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(NH3​)m(NH3​)÷ M(X)× 2/ν× M(NH3​)

10 g of N2 and 8 g of H2 react according to N2 + 3H2 → 2NH3. What mass m of NH3 can form?

M(N2) = 28.02M(H2) = 2.016M(NH3) = 17.03 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, 8 g of C6H12O6 reacts completely (the other reactants are in excess) and 3.48 g of C2H5OH is collected. Find the percent yield Y.

M(C6H12O6) = 180.16 g/molM(C2H5OH) = 46.07 g/molactual: 3.48 g
Y = %
3.Molarity & dilutionMedium
3 mol/LV1​ = ?0.5 mol/L250 mL

You need 250 mL of 0.5 mol/L solution and have a 3 mol/L stock solution. What volume V1 of stock solution do you need?

c1 = 3 mol/Lc2 = 0.5 mol/LV2 = 250 mL
V1 = mL
4.Molarity & dilutionHard
0.2 mol/L150 mL0.05 mol/L50 mLc = ?200 mL

150 mL of a 0.2 mol/L solution is mixed with 50 mL of a 0.05 mol/L solution of the same substance. Find the concentration c of the mixture (volumes are additive).

c1 = 0.2 mol/LV1 = 150 mLc2 = 0.05 mol/LV2 = 50 mL
c = mol/L
5.Ideal gas lawMedium
350 g of ArP = 300 kPaT = 85 °CV = ?

What volume V does 350 g of Ar occupy at 300 kPa and 85 °C? Treat it as an ideal gas.

m = 350 gM = 39.95 g/molP = 300 kPaT = 85 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
V = L
6.Ideal gas lawHard
He, M = 4.003 g/molP = 200 kPaT = 130 °Cρ = ?

Find the density ρ of He at 200 kPa and 130 °C, treating it as an ideal gas.

M = 4.003 g/molP = 200 kPaT = 130 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
ρ = kg/m³
7.Calorimetry & enthalpyMedium
Tf​ = ?Leadm = 250 gT = 170 °Cc = 0.129 J/(g·°C)Waterm = 100 gT = 25 °Cc = 4.18 J/(g·°C)

A 250 g block of lead (c = 0.129 J/(g·°C)) at 170 °C is dropped into 100 g of water (c = 4.18 J/(g·°C)) at 25 °C in an insulated cup. Find the final temperature Tf.

mmetal = 250 gcmetal = 0.129 J/(g·°C)Tmetal = 170 °Cmwater = 100 gTwater = 25 °Ccwater = 4.18 J/(g·°C)
Tf = °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpyHard
H2C4​H10​ + 13O₂reactants8CO₂ + 10H₂O(l)productsΔH° = ?

Use the standard enthalpies of formation to find ΔH° for the reaction 2C4H10 + 13O₂ → 8CO₂ + 10H₂O(l).

ΔH°f(C4H10) = −125.6 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 = 54. Find the equilibrium concentration [HI].

[H₂]₀ = [I₂]₀ = 0.4 mol/LKc = 54
[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 [Cl2].

[PCl₅]₀ = 0.25 mol/LKc = 0.1
[Cl2] = mol/L
11.pH & buffersMedium
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

Find the pH pH of a 0.5 mol/L solution of formic acid (Ka = 0.00018).

c = 0.5 mol/LKa = 0.00018
pH =
12.pH & buffersHard
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

A 1.00 L buffer contains 0.25 mol benzoic acid and 0.25 mol of its conjugate base (Ka = 6.3 × 10⁻⁵). 0.01 mol of NaOH is added. Find the new pH pH.

n(HA) = 0.25 moln(A⁻) = 0.25 moln(OH⁻) = 0.01 molKa = 6.3 × 10⁻⁵
pH =
13.Reaction kineticsMedium
t (min)X (%)t = ?30%

A zero-order reaction has k = 0.04 mol/(L·min) and starts at 1 mol/L. How long does it take to reach 30% conversion? Find t.

k = 0.04 mol/(L·min)CA0 = 1 mol/LX = 30 %
t = min
14.Reaction kineticsHard
Tk25 °C0.00565 °C?

