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)

8 g of Na and 16 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(Fe2​O3​)n(Fe2​O3​)n(Fe)m(Fe)÷ M(Fe2​O3​)× 2/1× M(Fe)

In the reaction Fe2O3 + 3CO → 2Fe + 3CO2, 6 g of Fe2O3 reacts completely (the other reactants are in excess) and 3.95 g of Fe is collected. Find the percent yield Y.

M(Fe2O3) = 159.69 g/molM(Fe) = 55.85 g/molactual: 3.95 g
Y = %
3.Molarity & dilutionMedium
3 mol/LV1​ = ?0.4 mol/L1000 mL

You need 1000 mL of 0.4 mol/L solution and have a 3 mol/L stock solution. What volume V1 of stock solution do you need?

c1 = 3 mol/Lc2 = 0.4 mol/LV2 = 1000 mL
V1 = mL
4.Molarity & dilutionHard
0.1 mol/L200 mL0.6 mol/L50 mLc = ?250 mL

200 mL of a 0.1 mol/L solution is mixed with 50 mL of a 0.6 mol/L solution of the same substance. Find the concentration c of the mixture (volumes are additive).

c1 = 0.1 mol/LV1 = 200 mLc2 = 0.6 mol/LV2 = 50 mL
c = mol/L
5.Ideal gas lawMedium
20 g of CH₄P = 750 kPaT = 0 °CV = ?

What volume V does 20 g of CH₄ occupy at 750 kPa and 0 °C? Treat it as an ideal gas.

m = 20 gM = 16.04 g/molP = 750 kPaT = 0 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
V = L
6.Ideal gas lawHard
CO₂, M = 44.01 g/molP = 200 kPaT = 200 °Cρ = ?

Find the density ρ of CO₂ at 200 kPa and 200 °C, treating it as an ideal gas.

M = 44.01 g/molP = 200 kPaT = 200 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
ρ = kg/m³
7.Calorimetry & enthalpyMedium
Tf​ = ?Copperm = 150 gT = 200 °Cc = 0.385 J/(g·°C)Waterm = 400 gT = 19 °Cc = 4.18 J/(g·°C)

A 150 g block of copper (c = 0.385 J/(g·°C)) at 200 °C is dropped into 400 g of water (c = 4.18 J/(g·°C)) at 19 °C in an insulated cup. Find the final temperature Tf.

mmetal = 150 gcmetal = 0.385 J/(g·°C)Tmetal = 200 °Cmwater = 400 gTwater = 19 °Ccwater = 4.18 J/(g·°C)
Tf = °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpyHard
H20 g C2​H5​OHC2​H5​OH + 3O₂reactants2CO₂ + 3H₂O(l)productsq = ?

Use the standard enthalpies of formation to find the heat q released when 20 g of C2H5OH (M = 46.07 g/mol) burns completely: C2H5OH + 3O₂ → 2CO₂ + 3H₂O(l). Give q as a positive number.

ΔH°f(C2H5OH) = −277.7 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​HII0.10.10C−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 = 50. Find the equilibrium concentration [H2].

[H₂]₀ = [I₂]₀ = 0.1 mol/LKc = 50
[H2] = mol/L
10.Chemical equilibriumHard
PCl5​PCl3​Cl2​I0.800C−x+x+xE0.8 − xxx

PCl₅ decomposes: PCl₅ ⇌ PCl₃ + Cl₂, with Kc = 0.08 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 = 0.08
[PCl5] = mol/L
11.pH & buffersMedium
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

Find the pH pH of a 0.5 mol/L solution of hypochlorous acid (Ka = 3 × 10⁻⁸).

c = 0.5 mol/LKa = 3 × 10⁻⁸
pH =
12.pH & buffersHard
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

A 1.00 L buffer contains 0.1 mol hypochlorous acid and 0.1 mol of its conjugate base (Ka = 3 × 10⁻⁸). 0.05 mol of NaOH is added. Find the new pH pH.

n(HA) = 0.1 moln(A⁻) = 0.1 moln(OH⁻) = 0.05 molKa = 3 × 10⁻⁸
pH =
13.Reaction kineticsMedium
t (min)C (mol/L)t½​ = ?C0​/2

A second-order reaction (−rA = k·CA²) has k = 0.25 L/(mol·min) and an initial concentration of 0.5 mol/L. Find its first half-life t½.

k = 0.25 L/(mol·min)CA0 = 0.5 mol/L
t½ = min
14.Reaction kineticsHard
Tk40 °C0.00250 °C0.00322

