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(H2​O)m(H2​O)÷ M(X)× 4/ν× M(H2​O)

20 g of C3H8 and 16 g of O2 react according to C3H8 + 5O2 → 3CO2 + 4H2O. What mass m of H2O can form?

M(C3H8) = 44.1M(O2) = 32M(H2O) = 18.02 g/mol
m = g
2.StoichiometryHard
m(CH4​)n(CH4​)n(H2​O)m(H2​O)÷ M(CH4​)× 2/1× M(H2​O)

In the reaction CH4 + 2O2 → CO2 + 2H2O, 20 g of CH4 reacts completely (the other reactants are in excess) and 42.24 g of H2O is collected. Find the percent yield Y.

M(CH4) = 16.04 g/molM(H2O) = 18.02 g/molactual: 42.24 g
Y = %
3.Molarity & dilutionMedium
5 mol/LV1​0.5 mol/L500 mL

You need 500 mL of 0.5 mol/L solution and have a 5 mol/L stock solution. How much water Vwater do you add to the stock solution?

c1 = 5 mol/Lc2 = 0.5 mol/LV2 = 500 mL
Vwater = mL
4.Molarity & dilutionHard
0.8 mol/L250 mL0.1 mol/L100 mLc = ?350 mL

250 mL of a 0.8 mol/L solution is mixed with 100 mL of a 0.1 mol/L solution of the same substance. Find the concentration c of the mixture (volumes are additive).

c1 = 0.8 mol/LV1 = 250 mLc2 = 0.1 mol/LV2 = 100 mL
c = mol/L
5.Ideal gas lawMedium
180 g of CO₂V = 10 LT = 30 °CP = ?

A tank of 10 L contains 180 g of CO₂ at 30 °C. Treat it as an ideal gas and find the pressure P.

m = 180 gM = 44.01 g/molV = 10 LT = 30 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
P = kPa
6.Ideal gas lawHard
O₂, M = 32 g/molP = 1000 kPaT = 0 °Cρ = ?

Find the density ρ of O₂ at 1000 kPa and 0 °C, treating it as an ideal gas.

M = 32 g/molP = 1000 kPaT = 0 °CR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
ρ = kg/m³
7.Calorimetry & enthalpyMedium
Tf​ = ?Leadm = 100 gT = 100 °Cc = 0.129 J/(g·°C)Waterm = 200 gT = 15 °Cc = 4.18 J/(g·°C)

A 100 g block of lead (c = 0.129 J/(g·°C)) at 100 °C is dropped into 200 g of water (c = 4.18 J/(g·°C)) at 15 °C in an insulated cup. Find the final temperature Tf.

mmetal = 100 gcmetal = 0.129 J/(g·°C)Tmetal = 100 °Cmwater = 200 gTwater = 15 °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​HII0.80.80C−x−x+2xE0.8 − x0.8 − x2x

0.8 mol/L of H₂ and 0.8 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 = 0.8 mol/LKc = 50
[H2] = mol/L
10.Chemical equilibriumHard
PCl5​PCl3​Cl2​I0.2500C−x+x+xE0.25 − xxx

PCl₅ decomposes: PCl₅ ⇌ PCl₃ + Cl₂, with Kc = 0.05 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 = 0.05
[Cl2] = mol/L
11.pH & buffersMedium
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

Find the pH pH of a 0.01 mol/L solution of hydrofluoric acid (Ka = 0.00068).

c = 0.01 mol/LKa = 0.00068
pH =
12.pH & buffersHard
02468101214acidicneutralbasicpH = ?

A 1.00 L buffer contains 0.2 mol formic acid and 0.25 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⁻) = 0.25 moln(OH⁻) = 0.02 molKa = 0.00018
pH =
13.Reaction kineticsMedium
t (min)C (mol/L)5 min0.9

In a first-order reaction the concentration of A falls from 1.5 mol/L to 0.9 mol/L in 5 min. Find the rate constant k.

CA0 = 1.5 mol/LCA = 0.9 mol/Lt = 5 min
k = min⁻¹
14.Reaction kineticsHard
Tk30 °C0.0550 °C?