A reaction has a rate constant of 0.005 min⁻¹ at 25 °C and an activation energy of 75 kJ/mol. Find the rate constant k2 at 65 °C.

k1 = 0.005 min⁻¹T1 = 25 °CT2 = 65 °CEa = 75 kJ/molR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
k2 = min⁻¹

3Solutions

1.Stoichiometry

Answer: m = 12.16 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(N2) = 10/28.02 = 0.3569 mol
n(H2) = 8/2.016 = 3.968 mol

Limiting reactant

0.3569/1 = 0.3569, 3.968/3 = 1.323 → N2

Mass of product

n(NH3) = 0.3569·2 = 0.7138 mol
m = 0.7138·17.03 = 12.16 g

Answer

m = 12.16 g
2.Stoichiometry

Answer: Y = 85.05 %

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) = 8/180.16 = 0.0444 mol
m = 0.0444·2/1·46.07 = 4.091 g

Percent yield

Y = 3.48/4.091·100 = 85.05%

Answer

Y = 85.05%
3.Molarity & dilution

Answer: V1 = 41.67 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 = 0.5·250/3 = 41.67 mL

Answer

V1 = 41.67 mL
4.Molarity & dilution

Answer: c = 0.1625 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 = 0.2·150 + 0.05·50 = 32.5 mmol

Concentration of the mixture

c = 32.5/200 = 0.1625 mol/L

Answer

c = 0.1625 mol/L
5.Ideal gas law

Answer: V = 86.96 L

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

Moles

n = 350/39.95 = 8.761 mol
T = 85 + 273.15 = 358.1 K

Volume

V = nRT/P = 8.761·8.314·358.1/300 = 86.96 L

Answer

V = 86.96 L
6.Ideal gas law

Answer: ρ = 0.2389 kg/m³

Ideal gas density: ρ = PM/(RT).

Rearrange the gas law

PV = (m/M)RT → ρ = m/V = PM/(RT)
T = 130 + 273.15 = 403.1 K

Density

ρ = 200·4.003/(8.314·403.1) = 0.2389 kg/m³

Answer

ρ = 0.2389 kg/m³
7.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: Tf = 35.39 °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

250·0.129·(170 − Tf) = 100·4.18·(Tf − 25)

Solve for the final temperature

Tf = (32.25·170 + 418·25)/(32.25 + 418) = 35.39 °C

Answer

Tf = 35.39 °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: ΔH° = −5755 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° = [8·(−393.5) + 10·(−285.8)] − [2·(−125.6) + 13·0] = −5755 kJ

Answer

ΔH° = −5755 kJ

Negative: the reaction gives off heat (exothermic).

9.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [HI] = 0.6288 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/(0.4 − x)²

Take the square root

7.348 = 2x/(0.4 − x) → x = 0.4·7.348/(2 + 7.348) = 0.3144 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[HI] = 2x = 0.6288 mol/L

Answer

[HI] = 0.6288 mol/L
10.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [Cl2] = 0.1158 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

[Cl₂] = x = 0.1158 mol/L

Answer

[Cl2] = 0.1158 mol/L
11.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 2.027

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 = 0.009397 mol/L

pH

pH = −log(0.009397) = 2.027

Answer

pH = 2.027
12.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 4.235

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) = 0.25 − 0.01 = 0.24 mol
n(A⁻) = 0.25 + 0.01 = 0.26 mol

Henderson–Hasselbalch

pH = 4.201 + log(0.26/0.24) = 4.235

Answer

pH = 4.235
13.Reaction kinetics

Answer: t = 7.5 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 = 1·0.3 = 0.3 mol/L

Time

t = CA0·X/k = 0.3/0.04 = 7.5 min

Answer

t = 7.5 min
14.Reaction kinetics

Answer: k2 = 0.1792 min⁻¹

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 = 298.1 K, T2 = 338.1 K

Arrhenius ratio

ln(k2/k1) = −(75000/8.314)·(1/338.1 − 1/298.1) = 3.579
k2 = 0.005·e3.579 = 0.1792 min⁻¹

Answer

k2 = 0.1792 min⁻¹

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