The rate constant of a reaction is 0.002 min⁻¹ at 40 °C and 0.00322 min⁻¹ at 50 °C. Find the activation energy Ea.

k1 = 0.002 min⁻¹T1 = 40 °Ck2 = 0.00322 min⁻¹T2 = 50 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
Ea = kJ/mol

3Solutions

1.Stoichiometry

Answer: m = 20.34 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) = 8/22.99 = 0.348 mol
n(Cl2) = 16/70.9 = 0.2257 mol

Limiting reactant

0.348/2 = 0.174, 0.2257/1 = 0.2257 → Na

Mass of product

n(NaCl) = 0.174·2 = 0.348 mol
m = 0.348·58.44 = 20.34 g

Answer

m = 20.34 g
2.Stoichiometry

Answer: Y = 94.12 %

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(Fe2O3) = 6/159.69 = 0.03757 mol
m = 0.03757·2/1·55.85 = 4.197 g

Percent yield

Y = 3.95/4.197·100 = 94.12%

Answer

Y = 94.12%
3.Molarity & dilution

Answer: V1 = 133.3 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 = 0.4·1000/3 = 133.3 mL

Answer

V1 = 133.3 mL
4.Molarity & dilution

Answer: c = 0.2 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 = 0.1·200 + 0.6·50 = 50 mmol

Concentration of the mixture

c = 50/250 = 0.2 mol/L

Answer

c = 0.2 mol/L
5.Ideal gas law

Answer: V = 3.776 L

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

Moles

n = 20/16.04 = 1.247 mol
T = 0 + 273.15 = 273.1 K

Volume

V = nRT/P = 1.247·8.314·273.1/750 = 3.776 L

Answer

V = 3.776 L
6.Ideal gas law

Answer: ρ = 2.238 kg/m³

Ideal gas density: ρ = PM/(RT).

Rearrange the gas law

PV = (m/M)RT → ρ = m/V = PM/(RT)
T = 200 + 273.15 = 473.1 K

Density

ρ = 200·44.01/(8.314·473.1) = 2.238 kg/m³

Answer

ρ = 2.238 kg/m³
7.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: Tf = 25.04 °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

150·0.385·(200 − Tf) = 400·4.18·(Tf − 19)

Solve for the final temperature

Tf = (57.75·200 + 1672·19)/(57.75 + 1672) = 25.04 °C

Answer

Tf = 25.04 °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: q = 593.3 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° = [2·(−393.5) + 3·(−285.8)] − [1·(−277.7) + 3·0] = −1367 kJ

Heat for the given mass

n = 20/46.07 = 0.4341 mol
q = n·|ΔH°/1| = 0.4341·1367 = 593.3 kJ

Answer

q = 593.3 kJ
9.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [H2] = 0.02205 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/(0.1 − x)²

Take the square root

7.071 = 2x/(0.1 − x) → x = 0.1·7.071/(2 + 7.071) = 0.07795 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[H₂] = 0.1 − x = 0.02205 mol/L

Answer

[H2] = 0.02205 mol/L
10.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [PCl5] = 0.5839 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

0.08 = x²/(0.8 − x) → x² + 0.08·x − 0.064 = 0

Solve the quadratic

x = (−0.08 + √(0.08² + 4·0.064))/2 = 0.2161 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[PCl₅] = 0.8 − 0.2161 = 0.5839 mol/L

Answer

[PCl5] = 0.5839 mol/L
11.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 3.912

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]).

Equilibrium

HA ⇌ H⁺ + A⁻: x mol/L of acid ionises.

Ka = x²/(0.5 − x) → x = 0.0001225 mol/L

pH

pH = −log(0.0001225) = 3.912

Answer

pH = 3.912
12.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 8

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 − 0.05 = 0.05 mol
n(A⁻) = 0.1 + 0.05 = 0.15 mol

Henderson–Hasselbalch

pH = 7.523 + log(0.15/0.05) = 8

Answer

pH = 8
13.Reaction kinetics

Answer: t½ = 8 min

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).

Second-order half-life

t½ = 1/(k·CA0) = 1/(0.25·0.5) = 8 min

Answer

t½ = 8 min

Each later half-life is twice as long, because C₀ has halved.

14.Reaction kinetics

Answer: Ea = 40.07 kJ/mol

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

Solve Arrhenius for Ea

Ea = −R·ln(k2/k1)/(1/T2 − 1/T1) = −8.314·0.4762/(-9.882e-5) = 40067 J/mol
Ea = 40.07 kJ/mol

Answer

Ea = 40.07 kJ/mol

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