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(NaCl)m(NaCl)÷ M(X)× 2/ν× M(NaCl)

24 g of Na and 20 g of Cl2 react according to 2Na + Cl2 → 2NaCl. What mass m of NaCl can form?

M(Na) = 22.99M(Cl2) = 70.9M(NaCl) = 58.44 g/mol
m = g
2.StoichiometryHard
m(C6​H12​O6​)n(C6​H12​O6​)n(C2​H5​OH)m(C2​H5​OH)÷ M(C6​H12​O6​)× 2/1× M(C2​H5​OH)

In the reaction C6H12O6 → 2C2H5OH + 2CO2, 8 g of C6H12O6 reacts completely (the other reactants are in excess) and 3.48 g of C2H5OH is collected. Find the percent yield Y.

M(C6H12O6) = 180.16 g/molM(C2H5OH) = 46.07 g/molactual: 3.48 g
Y = %
3.Molarity & dilutionMedium
0.5 mol/LV1​ = ?0.05 mol/L500 mL

You need 500 mL of 0.05 mol/L solution and have a 0.5 mol/L stock solution. What volume V1 of stock solution do you need?

c1 = 0.5 mol/Lc2 = 0.05 mol/LV2 = 500 mL
V1 = mL
4.Molarity & dilutionHard
0.4 mol/L50 mL0.3 mol/L500 mLc = ?550 mL

50 mL of a 0.4 mol/L solution is mixed with 500 mL of a 0.3 mol/L solution of the same substance. Find the concentration c of the mixture (volumes are additive).

c1 = 0.4 mol/LV1 = 50 mLc2 = 0.3 mol/LV2 = 500 mL
c = mol/L
5.Ideal gas lawMedium
220 g of O₂P = 800 kPaT = 70 °CV = ?

What volume V does 220 g of O₂ occupy at 800 kPa and 70 °C? Treat it as an ideal gas.

m = 220 gM = 32 g/molP = 800 kPaT = 70 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
V = L
6.Ideal gas lawHard
O₂, M = 32 g/molP = 250 kPaT = 150 °Cρ = ?

Find the density ρ of O₂ at 250 kPa and 150 °C, treating it as an ideal gas.

M = 32 g/molP = 250 kPaT = 150 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
ρ = kg/m³
7.Calorimetry & enthalpyMedium
Tf​ = ?Aluminiumm = 100 gT = 170 °Cc = 0.897 J/(g·°C)Waterm = 150 gT = 17 °Cc = 4.18 J/(g·°C)

A 100 g block of aluminium (c = 0.897 J/(g·°C)) at 170 °C is dropped into 150 g of water (c = 4.18 J/(g·°C)) at 17 °C in an insulated cup. Find the final temperature Tf.

mmetal = 100 gcmetal = 0.897 J/(g·°C)Tmetal = 170 °Cmwater = 150 gTwater = 17 °Ccwater = 4.18 J/(g·°C)
Tf = °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpyHard
H20 g C3​H8​C3​H8​ + 5O₂reactants3CO₂ + 4H₂O(l)productsq = ?

Use the standard enthalpies of formation to find the heat q released when 20 g of C3H8 (M = 44.1 g/mol) burns completely: C3H8 + 5O₂ → 3CO₂ + 4H₂O(l). Give q as a positive number.

ΔH°f(C3H8) = −103.8 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​HII0.10.10C−x−x+2xE0.1 − x0.1 − x2x

0.1 mol/L of H₂ and 0.1 mol/L of I₂ are put in a container and react: H₂ + I₂ ⇌ 2HI, with Kc = 64. Find the equilibrium concentration [H2].

[H₂]₀ = [I₂]₀ = 0.1 mol/LKc = 64
[H2] = mol/L
10.Chemical equilibriumHard
PCl5​PCl3​Cl2​I0.2500C−x+x+xE0.25 − xxx

PCl₅ decomposes: PCl₅ ⇌ PCl₃ + Cl₂, with Kc = 0.1 at the reaction temperature. A container starts with 0.25 mol/L of PCl₅ only. Find the equilibrium concentration [PCl5].

[PCl₅]₀ = 0.25 mol/LKc = 0.1
[PCl5] = mol/L
11.pH & buffersMedium
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

Find the pH pH of a 0.1 mol/L solution of benzoic acid (Ka = 6.3 × 10⁻⁵).

c = 0.1 mol/LKa = 6.3 × 10⁻⁵
pH =
12.pH & buffersHard
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

A 1.00 L buffer contains 0.3 mol lactic acid and 0.25 mol of its conjugate base (Ka = 0.00014). 0.01 mol of NaOH is added. Find the new pH pH.

n(HA) = 0.3 moln(A⁻) = 0.25 moln(OH⁻) = 0.01 molKa = 0.00014
pH =
13.Reaction kineticsMedium
t (min)C (mol/L)10 min0.1

In a first-order reaction the concentration of A falls from 0.5 mol/L to 0.1 mol/L in 10 min. Find the rate constant k.

