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)

8 g of H2 and 40 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(Al)n(Al)n(AlCl3​)m(AlCl3​)÷ M(Al)× 2/2× M(AlCl3​)

In the reaction 2Al + 3Cl2 → 2AlCl3, 4 g of Al reacts completely (the other reactants are in excess) and 17.4 g of AlCl3 is collected. Find the percent yield Y.

M(Al) = 26.98 g/molM(AlCl3) = 133.33 g/molactual: 17.4 g
Y = %
3.Molarity & dilutionMedium
0.5 mol/LV1​ = ?0.2 mol/L1000 mL

You need 1000 mL of 0.2 mol/L solution and have a 0.5 mol/L stock solution. What volume V1 of stock solution do you need?

c1 = 0.5 mol/Lc2 = 0.2 mol/LV2 = 1000 mL
V1 = mL
4.Molarity & dilutionHard
0.1 mol/L150 mL2.5 mol/L250 mLc = ?400 mL

150 mL of a 0.1 mol/L solution is mixed with 250 mL of a 2.5 mol/L solution of the same substance. Find the concentration c of the mixture (volumes are additive).

c1 = 0.1 mol/LV1 = 150 mLc2 = 2.5 mol/LV2 = 250 mL
c = mol/L
5.Ideal gas lawMedium
260 g of O₂V = 50 LT = 55 °CP = ?

A tank of 50 L contains 260 g of O₂ at 55 °C. Treat it as an ideal gas and find the pressure P.

m = 260 gM = 32 g/molV = 50 LT = 55 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
P = kPa
6.Ideal gas lawHard
State 1State 2

A fixed amount of O₂ goes from 350 kPa, 20 L, 35 °C to 650 kPa and 110 °C. Find the new volume V2.

P1 = 350 kPaV1 = 20 LT1 = 35 °CP2 = 650 kPaT2 = 110 °C
V2 = L
7.Calorimetry & enthalpyMedium
Tf​ = ?Ironm = 200 gT = 80 °Cc = 0.449 J/(g·°C)Waterm = 400 gT = 16 °Cc = 4.18 J/(g·°C)

A 200 g block of iron (c = 0.449 J/(g·°C)) at 80 °C is dropped into 400 g of water (c = 4.18 J/(g·°C)) at 16 °C in an insulated cup. Find the final temperature Tf.

mmetal = 200 gcmetal = 0.449 J/(g·°C)Tmetal = 80 °Cmwater = 400 gTwater = 16 °Ccwater = 4.18 J/(g·°C)
Tf = °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpyHard
H2CH3​OH + 3O₂reactants2CO₂ + 4H₂O(l)productsΔH° = ?

Use the standard enthalpies of formation to find ΔH° for the reaction 2CH3OH + 3O₂ → 2CO₂ + 4H₂O(l).

ΔH°f(CH3OH) = −238.7 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​HII0.250.250C−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 = 54. Find the equilibrium concentration [HI].

[H₂]₀ = [I₂]₀ = 0.25 mol/LKc = 54
[HI] = mol/L
10.Chemical equilibriumHard
PCl5​PCl3​Cl2​I1.500C−x+x+xE1.5 − xxx

PCl₅ decomposes: PCl₅ ⇌ PCl₃ + Cl₂, with Kc = 0.1 at the reaction temperature. A container starts with 1.5 mol/L of PCl₅ only. Find the equilibrium concentration [PCl5].

[PCl₅]₀ = 1.5 mol/LKc = 0.1
[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 buffer contains 0.4 mol/L formic acid and 0.1 mol/L of its sodium salt. Ka = 0.00018. Find the pH pH of the buffer.

[HA] = 0.4[A⁻] = 0.1Ka = 0.00018
pH =
13.Reaction kineticsMedium
t (min)C (mol/L)30 min0.28

In a first-order reaction the concentration of A falls from 0.8 mol/L to 0.28 mol/L in 30 min. Find the rate constant k.

