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)

4 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(CH4​)n(CH4​)n(CO2​)m(CO2​)÷ M(CH4​)× 1/1× M(CO2​)

In the reaction CH4 + 2O2 → CO2 + 2H2O, 12 g of CH4 reacts completely (the other reactants are in excess) and 23.05 g of CO2 is collected. Find the percent yield Y.

M(CH4) = 16.04 g/molM(CO2) = 44.01 g/molactual: 23.05 g
Y = %
3.Molarity & dilutionMedium
2.5 mol/LV1​0.1 mol/L250 mL

You need 250 mL of 0.1 mol/L solution and have a 2.5 mol/L stock solution. How much water Vwater do you add to the stock solution?

c1 = 2.5 mol/Lc2 = 0.1 mol/LV2 = 250 mL
Vwater = mL
4.Molarity & dilutionHard
0.25 mol/L300 mL0.6 mol/L250 mLc = ?550 mL

300 mL of a 0.25 mol/L solution is mixed with 250 mL of a 0.6 mol/L solution of the same substance. Find the concentration c of the mixture (volumes are additive).

c1 = 0.25 mol/LV1 = 300 mLc2 = 0.6 mol/LV2 = 250 mL
c = mol/L
5.Ideal gas lawMedium
90 g of ArV = 50 LT = 70 °CP = ?

A tank of 50 L contains 90 g of Ar at 70 °C. Treat it as an ideal gas and find the pressure P.

m = 90 gM = 39.95 g/molV = 50 LT = 70 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
P = kPa
6.Ideal gas lawHard
N₂, M = 28.01 g/molP = 300 kPaT = 70 °Cρ = ?

Find the density ρ of N₂ at 300 kPa and 70 °C, treating it as an ideal gas.

M = 28.01 g/molP = 300 kPaT = 70 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
ρ = kg/m³
7.Calorimetry & enthalpyMedium
Tf​ = ?Aluminiumm = 75 gT = 120 °Cc = 0.897 J/(g·°C)Waterm = 100 gT = 20 °Cc = 4.18 J/(g·°C)

A 75 g block of aluminium (c = 0.897 J/(g·°C)) at 120 °C is dropped into 100 g of water (c = 4.18 J/(g·°C)) at 20 °C in an insulated cup. Find the final temperature Tf.

mmetal = 75 gcmetal = 0.897 J/(g·°C)Tmetal = 120 °Cmwater = 100 gTwater = 20 °Ccwater = 4.18 J/(g·°C)
Tf = °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpyHard
H2CH3​OH + 3O₂reactants2CO₂ + 4H₂O(l)productsΔH° = ?

Use the standard enthalpies of formation to find ΔH° for the reaction 2CH3OH + 3O₂ → 2CO₂ + 4H₂O(l).

ΔH°f(CH3OH) = −238.7 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​HII0.250.250C−x−x+2xE0.25 − x0.25 − x2x

0.25 mol/L of H₂ and 0.25 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 = 0.25 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 = 0.01 at the reaction temperature. A container starts with 0.8 mol/L of PCl₅ only. Find the equilibrium concentration [Cl2].

[PCl₅]₀ = 0.8 mol/LKc = 0.01
[Cl2] = mol/L
11.pH & buffersMedium
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

Find the pH pH of a 0.05 mol/L solution of benzoic acid (Ka = 6.3 × 10⁻⁵).

c = 0.05 mol/LKa = 6.3 × 10⁻⁵
pH =
12.pH & buffersHard
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

A buffer contains 0.4 mol/L acetic acid and 0.8 mol/L of its sodium salt. Ka = 1.8 × 10⁻⁵. Find the pH pH of the buffer.

[HA] = 0.4[A⁻] = 0.8Ka = 1.8 × 10⁻⁵
pH =
13.Reaction kineticsMedium
t (min)X (%)t = ?75%

A zero-order reaction has k = 0.04 mol/(L·min) and starts at 1.5 mol/L. How long does it take to reach 75% conversion? Find t.

k = 0.04 mol/(L·min)CA0 = 1.5 mol/LX = 75 %
t = min
14.Reaction kineticsHard
t (min)X (%)45 minX = ?

