat q released when 20 g of C2H5OH (M = 46.07 g/mol) burns completely: C2H5OH + 3O₂ → 2CO₂ + 3H₂O(l). Give q as a positive number.

ΔH°f(C2H5OH) = −277.7 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 = 36. Find the equilibrium concentration [HI].

[H₂]₀ = [I₂]₀ = 0.5 mol/LKc = 36
[HI] = mol/L
10.Chemical equilibriumHard
PCl5​PCl3​Cl2​I0.500C−x+x+xE0.5 − xxx

PCl₅ decomposes: PCl₅ ⇌ PCl₃ + Cl₂, with Kc = 0.05 at the reaction temperature. A container starts with 0.5 mol/L of PCl₅ only. Find the equilibrium concentration [Cl2].

[PCl₅]₀ = 0.5 mol/LKc = 0.05
[Cl2] = mol/L
11.pH & buffersMedium
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

Find the pH pH of a 0.1 mol/L solution of acetic acid (Ka = 1.8 × 10⁻⁵).

c = 0.1 mol/LKa = 1.8 × 10⁻⁵
pH =
12.pH & buffersHard
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

A 1.00 L buffer contains 0.25 mol lactic acid and 0.15 mol of its conjugate base (Ka = 0.00014). 0.01 mol of NaOH is added. Find the new pH pH.

n(HA) = 0.25 moln(A⁻) = 0.15 moln(OH⁻) = 0.01 molKa = 0.00014
pH =
13.Reaction kineticsMedium
t (min)X (%)t = ?50%

A second-order reaction (−rA = k·CA²) in a batch reactor has k = 0.2 L/(mol·min) and starts at 1.5 mol/L. How long does it take to reach 50% conversion? Find t.

k = 0.2 L/(mol·min)CA0 = 1.5 mol/LX = 50 %
t = min
14.Reaction kineticsHard
Tk30 °C0.00570 °C0.321

The rate constant of a reaction is 0.005 min⁻¹ at 30 °C and 0.321 min⁻¹ at 70 °C. Find the activation energy Ea.

k1 = 0.005 min⁻¹T1 = 30 °Ck2 = 0.321 min⁻¹T2 = 70 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
Ea = kJ/mol

3Solutions

1.Stoichiometry

Answer: m = 49.73 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(Mg) = 30/24.31 = 1.234 mol
n(O2) = 80/32 = 2.5 mol

Limiting reactant

1.234/2 = 0.617, 2.5/1 = 2.5 → Mg

Mass of product

n(MgO) = 0.617·2 = 1.234 mol
m = 1.234·40.3 = 49.73 g

Answer

m = 49.73 g
2.Stoichiometry

Answer: Y = 75 %

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(Al) = 8/26.98 = 0.2965 mol
m = 0.2965·2/2·133.33 = 39.53 g

Percent yield

Y = 29.65/39.53·100 = 75%

Answer

Y = 75%
3.Molarity & dilution

Answer: V1 = 4 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 = 0.05·200/2.5 = 4 mL

Answer

V1 = 4 mL
4.Molarity & dilution

Answer: c = 0.9545 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 = 1.5·150 + 0.75·400 = 525 mmol

Concentration of the mixture

c = 525/550 = 0.9545 mol/L

Answer

c = 0.9545 mol/L
5.Ideal gas law

Answer: P = 4592 kPa

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

Moles

n = m/M = 270/16.04 = 16.83 mol
T = 55 + 273.15 = 328.1 K

Pressure

P = nRT/V = 16.83·8.314·328.1/0.01 = 4592 kPa

Answer

P = 4592 kPa
6.Ideal gas law

Answer: ρ = 10.75 kg/m³

Ideal gas density: ρ = PM/(RT).

Rearrange the gas law

PV = (m/M)RT → ρ = m/V = PM/(RT)
T = 170 + 273.15 = 443.1 K

Density

ρ = 900·44.01/(8.314·443.1) = 10.75 kg/m³

Answer

ρ = 10.75 kg/m³
7.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: Tf = 22.83 °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·(120 − Tf) = 100·4.18·(Tf − 15)

Solve for the final temperature

Tf = (33.68·120 + 418·15)/(33.68 + 418) = 22.83 °C

Answer

Tf = 22.83 °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: q = 593.3 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° = [2·(−393.5) + 3·(−285.8)] − [1·(−277.7) + 3·0] = −1367 kJ

Heat for the given mass

n = 20/46.07 = 0.4341 mol
q = n·|ΔH°/1| = 0.4341·1367 = 593.3 kJ

Answer

q = 593.3 kJ
9.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [HI] = 0.75 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/(0.5 − x)²

Take the square root

6 = 2x/(0.5 − x) → x = 0.5·6/(2 + 6) = 0.375 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[HI] = 2x = 0.75 mol/L

Answer

[HI] = 0.75 mol/L
10.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [Cl2] = 0.1351 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

0.05 = x²/(0.5 − x) → x² + 0.05·x − 0.025 = 0

Solve the quadratic

x = (−0.05 + √(0.05² + 4·0.025))/2 = 0.1351 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[Cl₂] = x = 0.1351 mol/L

Answer

[Cl2] = 0.1351 mol/L
11.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 2.875

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 = 0.001333 mol/L

pH

pH = −log(0.001333) = 2.875

Answer

pH = 2.875
12.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 3.678

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) = 0.25 − 0.01 = 0.24 mol
n(A⁻) = 0.15 + 0.01 = 0.16 mol

Henderson–Hasselbalch

pH = 3.854 + log(0.16/0.24) = 3.678

Answer

pH = 3.678
13.Reaction kinetics

Answer: t = 3.333 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).

Concentration at the end

CA = 1.5·(1 − 0.5) = 0.75 mol/L

Integrated second-order law

t = (1/CA − 1/CA0)/k = (1.333 − 0.6667)/0.2 = 3.333 min

Answer

t = 3.333 min
14.Reaction kinetics

Answer: Ea = 89.99 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 = 303.1 K, T2 = 343.1 K

Solve Arrhenius for Ea

Ea = −R·ln(k2/k1)/(1/T2 − 1/T1) = −8.314·4.162/(-3.845e-4) = 89990 J/mol
Ea = 89.99 kJ/mol

Answer

Ea = 89.99 kJ/mol

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