CA0 = 0.8 mol/LCA = 0.28 mol/Lt = 30 min
k = min⁻¹
14.Reaction kineticsHard
Tk20 °C0.00550 °C0.0719

The rate constant of a reaction is 0.005 min⁻¹ at 20 °C and 0.0719 min⁻¹ at 50 °C. Find the activation energy Ea.

k1 = 0.005 min⁻¹T1 = 20 °Ck2 = 0.0719 min⁻¹T2 = 50 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
Ea = kJ/mol

3Solutions

1.Stoichiometry

Answer: m = 45.05 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) = 8/2.016 = 3.968 mol
n(O2) = 40/32 = 1.25 mol

Limiting reactant

3.968/2 = 1.984, 1.25/1 = 1.25 → O2

Mass of product

n(H2O) = 1.25·2 = 2.5 mol
m = 2.5·18.02 = 45.05 g

Answer

m = 45.05 g
2.Stoichiometry

Answer: Y = 88.02 %

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) = 4/26.98 = 0.1483 mol
m = 0.1483·2/2·133.33 = 19.77 g

Percent yield

Y = 17.4/19.77·100 = 88.02%

Answer

Y = 88.02%
3.Molarity & dilution

Answer: V1 = 400 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 = 0.2·1000/0.5 = 400 mL

Answer

V1 = 400 mL
4.Molarity & dilution

Answer: c = 1.6 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 = 0.1·150 + 2.5·250 = 640 mmol

Concentration of the mixture

c = 640/400 = 1.6 mol/L

Answer

c = 1.6 mol/L
5.Ideal gas law

Answer: P = 443.3 kPa

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

Moles

n = m/M = 260/32 = 8.125 mol
T = 55 + 273.15 = 328.1 K

Pressure

P = nRT/V = 8.125·8.314·328.1/0.05 = 443.3 kPa

Answer

P = 443.3 kPa
6.Ideal gas law

Answer: V2 = 13.39 L

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

Absolute temperatures

T1 = 308.1 K, T2 = 383.1 K

Combined gas law

V2 = V1·(P1/P2)·(T2/T1) = 20·(350/650)·(383.1/308.1) = 13.39 L

Answer

V2 = 13.39 L
7.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: Tf = 19.26 °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

200·0.449·(80 − Tf) = 400·4.18·(Tf − 16)

Solve for the final temperature

Tf = (89.8·80 + 1672·16)/(89.8 + 1672) = 19.26 °C

Answer

Tf = 19.26 °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: ΔH° = −1453 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) + 4·(−285.8)] − [2·(−238.7) + 3·0] = −1453 kJ

Answer

ΔH° = −1453 kJ

Negative: the reaction gives off heat (exothermic).

9.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [HI] = 0.393 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

54 = (2x)²/(0.25 − x)²

Take the square root

7.348 = 2x/(0.25 − x) → x = 0.25·7.348/(2 + 7.348) = 0.1965 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[HI] = 2x = 0.393 mol/L

Answer

[HI] = 0.393 mol/L
10.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [PCl5] = 1.159 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

0.1 = x²/(1.5 − x) → x² + 0.1·x − 0.15 = 0

Solve the quadratic

x = (−0.1 + √(0.1² + 4·0.15))/2 = 0.3405 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[PCl₅] = 1.5 − 0.3405 = 1.159 mol/L

Answer

[PCl5] = 1.159 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 = 3.143

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 = 3.745

Henderson–Hasselbalch

pH = 3.745 + log(0.1/0.4) = 3.143

Answer

pH = 3.143
13.Reaction kinetics

Answer: k = 0.03499 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(0.8/0.28)/30 = 1.05/30 = 0.03499 min⁻¹

Answer

k = 0.03499 min⁻¹
14.Reaction kinetics

Answer: Ea = 69.99 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 = 293.1 K, T2 = 323.1 K

Solve Arrhenius for Ea

Ea = −R·ln(k2/k1)/(1/T2 − 1/T1) = −8.314·2.666/(-3.167e-4) = 69987 J/mol
Ea = 69.99 kJ/mol

Answer

Ea = 69.99 kJ/mol

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