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General Chemistry Exam - Cheatsheet

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General Chemistry Exam - Cheatsheet

STUDY GUIDE

🎓 General Chemistry Exam (Equilibrium and Thermodynamics) - Study Guide

📋 Course Structure

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📚 General Chemistry ├── 📖 Chapter 1: Dynamic Equilibrium and Reaction Extent │ ├── 🔹 The Concept of Dynamic Equilibrium │ ├── 🔹 Equilibrium Constant (K) and its Significance │ └── 🔹 ICE Tables and Equilibrium Calculations ├── 📖 Chapter 2: Predicting and Manipulating Equilibrium Shifts │ ├── 🔹 Reaction Quotient (Q) and Predicting Equilibrium Shifts │ ├── 🔹 Le Châtelier's Principle: Responding to Stress │ └── 🔹 The Effect of Temperature on K ├── 📖 Chapter 3: Thermodynamics: Enthalpy, Entropy, and Gibbs Free Energy │ ├── 🔹 Enthalpy (ΔH) and Heat Flow │ ├── 🔹 Entropy (ΔS) and Disorder │ └── 🔹 Gibbs Free Energy (ΔG) and Spontaneity └── 📖 Chapter 4: Kinetics and Thermodynamics: Reaction Mechanisms and Temperature Effects ├── 🔹 Collision Theory and Reaction Rates ├── 🔹 Reaction Progress Diagrams and Activation Energy └── 🔹 Kinetic vs. Thermodynamic Control
Section 2

📖 Chapter 1: Dynamic Equilibrium and Reaction Extent

What this chapter covers: This chapter introduces the concept of dynamic equilibrium, where forward and reverse reactions occur at equal rates, resulting in constant macroscopic concentrations. It defines the equilibrium constant (K) and its relationship to product and reactant concentrations. It also covers the use of ICE tables to predict equilibrium concentrations and how the magnitude of K indicates whether reactants or products are favored.

🔑 Essential Concepts & Formulas

Concept/FormulaDefinition/EquationWhen to UseQuick Check
Dynamic EquilibriumForward & reverse rates are equal.Describing reactions at equilibrium.Macroscopic properties are constant.
Equilibrium Constant (K)K = ([C]^c[D]^d)/([A]^a[B]^b) for aA + bB <=> cC + dDCalculating equilibrium composition.K > 1 favors products, K < 1 favors reactants.
ICE TableInitial, Change, Equilibrium concentrations.Solving equilibrium problems.Equilibrium row = Initial row + Change row.

🛠️ Problem Types

Type A: Calculating K from Equilibrium Concentrations
Setup: "Given equilibrium concentrations of reactants and products"
Method: Substitute concentrations into the K expression.
Example: [A]=1M, [B]=2M, [C]=3M, A+B <=> C, K = 3/(1*2) = 1.5

Type B: Using ICE Tables to Find Equilibrium Concentrations
Setup: "Given initial concentrations and K"
Method: Set up ICE table, solve for 'x', calculate equilibrium concentrations.
Example: Initial [A]=1M, [B]=0M, K=4, A <=> B, Equilibrium: [B] = 2M, [A] = -1M (solve quadratic)

🧮 Solved Example

Problem: For the reaction N2(g) + O2(g) <=> 2NO(g), K = 0.1 at a certain temperature. If initial [N2] = 2M and [O2] = 1M, what is the equilibrium [NO]?

Given: N2(g) + O2(g) <=> 2NO(g), K = 0.1, Initial [N2] = 2M, Initial [O2] = 1M, Initial [NO] = 0M

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Solution: ICE Table: | | N2 | O2 | 2NO | |-------|-------|-------|-------| | Initial | 2 | 1 | 0 | | Change | -x | -x | +2x | | Equil. | 2-x | 1-x | 2x |

K = (2x)^2 / ((2-x)(1-x)) = 0.1 Solve for x (using quadratic formula or approximation if x is small): x ≈ 0.21 Equilibrium [NO] = 2x = 0.42 M

"
Answer: [NO] = 0.42 M

⚠️ Common Mistakes

❌ Mistake 1: Forgetting to square or cube concentrations based on stoichiometry.
✅ How to avoid: Double-check the balanced equation and ensure exponents in the K expression match the stoichiometric coefficients.

❌ Mistake 2: Incorrectly setting up the ICE table.
✅ How to avoid: Carefully consider the direction of the reaction and the sign of 'x' in the change row.

🦁 Erik's Tip

When K is very small, assume 'x' is negligible compared to initial concentrations to simplify calculations. Remember to always check if your assumption is valid after solving for 'x'.

📖 Chapter 2: Predicting and Manipulating Equilibrium Shifts

What this chapter covers: This chapter explores how to predict the direction of equilibrium shifts using the reaction quotient (Q) and Le Châtelier's Principle. It explains how changes in concentration, pressure, and volume can affect equilibrium position, and how these changes are related to minimizing free energy. It also emphasizes that the equilibrium constant K remains constant at a given temperature, even when equilibrium shifts.

