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(AlCl3​)m(AlCl3​)÷ M(X)× 2/ν× M(AlCl3​)

16 g of Al and 16 g of Cl2 react according to 2Al + 3Cl2 → 2AlCl3. What mass m of AlCl3 can form?

M(Al) = 26.98M(Cl2) = 70.9M(AlCl3) = 133.33 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, 8 g of Fe2O3 reacts completely (the other reactants are in excess) and 5.42 g of CO2 is collected. Find the percent yield Y.

M(Fe2O3) = 159.69 g/molM(CO2) = 44.01 g/molactual: 5.42 g
Y = %
3.Molarity & dilutionMedium
3 mol/LV1​ = ?0.3 mol/L250 mL

You need 250 mL of 0.3 mol/L solution and have a 3 mol/L stock solution. What volume V1 of stock solution do you need?

c1 = 3 mol/Lc2 = 0.3 mol/LV2 = 250 mL
V1 = mL
4.Molarity & dilutionHard
1 mol/L200 mL3 mol/L250 mLc = ?450 mL

200 mL of a 1 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 = 1 mol/LV1 = 200 mLc2 = 3 mol/LV2 = 250 mL
c = mol/L
5.Ideal gas lawMedium
310 g of N₂V = 30 LT = 15 °CP = ?

A tank of 30 L contains 310 g of N₂ at 15 °C. Treat it as an ideal gas and find the pressure P.

m = 310 gM = 28.01 g/molV = 30 LT = 15 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
P = kPa
6.Ideal gas lawHard
State 1State 2

A fixed amount of Ar goes from 300 kPa, 10 L, 15 °C to 150 kPa and 250 °C. Find the new volume V2.

P1 = 300 kPaV1 = 10 LT1 = 15 °CP2 = 150 kPaT2 = 250 °C
V2 = L
7.Calorimetry & enthalpyMedium
Tf​ = ?Aluminiumm = 75 gT = 140 °Cc = 0.897 J/(g·°C)Waterm = 100 gT = 25 °Cc = 4.18 J/(g·°C)

A 75 g block of aluminium (c = 0.897 J/(g·°C)) at 140 °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 = 75 gcmetal = 0.897 J/(g·°C)Tmetal = 140 °Cmwater = 100 gTwater = 25 °Ccwater = 4.18 J/(g·°C)
Tf = °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpyHard
H100 g C4​H10​2C4​H10​ + 13O₂reactants8CO₂ + 10H₂O(l)productsq = ?

Use the standard enthalpies of formation to find the heat q released when 100 g of C4H10 (M = 58.12 g/mol) burns completely: 2C4H10 + 13O₂ → 8CO₂ + 10H₂O(l). Give q as a positive number.

ΔH°f(C4H10) = −125.6 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 = 54. Find the equilibrium concentration [HI].

[H₂]₀ = [I₂]₀ = 0.5 mol/LKc = 54
[HI] = mol/L
10.Chemical equilibriumHard
PCl5​PCl3​Cl2​I0.200C−x+x+xE0.2 − xxx

PCl₅ decomposes: PCl₅ ⇌ PCl₃ + Cl₂, with Kc = 0.05 at the reaction temperature. A container starts with 0.2 mol/L of PCl₅ only. Find the equilibrium concentration [PCl5].

[PCl₅]₀ = 0.2 mol/LKc = 0.05
[PCl5] = mol/L
11.pH & buffersMedium
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

Find the pH pH of a 0.05 mol/L solution of formic acid (Ka = 0.00018).

c = 0.05 mol/LKa = 0.00018
pH =
12.pH & buffersHard
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

A 1.00 L buffer contains 0.1 mol hypochlorous acid and 0.1 mol of its conjugate base (Ka = 3 × 10⁻⁸). 0.05 mol of NaOH is added. Find the new pH pH.

n(HA) = 0.1 moln(A⁻) = 0.1 moln(OH⁻) = 0.05 molKa = 3 × 10⁻⁸
pH =
13.Reaction kineticsMedium
t (min)C (mol/L)2 minC = ?

