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(Fe)m(Fe)÷ M(X)× 2/ν× M(Fe)

16 g of Fe2O3 and 10 g of CO react according to Fe2O3 + 3CO → 2Fe + 3CO2. What mass m of Fe can form?

M(Fe2O3) = 159.69M(CO) = 28.01M(Fe) = 55.85 g/mol
m = g
2.StoichiometryHard
m(CaCO3​)n(CaCO3​)n(CO2​)m(CO2​)÷ M(CaCO3​)× 1/1× M(CO2​)

In the reaction CaCO3 → CaO + CO2, 24 g of CaCO3 reacts completely (the other reactants are in excess) and 6.54 g of CO2 is collected. Find the percent yield Y.

M(CaCO3) = 100.09 g/molM(CO2) = 44.01 g/molactual: 6.54 g
Y = %
3.Molarity & dilutionMedium
2 mol/LV1​ = ?0.2 mol/L100 mL

You need 100 mL of 0.2 mol/L solution and have a 2 mol/L stock solution. What volume V1 of stock solution do you need?

c1 = 2 mol/Lc2 = 0.2 mol/LV2 = 100 mL
V1 = mL
4.Molarity & dilutionHard
0.8 mol/L200 mL2.5 mol/L500 mLc = ?700 mL

200 mL of a 0.8 mol/L solution is mixed with 500 mL of a 2.5 mol/L solution of the same substance. Find the concentration c of the mixture (volumes are additive).

c1 = 0.8 mol/LV1 = 200 mLc2 = 2.5 mol/LV2 = 500 mL
c = mol/L
5.Ideal gas lawMedium
80 g of N₂P = 150 kPaT = 100 °CV = ?

What volume V does 80 g of N₂ occupy at 150 kPa and 100 °C? Treat it as an ideal gas.

m = 80 gM = 28.01 g/molP = 150 kPaT = 100 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
V = L
6.Ideal gas lawHard
State 1State 2

A fixed amount of CH₄ goes from 250 kPa, 2 L, 10 °C to 600 kPa and 200 °C. Find the new volume V2.

P1 = 250 kPaV1 = 2 LT1 = 10 °CP2 = 600 kPaT2 = 200 °C
V2 = L
7.Calorimetry & enthalpyMedium
Tf​ = ?Leadm = 75 gT = 90 °Cc = 0.129 J/(g·°C)Waterm = 200 gT = 18 °Cc = 4.18 J/(g·°C)

A 75 g block of lead (c = 0.129 J/(g·°C)) at 90 °C is dropped into 200 g of water (c = 4.18 J/(g·°C)) at 18 °C in an insulated cup. Find the final temperature Tf.

mmetal = 75 gcmetal = 0.129 J/(g·°C)Tmetal = 90 °Cmwater = 200 gTwater = 18 °Ccwater = 4.18 J/(g·°C)
Tf = °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpyHard
H25 g C4​H10​2C4​H10​ + 13O₂reactants8CO₂ + 10H₂O(l)productsq = ?

Use the standard enthalpies of formation to find the heat q released when 25 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​HII0.250.250C−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 = 0.2 at the reaction temperature. A container starts with 1.5 mol/L of PCl₅ only. Find the equilibrium concentration [Cl2].

[PCl₅]₀ = 1.5 mol/LKc = 0.2
[Cl2] = mol/L
11.pH & buffersMedium
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

Find the pH pH of a 0.1 mol/L solution of lactic acid (Ka = 0.00014).

c = 0.1 mol/LKa = 0.00014
pH =
12.pH & buffersHard
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

A 1.00 L buffer contains 0.3 mol acetic acid and 0.15 mol of its conjugate base (Ka = 1.8 × 10⁻⁵). 0.05 mol of NaOH is added. Find the new pH pH.

n(HA) = 0.3 moln(A⁻) = 0.15 moln(OH⁻) = 0.05 molKa = 1.8 × 10⁻⁵
pH =
13.Reaction kineticsMedium
t (min)X (%)t = ?75%

A second-order reaction (−rA = k·CA²) in a batch reactor has k = 1 L/(mol·min) and starts at 2 mol/L. How long does it take to reach 75% conversion? Find t.

k = 1 L/(mol·min)CA0 = 2 mol/LX = 75 %
t = min
14.Reaction kineticsHard
Tk25 °Ck1​?3·k1​

A reaction has an activation energy of 50 kJ/mol. At 25 °C it is too slow. To what temperature T2 (in °C) must it be heated to make it 3 times faster?