A first-order reaction has k = 0.002 min⁻¹ at 30 °C and an activation energy of 90 kJ/mol. The batch reactor is now run at 55 °C for 45 min. Find the conversion X reached.

k1 = 0.002 min⁻¹T1 = 30 °CEa = 90 kJ/molT2 = 55 °Ct = 45 minR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
X = %

3Solutions

1.Stoichiometry

Answer: m = 10.17 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) = 4/22.99 = 0.174 mol
n(Cl2) = 16/70.9 = 0.2257 mol

Limiting reactant

0.174/2 = 0.08699, 0.2257/1 = 0.2257 → Na

Mass of product

n(NaCl) = 0.08699·2 = 0.174 mol
m = 0.174·58.44 = 10.17 g

Answer

m = 10.17 g
2.Stoichiometry

Answer: Y = 70.01 %

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) = 12/16.04 = 0.7481 mol
m = 0.7481·1/1·44.01 = 32.93 g

Percent yield

Y = 23.05/32.93·100 = 70.01%

Answer

Y = 70.01%
3.Molarity & dilution

Answer: Vwater = 240 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 = 0.1·250/2.5 = 10 mL

Water to add

Vwater = 250 − 10 = 240 mL

Answer

Vwater = 240 mL
4.Molarity & dilution

Answer: c = 0.4091 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 = 0.25·300 + 0.6·250 = 225 mmol

Concentration of the mixture

c = 225/550 = 0.4091 mol/L

Answer

c = 0.4091 mol/L
5.Ideal gas law

Answer: P = 128.5 kPa

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

Moles

n = m/M = 90/39.95 = 2.253 mol
T = 70 + 273.15 = 343.1 K

Pressure

P = nRT/V = 2.253·8.314·343.1/0.05 = 128.5 kPa

Answer

P = 128.5 kPa
6.Ideal gas law

Answer: ρ = 2.945 kg/m³

Ideal gas density: ρ = PM/(RT).

Rearrange the gas law

PV = (m/M)RT → ρ = m/V = PM/(RT)
T = 70 + 273.15 = 343.1 K

Density

ρ = 300·28.01/(8.314·343.1) = 2.945 kg/m³

Answer

ρ = 2.945 kg/m³
7.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: Tf = 33.86 °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

75·0.897·(120 − Tf) = 100·4.18·(Tf − 20)

Solve for the final temperature

Tf = (67.28·120 + 418·20)/(67.28 + 418) = 33.86 °C

Answer

Tf = 33.86 °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: ΔH° = −1453 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) + 4·(−285.8)] − [2·(−238.7) + 3·0] = −1453 kJ

Answer

ΔH° = −1453 kJ

Negative: the reaction gives off heat (exothermic).

9.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [H2] = 0.05512 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/(0.25 − x)²

Take the square root

7.071 = 2x/(0.25 − x) → x = 0.25·7.071/(2 + 7.071) = 0.1949 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[H₂] = 0.25 − x = 0.05512 mol/L

Answer

[H2] = 0.05512 mol/L
10.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [Cl2] = 0.08458 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

0.01 = x²/(0.8 − x) → x² + 0.01·x − 0.008 = 0

Solve the quadratic

x = (−0.01 + √(0.01² + 4·0.008))/2 = 0.08458 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[Cl₂] = x = 0.08458 mol/L

Answer

[Cl2] = 0.08458 mol/L
11.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 2.759

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/(0.05 − x) → x = 0.001744 mol/L

pH

pH = −log(0.001744) = 2.759

Answer

pH = 2.759
12.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 5.046

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 = 4.745

Henderson–Hasselbalch

pH = 4.745 + log(0.8/0.4) = 5.046

Answer

pH = 5.046
13.Reaction kinetics

Answer: t = 28.13 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).

Amount converted

CA0·X = 1.5·0.75 = 1.125 mol/L

Time

t = CA0·X/k = 1.125/0.04 = 28.13 min

Answer

t = 28.13 min
14.Reaction kinetics

Answer: X = 74.51 %

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 = 328.1 K
k2 = 0.002·e−(90000/8.314)·(1/328.1 − 1/303.1) = 0.03037 min⁻¹

Conversion

X = 1 − e−0.03037·45 = 1 − 0.2549 = 74.51 %

Answer

X = 74.51 %

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