📋 Comprehensive Collection of Essential Chemistry Formulas
This formula sheet covers all essential topics for CUET UG Chemistry. Keep this handy for quick revision and last-minute preparation.
⚗️ Physical Chemistry
Atomic Structure
- Bohr’s Model: E_n = -2.18 × 10⁻¹⁸ J/n²
- de Broglie Equation: λ = h/(mv)
- Heisenberg Uncertainty: Δx × Δp ≥ h/(4π)
- Rydberg Formula: 1/λ = R_H(1/n₁² - 1/n₂²)
- Ionization Energy: IE = 2.18 × 10⁻¹⁸ J/n²
Chemical Bonding
- Bond Order: BO = (N_b - N_a)/2
- Dipole Moment: μ = q × d
- Lattice Energy: U = k(Q₁Q₂)/r₀
- Born-Haber Cycle: ΔH_f = ΔH_sub + IE + EA + U + ΔH_f(atom)
- Hybridization: sp = 2 (linear), sp² = 3 (trigonal), sp³ = 4 (tetrahedral)
States of Matter
- Ideal Gas Law: PV = nRT
- Dalton’s Law: P_total = P₁ + P₂ + P₃ + …
- Graham’s Law: r₁/r₂ = √(M₂/M₁)
- Van der Waals Equation: (P + an²/V²)(V - nb) = nRT
- Charles’s Law: V₁/T₁ = V₂/T₂
- Boyle’s Law: P₁V₁ = P₂V₂
- Avogadro’s Law: V/n = constant
Solutions
- Molarity: M = moles of solute/volume of solution (L)
- Molality: m = moles of solute/mass of solvent (kg)
- Mole Fraction: X_A = moles of A/total moles
- Mass Percent: % = (mass of solute/mass of solution) × 100
- Normality: N = equivalents of solute/volume of solution (L)
- Dilution: M₁V₁ = M₂V₂
- Raoult’s Law: P = X_A × P_A⁰
- Elevation of Boiling Point: ΔT_b = K_b × m
- Depression of Freezing Point: ΔT_f = K_f × m
- Osmotic Pressure: π = iMRT
Chemical Thermodynamics
- First Law: ΔU = q + w
- Work Done: w = -PΔV (at constant pressure)
- Enthalpy Change: ΔH = ΔU + PΔV
- Gibbs Free Energy: ΔG = ΔH - TΔS
- Standard Free Energy: ΔG° = -RT ln K
- Equilibrium Constant: K = e^(-ΔG°/RT)
- Hess’s Law: ΔH_total = ΔH₁ + ΔH₂ + ΔH₃
- Entropy Change: ΔS = q_rev/T
- Heat Capacity: C = q/ΔT
Chemical Kinetics
- Rate Law: Rate = k[A]^m[B]^n
- Rate Constant: k = Rate/[A]^m[B]^n
- Half Life (First Order): t_½ = 0.693/k
- Arrhenius Equation: k = Ae^(-Ea/RT)
- Activation Energy: E_a = -R × (slope of ln k vs 1/T)
- Integrated Rate Laws:
- Zero Order: [A] = [A]₀ - kt
- First Order: ln[A] = ln[A]₀ - kt
- Second Order: 1/[A] = 1/[A]₀ + kt
Chemical Equilibrium
- Equilibrium Constant: K_c = [C]^c[D]^d/[A]^a[B]^b
- Equilibrium Constant (Pressure): K_p = (P_C)^c(P_D)^d/(P_A)^a(P_B)^b
- Relationship: K_p = K_c(RT)^(Δn)
- Reaction Quotient: Q = [C]^c[D]^d/[A]^a[B]^b
- ICE Table: Initial, Change, Equilibrium
- Le Chatelier’s Principle: System opposes change
Electrochemistry
- Faraday’s Laws: m = ZQ, where Q = It
- Nernst Equation: E = E° - (RT/nF)ln Q
- Standard Electrode Potential: E°cell = E°cathode - E°anode
- Gibbs Free Energy: ΔG = -nFE
- Electrical Work: w = -nFE
- Conductivity: κ = 1/R × l/A
- Molar Conductivity: Λ_m = κ/c
- Kohlrausch’s Law: Λ_m⁰ = λ⁺ + λ⁻
- pH Calculation: pH = -log[H⁺]
- Henderson-Hasselbalch: pH = pKa + log([A⁻]/[HA])
🧪 Organic Chemistry
Basic Concepts
- Molecular Formula: Actual number of atoms
- Empirical Formula: Simplest whole number ratio
- Structural Formula: Shows bonding arrangement
- Degree of Unsaturation: DU = (2C + 2 + N - H - X)/2
Hydrocarbons
- Alkanes: C_nH_2n+2 (saturated)
- Alkenes: C_nH_2n (one double bond)
- Alkynes: C_nH_2n-2 (one triple bond)
- Aromatic: C_nH_2n-6 (benzene ring)
Functional Groups
- Alcohol: -OH
- Aldehyde: -CHO
- Ketone: >C=O
- Carboxylic Acid: -COOH
- Ester: -COOR
- Amine: -NH₂
- Amide: -CONH₂
- Ether: -O-
IUPAC Nomenclature
- Find longest carbon chain (parent)
- Number from end giving lowest numbers to substituents