A reaction with rate law −rA = k·CA² has k = 0.8 L/(mol·min) and starts at 2 mol/L. Find the concentration CA after 2 min.

k = 0.8 L/(mol·min)CA0 = 2 mol/Lt = 2 min
CA = mol/L
14.Reaction kineticsHard
Tk30 °C0.00260 °C0.0712

The rate constant of a reaction is 0.002 min⁻¹ at 30 °C and 0.0712 min⁻¹ at 60 °C. Find the activation energy Ea.

k1 = 0.002 min⁻¹T1 = 30 °Ck2 = 0.0712 min⁻¹T2 = 60 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
Ea = kJ/mol

3Solutions

1.Stoichiometry

Answer: m = 20.06 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(Al) = 16/26.98 = 0.593 mol
n(Cl2) = 16/70.9 = 0.2257 mol

Limiting reactant

0.593/2 = 0.2965, 0.2257/3 = 0.07522 → Cl2

Mass of product

n(AlCl3) = 0.07522·2 = 0.1504 mol
m = 0.1504·133.33 = 20.06 g

Answer

m = 20.06 g
2.Stoichiometry

Answer: Y = 81.94 %

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) = 8/159.69 = 0.0501 mol
m = 0.0501·3/1·44.01 = 6.614 g

Percent yield

Y = 5.42/6.614·100 = 81.94%

Answer

Y = 81.94%
3.Molarity & dilution

Answer: V1 = 25 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 = 0.3·250/3 = 25 mL

Answer

V1 = 25 mL
4.Molarity & dilution

Answer: c = 2.111 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 = 1·200 + 3·250 = 950 mmol

Concentration of the mixture

c = 950/450 = 2.111 mol/L

Answer

c = 2.111 mol/L
5.Ideal gas law

Answer: P = 883.8 kPa

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

Moles

n = m/M = 310/28.01 = 11.07 mol
T = 15 + 273.15 = 288.1 K

Pressure

P = nRT/V = 11.07·8.314·288.1/0.03 = 883.8 kPa

Answer

P = 883.8 kPa
6.Ideal gas law

Answer: V2 = 36.31 L

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

Absolute temperatures

T1 = 288.1 K, T2 = 523.1 K

Combined gas law

V2 = V1·(P1/P2)·(T2/T1) = 10·(300/150)·(523.1/288.1) = 36.31 L

Answer

V2 = 36.31 L
7.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: Tf = 40.94 °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

75·0.897·(140 − Tf) = 100·4.18·(Tf − 25)

Solve for the final temperature

Tf = (67.28·140 + 418·25)/(67.28 + 418) = 40.94 °C

Answer

Tf = 40.94 °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: q = 4951 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° = [8·(−393.5) + 10·(−285.8)] − [2·(−125.6) + 13·0] = −5755 kJ

Heat for the given mass

n = 100/58.12 = 1.721 mol
q = n·|ΔH°/2| = 1.721·2877 = 4951 kJ

Answer

q = 4951 kJ
9.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [HI] = 0.7861 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/(0.5 − x)²

Take the square root

7.348 = 2x/(0.5 − x) → x = 0.5·7.348/(2 + 7.348) = 0.393 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[HI] = 2x = 0.7861 mol/L

Answer

[HI] = 0.7861 mol/L
10.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [PCl5] = 0.1219 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/(0.2 − x) → x² + 0.05·x − 0.01 = 0

Solve the quadratic

x = (−0.05 + √(0.05² + 4·0.01))/2 = 0.07808 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[PCl₅] = 0.2 − 0.07808 = 0.1219 mol/L

Answer

[PCl5] = 0.1219 mol/L
11.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 2.536

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/(0.05 − x) → x = 0.002911 mol/L

pH

pH = −log(0.002911) = 2.536

Answer

pH = 2.536
12.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 8

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) = 0.1 − 0.05 = 0.05 mol
n(A⁻) = 0.1 + 0.05 = 0.15 mol

Henderson–Hasselbalch

pH = 7.523 + log(0.15/0.05) = 8

Answer

pH = 8
13.Reaction kinetics

Answer: CA = 0.4762 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 + 0.8·2 = 2.1 L/mol
CA = 1/2.1 = 0.4762 mol/L

Answer

CA = 0.4762 mol/L
14.Reaction kinetics

Answer: Ea = 99.99 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 = 333.1 K

Solve Arrhenius for Ea

Ea = −R·ln(k2/k1)/(1/T2 − 1/T1) = −8.314·3.572/(-2.970e-4) = 99986 J/mol
Ea = 99.99 kJ/mol

Answer

Ea = 99.99 kJ/mol

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