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(MgO)m(MgO)÷ M(X)× 2/ν× M(MgO)

4 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, 16 g of CH4 reacts completely (the other reactants are in excess) and 28.04 g of H2O is collected. Find the percent yield Y.

M(CH4) = 16.04 g/molM(H2O) = 18.02 g/molactual: 28.04 g
Y = %
3.Molarity & dilutionMedium
0.5 mol/LV1​0.4 mol/L500 mL

You need 500 mL of 0.4 mol/L solution and have a 0.5 mol/L stock solution. How much water Vwater do you add to the stock solution?

c1 = 0.5 mol/Lc2 = 0.4 mol/LV2 = 500 mL
Vwater = mL
4.Molarity & dilutionHard
1 mol/L250 mL1.2 mol/L100 mLc = ?350 mL

250 mL of a 1 mol/L solution is mixed with 100 mL of a 1.2 mol/L solution of the same substance. Find the concentration c of the mixture (volumes are additive).

c1 = 1 mol/LV1 = 250 mLc2 = 1.2 mol/LV2 = 100 mL
c = mol/L
5.Ideal gas lawMedium
270 g of CO₂P = 800 kPaT = 35 °CV = ?

What volume V does 270 g of CO₂ occupy at 800 kPa and 35 °C? Treat it as an ideal gas.

m = 270 gM = 44.01 g/molP = 800 kPaT = 35 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
V = L
6.Ideal gas lawHard
State 1State 2

A fixed amount of He goes from 300 kPa, 20 L, 15 °C to 600 kPa and 230 °C. Find the new volume V2.

P1 = 300 kPaV1 = 20 LT1 = 15 °CP2 = 600 kPaT2 = 230 °C
V2 = L
7.Calorimetry & enthalpyMedium
Tf​ = ?Aluminiumm = 250 gT = 140 °Cc = 0.897 J/(g·°C)Waterm = 100 gT = 24 °Cc = 4.18 J/(g·°C)

A 250 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 24 °C in an insulated cup. Find the final temperature Tf.

mmetal = 250 gcmetal = 0.897 J/(g·°C)Tmetal = 140 °Cmwater = 100 gTwater = 24 °Ccwater = 4.18 J/(g·°C)
Tf = °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpyHard
H25 g CH4​CH4​ + 2O₂reactantsCO₂ + 2H₂O(l)productsq = ?

Use the standard enthalpies of formation to find the heat q released when 25 g of CH4 (M = 16.04 g/mol) burns completely: CH4 + 2O₂ → CO₂ + 2H₂O(l). Give q as a positive number.

ΔH°f(CH4) = −74.8 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​HII0.20.20C−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 = 25. Find the equilibrium concentration [H2].

[H₂]₀ = [I₂]₀ = 0.2 mol/LKc = 25
[H2] = mol/L
10.Chemical equilibriumHard
PCl5​PCl3​Cl2​I0.800C−x+x+xE0.8 − xxx

PCl₅ decomposes: PCl₅ ⇌ PCl₃ + Cl₂, with Kc = 0.04 at the reaction temperature. A container starts with 0.8 mol/L of PCl₅ only. Find the equilibrium concentration [PCl5].

[PCl₅]₀ = 0.8 mol/LKc = 0.04
[PCl5] = mol/L
11.pH & buffersMedium
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

Find the pH pH of a 0.1 mol/L solution of formic acid (Ka = 0.00018).

c = 0.1 mol/LKa = 0.00018
pH =
12.pH & buffersHard
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

A 1.00 L buffer contains 0.25 mol hydrofluoric acid and 0.1 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⁻) = 0.1 moln(OH⁻) = 0.025 molKa = 0.00068
pH =
13.Reaction kineticsMedium
t (min)C (mol/L)5 minC = ?

A reaction with rate law −rA = k·CA² has k = 0.25 L/(mol·min) and starts at 1.5 mol/L. Find the concentration CA after 5 min.

k = 0.25 L/(mol·min)CA0 = 1.5 mol/Lt = 5 min
CA = mol/L
14.Reaction kineticsHard
Tk30 °Ck1​?5·k1​

A reaction has an activation energy of 100 kJ/mol. At 30 °C it is too slow. To what temperature T2 (in °C) must it be heated to make it 5 times faster?

