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(CO2​)m(CO2​)÷ M(X)× 3/ν× M(CO2​)

24 g of Fe2O3 and 64 g of CO react according to Fe2O3 + 3CO → 2Fe + 3CO2. What mass m of CO2 can form?

M(Fe2O3) = 159.69M(CO) = 28.01M(CO2) = 44.01 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, 20 g of C6H12O6 reacts completely (the other reactants are in excess) and 9 g of C2H5OH is collected. Find the percent yield Y.

M(C6H12O6) = 180.16 g/molM(C2H5OH) = 46.07 g/molactual: 9 g
Y = %
3.Molarity & dilutionMedium
2.5 mol/LV1​0.2 mol/L1000 mL

You need 1000 mL of 0.2 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 = 0.2 mol/LV2 = 1000 mL
Vwater = mL
4.Molarity & dilutionHard
0.25 mol/L50 mL0.6 mol/L400 mLc = ?450 mL

50 mL of a 0.25 mol/L solution is mixed with 400 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 = 50 mLc2 = 0.6 mol/LV2 = 400 mL
c = mol/L
5.Ideal gas lawMedium
110 g of ArP = 550 kPaT = 75 °CV = ?

What volume V does 110 g of Ar occupy at 550 kPa and 75 °C? Treat it as an ideal gas.

m = 110 gM = 39.95 g/molP = 550 kPaT = 75 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
V = L
6.Ideal gas lawHard
O₂, M = 32 g/molP = 1000 kPaT = 10 °Cρ = ?

Find the density ρ of O₂ at 1000 kPa and 10 °C, treating it as an ideal gas.

M = 32 g/molP = 1000 kPaT = 10 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
ρ = kg/m³
7.Calorimetry & enthalpyMedium
Tf​ = ?Copperm = 75 gT = 80 °Cc = 0.385 J/(g·°C)Waterm = 400 gT = 20 °Cc = 4.18 J/(g·°C)

A 75 g block of copper (c = 0.385 J/(g·°C)) at 80 °C is dropped into 400 g of water (c = 4.18 J/(g·°C)) at 20 °C in an insulated cup. Find the final temperature Tf.

mmetal = 75 gcmetal = 0.385 J/(g·°C)Tmetal = 80 °Cmwater = 400 gTwater = 20 °Ccwater = 4.18 J/(g·°C)
Tf = °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpyHard
HC3​H8​ + 5O₂reactants3CO₂ + 4H₂O(l)productsΔH° = ?

Use the standard enthalpies of formation to find ΔH° for the reaction C3H8 + 5O₂ → 3CO₂ + 4H₂O(l).

ΔH°f(C3H8) = −103.8 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 = 54. Find the equilibrium concentration [H2].

[H₂]₀ = [I₂]₀ = 0.25 mol/LKc = 54
[H2] = mol/L
10.Chemical equilibriumHard
PCl5​PCl3​Cl2​I0.800C−x+x+xE0.8 − xxx

PCl₅ decomposes: PCl₅ ⇌ PCl₃ + Cl₂, with Kc = 0.2 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 = 0.2
[Cl2] = mol/L
11.pH & buffersMedium
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

Find the pH pH of a 0.25 mol/L solution of benzoic acid (Ka = 6.3 × 10⁻⁵).

c = 0.25 mol/LKa = 6.3 × 10⁻⁵
pH =
12.pH & buffersHard
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

A buffer contains 0.5 mol/L acetic acid and 0.15 mol/L of its sodium salt. Ka = 1.8 × 10⁻⁵. Find the pH pH of the buffer.

[HA] = 0.5[A⁻] = 0.15Ka = 1.8 × 10⁻⁵
pH =
13.Reaction kineticsMedium
t (min)C (mol/L)t½​ = ?C0​/2

A second-order reaction (−rA = k·CA²) has k = 0.8 L/(mol·min) and an initial concentration of 0.2 mol/L. Find its first half-life t½.

k = 0.8 L/(mol·min)CA0 = 0.2 mol/L
t½ = min
14.Reaction kineticsHard
Tk25 °Ck1​?10·k1​

A reaction has an activation energy of 80 kJ/mol. At 25 °C it is too slow. To what temperature T2 (in °C) must it be heated to make it 10 times faster?

