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 24 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(N2​)n(N2​)n(NH3​)m(NH3​)÷ M(N2​)× 2/1× M(NH3​)

In the reaction N2 + 3H2 → 2NH3, 8 g of N2 reacts completely (the other reactants are in excess) and 8.85 g of NH3 is collected. Find the percent yield Y.

M(N2) = 28.02 g/molM(NH3) = 17.03 g/molactual: 8.85 g
Y = %
3.Molarity & dilutionMedium
4 mol/LV1​ = ?0.5 mol/L1000 mL

You need 1000 mL of 0.5 mol/L solution and have a 4 mol/L stock solution. What volume V1 of stock solution do you need?

c1 = 4 mol/Lc2 = 0.5 mol/LV2 = 1000 mL
V1 = mL
4.Molarity & dilutionHard
0.8 mol/L300 mL2.5 mol/L200 mLc = ?500 mL

300 mL of a 0.8 mol/L solution is mixed with 200 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 = 300 mLc2 = 2.5 mol/LV2 = 200 mL
c = mol/L
5.Ideal gas lawMedium
430 g of O₂P = 450 kPaT = 10 °CV = ?

What volume V does 430 g of O₂ occupy at 450 kPa and 10 °C? Treat it as an ideal gas.

m = 430 gM = 32 g/molP = 450 kPaT = 10 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
V = L
6.Ideal gas lawHard
He, M = 4.003 g/molP = 450 kPaT = 30 °Cρ = ?

Find the density ρ of He at 450 kPa and 30 °C, treating it as an ideal gas.

M = 4.003 g/molP = 450 kPaT = 30 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
ρ = kg/m³
7.Calorimetry & enthalpyMedium
Tf​ = ?Ironm = 50 gT = 80 °Cc = 0.449 J/(g·°C)Waterm = 400 gT = 20 °Cc = 4.18 J/(g·°C)

A 50 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 20 °C in an insulated cup. Find the final temperature Tf.

mmetal = 50 gcmetal = 0.449 J/(g·°C)Tmetal = 80 °Cmwater = 400 gTwater = 20 °Ccwater = 4.18 J/(g·°C)
Tf = °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpyHard
H100 g C2​H6​2C2​H6​ + 7O₂reactants4CO₂ + 6H₂O(l)productsq = ?

Use the standard enthalpies of formation to find the heat q released when 100 g of C2H6 (M = 30.07 g/mol) burns completely: 2C2H6 + 7O₂ → 4CO₂ + 6H₂O(l). Give q as a positive number.

ΔH°f(C2H6) = −84.7 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​HII0.40.40C−x−x+2xE0.4 − x0.4 − x2x

0.4 mol/L of H₂ and 0.4 mol/L of I₂ are put in a container and react: H₂ + I₂ ⇌ 2HI, with Kc = 50. Find the equilibrium concentration [H2].

[H₂]₀ = [I₂]₀ = 0.4 mol/LKc = 50
[H2] = mol/L
10.Chemical equilibriumHard
PCl5​PCl3​Cl2​I0.100C−x+x+xE0.1 − xxx

PCl₅ decomposes: PCl₅ ⇌ PCl₃ + Cl₂, with Kc = 0.01 at the reaction temperature. A container starts with 0.1 mol/L of PCl₅ only. Find the equilibrium concentration [Cl2].

[PCl₅]₀ = 0.1 mol/LKc = 0.01
[Cl2] = mol/L
11.pH & buffersMedium
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

Find the pH pH of a 0.2 mol/L solution of benzoic acid (Ka = 6.3 × 10⁻⁵).

c = 0.2 mol/LKa = 6.3 × 10⁻⁵
pH =
12.pH & buffersHard
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

A 1.00 L buffer contains 0.1 mol benzoic acid and 0.25 mol of its conjugate base (Ka = 6.3 × 10⁻⁵). 0.025 mol of NaOH is added. Find the new pH pH.

n(HA) = 0.1 moln(A⁻) = 0.25 moln(OH⁻) = 0.025 molKa = 6.3 × 10⁻⁵
pH =
13.Reaction kineticsMedium
t (min)C (mol/L)20 minC = ?

A reaction with rate law −rA = k·CA² has k = 0.2 L/(mol·min) and starts at 1.5 mol/L. Find the concentration CA after 20 min.

k = 0.2 L/(mol·min)CA0 = 1.5 mol/Lt = 20 min
CA = mol/L
14.Reaction kineticsHard
Tk20 °C0.00250 °C?

