General Chemistry: cram pack

Formula sheets, the key method steps for every topic and 14 practice problems, with full solutions at the back.

New problemsBack to the course

In the print window, choose “Save as PDF” to keep a copy on your device.

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)

6 g of Mg and 48 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(CH4​)n(CH4​)n(H2​O)m(H2​O)÷ M(CH4​)× 2/1× M(H2​O)

In the reaction CH4 + 2O2 → CO2 + 2H2O, 6 g of CH4 reacts completely (the other reactants are in excess) and 11.86 g of H2O is collected. Find the percent yield Y.

M(CH4) = 16.04 g/molM(H2O) = 18.02 g/molactual: 11.86 g
Y = %
3.Molarity & dilutionMedium
2 mol/LV1​0.05 mol/L1000 mL

You need 1000 mL of 0.05 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 = 0.05 mol/LV2 = 1000 mL
Vwater = mL
4.Molarity & dilutionHard
0.8 mol/L100 mL0.1 mol/L250 mLc = ?350 mL

100 mL of a 0.8 mol/L solution is mixed with 250 mL of a 0.1 mol/L solution of the same substance. Find the concentration c of the mixture (volumes are additive).

c1 = 0.8 mol/LV1 = 100 mLc2 = 0.1 mol/LV2 = 250 mL
c = mol/L
5.Ideal gas lawMedium
30 g of CO₂P = 800 kPaT = 55 °CV = ?

What volume V does 30 g of CO₂ occupy at 800 kPa and 55 °C? Treat it as an ideal gas.

m = 30 gM = 44.01 g/molP = 800 kPaT = 55 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
V = L
6.Ideal gas lawHard
N₂, M = 28.01 g/molP = 300 kPaT = 150 °Cρ = ?

Find the density ρ of N₂ at 300 kPa and 150 °C, treating it as an ideal gas.

M = 28.01 g/molP = 300 kPaT = 150 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
ρ = kg/m³
7.Calorimetry & enthalpyMedium
Tf​ = ?Copperm = 250 gT = 140 °Cc = 0.385 J/(g·°C)Waterm = 300 gT = 16 °Cc = 4.18 J/(g·°C)

A 250 g block of copper (c = 0.385 J/(g·°C)) at 140 °C is dropped into 300 g of water (c = 4.18 J/(g·°C)) at 16 °C in an insulated cup. Find the final temperature Tf.

mmetal = 250 gcmetal = 0.385 J/(g·°C)Tmetal = 140 °Cmwater = 300 gTwater = 16 °Ccwater = 4.18 J/(g·°C)
Tf = °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpyHard
H10 g CH3​OH2CH3​OH + 3O₂reactants2CO₂ + 4H₂O(l)productsq = ?

Use the standard enthalpies of formation to find the heat q released when 10 g of CH3OH (M = 32.04 g/mol) burns completely: 2CH3OH + 3O₂ → 2CO₂ + 4H₂O(l). Give q as a positive number.

ΔH°f(CH3OH) = −238.7 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 = 54. Find the equilibrium concentration [H2].

[H₂]₀ = [I₂]₀ = 0.5 mol/LKc = 54
[H2] = mol/L
10.Chemical equilibriumHard
PCl5​PCl3​Cl2​I0.500C−x+x+xE0.5 − xxx

PCl₅ decomposes: PCl₅ ⇌ PCl₃ + Cl₂, with Kc = 0.01 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 = 0.01
[Cl2] = mol/L
11.pH & buffersMedium
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

Find the pH pH of a 0.05 mol/L solution of acetic acid (Ka = 1.8 × 10⁻⁵).

c = 0.05 mol/LKa = 1.8 × 10⁻⁵
pH =
12.pH & buffersHard
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

A buffer contains 0.5 mol/L lactic acid and 0.1 mol/L of its sodium salt. Ka = 0.00014. Find the pH pH of the buffer.

