Chemistry
Chemistry
Atomic structure, bonding, reactions, equilibrium, and organic chemistry — complete chemistry cheatsheet.
📖 6 sections
⏰ 18 min read
✅ Quizzes included
01Atomic Structure
Proton
Positive charge, mass 1. In nucleus.
Neutron
No charge, mass 1. In nucleus.
Electron
Negative charge, mass 1/1836. In shells.
Atomic number
= protons = electrons (neutral atom)
Mass number
= protons + neutrons
Isotopes
Same protons, different neutrons. Same element, different mass.
CHEMElectron configuration
First 20 elements:
2,8,8,2 pattern after H and He
Shells: 1(max 2), 2(max 8), 3(max 8 first)
Na: 2,8,1. Cl: 2,8,7. Ca: 2,8,8,2
Ions: Na+ loses 1e-, Cl- gains 1e-
02Chemical Bonding
Bond typeBetweenStrengthExample
IonicMetal+nonmetalStrong (in lattice)NaCl, MgO
CovalentNonmetalsModerateH2O, CH4
MetallicMetalsStrongFe, Cu, Al
H-bondN/O/F with HWeak-moderateWater, DNA
Van der WaalsAll moleculesVery weakNoble gases
💡
Ionic bonds: electron TRANSFER (full charges). Covalent: electron SHARING. Ionic solids: high mp, conduct when molten.
03Reactions & Equations
CHEMBalancing equations
Mg + O2 -> MgO (unbalanced)
2Mg + O2 -> 2MgO (balanced)

Mole calculations:
n = m/Mr  (moles = mass/molar mass)
n = c x V  (moles = concentration x volume in dm3)
PV = nRT   (ideal gas)

Yield: actual/theoretical x 100%
Oxidation
Loss of electrons. Increase in oxidation number.
Reduction
Gain of electrons. Decrease in oxidation number.
OIL RIG
Oxidation Is Loss. Reduction Is Gain.
Acid+base
Neutralisation: H+ + OH- -> H2O
Exothermic
Energy released. Products lower energy than reactants.
04Equilibrium
CHEMLe Chatelier's Principle
If conditions change, equilibrium shifts to oppose the change.

Increase concentration of reactant -> shifts RIGHT (more products)
Decrease product -> shifts RIGHT
Increase temperature -> shifts toward ENDOTHERMIC side
Increase pressure -> shifts toward FEWER MOLES of gas
Catalyst: no shift in position, just reaches equilibrium FASTER

Kc = [products]^powers / [reactants]^powers
❓ Quiz
OIL RIG stands for?
OIL RIG: Oxidation Is Loss (of electrons), Reduction Is Gain (of electrons).
05Organic Chemistry
Homologous seriesGeneral formulaFunctional group
AlkaneCnH2n+2None (single bonds)
AlkeneCnH2nC=C double bond
AlcoholCnH2n+1OH-OH (hydroxyl)
Carboxylic acidCnH2n+1COOH-COOH
EsterR-COO-R'Ester link
AmineR-NH2-NH2
CHEMReaction types
Alkane + Cl2 -> substitution (UV light)
Alkene + Br2 -> addition (electrophilic addition)
Alkene + H2O -> alcohol (hydration)
Alcohol -> carboxylic acid (oxidation)
Acid + alcohol -> ester + water (esterification)
06Thermodynamics & Rates
Enthalpy
DH = H(products) - H(reactants)
Negative=exothermic, Positive=endothermic
Hess's Law
DH(reaction) = sum of DH(steps)
Path independent.
Rate
Rate = k[A]^m[B]^n
k=rate constant, m,n=orders.
Activation energy
Minimum energy for reaction
Catalyst lowers Ea.
CHEMRate factors
Concentration: more particles, more collisions
Temperature: more energy, more successful collisions
Surface area: more exposed particles
Catalyst: provides alternate lower Ea pathway