- Name substituents alphabetically
- Use prefixes: di-, tri-, tetra- for multiple substituents
Isomerism
- Structural Isomers: Different connectivity
- Stereoisomers: Same connectivity, different arrangement
- Geometric Isomers: cis-trans (E/Z) notation
- Optical Isomers: chiral centers, R/S notation
Organic Reactions
- Substitution: SN1 (carbocation), SN2 (backside attack)
- Elimination: E1 (carbocation), E2 (concerted)
- Addition: A + B → AB
- Oxidation: Increase in oxidation number
- Reduction: Decrease in oxidation number
Reaction Mechanisms
- SN1 Rate: Rate = k[substrate]
- SN2 Rate: Rate = k[substrate][nucleophile]
- E1 Rate: Rate = k[substrate]
- E2 Rate: Rate = k[substrate][base]
Important Reactions
- Aldol Condensation: Two aldehydes/ketones + base → β-hydroxy carbonyl
- Cannizzaro Reaction: Disproportionation of aldehydes in strong base
- Hofmann Rearrangement: Amide → amine (one carbon less)
- Wurtz Reaction: 2R-X + 2Na → R-R + 2NaX
- Grignard Reaction: R-MgX + carbonyl → alcohol
Polymers
- Addition Polymers: Polyethylene, Polystyrene
- Condensation Polymers: Nylon, Polyester
- Natural Polymers: Cellulose, Proteins, DNA
Biomolecules
- Carbohydrates: C_n(H₂O)_m (sugars, starch, cellulose)
- Proteins: Amino acids linked by peptide bonds
- Lipids: Fats and oils
- Nucleic Acids: DNA, RNA
🏭 Inorganic Chemistry
Periodic Properties
- Atomic Radius: Increases down group, decreases across period
- Ionization Energy: Decreases down group, increases across period
- Electron Affinity: Generally increases across period
- Electronegativity: Increases across period, decreases down group
- Metallic Character: Increases down group, decreases across period
Classification of Elements
- s-block: Groups 1, 2 (alkali, alkaline earth metals)
- p-block: Groups 13-18
- d-block: Transition metals (Groups 3-12)
- f-block: Lanthanides and actinides
Chemical Bonding
- Ionic Bond: Electrostatic attraction between ions
- Covalent Bond: Sharing of electron pairs
- Metallic Bond: Delocalized electrons in metal lattice
- Hydrogen Bond: H attached to electronegative atom
Coordination Compounds
- Coordination Number: Number of ligands attached to central metal
- Oxidation State: Charge on central metal ion
- Ligand: Molecule/ion donating electron pair
- Chelate: Multidentate ligand forming ring structures
- Crystal Field Theory: Splitting of d-orbitals in ligand field
- Stability Constant: Kf = [ML_n]/[M][L]^n
Acid-Base Chemistry
- Arrhenius: Acid produces H⁺, Base produces OH⁻
- Bronsted-Lowry: Acid donates H⁺, Base accepts H⁺
- Lewis: Acid accepts electron pair, Base donates electron pair
- pH Scale: 0-14 (acidic 0-6, neutral 7, basic 8-14)
- Buffer Solution: Resists pH changes
Redox Reactions
- Oxidation: Loss of electrons (increase in oxidation number)
- Reduction: Gain of electrons (decrease in oxidation number)
- Oxidizing Agent: Gets reduced (accepts electrons)
- Reducing Agent: Gets oxidized (donates electrons)
- Balancing Redox: Half-reaction method
Hydrogen and Its Compounds
- Water: H₂O (universal solvent)
- Hydrogen Peroxide: H₂O₂ (oxidizing agent)
- Hydrogen Sulfide: H₂S (weak acid)
- Ammonia: NH₃ (weak base, ligand)
s-Block Elements
- Group 1 (Alkali Metals): Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Fr
- Group 2 (Alkaline Earth Metals): Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Ra
- General Properties: Soft, low density, highly reactive
p-Block Elements
- Group 13: B, Al, Ga, In, Tl
- Group 14: C, Si, Ge, Sn, Pb