A reaction has a rate constant of 0.05 min⁻¹ at 30 °C and an activation energy of 120 kJ/mol. Find the rate constant k2 at 50 °C.

k1 = 0.05 min⁻¹T1 = 30 °CT2 = 50 °CEa = 120 kJ/molR = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
k2 = min⁻¹

3Solutions

1.Stoichiometry

Answer: m = 7.208 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(C3H8) = 20/44.1 = 0.4535 mol
n(O2) = 16/32 = 0.5 mol

Limiting reactant

0.4535/1 = 0.4535, 0.5/5 = 0.1 → O2

Mass of product

n(H2O) = 0.1·4 = 0.4 mol
m = 0.4·18.02 = 7.208 g

Answer

m = 7.208 g
2.Stoichiometry

Answer: Y = 94 %

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) = 20/16.04 = 1.247 mol
m = 1.247·2/1·18.02 = 44.94 g

Percent yield

Y = 42.24/44.94·100 = 94%

Answer

Y = 94%
3.Molarity & dilution

Answer: Vwater = 450 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 = 0.5·500/5 = 50 mL

Water to add

Vwater = 500 − 50 = 450 mL

Answer

Vwater = 450 mL
4.Molarity & dilution

Answer: c = 0.6 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 = 0.8·250 + 0.1·100 = 210 mmol

Concentration of the mixture

c = 210/350 = 0.6 mol/L

Answer

c = 0.6 mol/L
5.Ideal gas law

Answer: P = 1031 kPa

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

Moles

n = m/M = 180/44.01 = 4.09 mol
T = 30 + 273.15 = 303.1 K

Pressure

P = nRT/V = 4.09·8.314·303.1/0.01 = 1031 kPa

Answer

P = 1031 kPa
6.Ideal gas law

Answer: ρ = 14.09 kg/m³

Ideal gas density: ρ = PM/(RT).

Rearrange the gas law

PV = (m/M)RT → ρ = m/V = PM/(RT)
T = 0 + 273.15 = 273.1 K

Density

ρ = 1000·32/(8.314·273.1) = 14.09 kg/m³

Answer

ρ = 14.09 kg/m³
7.Calorimetry & enthalpy

Answer: Tf = 16.29 °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

100·0.129·(100 − Tf) = 200·4.18·(Tf − 15)

Solve for the final temperature

Tf = (12.9·100 + 836·15)/(12.9 + 836) = 16.29 °C

Answer

Tf = 16.29 °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] = 0.1764 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/(0.8 − x)²

Take the square root

7.071 = 2x/(0.8 − x) → x = 0.8·7.071/(2 + 7.071) = 0.6236 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[H₂] = 0.8 − x = 0.1764 mol/L

Answer

[H2] = 0.1764 mol/L
10.Chemical equilibrium

Answer: [Cl2] = 0.08956 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

0.05 = x²/(0.25 − x) → x² + 0.05·x − 0.0125 = 0

Solve the quadratic

x = (−0.05 + √(0.05² + 4·0.0125))/2 = 0.08956 mol/L

Equilibrium concentration

[Cl₂] = x = 0.08956 mol/L

Answer

[Cl2] = 0.08956 mol/L
11.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 2.64

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/(0.01 − x) → x = 0.00229 mol/L

pH

pH = −log(0.00229) = 2.64

Answer

pH = 2.64
12.pH & buffers

Answer: pH = 3.921

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⁻) = 0.25 + 0.02 = 0.27 mol

Henderson–Hasselbalch

pH = 3.745 + log(0.27/0.18) = 3.921

Answer

pH = 3.921
13.Reaction kinetics

Answer: k = 0.1022 min⁻¹

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).

Integrated first-order law

k = ln(CA0/CA)/t = ln(1.5/0.9)/5 = 0.5108/5 = 0.1022 min⁻¹

Answer

k = 0.1022 min⁻¹
14.Reaction kinetics

Answer: k2 = 0.9522 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 = 303.1 K, T2 = 323.1 K

Arrhenius ratio

ln(k2/k1) = −(120000/8.314)·(1/323.1 − 1/303.1) = 2.947
k2 = 0.05·e2.947 = 0.9522 min⁻¹

Answer

k2 = 0.9522 min⁻¹

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