[HA] = 0.5[A⁻] = 0.1Ka = 0.00014
pH =
13.Reaction kineticsMedium
t (min)X (%)t = ?50%

A zero-order reaction has k = 0.025 mol/(L·min) and starts at 1.5 mol/L. How long does it take to reach 50% conversion? Find t.

k = 0.025 mol/(L·min)CA0 = 1.5 mol/LX = 50 %
t = min
14.Reaction kineticsHard
Tk30 °Ck1​?10·k1​

A reaction has an activation energy of 90 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 = 90 kJ/molT1 = 30 °Ck2/k1 = 10R = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
T2 = °C

3Solutions

1.Stoichiometry

Answer: m = 9.947 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) = 6/24.31 = 0.2468 mol
n(O2) = 48/32 = 1.5 mol

Limiting reactant

0.2468/2 = 0.1234, 1.5/1 = 1.5 → Mg

Mass of product

n(MgO) = 0.1234·2 = 0.2468 mol
m = 0.2468·40.3 = 9.947 g

Answer

m = 9.947 g
2.Stoichiometry

Answer: Y = 87.97 %

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(CH4) = 6/16.04 = 0.3741 mol
m = 0.3741·2/1·18.02 = 13.48 g

Percent yield

Y = 11.86/13.48·100 = 87.97%

Answer

Y = 87.97%
3.Molarity & dilution

Answer: Vwater = 975 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 = 0.05·1000/2 = 25 mL

Water to add

Vwater = 1000 − 25 = 975 mL

Answer

Vwater = 975 mL
4.Molarity & dilution

Answer: c = 0.3 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 = 0.8·100 + 0.1·250 = 105 mmol

Concentration of the mixture

c = 105/350 = 0.3 mol/L

Answer

c = 0.3 mol/L
5.Ideal gas law

Answer: V = 2.325 L

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

Moles

n = 30/44.01 = 0.6817 mol
T = 55 + 273.15 = 328.1 K

Volume

V = nRT/P = 0.6817·8.314·328.1/800 = 2.325 L

Answer

V = 2.325 L
6.Ideal gas law

Answer: ρ = 2.389 kg/m³

Ideal gas density: ρ = PM/(RT).

Rearrange the gas law

PV = (m/M)RT → ρ = m/V = PM/(RT)
T = 150 + 273.15 = 423.1 K

Density

ρ = 300·28.01/(8.314·423.1) = 2.389 kg/m³

Answer

ρ = 2.389 kg/m³
7.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: Tf = 24.84 °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

250·0.385·(140 − Tf) = 300·4.18·(Tf − 16)

Solve for the final temperature

Tf = (96.25·140 + 1254·16)/(96.25 + 1254) = 24.84 °C

Answer

Tf = 24.84 °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: q = 226.7 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

Heat for the given mass

n = 10/32.04 = 0.3121 mol
q = n·|ΔH°/2| = 0.3121·726.4 = 226.7 kJ

Answer

q = 226.7 kJ
9.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [H2] = 0.107 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

[H₂] = 0.5 − x = 0.107 mol/L

Answer

[H2] = 0.107 mol/L
10.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [Cl2] = 0.06589 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/(0.5 − x) → x² + 0.01·x − 0.005 = 0

Solve the quadratic

x = (−0.01 + √(0.01² + 4·0.005))/2 = 0.06589 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[Cl₂] = x = 0.06589 mol/L

Answer

[Cl2] = 0.06589 mol/L
11.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 3.027

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/(0.05 − x) → x = 0.0009397 mol/L

pH

pH = −log(0.0009397) = 3.027

Answer

pH = 3.027
12.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 3.155

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 = 3.854

Henderson–Hasselbalch

pH = 3.854 + log(0.1/0.5) = 3.155

Answer

pH = 3.155
13.Reaction kinetics

Answer: t = 30 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).

Amount converted

CA0·X = 1.5·0.5 = 0.75 mol/L

Time

t = CA0·X/k = 0.75/0.025 = 30 min

Answer

t = 30 min
14.Reaction kinetics

Answer: T2 = 50.9 °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)/90000 = 3.299 × 10⁻³ − 2.127 × 10⁻⁴ = 3.086 × 10⁻³ K⁻¹
T2 = 324 K = 50.9 °C

Answer

T2 = 50.9 °C

ExamProblems · examproblems.com/courses/general-chemistry