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​)

6 g of N2 and 48 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(C3​H8​)n(C3​H8​)n(H2​O)m(H2​O)÷ M(C3​H8​)× 4/1× M(H2​O)

In the reaction C3H8 + 5O2 → 3CO2 + 4H2O, 8 g of C3H8 reacts completely (the other reactants are in excess) and 9.15 g of H2O is collected. Find the percent yield Y.

M(C3H8) = 44.1 g/molM(H2O) = 18.02 g/molactual: 9.15 g
Y = %
3.Molarity & dilutionMedium
5 mol/LV1​ = ?0.1 mol/L500 mL

You need 500 mL of 0.1 mol/L solution and have a 5 mol/L stock solution. What volume V1 of stock solution do you need?

c1 = 5 mol/Lc2 = 0.1 mol/LV2 = 500 mL
V1 = mL
4.Molarity & dilutionHard
0.2 mol/L250 mL0.75 mol/L500 mLc = ?750 mL

250 mL of a 0.2 mol/L solution is mixed with 500 mL of a 0.75 mol/L solution of the same substance. Find the concentration c of the mixture (volumes are additive).

c1 = 0.2 mol/LV1 = 250 mLc2 = 0.75 mol/LV2 = 500 mL
c = mol/L
5.Ideal gas lawMedium
200 g of N₂P = 350 kPaT = 45 °CV = ?

What volume V does 200 g of N₂ occupy at 350 kPa and 45 °C? Treat it as an ideal gas.

m = 200 gM = 28.01 g/molP = 350 kPaT = 45 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
V = L
6.Ideal gas lawHard
CH₄, M = 16.04 g/molP = 650 kPaT = 170 °Cρ = ?

Find the density ρ of CH₄ at 650 kPa and 170 °C, treating it as an ideal gas.

M = 16.04 g/molP = 650 kPaT = 170 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
ρ = kg/m³
7.Calorimetry & enthalpyMedium
Tf​ = ?Zincm = 100 gT = 190 °Cc = 0.388 J/(g·°C)Waterm = 200 gT = 25 °Cc = 4.18 J/(g·°C)

A 100 g block of zinc (c = 0.388 J/(g·°C)) at 190 °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 = 100 gcmetal = 0.388 J/(g·°C)Tmetal = 190 °Cmwater = 200 gTwater = 25 °Ccwater = 4.18 J/(g·°C)
Tf = °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpyHard
H100 g C2​H5​OHC2​H5​OH + 3O₂reactants2CO₂ + 3H₂O(l)productsq = ?

Use the standard enthalpies of formation to find the heat q released when 100 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​HII0.40.40C−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​I1.500C−x+x+xE1.5 − xxx

PCl₅ decomposes: PCl₅ ⇌ PCl₃ + Cl₂, with Kc = 0.2 at the reaction temperature. A container starts with 1.5 mol/L of PCl₅ only. Find the equilibrium concentration [PCl5].

[PCl₅]₀ = 1.5 mol/LKc = 0.2
[PCl5] = mol/L
11.pH & buffersMedium
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

Find the pH pH of a 0.2 mol/L solution of acetic acid (Ka = 1.8 × 10⁻⁵).

c = 0.2 mol/LKa = 1.8 × 10⁻⁵
pH =
12.pH & buffersHard
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

A 1.00 L buffer contains 0.2 mol formic acid and 0.2 mol of its conjugate base (Ka = 0.00018). 0.02 mol of NaOH is added. Find the new pH pH.

n(HA) = 0.2 moln(A⁻) = 0.2 moln(OH⁻) = 0.02 molKa = 0.00018
pH =
13.Reaction kineticsMedium
t (min)C (mol/L)10 minC = ?

A reaction with rate law −rA = k·CA² has k = 1 L/(mol·min) and starts at 1.5 mol/L. Find the concentration CA after 10 min.

k = 1 L/(mol·min)CA0 = 1.5 mol/Lt = 10 min
CA = mol/L
14.Reaction kineticsHard
Tk20 °C0.0135 °C?

