AP CHEMISTRY ESSENTIALS
Textbook – Brown, LeMay, and Bursten, Chemistry: The Central Science, 2000, 11th Edition, New
Jersey: Prentice Hall.
If you lose your textbook at any time, you will be charged for it before a new one is issued out.
Course Description – Students will investigate important areas of chemistry focusing on atomic theory,
the periodic table, bonding, molecular structure, gas laws, kinetic molecular theory, and
stoichiometry calculations. Laboratory experience is extensive, and the time and effort required of
students differs significantly from the usual high school science course. This course is designed to
prepare students for the Chemistry Advanced Placement exam. During the second semester
students continue to investigate important areas of chemistry focusing on stoichiometry equations,
electrochemistry, properties of solutions, acids and bases, equilibrium, rates of reaction,
thermodynamics, nuclear chemistry, and organic chemistry. This class covers much more than
Chemistry 1. You must know Chemistry 1 information for this course!
Show-Me Standards
www.dese.mo.gov
Strand 1: A, B, D, E, F, G, H, I
Strand 2: A, D, E, F
Strand 7: A, B, C, D
Strand 8: I  A, B II  A, B 3 A, B, C, D
What is AP Chemistry?
AP Chemistry is a first-year college level course taught here at HCHS. This course follows the
Advanced Placement curriculum set by the College Board. Students will have the opportunity to
take the AP Chemistry Exam in the spring (usually the 2nd Tuesday in May) to possibly receive college
credit for the course. This allows students to take second year chemistry courses as freshmen, take
other courses that require chemistry as a prerequisite, or get the necessary laboratory science credit
or other elective courses out of the way so the student can take more classes in their desired areas of
study.
Who should take AP Chemistry?
Students who have successfully completed Chemistry I (preferably with 82% or higher), have a desire
to go on in the sciences post high school, have a strong desire to achieve, have a good aptitude for
math and problem solving, and have an excellent attitude and work ethic. Enrolling students should
possess a 3.0 science GPA and understand that they will be expected to do college level work.
Is this course difficult?
In a word – YES! As you receive the course outline you will notice the large volume of material that
must be covered before the AP exam in the spring. THIS MEANS WE WILL MOVE VERY QUICKLY! My
goal will be to cover the required material by the May AP test date. To accomplish this goal, you
should expect to have an average of at least one hour of homework per school night. In order to
help you remained organized, I will provide a list of objectives, reading assignments, and homework
problems at the beginning of each unit. I realize that many of you have other events (clubs, sports,
work, youth group, etc.) that occupy your time, so plan and organize your time accordingly.
We will be meeting 2 – 3 days per week for 90 minutes. Approximately 1 class period per week will be
spent for laboratories. You should be spending approximately five to seven hours a week working on
problems, reading the textbook, and/or studying. This class moves very quickly covering a large
amount of material. You need to continuously keep up by reading the chapters and working through
problems. Even one day of absence can hurt you by putting you far behind.
Are we going to use the textbook? (Do I have to bring it to class?)
Again, yes. The textbook we will be using is Chemistry: The Central Science, 11th Edition. This is a
college textbook designed for use by chemistry majors. Students will be expected to have read
each chapter (and maybe even take your own notes) BEFORE it is discussed in class. Class
discussions and lectures will not be all-inclusive, but will focus on major themes and difficult concepts,
with time set aside for questions over material not addressed. Timely quizzes (both announced and
pop) will be used to ensure that students are keeping up with their outside reading and homework.
You will learn the material best when you read and comprehend it. Don't rely on class lecture and
discussion as your sole source of information. You will soon find that you will become lost, dazed,
and confused it you do not become an AP Chemistry textbook "junkie".
Are we going to do a lot of labs?
Laboratories are an essential part of this course. We will do as many of the recommended AP labs
(or a similar substitute) as possible. Students will be asked to prepare for all labs prior to lab day. This
includes reading the assigned material and/or handouts and, on occasion, may include devising
your own experimental procedures. Many of the labs we will be performing use materials that are
both expensive and perishable. This means that if a student misses a lab for any reason, it cannot be
made up (except in extreme instances). ATTENDANCE IS OF CRUCIAL IMPORTANCE!