🔑 Essential Concepts & Formulas

Concept/FormulaDefinition/EquationWhen to UseQuick Check
Reaction Quotient (Q)Same form as K, but with non-equilibrium concentrations.Predicting shift direction.Q < K: shift right; Q > K: shift left; Q = K: at equilibrium.
Le Châtelier's PrincipleSystem shifts to relieve stress.Predicting qualitative shifts.Consider concentration, pressure, and temperature changes.
Temperature Effect on KK changes with temperature.Predicting K changes.Endothermic: K increases with T; Exothermic: K decreases with T.

🛠️ Problem Types

Type A: Predicting Shift Direction Using Q
Setup: "Given non-equilibrium concentrations and K"
Method: Calculate Q, compare to K, determine shift.
Example: K=10, Q=5, shift right (towards products).

Type B: Applying Le Châtelier's Principle
Setup: "Given a change in concentration, pressure, or temperature"
Method: Apply Le Châtelier's Principle to predict the shift.
Example: Increase pressure, shift towards fewer gas moles.

🧮 Solved Example

Problem: For the reaction 2SO2(g) + O2(g) <=> 2SO3(g), K = 25. If [SO2] = 0.5M, [O2] = 0.2M, and [SO3] = 1M, will the reaction shift to the left or right to reach equilibrium?

Given: 2SO2(g) + O2(g) <=> 2SO3(g), K = 25, [SO2] = 0.5M, [O2] = 0.2M, [SO3] = 1M

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Solution: Q = [SO3]^2 / ([SO2]^2[O2]) = (1)^2 / ((0.5)^2(0.2)) = 20 Since Q < K (20 < 25), the reaction will shift to the right (towards products) to reach equilibrium.
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Answer: The reaction will shift to the right.

⚠️ Common Mistakes

❌ Mistake 1: Forgetting to consider stoichiometry when calculating Q.
✅ How to avoid: Ensure the Q expression matches the balanced equation.

❌ Mistake 2: Incorrectly applying Le Châtelier's Principle for pressure changes when the number of moles of gas are the same on both sides.
✅ How to avoid: Pressure changes only affect equilibria with different numbers of gas moles on each side.

🦁 Erik's Tip

When dealing with Le Châtelier's Principle, visualize the equilibrium as a seesaw. Adding something to one side will cause the seesaw to tilt in the opposite direction.

📖 Chapter 3: Thermodynamics: Enthalpy, Entropy, and Gibbs Free Energy

What this chapter covers: This chapter introduces the fundamental thermodynamic concepts of enthalpy (ΔH), entropy (ΔS), and Gibbs free energy (ΔG). It explains how these concepts relate to the spontaneity of a process and how they can be used to predict whether a reaction will be product-favored or reactant-favored under given conditions. It also covers the relationship between Gibbs free energy and the equilibrium constant.

🔑 Essential Concepts & Formulas

Concept/FormulaDefinition/EquationWhen to UseQuick Check
Enthalpy (ΔH)Heat content change.Determining exothermic/endothermic nature.ΔH < 0: exothermic; ΔH > 0: endothermic.
Entropy (ΔS)Measure of disorder.Predicting disorder changes.ΔS > 0: increased disorder; ΔS < 0: decreased disorder.
Gibbs Free Energy (ΔG)ΔG = ΔH - TΔSPredicting spontaneity.ΔG < 0: spontaneous; ΔG > 0: non-spontaneous; ΔG = 0: equilibrium.
ΔG° and KΔG° = -RTln(K)Relating spontaneity to equilibrium.K = exp(-ΔG°/RT)

🛠️ Problem Types

Type A: Calculating ΔG and Predicting Spontaneity
Setup: "Given ΔH, ΔS, and T"
Method: Use ΔG = ΔH - TΔS to calculate ΔG, determine spontaneity.
Example: ΔH = -100 kJ/mol, ΔS = -50 J/mol·K, T = 298 K, ΔG = -85.1 kJ/mol (spontaneous).

Type B: Calculating K from ΔG°
Setup: "Given ΔG° and T"
Method: Use ΔG° = -RTln(K) to calculate K.
Example: ΔG° = -10 kJ/mol, T = 298 K, K = exp(-(-10000)/(8.314*298)) ≈ 54.6

🧮 Solved Example

Problem: Calculate ΔG° at 298 K for a reaction with K = 100.

Given: K = 100, T = 298 K

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Solution: ΔG° = -RTln(K) = -(8.314 J/mol·K)(298 K)ln(100) = -11413.8 J/mol = -11.4 kJ/mol
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Answer: ΔG° = -11.4 kJ/mol

⚠️ Common Mistakes

❌ Mistake 1: Using incorrect units for R (gas constant).
✅ How to avoid: Use R = 8.314 J/mol·K when ΔG is in Joules or R = 0.008314 kJ/mol·K when ΔG is in kJ.

❌ Mistake 2: Forgetting to convert temperature to Kelvin.
✅ How to avoid: Always use Kelvin (K = °C + 273.15) in thermodynamic calculations.

🦁 Erik's Tip

Remember the sign conventions: negative ΔH favors spontaneity, positive ΔS favors spontaneity, and negative ΔG indicates spontaneity.

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