Ea = 80 kJ/molT1 = 25 °Ck2/k1 = 10R = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
T2 = °C

3Solutions

1.Stoichiometry

Answer: m = 19.84 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(Fe2O3) = 24/159.69 = 0.1503 mol
n(CO) = 64/28.01 = 2.285 mol

Limiting reactant

0.1503/1 = 0.1503, 2.285/3 = 0.7616 → Fe2O3

Mass of product

n(CO2) = 0.1503·3 = 0.4509 mol
m = 0.4509·44.01 = 19.84 g

Answer

m = 19.84 g
2.Stoichiometry

Answer: Y = 87.99 %

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(C6H12O6) = 20/180.16 = 0.111 mol
m = 0.111·2/1·46.07 = 10.23 g

Percent yield

Y = 9/10.23·100 = 87.99%

Answer

Y = 87.99%
3.Molarity & dilution

Answer: Vwater = 920 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 = 0.2·1000/2.5 = 80 mL

Water to add

Vwater = 1000 − 80 = 920 mL

Answer

Vwater = 920 mL
4.Molarity & dilution

Answer: c = 0.5611 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 = 0.25·50 + 0.6·400 = 252.5 mmol

Concentration of the mixture

c = 252.5/450 = 0.5611 mol/L

Answer

c = 0.5611 mol/L
5.Ideal gas law

Answer: V = 14.49 L

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

Moles

n = 110/39.95 = 2.753 mol
T = 75 + 273.15 = 348.1 K

Volume

V = nRT/P = 2.753·8.314·348.1/550 = 14.49 L

Answer

V = 14.49 L
6.Ideal gas law

Answer: ρ = 13.59 kg/m³

Ideal gas density: ρ = PM/(RT).

Rearrange the gas law

PV = (m/M)RT → ρ = m/V = PM/(RT)
T = 10 + 273.15 = 283.1 K

Density

ρ = 1000·32/(8.314·283.1) = 13.59 kg/m³

Answer

ρ = 13.59 kg/m³
7.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: Tf = 21.02 °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

75·0.385·(80 − Tf) = 400·4.18·(Tf − 20)

Solve for the final temperature

Tf = (28.88·80 + 1672·20)/(28.88 + 1672) = 21.02 °C

Answer

Tf = 21.02 °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: ΔH° = −2220 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

Answer

ΔH° = −2220 kJ

Negative: the reaction gives off heat (exothermic).

9.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [H2] = 0.05348 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

54 = (2x)²/(0.25 − x)²

Take the square root

7.348 = 2x/(0.25 − x) → x = 0.25·7.348/(2 + 7.348) = 0.1965 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[H₂] = 0.25 − x = 0.05348 mol/L

Answer

[H2] = 0.05348 mol/L
10.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [Cl2] = 0.3123 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

0.2 = x²/(0.8 − x) → x² + 0.2·x − 0.16 = 0

Solve the quadratic

x = (−0.2 + √(0.2² + 4·0.16))/2 = 0.3123 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[Cl₂] = x = 0.3123 mol/L

Answer

[Cl2] = 0.3123 mol/L
11.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 2.405

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 = 0.003937 mol/L

pH

pH = −log(0.003937) = 2.405

Answer

pH = 2.405
12.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 4.222

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(0.15/0.5) = 4.222

Answer

pH = 4.222
13.Reaction kinetics

Answer: t½ = 6.25 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/(0.8·0.2) = 6.25 min

Answer

t½ = 6.25 min

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

14.Reaction kinetics

Answer: T2 = 47.91 °C

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 temperature

T1 = 298.1 K

Solve Arrhenius for T₂

1/T2 = 1/298.1 − 8.314·ln(10)/80000 = 3.354 × 10⁻³ − 2.393 × 10⁻⁴ = 3.115 × 10⁻³ K⁻¹
T2 = 321.1 K = 47.91 °C

Answer

T2 = 47.91 °C

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