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 48 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(CO2​)m(CO2​)÷ M(Fe2​O3​)× 3/1× M(CO2​)

In the reaction Fe2O3 + 3CO → 2Fe + 3CO2, 8 g of Fe2O3 reacts completely (the other reactants are in excess) and 4.1 g of CO2 is collected. Find the percent yield Y.

M(Fe2O3) = 159.69 g/molM(CO2) = 44.01 g/molactual: 4.1 g
Y = %
3.Molarity & dilutionMedium
5 mol/LV1​ = ?0.3 mol/L250 mL

You need 250 mL of 0.3 mol/L solution and have a 5 mol/L stock solution. What volume V1 of stock solution do you need?

c1 = 5 mol/Lc2 = 0.3 mol/LV2 = 250 mL
V1 = mL
4.Molarity & dilutionHard
1 mol/L250 mL2.5 mol/L50 mLc = ?300 mL

250 mL of a 1 mol/L solution is mixed with 50 mL of a 2.5 mol/L solution of the same substance. Find the concentration c of the mixture (volumes are additive).

c1 = 1 mol/LV1 = 250 mLc2 = 2.5 mol/LV2 = 50 mL
c = mol/L
5.Ideal gas lawMedium
80 g of HeP = 450 kPaT = 25 °CV = ?

What volume V does 80 g of He occupy at 450 kPa and 25 °C? Treat it as an ideal gas.

m = 80 gM = 4.003 g/molP = 450 kPaT = 25 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
V = L
6.Ideal gas lawHard
State 1State 2

A fixed amount of CO₂ goes from 250 kPa, 20 L, 15 °C to 350 kPa and 190 °C. Find the new volume V2.

P1 = 250 kPaV1 = 20 LT1 = 15 °CP2 = 350 kPaT2 = 190 °C
V2 = L
7.Calorimetry & enthalpyMedium
Tf​ = ?Copperm = 200 gT = 170 °Cc = 0.385 J/(g·°C)Waterm = 200 gT = 25 °Cc = 4.18 J/(g·°C)

A 200 g block of copper (c = 0.385 J/(g·°C)) at 170 °C is dropped into 200 g of water (c = 4.18 J/(g·°C)) at 25 °C in an insulated cup. Find the final temperature Tf.

mmetal = 200 gcmetal = 0.385 J/(g·°C)Tmetal = 170 °Cmwater = 200 gTwater = 25 °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​HII0.50.50C−x−x+2xE0.5 − x0.5 − x2x

0.5 mol/L of H₂ and 0.5 mol/L of I₂ are put in a container and react: H₂ + I₂ ⇌ 2HI, with Kc = 4. Find the equilibrium concentration [HI].

[H₂]₀ = [I₂]₀ = 0.5 mol/LKc = 4
[HI] = 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 0.5 mol/L solution of lactic acid (Ka = 0.00014).

c = 0.5 mol/LKa = 0.00014
pH =
12.pH & buffersHard
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

A buffer contains 0.2 mol/L hydrofluoric acid and 0.1 mol/L of its sodium salt. Ka = 0.00068. Find the pH pH of the buffer.

[HA] = 0.2[A⁻] = 0.1Ka = 0.00068
pH =
13.Reaction kineticsMedium
t (min)X (%)t = ?50%

A second-order reaction (−rA = k·CA²) in a batch reactor has k = 0.8 L/(mol·min) and starts at 2 mol/L. How long does it take to reach 50% conversion? Find t.

k = 0.8 L/(mol·min)CA0 = 2 mol/LX = 50 %
t = min
14.Reaction kineticsHard
t (min)X (%)45 minX = ?

A first-order reaction has k = 0.005 min⁻¹ at 25 °C and an activation energy of 80 kJ/mol. The batch reactor is now run at 45 °C for 45 min. Find the conversion X reached.

k1 = 0.005 min⁻¹T1 = 25 °CEa = 80 kJ/molT2 = 45 °Ct = 45 minR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
X = %

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) = 48/70.9 = 0.677 mol

Limiting reactant

0.348/2 = 0.174, 0.677/1 = 0.677 → 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 = 61.99 %

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(Fe2O3) = 8/159.69 = 0.0501 mol
m = 0.0501·3/1·44.01 = 6.614 g

Percent yield

Y = 4.1/6.614·100 = 61.99%

Answer

Y = 61.99%
3.Molarity & dilution

Answer: V1 = 15 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 = 0.3·250/5 = 15 mL

Answer

V1 = 15 mL
4.Molarity & dilution

Answer: c = 1.25 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 + 2.5·50 = 375 mmol

Concentration of the mixture

c = 375/300 = 1.25 mol/L

Answer

c = 1.25 mol/L
5.Ideal gas law

Answer: V = 110.1 L

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

Moles

n = 80/4.003 = 19.99 mol
T = 25 + 273.15 = 298.1 K

Volume

V = nRT/P = 19.99·8.314·298.1/450 = 110.1 L

Answer

V = 110.1 L
6.Ideal gas law

Answer: V2 = 22.96 L

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

Absolute temperatures

T1 = 288.1 K, T2 = 463.1 K

Combined gas law

V2 = V1·(P1/P2)·(T2/T1) = 20·(250/350)·(463.1/288.1) = 22.96 L

Answer

V2 = 22.96 L
7.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: Tf = 37.23 °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

200·0.385·(170 − Tf) = 200·4.18·(Tf − 25)

Solve for the final temperature

Tf = (77·170 + 836·25)/(77 + 836) = 37.23 °C

Answer

Tf = 37.23 °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] = 0.5 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

4 = (2x)²/(0.5 − x)²

Take the square root

2 = 2x/(0.5 − x) → x = 0.5·2/(2 + 2) = 0.25 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[HI] = 2x = 0.5 mol/L

Answer

[HI] = 0.5 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 = 2.081

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 = 0.008297 mol/L

pH

pH = −log(0.008297) = 2.081

Answer

pH = 2.081
12.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 2.866

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]).

pKa

pKa = 3.167

Henderson–Hasselbalch

pH = 3.167 + log(0.1/0.2) = 2.866

Answer

pH = 2.866
13.Reaction kinetics

Answer: t = 0.625 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).

Concentration at the end

CA = 2·(1 − 0.5) = 1 mol/L

Integrated second-order law

t = (1/CA − 1/CA0)/k = (1 − 0.5)/0.8 = 0.625 min

Answer

t = 0.625 min
14.Reaction kinetics

Answer: X = 81.93 %

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 = 298.1 K, T2 = 318.1 K
k2 = 0.005·e−(80000/8.314)·(1/318.1 − 1/298.1) = 0.03803 min⁻¹

Conversion

X = 1 − e−0.03803·45 = 1 − 0.1807 = 81.93 %

Answer

X = 81.93 %

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