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)

24 g of Mg and 40 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(N2​)n(N2​)n(NH3​)m(NH3​)÷ M(N2​)× 2/1× M(NH3​)

In the reaction N2 + 3H2 → 2NH3, 16 g of N2 reacts completely (the other reactants are in excess) and 18.28 g of NH3 is collected. Find the percent yield Y.

M(N2) = 28.02 g/molM(NH3) = 17.03 g/molactual: 18.28 g
Y = %
3.Molarity & dilutionMedium
1.5 mol/LV1​ = ?0.05 mol/L100 mL

You need 100 mL of 0.05 mol/L solution and have a 1.5 mol/L stock solution. What volume V1 of stock solution do you need?

c1 = 1.5 mol/Lc2 = 0.05 mol/LV2 = 100 mL
V1 = mL
4.Molarity & dilutionHard
0.8 mol/L250 mL0.1 mol/L50 mLc = ?300 mL

250 mL of a 0.8 mol/L solution is mixed with 50 mL of a 0.1 mol/L solution of the same substance. Find the concentration c of the mixture (volumes are additive).

c1 = 0.8 mol/LV1 = 250 mLc2 = 0.1 mol/LV2 = 50 mL
c = mol/L
5.Ideal gas lawMedium
210 g of N₂P = 600 kPaT = 35 °CV = ?

What volume V does 210 g of N₂ occupy at 600 kPa and 35 °C? Treat it as an ideal gas.

m = 210 gM = 28.01 g/molP = 600 kPaT = 35 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
V = L
6.Ideal gas lawHard
State 1State 2

A fixed amount of He goes from 350 kPa, 20 L, 30 °C to 350 kPa and 200 °C. Find the new volume V2.

P1 = 350 kPaV1 = 20 LT1 = 30 °CP2 = 350 kPaT2 = 200 °C
V2 = L
7.Calorimetry & enthalpyMedium
Tf​ = ?Zincm = 150 gT = 120 °Cc = 0.388 J/(g·°C)Waterm = 100 gT = 16 °Cc = 4.18 J/(g·°C)

A 150 g block of zinc (c = 0.388 J/(g·°C)) at 120 °C is dropped into 100 g of water (c = 4.18 J/(g·°C)) at 16 °C in an insulated cup. Find the final temperature Tf.

mmetal = 150 gcmetal = 0.388 J/(g·°C)Tmetal = 120 °Cmwater = 100 gTwater = 16 °Ccwater = 4.18 J/(g·°C)
Tf = °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpyHard
HC6​H12​O6​ + 6O₂reactants6CO₂ + 6H₂O(l)productsΔH° = ?

Use the standard enthalpies of formation to find ΔH° for the reaction C6H12O6 + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O(l).

ΔH°f(C6H12O6) = −1274 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​HII0.40.40C−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 = 16. Find the equilibrium concentration [HI].

[H₂]₀ = [I₂]₀ = 0.4 mol/LKc = 16
[HI] = mol/L
10.Chemical equilibriumHard
PCl5​PCl3​Cl2​I0.400C−x+x+xE0.4 − xxx

PCl₅ decomposes: PCl₅ ⇌ PCl₃ + Cl₂, with Kc = 0.04 at the reaction temperature. A container starts with 0.4 mol/L of PCl₅ only. Find the equilibrium concentration [PCl5].

[PCl₅]₀ = 0.4 mol/LKc = 0.04
[PCl5] = mol/L
11.pH & buffersMedium
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

Find the pH pH of a 0.25 mol/L solution of formic acid (Ka = 0.00018).

c = 0.25 mol/LKa = 0.00018
pH =
12.pH & buffersHard
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

A 1.00 L buffer contains 0.2 mol formic acid and 0.1 mol of its conjugate base (Ka = 0.00018). 0.025 mol of NaOH is added. Find the new pH pH.

n(HA) = 0.2 moln(A⁻) = 0.1 moln(OH⁻) = 0.025 molKa = 0.00018
pH =
13.Reaction kineticsMedium
t (min)C (mol/L)60 min0.6

In a first-order reaction the concentration of A falls from 2 mol/L to 0.6 mol/L in 60 min. Find the rate constant k.

CA0 = 2 mol/LCA = 0.6 mol/Lt = 60 min
k = min⁻¹
14.Reaction kineticsHard
t (min)X (%)15 minX = ?

