Final Exam Review
A roadmap to the general-chemistry final: the problem families to recognize, method cues, a readiness checklist, cross-topic traps, and a few topics beyond the assessed strands. Pointers are to the numbered ChemWhiz topic sheets.
The seven problem families
REFERENCE| Family | What it tests → sheets |
|---|---|
| Quantitative foundations | measurement, mole/formula, stoichiometry, solutions → 1, 8, 10, 9, 11 |
| Thermochem & thermodynamics | calorimetry, Hess, entropy/free energy → 16, 25 |
| Kinetics & gas equilibrium | rate laws, integrated rates, K/Q/ICE → 20, 21, 17 |
| Aqueous equilibria | acid-base, buffers, titration, Ksp → 22, 23, 24 |
| Electrochemistry & redox | balancing, E°cell, Nernst, electrolysis → 7, 26 |
| Atomic, bonding & IMF | structure, periodicity, VSEPR, IMFs → 3, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18 |
| Coordination & crystal field | naming, CN/ox state, d-count, magnetism → 27 |
If the question gives X, use Y
METHOD| If it gives… | reach for… |
|---|---|
| amounts of TWO reactants | limiting reactant, then work from it (10) |
| % composition + molar mass | empirical → molecular formula (8) |
| ΔH and ΔS, asks 'spontaneous?' | ΔG = ΔH − TΔS; sign + crossover T (25) |
| a rate-vs-concentration table | method of initial rates (20) |
| K + initial amounts | check Q vs K, then an ICE table (21) |
| a weak acid with its conjugate | Henderson-Hasselbalch (23) |
| Ksp with a common ion | ICE with the common ion in the initial row (24) |
| a cell at nonstandard concentrations | Nernst equation (26) |
| current × time for a deposit | charge → mol e⁻ (Faraday) → mass (26) |
| electron domains on a central atom | VSEPR shape, then polarity (15) |
Final-exam readiness (do these cold)
CORE RULEBalance any equation and run a mass → mole → mole → mass chain; convert freely between M, m, %, ppm, and a dilution.
Set up an ICE table and pick the right constant (Kc/Kp, Ka/Kb, Ksp); use Q vs K to call the direction.
Balance a redox half-reaction and convert among E°cell, ΔG°, and K.
Go formula → Lewis structure → VSEPR shape → polarity → dominant intermolecular force.
Common cross-topic traps
WATCH OUTCarry sig figs and units to the end; 22.4 L/mol is a gas-only STP shortcut (0 °C, 1 atm), not for liquids/solids.
Reaction orders come from experiment, not the coefficients (except for an elementary step).
A weak-acid/base titration equivalence point is NOT pH 7 (> 7 for weak acid + strong base, < 7 for weak base + strong acid); get it from the salt's hydrolysis.
Mind the signs (exothermic ΔH < 0; spontaneous ΔG < 0 / E°cell > 0), and use kelvin wherever absolute T appears (gas law, Arrhenius, K, ΔG).
Additional course topics to review
REFERENCE| Beyond the seven assessed strands | sheet |
|---|---|
| Nuclear chemistry: decay modes, balancing nuclear equations, half-life kinetics | → 28 |
| Main-group chemistry: descriptive periodic trends and properties by group | → 29 |