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)× 3/ν× M(CO2​)

20 g of Fe2O3 and 20 g of CO react according to Fe2O3 + 3CO → 2Fe + 3CO2. What mass m of CO2 can form?

M(Fe2O3) = 159.69M(CO) = 28.01M(CO2) = 44.01 g/mol
m = g
2.StoichiometryHard
m(C3​H8​)n(C3​H8​)n(CO2​)m(CO2​)÷ M(C3​H8​)× 3/1× M(CO2​)

In the reaction C3H8 + 5O2 → 3CO2 + 4H2O, 24 g of C3H8 reacts completely (the other reactants are in excess) and 65.39 g of CO2 is collected. Find the percent yield Y.

M(C3H8) = 44.1 g/molM(CO2) = 44.01 g/molactual: 65.39 g
Y = %
3.Molarity & dilutionMedium
2.5 mol/LV1​0.1 mol/L100 mL

You need 100 mL of 0.1 mol/L solution and have a 2.5 mol/L stock solution. How much water Vwater do you add to the stock solution?

c1 = 2.5 mol/Lc2 = 0.1 mol/LV2 = 100 mL
Vwater = mL
4.Molarity & dilutionHard
0.4 mol/L250 mL3 mol/L50 mLc = ?300 mL

250 mL of a 0.4 mol/L solution is mixed with 50 mL of a 3 mol/L solution of the same substance. Find the concentration c of the mixture (volumes are additive).

c1 = 0.4 mol/LV1 = 250 mLc2 = 3 mol/LV2 = 50 mL
c = mol/L
5.Ideal gas lawMedium
320 g of N₂P = 650 kPaT = 55 °CV = ?

What volume V does 320 g of N₂ occupy at 650 kPa and 55 °C? Treat it as an ideal gas.

m = 320 gM = 28.01 g/molP = 650 kPaT = 55 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
V = L
6.Ideal gas lawHard
CO₂, M = 44.01 g/molP = 900 kPaT = 130 °Cρ = ?

Find the density ρ of CO₂ at 900 kPa and 130 °C, treating it as an ideal gas.

M = 44.01 g/molP = 900 kPaT = 130 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
ρ = kg/m³
7.Calorimetry & enthalpyMedium
Tf​ = ?Leadm = 100 gT = 150 °Cc = 0.129 J/(g·°C)Waterm = 250 gT = 18 °Cc = 4.18 J/(g·°C)

A 100 g block of lead (c = 0.129 J/(g·°C)) at 150 °C is dropped into 250 g of water (c = 4.18 J/(g·°C)) at 18 °C in an insulated cup. Find the final temperature Tf.

mmetal = 100 gcmetal = 0.129 J/(g·°C)Tmetal = 150 °Cmwater = 250 gTwater = 18 °Ccwater = 4.18 J/(g·°C)
Tf = °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpyHard
H2C4​H10​ + 13O₂reactants8CO₂ + 10H₂O(l)productsΔH° = ?

Use the standard enthalpies of formation to find ΔH° for the reaction 2C4H10 + 13O₂ → 8CO₂ + 10H₂O(l).

ΔH°f(C4H10) = −125.6 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​HII0.20.20C−x−x+2xE0.2 − x0.2 − x2x

0.2 mol/L of H₂ and 0.2 mol/L of I₂ are put in a container and react: H₂ + I₂ ⇌ 2HI, with Kc = 4. Find the equilibrium concentration [HI].

[H₂]₀ = [I₂]₀ = 0.2 mol/LKc = 4
[HI] = mol/L
10.Chemical equilibriumHard
PCl5​PCl3​Cl2​I0.500C−x+x+xE0.5 − xxx

PCl₅ decomposes: PCl₅ ⇌ PCl₃ + Cl₂, with Kc = 0.1 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 = 0.1
[Cl2] = mol/L
11.pH & buffersMedium
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

Find the pH pH of a 0.2 mol/L solution of hydrofluoric acid (Ka = 0.00068).

c = 0.2 mol/LKa = 0.00068
pH =
12.pH & buffersHard
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

A 1.00 L buffer contains 0.25 mol hydrofluoric acid and 0.2 mol of its conjugate base (Ka = 0.00068). 0.025 mol of NaOH is added. Find the new pH pH.

n(HA) = 0.25 moln(A⁻) = 0.2 moln(OH⁻) = 0.025 molKa = 0.00068
pH =
13.Reaction kineticsMedium
t (min)X (%)t = ?90%

A first-order reaction in a batch reactor has k = 0.15 min⁻¹. How long does it take to reach 90% conversion? Find t.

k = 0.15 min⁻¹X = 90 %
t = min
14.Reaction kineticsHard
Tk40 °C0.0150 °C?