Ea = 100 kJ/molT1 = 30 °Ck2/k1 = 5R = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
T2 = °C

3Solutions

1.Stoichiometry

Answer: m = 6.631 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) = 4/24.31 = 0.1645 mol
n(O2) = 48/32 = 1.5 mol

Limiting reactant

0.1645/2 = 0.08227, 1.5/1 = 1.5 → Mg

Mass of product

n(MgO) = 0.08227·2 = 0.1645 mol
m = 0.1645·40.3 = 6.631 g

Answer

m = 6.631 g
2.Stoichiometry

Answer: Y = 78 %

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) = 16/16.04 = 0.9975 mol
m = 0.9975·2/1·18.02 = 35.95 g

Percent yield

Y = 28.04/35.95·100 = 78%

Answer

Y = 78%
3.Molarity & dilution

Answer: Vwater = 100 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 = 0.4·500/0.5 = 400 mL

Water to add

Vwater = 500 − 400 = 100 mL

Answer

Vwater = 100 mL
4.Molarity & dilution

Answer: c = 1.057 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 = 1·250 + 1.2·100 = 370 mmol

Concentration of the mixture

c = 370/350 = 1.057 mol/L

Answer

c = 1.057 mol/L
5.Ideal gas law

Answer: V = 19.65 L

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

Moles

n = 270/44.01 = 6.135 mol
T = 35 + 273.15 = 308.1 K

Volume

V = nRT/P = 6.135·8.314·308.1/800 = 19.65 L

Answer

V = 19.65 L
6.Ideal gas law

Answer: V2 = 17.46 L

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

Absolute temperatures

T1 = 288.1 K, T2 = 503.1 K

Combined gas law

V2 = V1·(P1/P2)·(T2/T1) = 20·(300/600)·(503.1/288.1) = 17.46 L

Answer

V2 = 17.46 L
7.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: Tf = 64.5 °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

250·0.897·(140 − Tf) = 100·4.18·(Tf − 24)

Solve for the final temperature

Tf = (224.3·140 + 418·24)/(224.3 + 418) = 64.5 °C

Answer

Tf = 64.5 °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: q = 1388 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° = [1·(−393.5) + 2·(−285.8)] − [1·(−74.8) + 2·0] = −890.3 kJ

Heat for the given mass

n = 25/16.04 = 1.559 mol
q = n·|ΔH°/1| = 1.559·890.3 = 1388 kJ

Answer

q = 1388 kJ
9.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [H2] = 0.05714 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

25 = (2x)²/(0.2 − x)²

Take the square root

5 = 2x/(0.2 − x) → x = 0.2·5/(2 + 5) = 0.1429 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[H₂] = 0.2 − x = 0.05714 mol/L

Answer

[H2] = 0.05714 mol/L
10.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [PCl5] = 0.64 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

0.04 = x²/(0.8 − x) → x² + 0.04·x − 0.032 = 0

Solve the quadratic

x = (−0.04 + √(0.04² + 4·0.032))/2 = 0.16 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[PCl₅] = 0.8 − 0.16 = 0.64 mol/L

Answer

[PCl5] = 0.64 mol/L
11.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 2.382

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 = 0.004154 mol/L

pH

pH = −log(0.004154) = 2.382

Answer

pH = 2.382
12.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 2.912

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⁻) = 0.1 + 0.025 = 0.125 mol

Henderson–Hasselbalch

pH = 3.167 + log(0.125/0.225) = 2.912

Answer

pH = 2.912
13.Reaction kinetics

Answer: CA = 0.5217 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 + 0.25·5 = 1.917 L/mol
CA = 1/1.917 = 0.5217 mol/L

Answer

CA = 0.5217 mol/L
14.Reaction kinetics

Answer: T2 = 42.82 °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(5)/100000 = 3.299 × 10⁻³ − 1.338 × 10⁻⁴ = 3.165 × 10⁻³ K⁻¹
T2 = 316 K = 42.82 °C

Answer

T2 = 42.82 °C

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