CA0 = 0.5 mol/LCA = 0.1 mol/Lt = 10 min
k = min⁻¹
14.Reaction kineticsHard
CA0​ (mol/L)r (mol/(L·s))run 10.50.01run 21.50.0173n = ?

Two experiments measure the initial rate of A → products. With CA0 = 0.5 mol/L the rate is 0.01 mol/(L·s); with CA0 = 1.5 mol/L it is 0.0173 mol/(L·s). Find the reaction order n with respect to A.

CA0,1 = 0.5 mol/Lr1 = 0.01 mol/(L·s)CA0,2 = 1.5 mol/Lr2 = 0.0173 mol/(L·s)
n =

3Solutions

1.Stoichiometry

Answer: m = 32.97 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(Na) = 24/22.99 = 1.044 mol
n(Cl2) = 20/70.9 = 0.2821 mol

Limiting reactant

1.044/2 = 0.522, 0.2821/1 = 0.2821 → Cl2

Mass of product

n(NaCl) = 0.2821·2 = 0.5642 mol
m = 0.5642·58.44 = 32.97 g

Answer

m = 32.97 g
2.Stoichiometry

Answer: Y = 85.05 %

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(C6H12O6) = 8/180.16 = 0.0444 mol
m = 0.0444·2/1·46.07 = 4.091 g

Percent yield

Y = 3.48/4.091·100 = 85.05%

Answer

Y = 85.05%
3.Molarity & dilution

Answer: V1 = 50 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 = 0.05·500/0.5 = 50 mL

Answer

V1 = 50 mL
4.Molarity & dilution

Answer: c = 0.3091 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 = 0.4·50 + 0.3·500 = 170 mmol

Concentration of the mixture

c = 170/550 = 0.3091 mol/L

Answer

c = 0.3091 mol/L
5.Ideal gas law

Answer: V = 24.52 L

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

Moles

n = 220/32 = 6.875 mol
T = 70 + 273.15 = 343.1 K

Volume

V = nRT/P = 6.875·8.314·343.1/800 = 24.52 L

Answer

V = 24.52 L
6.Ideal gas law

Answer: ρ = 2.274 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 = 250·32/(8.314·423.1) = 2.274 kg/m³

Answer

ρ = 2.274 kg/m³
7.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: Tf = 36.15 °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

100·0.897·(170 − Tf) = 150·4.18·(Tf − 17)

Solve for the final temperature

Tf = (89.7·170 + 627·17)/(89.7 + 627) = 36.15 °C

Answer

Tf = 36.15 °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: q = 1007 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° = [3·(−393.5) + 4·(−285.8)] − [1·(−103.8) + 5·0] = −2220 kJ

Heat for the given mass

n = 20/44.1 = 0.4535 mol
q = n·|ΔH°/1| = 0.4535·2220 = 1007 kJ

Answer

q = 1007 kJ
9.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [H2] = 0.02 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

64 = (2x)²/(0.1 − x)²

Take the square root

8 = 2x/(0.1 − x) → x = 0.1·8/(2 + 8) = 0.08 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[H₂] = 0.1 − x = 0.02 mol/L

Answer

[H2] = 0.02 mol/L
10.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [PCl5] = 0.1342 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/(0.25 − x) → x² + 0.1·x − 0.025 = 0

Solve the quadratic

x = (−0.1 + √(0.1² + 4·0.025))/2 = 0.1158 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[PCl₅] = 0.25 − 0.1158 = 0.1342 mol/L

Answer

[PCl5] = 0.1342 mol/L
11.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 2.606

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 = 0.002479 mol/L

pH

pH = −log(0.002479) = 2.606

Answer

pH = 2.606
12.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 3.806

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 − 0.01 = 0.29 mol
n(A⁻) = 0.25 + 0.01 = 0.26 mol

Henderson–Hasselbalch

pH = 3.854 + log(0.26/0.29) = 3.806

Answer

pH = 3.806
13.Reaction kinetics

Answer: k = 0.1609 min⁻¹

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).

Integrated first-order law

k = ln(CA0/CA)/t = ln(0.5/0.1)/10 = 1.609/10 = 0.1609 min⁻¹

Answer

k = 0.1609 min⁻¹
14.Reaction kinetics

Answer: n = 0.4989

Method of initial rates: for r = k·Cⁿ, comparing two runs that differ only in the starting concentration removes k: r₂/r₁ = (C₂/C₁)ⁿ. Doubling C doubles the rate for first order and quadruples it for second order.

Ratios

r2/r1 = 0.0173/0.01 = 1.73
C2/C1 = 1.5/0.5 = 3

Order

n = ln(1.73)/ln(3) = 0.4989

Answer

n = 0.4989

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