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(CO2​)m(CO2​)÷ M(X)× 1/ν× M(CO2​)

6 g of CH4 and 48 g of O2 react according to CH4 + 2O2 → CO2 + 2H2O. What mass m of CO2 can form?

M(CH4) = 16.04M(O2) = 32M(CO2) = 44.01 g/mol
m = g
2.StoichiometryHard
m(Mg)n(Mg)n(MgO)m(MgO)÷ M(Mg)× 2/2× M(MgO)

In the reaction 2Mg + O2 → 2MgO, 24 g of Mg reacts completely (the other reactants are in excess) and 27.85 g of MgO is collected. Find the percent yield Y.

M(Mg) = 24.31 g/molM(MgO) = 40.3 g/molactual: 27.85 g
Y = %
3.Molarity & dilutionMedium
6 mol/LV1​ = ?0.5 mol/L100 mL

You need 100 mL of 0.5 mol/L solution and have a 6 mol/L stock solution. What volume V1 of stock solution do you need?

c1 = 6 mol/Lc2 = 0.5 mol/LV2 = 100 mL
V1 = mL
4.Molarity & dilutionHard
2 mol/L200 mL2.5 mol/L100 mLc = ?300 mL

200 mL of a 2 mol/L solution is mixed with 100 mL of a 2.5 mol/L solution of the same substance. Find the concentration c of the mixture (volumes are additive).

c1 = 2 mol/LV1 = 200 mLc2 = 2.5 mol/LV2 = 100 mL
c = mol/L
5.Ideal gas lawMedium
420 g of N₂V = 5 LT = 35 °CP = ?

A tank of 5 L contains 420 g of N₂ at 35 °C. Treat it as an ideal gas and find the pressure P.

m = 420 gM = 28.01 g/molV = 5 LT = 35 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
P = kPa
6.Ideal gas lawHard
N₂, M = 28.01 g/molP = 850 kPaT = 0 °Cρ = ?

Find the density ρ of N₂ at 850 kPa and 0 °C, treating it as an ideal gas.

M = 28.01 g/molP = 850 kPaT = 0 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
ρ = kg/m³
7.Calorimetry & enthalpyMedium
Tf​ = ?Leadm = 50 gT = 200 °Cc = 0.129 J/(g·°C)Waterm = 200 gT = 25 °Cc = 4.18 J/(g·°C)

A 50 g block of lead (c = 0.129 J/(g·°C)) at 200 °C is dropped into 200 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 = 200 °Cmwater = 200 gTwater = 25 °Ccwater = 4.18 J/(g·°C)
Tf = °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpyHard
H250 g C2​H6​2C2​H6​ + 7O₂reactants4CO₂ + 6H₂O(l)productsq = ?

Use the standard enthalpies of formation to find the heat q released when 250 g of C2H6 (M = 30.07 g/mol) burns completely: 2C2H6 + 7O₂ → 4CO₂ + 6H₂O(l). Give q as a positive number.

ΔH°f(C2H6) = −84.7 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​HII110C−x−x+2xE1 − x1 − x2x

1 mol/L of H₂ and 1 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 = 1 mol/LKc = 25
[HI] = mol/L
10.Chemical equilibriumHard
PCl5​PCl3​Cl2​I0.100C−x+x+xE0.1 − xxx

PCl₅ decomposes: PCl₅ ⇌ PCl₃ + Cl₂, with Kc = 0.01 at the reaction temperature. A container starts with 0.1 mol/L of PCl₅ only. Find the equilibrium concentration [Cl2].

[PCl₅]₀ = 0.1 mol/LKc = 0.01
[Cl2] = mol/L
11.pH & buffersMedium
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

Find the pH pH of a 0.25 mol/L solution of benzoic acid (Ka = 6.3 × 10⁻⁵).

c = 0.25 mol/LKa = 6.3 × 10⁻⁵
pH =
12.pH & buffersHard
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

A 1.00 L buffer contains 0.2 mol lactic acid and 0.2 mol of its conjugate base (Ka = 0.00014). 0.025 mol of NaOH is added. Find the new pH pH.

n(HA) = 0.2 moln(A⁻) = 0.2 moln(OH⁻) = 0.025 molKa = 0.00014
pH =
13.Reaction kineticsMedium
t (min)C (mol/L)5 minC = ?

A reaction with rate law −rA = k·CA² has k = 0.05 L/(mol·min) and starts at 1.5 mol/L. Find the concentration CA after 5 min.

k = 0.05 L/(mol·min)CA0 = 1.5 mol/Lt = 5 min
CA = mol/L
14.Reaction kineticsHard
CA0​ (mol/L)r (mol/(L·s))run 10.10.02run 20.41.28n = ?

