Chemistry Reference

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Equations & Reference Data

Essential chemical equations, formulas, and reference data for students and professionals

🔢Important Chemical Constants

Avogadro's Number
Nₐ
6.022 × 10²³ mol⁻¹
Gas Constant
R
8.314 J/(mol·K)
Gas Constant
R
0.08206 L·atm/(mol·K)
Planck's Constant
h
6.626 × 10⁻³⁴ J·s
Speed of Light
c
3.00 × 10⁸ m/s
Electron Charge
e
1.602 × 10⁻¹⁹ C
Faraday Constant
F
96,485 C/mol
Water Ion Product
Kw
1.0 × 10⁻¹⁴ (25°C)
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Basic Chemical Formulas

Water

H₂O

Two hydrogen atoms, one oxygen atom

Carbon Dioxide

CO₂

One carbon atom, two oxygen atoms

Methane

CH₄

One carbon atom, four hydrogen atoms

Ammonia

NH₃

One nitrogen atom, three hydrogen atoms

Sodium Chloride

NaCl

Table salt - sodium and chlorine

Glucose

C₆H₁₂O₆

Simple sugar molecule

Ethanol

C₂H₅OH

Alcohol compound

Calcium Carbonate

CaCO₃

Limestone, marble component

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Gas Laws

Ideal Gas Law

PV = nRT

Pressure × Volume = moles × Gas constant × Temperature

Boyle's Law

P₁V₁ = P₂V₂

Pressure and volume are inversely related (constant T)

Charles' Law

V₁/T₁ = V₂/T₂

Volume and temperature are directly related (constant P)

Gay-Lussac's Law

P₁/T₁ = P₂/T₂

Pressure and temperature are directly related (constant V)

Combined Gas Law

P₁V₁/T₁ = P₂V₂/T₂

Combines Boyle's, Charles', and Gay-Lussac's laws

Avogadro's Law

V₁/n₁ = V₂/n₂

Volume and moles are directly related (constant P,T)

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Thermochemistry

Heat Capacity

q = mcΔT

Heat = mass × specific heat × temperature change

Enthalpy Change

ΔH = H_products - H_reactants

Change in enthalpy during reaction

Hess's Law

ΔH_total = ΣΔH_steps

Total enthalpy change is sum of individual steps

Calorimetry

q_lost = q_gained

Heat lost by one substance equals heat gained by another

Standard Enthalpy

ΔH° = ΣΔH°f(products) - ΣΔH°f(reactants)

Standard enthalpy of formation calculation

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Solutions & Concentrations

Molarity

M = moles solute / L solution

Moles of solute per liter of solution

Molality

m = moles solute / kg solvent

Moles of solute per kilogram of solvent

Mass Percent

% = (mass solute / mass solution) × 100

Percentage by mass concentration

Parts Per Million

ppm = (mg solute / L solution)

Concentration in parts per million

Dilution Formula

M₁V₁ = M₂V₂

Initial molarity × volume = final molarity × volume

Mole Fraction

χ = moles component / total moles

Fraction of total moles contributed by component

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Acids & Bases

pH Formula

pH = -log[H⁺]

Negative logarithm of hydrogen ion concentration

pOH Formula

pOH = -log[OH⁻]

Negative logarithm of hydroxide ion concentration

pH + pOH

pH + pOH = 14

Relationship between pH and pOH at 25°C

Ka Expression

Ka = [H⁺][A⁻]/[HA]

Acid dissociation constant

Kb Expression

Kb = [OH⁻][BH⁺]/[B]

Base dissociation constant

Ka × Kb

Ka × Kb = Kw = 1.0 × 10⁻¹⁴

Relationship between Ka and Kb

Equilibrium & Kinetics

Equilibrium Constant

Kc = [products]/[reactants]

Concentration-based equilibrium constant

Reaction Quotient

Q = [products]/[reactants]