We will spend approximately one 90 minute class period on laboratory work every week. For every
laboratory experiment you will be asked to write up a formal lab report (or entry in your lab journal)
that includes the following components: experiment title, date, purpose, procedure, data and
calculations, conclusion and sources of error as well as any pre-lab and post-lab questions (see Lab
Report Guidelines at the end of this packet). Lab reports will go into the test portion (70%) of your
grade.
When is the AP exam given?
The AP exam is offered through the College Board in mid-May (2nd Tuesday of the month). This exam
is partially multiple choice and partially free-response questions. Participation in this exam is by
individual choice. I would suggest that if you take the time and go through this course, you ought to
at least give the test a try. By scoring a 3, 4, or 5 on the exam, students can receive college credit for
an introductory chemistry course from many colleges and universities. To see which colleges
participate or to find out more about exam fees and test dates, visit the College Board's website at
www.collegeboard.com.
Proposed Format for the 2010 AP Chemistry Exam
Section I (90 minutes) – 75 multiple choice questions
No calculator can be used
Score on multiple choice is 50% of total grade
50 out of 75 is an excellent score
Section II – 6 free response questions
Part A (55 minutes) – calculator can be used
Problem #1 (Equilibrium) is 20% of score on this section
Problem #2 and #3 vary from year to year and each make up 20% of score on this
section
Part B (40 minutes) – no calculator
Reaction questions (#4) (3 required) make up 10% of the score on this section
Essay questions (#5 and #6) each make up 15% of the score on this section
How will we be graded in this course?
Tests and quizzes will be given throughout the chapters. A quarter exam will be given the week
before each quarter ends. These tests will be similar to AP tests, including both multiple choice and
free response questions.
Grades in this class will be earned following the Hazelwood School District Policy:
Performance Evaluations - 70%
Chapter Tests and Announced Quizzes
Quarter Exams & Semester Finals
Lab Reports
Learning Activities - 30%
Homework Problems Sets & worksheets
Practice Free Response Questions
Practice AP Exams
What should I bring to class?
Textbook
Scientific calculator
Two notebooks – One notebook will be kept for laboratory experiments.
The notebook must be bound.
The lab experiments will be graded.
The other notebook will be for class work and notes
Pencils or erasable pens
Folder/Binder - To keep all the assignments/notes
What is your late work policy?
All homework for a particular unit is due prior to the assessment for the unit. If you miss a day of class,
it is YOUR responsibility to get the homework from me or to call the homework hotline.
AP Chemistry Labs
All of the experiments below will require hands-on work in the laboratory. You will need to be able to
repeat experiments for the laboratory practical.
Chapter
1
2
3
4
4
5
7
10
10
10
11
13
13
14
14
15
16
16
17
17
17
17
20
25
Experiment (each experiment averages 1-2 lab periods a week)
Basic Lab Technique experiment
Empirical Formula of an Oxide Lab
Mole Relationship in a Chemical reaction
Determination of Concentration of Vinegar by titration
Standardization of NaOH
Specific Heat, Heat of Reaction, and Hess’s Law Lab
Spectrophotometry Lab
Molecular Weight by Freezing Point Depression
Determining the Molar Volume of a Gas
Molar Mass of a Volatile liquid
Liquid Chromatography
Percentage of Water in a Hydrate
Gravimetric Analysis of a Metal Carbonate
Rates of Reaction: Iodination of Acetone
Activity Series
Spectrophotometric Determination of an Equilibrium Constant
Determination of Ka of Weak Acids
Selecting Indicators for Acid-Base Titrations
Qualitative Analysis of Cations and Anions
Oxidation – Reduction Titrations
Synthesis of a Coordination Compound containing Iron
Preparation and Properties of Buffer Solutions
Electrochemical Cells
Synthesis, Isolation, and Purification of an Ester
Labs were taken from the AP workshops, the Flinn Laboratory Experiments for Advanced Placement
Chemistry – 2nd edition, and Juniata College Science in Motion
Independent Research Project – Science Fair
In addition to the regularly scheduled laboratory activities, students will also be completing an
independent research project on a topic of their own choosing. The student will have the option of
entering their project in the annual Greater St. Louis Science Fair. Additional information concerning
this project and due dates will be provided in class, however there is a generic timeline for the
project at the end of this syllabus.