A first-order reaction has k = 0.005 min⁻¹ at 30 °C and an activation energy of 75 kJ/mol. The batch reactor is now run at 50 °C for 15 min. Find the conversion X reached.

k1 = 0.005 min⁻¹T1 = 30 °CEa = 75 kJ/molT2 = 50 °Ct = 15 minR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
X = %

3Solutions

1.Stoichiometry

Answer: m = 39.79 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) = 24/24.31 = 0.9872 mol
n(O2) = 40/32 = 1.25 mol

Limiting reactant

0.9872/2 = 0.4936, 1.25/1 = 1.25 → Mg

Mass of product

n(MgO) = 0.4936·2 = 0.9872 mol
m = 0.9872·40.3 = 39.79 g

Answer

m = 39.79 g
2.Stoichiometry

Answer: Y = 93.99 %

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) = 16/28.02 = 0.571 mol
m = 0.571·2/1·17.03 = 19.45 g

Percent yield

Y = 18.28/19.45·100 = 93.99%

Answer

Y = 93.99%
3.Molarity & dilution

Answer: V1 = 3.333 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 = 0.05·100/1.5 = 3.333 mL

Answer

V1 = 3.333 mL
4.Molarity & dilution

Answer: c = 0.6833 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 = 0.8·250 + 0.1·50 = 205 mmol

Concentration of the mixture

c = 205/300 = 0.6833 mol/L

Answer

c = 0.6833 mol/L
5.Ideal gas law

Answer: V = 32.01 L

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

Moles

n = 210/28.01 = 7.497 mol
T = 35 + 273.15 = 308.1 K

Volume

V = nRT/P = 7.497·8.314·308.1/600 = 32.01 L

Answer

V = 32.01 L
6.Ideal gas law

Answer: V2 = 31.22 L

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

Absolute temperatures

T1 = 303.1 K, T2 = 473.1 K

Combined gas law

V2 = V1·(P1/P2)·(T2/T1) = 20·(350/350)·(473.1/303.1) = 31.22 L

Answer

V2 = 31.22 L
7.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: Tf = 28.71 °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

150·0.388·(120 − Tf) = 100·4.18·(Tf − 16)

Solve for the final temperature

Tf = (58.2·120 + 418·16)/(58.2 + 418) = 28.71 °C

Answer

Tf = 28.71 °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: ΔH° = −2802 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° = [6·(−393.5) + 6·(−285.8)] − [1·(−1274) + 6·0] = −2802 kJ

Answer

ΔH° = −2802 kJ

Negative: the reaction gives off heat (exothermic).

9.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [HI] = 0.5333 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

16 = (2x)²/(0.4 − x)²

Take the square root

4 = 2x/(0.4 − x) → x = 0.4·4/(2 + 4) = 0.2667 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[HI] = 2x = 0.5333 mol/L

Answer

[HI] = 0.5333 mol/L
10.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [PCl5] = 0.2919 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/(0.4 − x) → x² + 0.04·x − 0.016 = 0

Solve the quadratic

x = (−0.04 + √(0.04² + 4·0.016))/2 = 0.1081 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[PCl₅] = 0.4 − 0.1081 = 0.2919 mol/L

Answer

[PCl5] = 0.2919 mol/L
11.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 2.179

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/(0.25 − x) → x = 0.006619 mol/L

pH

pH = −log(0.006619) = 2.179

Answer

pH = 2.179
12.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 3.599

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) = 0.2 − 0.025 = 0.175 mol
n(A⁻) = 0.1 + 0.025 = 0.125 mol

Henderson–Hasselbalch

pH = 3.745 + log(0.125/0.175) = 3.599

Answer

pH = 3.599
13.Reaction kinetics

Answer: k = 0.02007 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(2/0.6)/60 = 1.204/60 = 0.02007 min⁻¹

Answer

k = 0.02007 min⁻¹
14.Reaction kinetics

Answer: X = 37.69 %

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).

Rate constant at the new temperature

T1 = 303.1 K, T2 = 323.1 K
k2 = 0.005·e−(75000/8.314)·(1/323.1 − 1/303.1) = 0.03154 min⁻¹

Conversion

X = 1 − e−0.03154·15 = 1 − 0.6231 = 37.69 %

Answer

X = 37.69 %

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