A reaction has a rate constant of 0.002 min⁻¹ at 20 °C and an activation energy of 60 kJ/mol. Find the rate constant k2 at 50 °C.

k1 = 0.002 min⁻¹T1 = 20 °CT2 = 50 °CEa = 60 kJ/molR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
k2 = min⁻¹

3Solutions

1.Stoichiometry

Answer: m = 27.03 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) = 24/32 = 0.75 mol

Limiting reactant

3.968/2 = 1.984, 0.75/1 = 0.75 → O2

Mass of product

n(H2O) = 0.75·2 = 1.5 mol
m = 1.5·18.02 = 27.03 g

Answer

m = 27.03 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(N2) = 8/28.02 = 0.2855 mol
m = 0.2855·2/1·17.03 = 9.724 g

Percent yield

Y = 8.85/9.724·100 = 91.01%

Answer

Y = 91.01%
3.Molarity & dilution

Answer: V1 = 125 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 = 0.5·1000/4 = 125 mL

Answer

V1 = 125 mL
4.Molarity & dilution

Answer: c = 1.48 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 = 0.8·300 + 2.5·200 = 740 mmol

Concentration of the mixture

c = 740/500 = 1.48 mol/L

Answer

c = 1.48 mol/L
5.Ideal gas law

Answer: V = 70.3 L

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

Moles

n = 430/32 = 13.44 mol
T = 10 + 273.15 = 283.1 K

Volume

V = nRT/P = 13.44·8.314·283.1/450 = 70.3 L

Answer

V = 70.3 L
6.Ideal gas law

Answer: ρ = 0.7147 kg/m³

Ideal gas density: ρ = PM/(RT).

Rearrange the gas law

PV = (m/M)RT → ρ = m/V = PM/(RT)
T = 30 + 273.15 = 303.1 K

Density

ρ = 450·4.003/(8.314·303.1) = 0.7147 kg/m³

Answer

ρ = 0.7147 kg/m³
7.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: Tf = 20.79 °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

50·0.449·(80 − Tf) = 400·4.18·(Tf − 20)

Solve for the final temperature

Tf = (22.45·80 + 1672·20)/(22.45 + 1672) = 20.79 °C

Answer

Tf = 20.79 °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: q = 5187 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° = [4·(−393.5) + 6·(−285.8)] − [2·(−84.7) + 7·0] = −3119 kJ

Heat for the given mass

n = 100/30.07 = 3.326 mol
q = n·|ΔH°/2| = 3.326·1560 = 5187 kJ

Answer

q = 5187 kJ
9.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [H2] = 0.08819 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

50 = (2x)²/(0.4 − x)²

Take the square root

7.071 = 2x/(0.4 − x) → x = 0.4·7.071/(2 + 7.071) = 0.3118 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[H₂] = 0.4 − x = 0.08819 mol/L

Answer

[H2] = 0.08819 mol/L
10.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [Cl2] = 0.02702 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/(0.1 − x) → x² + 0.01·x − 0.001 = 0

Solve the quadratic

x = (−0.01 + √(0.01² + 4·0.001))/2 = 0.02702 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[Cl₂] = x = 0.02702 mol/L

Answer

[Cl2] = 0.02702 mol/L
11.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 2.454

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 = 0.003518 mol/L

pH

pH = −log(0.003518) = 2.454

Answer

pH = 2.454
12.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 4.765

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 − 0.025 = 0.075 mol
n(A⁻) = 0.25 + 0.025 = 0.275 mol

Henderson–Hasselbalch

pH = 4.201 + log(0.275/0.075) = 4.765

Answer

pH = 4.765
13.Reaction kinetics

Answer: CA = 0.2143 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 = 0.6667 + 0.2·20 = 4.667 L/mol
CA = 1/4.667 = 0.2143 mol/L

Answer

CA = 0.2143 mol/L
14.Reaction kinetics

Answer: k2 = 0.01966 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 = 293.1 K, T2 = 323.1 K

Arrhenius ratio

ln(k2/k1) = −(60000/8.314)·(1/323.1 − 1/293.1) = 2.285
k2 = 0.002·e2.285 = 0.01966 min⁻¹

Answer

k2 = 0.01966 min⁻¹

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