Schedule of Topics
The following is a tentative schedule – modifications may be made to it throughout the year as
necessary.
Chapter
Topic
1,2,3
Matter and Measurement,
Atoms, Molecules, and Ions
Stoichiometry
4
Aqueous Reactions and Solution
5
Thermochemistry
Dates Covered
Aug 11-18
6
7
Electronic Structure of Atoms
Periodic Properties of the Elements
Sep 15 – 26
Sep 29 – Oct 8
**
Quarter 1 Exam
Oct 9 -10
8&9
Oct 13 – 31
**
Basic Concepts of Chemical Bonding &
Molecular Geometry and Bonding Theories
Gases
Intermolecular Forces, Liquids, and Solids
Properties of Solutions
Lab Practical
Quarter 2 Exam
Semester 1 Final
Chemical Kinetics
Chemical Equilibrium
Acid – Base Equilibria
Quarter 3 Exam
Chemical Thermodynamics
Electrochemistry
Nuclear Chemistry
The Chemistry of Life: Organic and
Biological Chemistry
AP Review and Practice Exam
*  *
**
**
AP Exam
Lab Practical
Quarter 4 Exam and Semester 2 Final
May 12
May 14 - 20
May 22 - 29
10
11
13
**
**
**
14
15
16 & 17
**
19
20
21
25
Aug 19 – 29
Sep 2-12
Nov 3 - 14
Nov 17 - 21
Nov 24 – Dec 5
Dec 9-10
Dec 12
Dec 16-17
Jan 6 – 16
Jan 20 – 30
Feb 2 – March 5
March 10-11
March 23 – Apr 3
Apr 6 - 17
Apr 20 – Apr 24
Apr 27 – May 1
May 4 - 8
Regular chapter exams and quizzes will be schedule by the instructor throughout the year. Ample
notification will be given before all chapter tests.
Laboratory Experiments and Lab Reports
AP Chemistry
Before each lab you should read through the lab procedure thoroughly to acquaint yourself with the
following:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
Procedure - What will I have to do?
Equipment - What are the pieces of equipment I will need to use?
Chemicals - What are the chemicals I will use?
Safety - What precautions do I need to take to be safe?
Data and Observations - What will I need to look for and record as I do the lab?
Equations - What mathematical or chemical equations will I be expected to use?
1. Do I know how to use them?
2. Equations are good to make note of because they indicate what data you will
need. For example, if you wish to calculate density you will need to record
mass and volume data.
g. Results - What am I expected to find out about during the lab?
Lab reports are the written result of a lab activity and will, along with what I observe during the lab,
form the grade for the lab activity. Sections 1 - 10 and the data tables must be completed before
class to save time for the lab activity and to prepare for the lab itself. The lab report must be on lined
paper, preferably in a hard covered spiral notebook or composition notebook. Neatness is essential.
Use only ink. Mistakes are not to be erased or covered with white-out, but should have a single line
drawn through them. This may seem odd, but it standard protocol in real world professional
laboratories.
Important note: You must keep your lab notebook. Some colleges may request to see it before
giving credit for the lab portions of their chemistry courses.
The format of the lab report I will expect you to follow includes (begin by recording the title in your
table of contents):
1.
Title - Should be descriptive enough as to indicate what was actually done in the lab. The
titles given in the lab handouts can easily be improved upon. For example, "Observing a
Chemical Reaction" can become "Observing the Chemical Reaction Between Aluminum
and Copper (II) Dichloride."
2.
Date
3.
Purpose - State the goal of the lab, why you are doing it, and/or what you are trying to
accomplish.
4.
Hypothesis - If (...is done), then (...will occur) because (...give the scientific reason for your
prediction).
5.
Independent Variable - What you are changing on purpose (should only be one variable at a
time).
6.
Dependent Variable - What is changing as a result of your alterations of the IV.