Two experiments measure the initial rate of A → products. With CA0 = 0.1 mol/L the rate is 0.02 mol/(L·s); with CA0 = 0.4 mol/L it is 1.28 mol/(L·s). Find the reaction order n with respect to A.

CA0,1 = 0.1 mol/Lr1 = 0.02 mol/(L·s)CA0,2 = 0.4 mol/Lr2 = 1.28 mol/(L·s)
n =

3Solutions

1.Stoichiometry

Answer: m = 16.46 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(CH4) = 6/16.04 = 0.3741 mol
n(O2) = 48/32 = 1.5 mol

Limiting reactant

0.3741/1 = 0.3741, 1.5/2 = 0.75 → CH4

Mass of product

n(CO2) = 0.3741·1 = 0.3741 mol
m = 0.3741·44.01 = 16.46 g

Answer

m = 16.46 g
2.Stoichiometry

Answer: Y = 70 %

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(Mg) = 24/24.31 = 0.9872 mol
m = 0.9872·2/2·40.3 = 39.79 g

Percent yield

Y = 27.85/39.79·100 = 70%

Answer

Y = 70%
3.Molarity & dilution

Answer: V1 = 8.333 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 = 0.5·100/6 = 8.333 mL

Answer

V1 = 8.333 mL
4.Molarity & dilution

Answer: c = 2.167 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 = 2·200 + 2.5·100 = 650 mmol

Concentration of the mixture

c = 650/300 = 2.167 mol/L

Answer

c = 2.167 mol/L
5.Ideal gas law

Answer: P = 7683 kPa

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

Moles

n = m/M = 420/28.01 = 14.99 mol
T = 35 + 273.15 = 308.1 K

Pressure

P = nRT/V = 14.99·8.314·308.1/0.005 = 7683 kPa

Answer

P = 7683 kPa
6.Ideal gas law

Answer: ρ = 10.48 kg/m³

Ideal gas density: ρ = PM/(RT).

Rearrange the gas law

PV = (m/M)RT → ρ = m/V = PM/(RT)
T = 0 + 273.15 = 273.1 K

Density

ρ = 850·28.01/(8.314·273.1) = 10.48 kg/m³

Answer

ρ = 10.48 kg/m³
7.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: Tf = 26.34 °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·(200 − Tf) = 200·4.18·(Tf − 25)

Solve for the final temperature

Tf = (6.45·200 + 836·25)/(6.45 + 836) = 26.34 °C

Answer

Tf = 26.34 °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: q = 12967 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

Heat for the given mass

n = 250/30.07 = 8.314 mol
q = n·|ΔH°/2| = 8.314·1560 = 12967 kJ

Answer

q = 12967 kJ
9.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [HI] = 1.429 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/(1 − x)²

Take the square root

5 = 2x/(1 − x) → x = 1·5/(2 + 5) = 0.7143 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[HI] = 2x = 1.429 mol/L

Answer

[HI] = 1.429 mol/L
10.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [Cl2] = 0.02702 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/(0.1 − x) → x² + 0.01·x − 0.001 = 0

Solve the quadratic

x = (−0.01 + √(0.01² + 4·0.001))/2 = 0.02702 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[Cl₂] = x = 0.02702 mol/L

Answer

[Cl2] = 0.02702 mol/L
11.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 2.405

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 = 0.003937 mol/L

pH

pH = −log(0.003937) = 2.405

Answer

pH = 2.405
12.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 3.963

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 − 0.025 = 0.175 mol
n(A⁻) = 0.2 + 0.025 = 0.225 mol

Henderson–Hasselbalch

pH = 3.854 + log(0.225/0.175) = 3.963

Answer

pH = 3.963
13.Reaction kinetics

Answer: CA = 1.091 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 = 0.6667 + 0.05·5 = 0.9167 L/mol
CA = 1/0.9167 = 1.091 mol/L

Answer

CA = 1.091 mol/L
14.Reaction kinetics

Answer: n = 3

Method of initial rates: for r = k·Cⁿ, comparing two runs that differ only in the starting concentration removes k: r₂/r₁ = (C₂/C₁)ⁿ. Doubling C doubles the rate for first order and quadruples it for second order.

Ratios

r2/r1 = 1.28/0.02 = 64
C2/C1 = 0.4/0.1 = 4

Order

n = ln(64)/ln(4) = 3

Answer

n = 3

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