AP CHEMISTRY
2015/2016
Colt Harrington
colt.harrington@wchcs.org
AP Chemistry is designed to accomplish approximately the same subject matter goals as
would the introductory chemistry sequence offered at a four-year undergraduate college. Concepts
and principles learned in first-year chemistry will be reviewed and extended; new topics will also be
covered.
Chemistry at this level requires a solid background in mathematics which has resulted in a
high level of comfort in advanced algebra. Prior knowledge of calculus is not necessary.
Successful experience (A final grade) in first-year chemistry is required.
It is intended that as a result of your experience in the course, you will gain sufficient expertise
in the subject to perform successfully on the AP Chemistry National Test in the spring. This is a very
comprehensive and difficult test which demands thorough preparation that must start at the beginning
of the course and continue consistently throughout. All of the material covered on the test will be
presented in the course; careful study and practice through working assigned problems will boost
your chances for success.
As in first-year chemistry, a course lab fee will be collected. The fee, which includes the cost
of the lab notebook described below, is $5.00. It can be paid by cash or check made out to WHS
and is due by Fri. 9-4-15.
Course Materials
1. The text for the course is one designed specifically for AP Chemistry, Chemistry, 9th ed.
Zumdahl, Steven S. and Susan A. Zumdahl. Brooks Cole, 2010. (ISBN-13: 978-0-547-16817-3).
2. A scientific calculator is necessary, as is a binder or folder keeping for AP CHEM notes,
handouts, homework, etc. in an organized manner.
3. A bound lab notebook with numbered pages is required for recording data in lab. The lab
book will be available here at school a few days before the first lab Cost is covered by the lab fee.
Teacher Expectations/Student Responsibilities
1. Attend Class. Regular attendance is imperative. If you must be out please let me know
in advance if at all possible. After returning from an absence, find out what you missed by asking
other class members and see me to get handouts or to make arrangements to do any make-up work.
2. Keep current in the material. It is very important that you do not procrastinate; do the
work as it is assigned.
3. Ask for help when you need it. I can almost always find time before or after school to
answer your questions about chemistry.
Drop-in visits are welcome, but you might want to let me know in advance that you need to
see me so that I can plan to be there and to save the time for you.
Evaluation
Your grade for each quarter will be based on test/quiz performance (50%), lab work (20%),
and final exam (30%). Submitted work will normally be graded and returned within 2-3 class sessions.
Grades will be entered online before the work is returned. Parents and students are strongly
encouraged to check progressbook regularly to monitor the student’s progress.
Course Topic Outline
The course is organized into 15 units. Times allotted for each unit are meant as a guideline and not
meant to be exact.
Study of each topic will involve answering questions and solving problems from chapter’s end in the
text.
Unit 1: CH. 1, 2, 3 +
“Review of the basics”: Stoich, Emp Form.,
Ionic vs. Molecular, Electron Config, etc.
R 8-20 to F 8-28
Unit 2: Sec. 4.1-3 and 4.8
Acid-Base Reactions
M 8-31 to F 9-4
Unit 3: Sec. 4.5-7 and 4.9
Precipitation reactions/Redox reactions
T 9-8 to M 9-21
Unit 4: Sec. 14.1-14.5
Acids and Bases – Part 1
M 9-21 to T 9-29
Unit 4.5: Sec. 14.5-14.11
Acids and Bases – Part 2
W 9-30 to R 10-8
Unit 5: CH. 5
Gases
F 10-9 to F 10-23
Unit 6: CH. 13
Chemical (Gaseous) Equilibrium
M 10-26 to F 11-6
Unit 7: Sec. 10.1, 8.9-13,
10.9, 22.4
IMFs/Molecular geometry/ Phase Changes/
Boiling Point/ melting point trends
M 11-9 to R 11-19
Unit 8: CH. 11
Properties of Solutions
F 11-20 to F 12-4
Unit 9: Sec. 16.1, 16.2 and 21.3, Solubility and Complex ion equilibria
21.4, 21.7
M 12-7 to F 12-18
Unit 10: CH. 6
Thermochemistry
R 1-7 to F 1-15
Unit 11: Sec. 18.1 to 18.6
Electrochemistry
M 1-18 to T 1-26
Unit 11.5: Sec. 18.7
Galvanic cells
W 1-27 to F 2-5
Unit 12: Sec. 8.1, 2, 4-6
Solid Types/ bonding and properties
R 2-4 to R 2-11
Unit 13: Sec. 18.8-9
Electrolysis
T 2-16 to T 2-23
Unit 14: CH. 16
Spontaneity, Entropy, and Free Energy
T 2-25 to F 3-4
Unit 15: Sec. 15.1-2 and CH. 12 Buffered Solutions and Chemical Kinetics
M 3-7 to W 3-23
Unit 16: Review
R 3-31 to F 4-29
Review of all concepts
AP Exam
The AP Chemistry exam will be held on Monday, May 2nd. It is not required that you take the exam if
you take this course.
Retake Policy
There will be an opportunity for retakes that will be discussed further as the first semester progresses.
I reserve the right to make changes to this syllabus as I deem necessary.