7.
Constant Variables - What remains unchanged.
8.
Controlled Experiment - Your "blank" experiment... the purpose is to ensure what you are
testing really affects the outcome.
9.
Materials - A list of chemicals (include quantities and concentrations), glassware, and other
equipment necessary for the experiment.
10.
Procedure - Make a short description of how you will accomplish your goals. This should be
done in a few sentences for each section or part of the lab. I do not expect you to list all
the individual steps of the procedure as listed in the handouts.
11.
Observations - Record quantities of chemicals used or other observations (color change,
heat, bubbles, precipitate, etc.).
12.
Data - This section will be a recording of the data collected as the lab is performed. The
data tables should be copied from the handout (or constructed from the info given) before
you come to class.
13.
Data Analysis - In this section you will answer any questions posed in the lab handout
and/or show all calculations and graphs.
14.
Results and Conclusions - In this section you will summarize the findings of the lab activity
(should somehow restate the purpose and hypothesis). Try to relate the data to the theories
behind the results. You must also evaluate the information you gathered. What is the error (or
errors) in your data. You must give 2+ sources of error and human error is not an acceptable
response. Are there any anomalies (unexpected results) and if so what are they? It is not
wrong to make mistakes during a lab procedure, however, it is wrong to falsify or misrepresent
your results to cover it up. Finally, you must discuss the extension of the lab - at least one way
in which the info you obtained can be used to serve a certain purpose in the future.
Lab Grading: The grade you receive for the lab will be base upon the following.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
The completeness of the lab report based on the expectations listed above.
The correctness of the information in the lab report.
The honesty of the lab report (see #14 above).
The neatness of the lab report.
The correctness of the lab procedure as observed by me during the lab activity.
The following of lab safety rules.
The completeness of the clean up of your lab area.
Independent Research Project
AP Chemistry
Brainstorm and research possible topics
NOW!!!
Submit Project Idea for Approval
1st Week of September
Submit
-
experimental design
research question
hypothesis
IV, DV, controls
3rd Week of September
Submit
-
introduction section of scientific paper
two to three typed pages
double spaced, 12 point font
NO FLUFF!
Minimum of 4 references (only one website)
4th Week of October
Submit materials and procedure rough draft
4th Week of October
Submit
-
2nd Week of November
final copy of:
Introduction/Experimental Design
Materials
Procedure
Bibliography
Conduct actual experimental trials (troubleshoot)
- Collect Data
- Make Data Tables
- Make Graphs
November and December
Submit data and data analysis section of paper
2nd Week of January
Submit rough draft of discussion and conclusion
1st Week of February
Final paper and presentations
4th Week of March
SCIENCE FAIR
Honors Division
All other divisions
around March 30
around May 10
Hints for success in AP Chemistry:
1.
Do not get behind! It is very difficult to learn all of the material in the last few days before an
exam. I recommend studying at least at least as many hours outside of class per week as you
spent in class.
2.
Be sure to do all of the assigned worksheets, problem sets, and homework problems in the
text. Some students do not do them or only do part of them, since they usually will not be
collected and graded until after I have gone over them in class.
3.
Working numerous problems is the best way to learn chemistry! I almost always provide the
answers to homework so you can check your answers. In addition I have the solutions book
for every question in our textbook and for other AP chemistry textbooks. Ask to use them!
The more problems you do, the more comfortable you will be with the problems you are asked
to do on the exams.
4.
Read the chapter in sections. For most students, there is too much information to absorb if
they try to read the entire chapter all at once. Read one section and do all of the assigned
practice problems that correspond to that section, before moving onto reading the next section
in the chapter.
5.
Do not become dependant upon the “big board”. Many students rely on my working
problems on the “big board” instead of doing the problems themselves. There is no
substitution for practicing the problems. Remember, you will not have me to rely on
during
the exam.
6.
In the last days before an exam, review the material, and test yourself. One way to test
yourself is to ask a friend or relative to choose problems we have covered in class that you
have the answers to and see if you can solve them without any help. If you can do all of
problems covered in class without help, then you should be able to do any problem I give you
on the exam.