A reaction has a rate constant of 0.01 min⁻¹ at 20 °C and an activation energy of 90 kJ/mol. Find the rate constant k2 at 35 °C.

k1 = 0.01 min⁻¹T1 = 20 °CT2 = 35 °CEa = 90 kJ/molR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
k2 = min⁻¹

3Solutions

1.Stoichiometry

Answer: m = 7.293 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) = 6/28.02 = 0.2141 mol
n(H2) = 48/2.016 = 23.81 mol

Limiting reactant

0.2141/1 = 0.2141, 23.81/3 = 7.937 → N2

Mass of product

n(NH3) = 0.2141·2 = 0.4283 mol
m = 0.4283·17.03 = 7.293 g

Answer

m = 7.293 g
2.Stoichiometry

Answer: Y = 69.98 %

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(C3H8) = 8/44.1 = 0.1814 mol
m = 0.1814·4/1·18.02 = 13.08 g

Percent yield

Y = 9.15/13.08·100 = 69.98%

Answer

Y = 69.98%
3.Molarity & dilution

Answer: V1 = 10 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 = 0.1·500/5 = 10 mL

Answer

V1 = 10 mL
4.Molarity & dilution

Answer: c = 0.5667 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 = 0.2·250 + 0.75·500 = 425 mmol

Concentration of the mixture

c = 425/750 = 0.5667 mol/L

Answer

c = 0.5667 mol/L
5.Ideal gas law

Answer: V = 53.96 L

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

Moles

n = 200/28.01 = 7.14 mol
T = 45 + 273.15 = 318.1 K

Volume

V = nRT/P = 7.14·8.314·318.1/350 = 53.96 L

Answer

V = 53.96 L
6.Ideal gas law

Answer: ρ = 2.83 kg/m³

Ideal gas density: ρ = PM/(RT).

Rearrange the gas law

PV = (m/M)RT → ρ = m/V = PM/(RT)
T = 170 + 273.15 = 443.1 K

Density

ρ = 650·16.04/(8.314·443.1) = 2.83 kg/m³

Answer

ρ = 2.83 kg/m³
7.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: Tf = 32.32 °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

100·0.388·(190 − Tf) = 200·4.18·(Tf − 25)

Solve for the final temperature

Tf = (38.8·190 + 836·25)/(38.8 + 836) = 32.32 °C

Answer

Tf = 32.32 °C
8.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: q = 2967 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 = 100/46.07 = 2.171 mol
q = n·|ΔH°/1| = 2.171·1367 = 2967 kJ

Answer

q = 2967 kJ
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: [PCl5] = 1.043 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/(1.5 − x) → x² + 0.2·x − 0.3 = 0

Solve the quadratic

x = (−0.2 + √(0.2² + 4·0.3))/2 = 0.4568 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[PCl₅] = 1.5 − 0.4568 = 1.043 mol/L

Answer

[PCl5] = 1.043 mol/L
11.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 2.724

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/(0.2 − x) → x = 0.001888 mol/L

pH

pH = −log(0.001888) = 2.724

Answer

pH = 2.724
12.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 3.832

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) = 0.2 − 0.02 = 0.18 mol
n(A⁻) = 0.2 + 0.02 = 0.22 mol

Henderson–Hasselbalch

pH = 3.745 + log(0.22/0.18) = 3.832

Answer

pH = 3.832
13.Reaction kinetics

Answer: CA = 0.09375 mol/L

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).

Integrated second-order law

1/CA = 1/CA0 + kt = 0.6667 + 1·10 = 10.67 L/mol
CA = 1/10.67 = 0.09375 mol/L

Answer

CA = 0.09375 mol/L
14.Reaction kinetics

Answer: k2 = 0.06035 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 = 293.1 K, T2 = 308.1 K

Arrhenius ratio

ln(k2/k1) = −(90000/8.314)·(1/308.1 − 1/293.1) = 1.798
k2 = 0.01·e1.798 = 0.06035 min⁻¹

Answer

k2 = 0.06035 min⁻¹

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