- Group 15: N, P, As, Sb, Bi
- Group 16: O, S, Se, Te, Po
- Group 17: F, Cl, Br, I, At (halogens)
- Group 18: He, Ne, Ar, Kr, Xe, Rn (noble gases)
- General Properties: High melting/boiling points, colored compounds, catalytic activity
- Variable Oxidation States: Multiple oxidation numbers possible
- Complex Formation: Form colored complexes
- Magnetic Properties: Many are paramagnetic
f-Block Elements
- Lanthanides: 57-71 (Ce to Lu)
- Actinides: 89-103 (Th to Lr)
- General Properties: Radioactive (actinides), similar chemical properties
Environmental Chemistry
- Air Pollution: CO, CO₂, SO₂, NOₓ, CFCs
- Water Pollution: Heavy metals, organic pollutants
- Soil Pollution: Pesticides, industrial waste
- Green Chemistry: Sustainable chemical processes
📊 Quick Reference Tables
Atomic Weights (Approximate)
Element |
Symbol |
Atomic Weight |
Hydrogen |
H |
1.008 |
Carbon |
C |
12.011 |
Nitrogen |
N |
14.007 |
Oxygen |
O |
15.999 |
Sodium |
Na |
22.990 |
Magnesium |
Mg |
24.305 |
Aluminum |
Al |
26.982 |
Sulfur |
S |
32.065 |
Chlorine |
Cl |
35.453 |
Potassium |
K |
39.098 |
Calcium |
Ca |
40.078 |
Iron |
Fe |
55.845 |
Common Ions
Ion |
Charge |
Name |
Na⁺ |
+1 |
Sodium |
K⁺ |
+1 |
Potassium |
Ca²⁺ |
+2 |
Calcium |
Mg²⁺ |
+2 |
Magnesium |
Fe³⁺ |
+3 |
Iron(III) |
Cl⁻ |
-1 |
Chloride |
NO₃⁻ |
-1 |
Nitrate |
SO₄²⁻ |
-2 |
Sulfate |
CO₃²⁻ |
-2 |
Carbonate |
PO₄³⁻ |
-3 |
Phosphate |
Standard Electrode Potentials
Half-Reaction |
E° (V) |
F₂ + 2e⁻ → 2F⁻ |
+2.87 |
Cl₂ + 2e⁻ → 2Cl⁻ |
+1.36 |
Br₂ + 2e⁻ → 2Br⁻ |
+1.07 |
I₂ + 2e⁻ → 2I⁻ |
+0.54 |
Cu²⁺ + 2e⁻ → Cu |
+0.34 |
2H⁺ + 2e⁻ → H₂ |
0.00 |
Fe²⁺ + 2e⁻ → Fe |
-0.44 |
Zn²⁺ + 2e⁻ → Zn |
-0.76 |
Al³⁺ + 3e⁻ → Al |
-1.66 |
Mg²⁺ + 2e⁻ → Mg |
-2.37 |
Thermodynamic Constants
Constant |
Symbol |
Value |
Units |
Gas Constant |
R |
8.314 |
J/(mol·K) |
Avogadro’s Number |
N_A |
6.022 × 10²³ |
mol⁻¹ |
Boltzmann Constant |
k |
1.381 × 10⁻²³ |
J/K |
Planck’s Constant |
h |
6.626 × 10⁻³⁴ |
J·s |
Speed of Light |
c |
3.00 × 10⁸ |
m/s |
Elementary Charge |
e |
1.602 × 10⁻¹⁹ |
C |
Common Solvents
Solvent |
Boiling Point (°C) |
Polarity |
Water |
100 |
Polar |
Ethanol |
78.4 |
Polar |
Methanol |
64.7 |
Polar |
Acetone |
56.0 |
Polar |
Benzene |
80.1 |
Non-polar |
Hexane |
68.7 |
Non-polar |
🎯 Exam Tips
Quick Revision Strategy
- Memorize important constants - R, F, N_A
- Master periodic trends - predict properties
- Practice nomenclature - systematic naming
- Understand reaction mechanisms - not just memorization
- Review balancing equations - redox and complex reactions
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Incorrect oxidation state assignment
- Wrong molecular geometry predictions
- Improper equation balancing
- Confusion between similar compounds
- Incorrect application of laws/rules
Problem-Solving Approach
- Identify the type of problem (stoichiometry, equilibrium, etc.)
- Write down given information and what’s required
- Select appropriate formula or concept
- Show calculations clearly with units
- Check answer for reasonableness
Memory Aids
- Diagonal Relationships: Li-Mg, Be-Al, B-Si
- Exception to Trends: Ionization energy of Group 2 and 15
- Color Coding: Transition metal complexes
- Reaction Patterns: Functional group transformations
🔗 Additional Resources
Practice Materials
Study Support
📌 Remember: Understanding concepts is crucial for chemistry - formulas are tools, not just memorization items!
Last Updated: October 2024 | CUET UG 2025 Chemistry Formula Sheet