Momentary ratio of concentrations

Rate Law

Rate = k[A]ᵐ[B]ⁿ

Reaction rate dependence on concentrations

Half-life (1st order)

t₁/₂ = 0.693/k

Time for concentration to decrease by half

Arrhenius Equation

k = Ae^(-Ea/RT)

Temperature dependence of rate constant

Le Chatelier's Principle

Stress → Shift

System shifts to counteract applied stress

⚗️Common Chemical Reaction Types

Combustion

CH₄ + 2O₂ → CO₂ + 2H₂O

Hydrocarbon + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water

Acid-Base

HCl + NaOH → NaCl + H₂O

Acid + base → salt + water

Synthesis

2H₂ + O₂ → 2H₂O

Simple substances combine to form complex compound

Decomposition

2H₂O₂ → 2H₂O + O₂

Complex compound breaks down into simpler substances

Single Replacement

Zn + CuSO₄ → ZnSO₄ + Cu

More active metal replaces less active metal

Double Replacement

AgNO₃ + NaCl → AgCl + NaNO₃

Two compounds exchange ions

Periodic Table Quick Reference

Group 1 - Alkali Metals

H - Hydrogen (1)
Li - Lithium (3)
Na - Sodium (11)
K - Potassium (19)
Rb - Rubidium (37)
Cs - Cesium (55)

Group 17 - Halogens

F - Fluorine (9)
Cl - Chlorine (17)
Br - Bromine (35)
I - Iodine (53)
At - Astatine (85)

Group 18 - Noble Gases

He - Helium (2)
Ne - Neon (10)
Ar - Argon (18)
Kr - Krypton (36)
Xe - Xenon (54)
Rn - Radon (86)

Common Elements

C - Carbon (6)
N - Nitrogen (7)
O - Oxygen (8)
S - Sulfur (16)
P - Phosphorus (15)
Ca - Calcium (20)

⚠️Laboratory Safety Guidelines

Personal Protection

  • Always wear safety goggles and lab coat
  • Use gloves when handling chemicals
  • Tie back long hair and secure loose clothing
  • Wear closed-toe shoes, no sandals

Chemical Handling

  • Read all labels before using chemicals
  • Never pipette by mouth, use pipette bulbs
  • Dispose of chemicals according to protocols
  • Work in well-ventilated areas or fume hoods

About Chemistry

Chemistry is the scientific study of matter, its properties, composition, structure, and the changes it undergoes during chemical reactions. It bridges physics and biology, providing fundamental understanding of how atoms and molecules interact to form the vast variety of materials and substances in our world.

This comprehensive chemistry reference provides essential formulas, equations, and constants used in general chemistry, organic chemistry, and analytical chemistry. From basic molecular formulas to complex equilibrium expressions, these tools are fundamental for understanding chemical principles and solving chemistry problems.

Whether you're a student learning basic chemistry concepts, a researcher conducting experiments, or a professional working in chemical industries, this reference guide provides quick access to the most important chemical relationships and calculations you'll encounter in your work.

How to Use Chemical Formulas

1

Identify the Chemical System

Determine what type of chemical problem you're solving: stoichiometry, equilibrium, acid-base, etc.

2

Check Units and Conditions

Ensure all quantities are in compatible units and note any special conditions (temperature, pressure, etc.).

3

Apply Appropriate Formula

Select the correct formula or equation that relates the known and unknown quantities in your problem.

4

Verify Results

Check that your answer makes chemical sense and has appropriate significant figures and units.

Chemistry Study Tips

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Understand, Don't Memorize

Focus on understanding chemical principles rather than memorizing formulas.

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Practice with Real Examples

Work through actual chemical problems to reinforce formula usage.

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Draw Lewis Structures

Visualize molecular structures to better understand chemical behavior.

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Balance Chemical Equations

Practice balancing equations to understand stoichiometric relationships.

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Master Unit Conversions

Be comfortable converting between different units and concentration expressions.

Check Your Work

Always verify that answers are chemically reasonable and properly formatted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to common questions about chemistry reference