AP Chemistry Topic Outline
AP Chemistry Topic Covered and Learning Objective
Activity
Chemical Foundations -classification and properties of
matter, significant figures, dimensional analysis, atomic
theory, intro to the periodic table, nomenclature of simple
compounds
Students will deal with a case study: Avogadro Goes to
Court to practice dimensional analysis, significant
figures, and the mole
Chemical Reactions and Stoichiometry – empirical and
molecular formulas, balancing equations, using mole ratios,
types of reactions and net ionic equations
Students will present problems to the class in which they
demonstrate how to find the empirical and/or molecular
formula for a compound from percent composition or
combustion data and will practice writing net ionic
equations as a team competition.
Atomic Structure and Periodicity- electron
configurations, orbital diagrams, atomic radii, ionization
energies, electron affinities, electronegativities, PES
Students will investigate PES using
www.chem.arizona.edu and will graph values for atomic
radius, ionization energy and electron affinity
Bonding- the octet rule, Lewis dot structures, bond polarity,
Lab(s) (guided inquiry labs are shown in italics)
Chromatography of KoolAid
Global Warming Lab
Simulated Air Bag
Which Eight Solutions?
Gravimetric Analysis of Hard Water
Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Spectral Tubes and
Flame Tests
Types of Chemical Bonds
bond strength, VSEPR, molecular polarity, hybridization
Students will use a molecular model kit to build shapes
predicted by VSEPR and from those models predict
hybridization and polarity
Gases- Kinetic Molecular Theory,
Molecular Mass of a Volatile Liquid
the gas laws, effusion and diffusion, real gases
Students will make predictions and explanations from
the Teacher Demo: Graham’s Law of Effusion and
students will perform calculations associated with the
ideal gas law (e.g, density, molar mass, total pressure,
etc)
Solids and Liquids- intermolecular forces, properties of
liquids and solids, phase changes
Students will complete an intermolecular forces activity
with an accompanying worksheet, comparing molecular
structure to melting point, boiling point, etc)
Solutions- solubility and intermolecular forces, heat of
solution, concentration, colligative properties
Students will draw particulate view models of various
solutions, correctly representing the identity,
arrangement and orientation of the particles in solution.
Thermodynamics- calorimetry, enthalpy, entropy, free
energy and spontaneity
Given a set of reactions and conditions, students will
determine if the situation is thermodynamically favored
or not and what changes could be made to make it
Bonding in Solids: What’s in That Bottle?
Spectroscopy and Beer’s Law
Colorimetric Analysis of a sport drink
The Hand Warmer Design Challenge
Enthalpy of formation of MgO
favored.
Chemical Kinetics- factors affecting reaction rates,
differential and integrated rate laws, mechanisms
Students will investigate a reaction rates simulator on
http://phet.colorado.edu and complete an
accompanying worksheet/ lab report
Chemical Equilibrium- the general equilibrium condition,
equilibrium constants, LeChatelier’s principle
Students will play the Equilibrium Water Game and
create a graph of “concentration” versus time and
students will make predictions using LeChatelier’s
Principle of Teacher Demo: Equilibrium Tubes
Acids/Bases and Applications of Aqueous EqulibriaArrhenius theory, Bronsted-Lowry theory, strength of acids,
pH, hydrolysis of salts, buffers, titrations, solubility equilibria,
selective precipitation
Students will apply the Bronsted-Lowry theory to identify
conjugate acid base pairs and to calculate pH of a weak
acid or base and students will propose methods for
preparing buffers of a specific pH
Electrochemistry- writing and balancing redox equations in
acidic or basic solution, standard cell potential for galvanic
and electrolytic cells, cell potential under nonstandard
conditions
Students will perform an online redox titration activity to
manipulate factors that affect a redox titration
Determination of Reaction Rate
What is the rate law for the fading of Crystal Violet?
Can We Make the Colors of the Rainbow?
Standardization of NaOH with KHP
Determination of Ka by half titration
Hydrolysis of Salts
Determination of the Activity Series of Metals
Electrolysis of KI