A reaction has a rate constant of 0.01 min⁻¹ at 40 °C and an activation energy of 120 kJ/mol. Find the rate constant k2 at 50 °C.

k1 = 0.01 min⁻¹T1 = 40 °CT2 = 50 °CEa = 120 kJ/molR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
k2 = min⁻¹

3Solutions

1.Stoichiometry

Answer: m = 16.54 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) = 20/159.69 = 0.1252 mol
n(CO) = 20/28.01 = 0.714 mol

Limiting reactant

0.1252/1 = 0.1252, 0.714/3 = 0.238 → Fe2O3

Mass of product

n(CO2) = 0.1252·3 = 0.3757 mol
m = 0.3757·44.01 = 16.54 g

Answer

m = 16.54 g
2.Stoichiometry

Answer: Y = 91.01 %

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(C3H8) = 24/44.1 = 0.5442 mol
m = 0.5442·3/1·44.01 = 71.85 g

Percent yield

Y = 65.39/71.85·100 = 91.01%

Answer

Y = 91.01%
3.Molarity & dilution

Answer: Vwater = 96 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 = 0.1·100/2.5 = 4 mL

Water to add

Vwater = 100 − 4 = 96 mL

Answer

Vwater = 96 mL
4.Molarity & dilution

Answer: c = 0.8333 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 = 0.4·250 + 3·50 = 250 mmol

Concentration of the mixture

c = 250/300 = 0.8333 mol/L

Answer

c = 0.8333 mol/L
5.Ideal gas law

Answer: V = 47.95 L

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

Moles

n = 320/28.01 = 11.42 mol
T = 55 + 273.15 = 328.1 K

Volume

V = nRT/P = 11.42·8.314·328.1/650 = 47.95 L

Answer

V = 47.95 L
6.Ideal gas law

Answer: ρ = 11.82 kg/m³

Ideal gas density: ρ = PM/(RT).

Rearrange the gas law

PV = (m/M)RT → ρ = m/V = PM/(RT)
T = 130 + 273.15 = 403.1 K

Density

ρ = 900·44.01/(8.314·403.1) = 11.82 kg/m³

Answer

ρ = 11.82 kg/m³
7.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: Tf = 19.61 °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

100·0.129·(150 − Tf) = 250·4.18·(Tf − 18)

Solve for the final temperature

Tf = (12.9·150 + 1045·18)/(12.9 + 1045) = 19.61 °C

Answer

Tf = 19.61 °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: ΔH° = −5755 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

Answer

ΔH° = −5755 kJ

Negative: the reaction gives off heat (exothermic).

9.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [HI] = 0.2 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

4 = (2x)²/(0.2 − x)²

Take the square root

2 = 2x/(0.2 − x) → x = 0.2·2/(2 + 2) = 0.1 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[HI] = 2x = 0.2 mol/L

Answer

[HI] = 0.2 mol/L
10.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [Cl2] = 0.1791 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/(0.5 − x) → x² + 0.1·x − 0.05 = 0

Solve the quadratic

x = (−0.1 + √(0.1² + 4·0.05))/2 = 0.1791 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[Cl₂] = x = 0.1791 mol/L

Answer

[Cl2] = 0.1791 mol/L
11.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 1.946

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/(0.2 − x) → x = 0.01133 mol/L

pH

pH = −log(0.01133) = 1.946

Answer

pH = 1.946
12.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 3.167

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) = 0.25 − 0.025 = 0.225 mol
n(A⁻) = 0.2 + 0.025 = 0.225 mol

Henderson–Hasselbalch

pH = 3.167 + log(0.225/0.225) = 3.167

Answer

pH = 3.167
13.Reaction kinetics

Answer: t = 15.35 min

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).

Conversion and concentration

C/C0 = 1 − X = 0.1

Solve for the time

t = −ln(1 − X)/k = −ln(0.1)/0.15 = 15.35 min

Answer

t = 15.35 min
14.Reaction kinetics

Answer: k2 = 0.04163 min⁻¹

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 = 313.1 K, T2 = 323.1 K

Arrhenius ratio

ln(k2/k1) = −(120000/8.314)·(1/323.1 − 1/313.1) = 1.426
k2 = 0.01·e1.426 = 0.04163 min⁻¹

Answer

k2 = 0.04163 min⁻¹

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