Ea = 50 kJ/molT1 = 25 °Ck2/k1 = 3R = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
T2 = °C

3Solutions

1.Stoichiometry

Answer: m = 11.19 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(Fe2O3) = 16/159.69 = 0.1002 mol
n(CO) = 10/28.01 = 0.357 mol

Limiting reactant

0.1002/1 = 0.1002, 0.357/3 = 0.119 → Fe2O3

Mass of product

n(Fe) = 0.1002·2 = 0.2004 mol
m = 0.2004·55.85 = 11.19 g

Answer

m = 11.19 g
2.Stoichiometry

Answer: Y = 61.97 %

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(CaCO3) = 24/100.09 = 0.2398 mol
m = 0.2398·1/1·44.01 = 10.55 g

Percent yield

Y = 6.54/10.55·100 = 61.97%

Answer

Y = 61.97%
3.Molarity & dilution

Answer: V1 = 10 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 = 0.2·100/2 = 10 mL

Answer

V1 = 10 mL
4.Molarity & dilution

Answer: c = 2.014 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 = 0.8·200 + 2.5·500 = 1410 mmol

Concentration of the mixture

c = 1410/700 = 2.014 mol/L

Answer

c = 2.014 mol/L
5.Ideal gas law

Answer: V = 59.07 L

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

Moles

n = 80/28.01 = 2.856 mol
T = 100 + 273.15 = 373.1 K

Volume

V = nRT/P = 2.856·8.314·373.1/150 = 59.07 L

Answer

V = 59.07 L
6.Ideal gas law

Answer: V2 = 1.393 L

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

Absolute temperatures

T1 = 283.1 K, T2 = 473.1 K

Combined gas law

V2 = V1·(P1/P2)·(T2/T1) = 2·(250/600)·(473.1/283.1) = 1.393 L

Answer

V2 = 1.393 L
7.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: Tf = 18.82 °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

75·0.129·(90 − Tf) = 200·4.18·(Tf − 18)

Solve for the final temperature

Tf = (9.675·90 + 836·18)/(9.675 + 836) = 18.82 °C

Answer

Tf = 18.82 °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: q = 1238 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 = 25/58.12 = 0.4301 mol
q = n·|ΔH°/2| = 0.4301·2877 = 1238 kJ

Answer

q = 1238 kJ
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: [Cl2] = 0.4568 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

0.2 = x²/(1.5 − x) → x² + 0.2·x − 0.3 = 0

Solve the quadratic

x = (−0.2 + √(0.2² + 4·0.3))/2 = 0.4568 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[Cl₂] = x = 0.4568 mol/L

Answer

[Cl2] = 0.4568 mol/L
11.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 2.435

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 = 0.003672 mol/L

pH

pH = −log(0.003672) = 2.435

Answer

pH = 2.435
12.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 4.648

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) = 0.3 − 0.05 = 0.25 mol
n(A⁻) = 0.15 + 0.05 = 0.2 mol

Henderson–Hasselbalch

pH = 4.745 + log(0.2/0.25) = 4.648

Answer

pH = 4.648
13.Reaction kinetics

Answer: t = 1.5 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 = 2·(1 − 0.75) = 0.5 mol/L

Integrated second-order law

t = (1/CA − 1/CA0)/k = (2 − 0.5)/1 = 1.5 min

Answer

t = 1.5 min
14.Reaction kinetics

Answer: T2 = 42.17 °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 = 298.1 K

Solve Arrhenius for T₂

1/T2 = 1/298.1 − 8.314·ln(3)/50000 = 3.354 × 10⁻³ − 1.827 × 10⁻⁴ = 3.171 × 10⁻³ K⁻¹
T2 = 315.3 K = 42.17 °C

Answer

T2 = 42.17 °C

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