AP Chemistry Course Syllabus
Mr. Allevato
2010 – 2011
(1) Course Overview
Advanced Placement (AP) Chemistry is an integrated lecture and laboratory course designed to be the
equivalent of a general inorganic chemistry class usually taken during the first year of college. The class covers
an entire year of high school, spanning two consecutive semesters, culminating with the AP Chemistry exam in
May. For many students, the successful completion of this class enables them to undertake, as a freshman,
second year work in the chemistry sequence at their college or university or to register for courses in other fields
where general chemistry is a prerequisite. For other students, the AP Chemistry class fulfills the laboratory
science requirement and frees time for other courses.
AP Chemistry meets the objectives of a typical freshman college-level general Chemistry course.
Students in this class will gain a deep understanding of fundamental Chemistry and a reasonable competence
with regard to problem solving. This course contributes to the development of the students’ abilities to think
clearly and to express their ideas with clarity and logic. This class differs qualitatively from the standard first
year course in high school Chemistry with the respect to the textbook used, the topics addressed, the emphasis
on chemical calculations, the mathematical formulation of principles, and the variety and sophistication of
laboratory work done by students. Quantitative differences appear in the breadth and depth of topics covered;
the nature and the variety of experiments done in the laboratory; and the time spent on homework and class
work. If students commit themselves to master the coursework presented, make use of a consistent study plan,
and participate in review sessions, they should be able to achieve a grade of 4 or 5 on the AP exam.
Successful completion of Chemistry I (with a recommended grade of at least a B) is a prerequisite;
completion or concurrent enrollment in pre-calculus and/or physics are strongly recommended.
(2) Course Content: Chapters and topics addressed
Semester I
I. INTRODUCTION: Matter & Measurements
Chapter 1
Classifying Matter, Properties of Matter, Significant Figures, Density, Dimensional Analysis
II. ATOMS, Molecules, and IONS
Chapter 2
Nuclear Chemistry, Isotopes, Periodic Table, Ionic Compounds, Inorganic Nomenclature
III. STOICHIOMETRY
Chapter 3
Equations, Patterns of Reactivity, Percent Composition, Molar Mass, Empirical Formulas, Limiting
Reactants, Percent Yield
IV. AQUEOUS REACTIONS & SOLUTION STOICHIOMETRY
Chapter 4
Electrolytes, Precipitation Reactions, Acid-Base Reactions, Oxidation-Reduction Reactions, Molarity and
Solution Concentrations, Titrations
V. THERMOCHEMISTRY
Chapter 5
Energy, 1st Law of Thermodynamics, Enthalpy, Calorimetry, Hess’s Law
VI. ELECTRONIC STRUCTURE of ATOMS
Chapter 6
Wave Nature of Light, Spectra, Quantum Mechanics, Orbitals, Electron Configurations, Periodicity
VII. PERIODIC PROPERTIES
Chapter 7
Periodic Trends, Types of Elements, Group Relationships
VIII. CHEMICAL BONDING
Chapter 8
Lewis Structures, Ionic Bonding, Covalent Bonding, Electronegativity, Octet Rule, Resonance, Bond
Polarity
IX. MOLECULAR GEOMETRY
Chapter 9
VSEPR, Electron Domain Geometry, Hybrid Orbitals, Molecular Orbitals
X. GASES
Chapter 10
Pressure, Gas Laws, Ideal Gases, Partial Pressures, Kinetic Molecular Theory, Graham’s Law, van der
Waals Forces
XI. INTERMOLECULAR FORCES, LIQUIDS, and SOLIDS
Chapter 11
Intermolecular Forces of Attraction, Phase Changes, Vapor Pressure, Phase Diagrams, the Bonding and
Geometry in Solids
Semester II
XII. PROPERTIES of SOLUTIONS
Chapter 13
Solution formation, Solubility, Concentration Expressions, Colligative Properties
XIII. KINETICS
Chapter 14
Reaction Rates, Rate Laws, Reaction Mechanisms, Half-life, Catalysis
XIV. CHEMICAL EQUILIBRIUM
Chapter 15
Equilibrium Constant Determination, Factors Affecting Equilibria, Le Chatelier’s Principle,
Heterogeneous & Homogeneous Equilibria
XV. ACID-BASE EQUILIBRIUM
Chapter 16
pH, pOH, Kw, pH graphs, Ionization Constants, Common Ion Effects, Buffers
XVI. ADDITIONAL EQUILIBRIA SYSTEMS
Chapter 17
Titration curves, Salts, Solubility Product Constants, Precipitation Reactions
XVII. CHEMICAL THERMODYNAMICS
Chapter 19
Spontaneous Processes, Gibbs Free Energy, Entropy, 2 nd Law of Thermodynamics
XVIII. ELECTROCHEMISTRY
Chapter 20
Oxidation/Reduction, Voltaic Cells, Cell EMF
XIX. COORDINATION CHEMISTRY
Chapter 24
Nomenclature, Structural Isomers
XX. ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
Chapter 25
Nomenclature, Functional Groups, Common Organic Reactions
(3) Textbooks, Lab Manuals, and other Supplemental Materials
Primary Text: Chemistry: The Central Science, 11th edition, Brown, Lemay, and Bursten: Prentice-Hall, 2009.
Supplementary Sources:
Chemistry and Chemical Reactivity, Kotz & Purcell
Student’s Guide to Chemistry: The Central Science, 8th ed., Hill: Prentice-Hall, 2000.
Laboratory Experiments for Chemistry: The Central Science, 9th ed., Nelson & Kemp: Prentice-Hall, 2005.
Chemistry: A Guide Inquiry, 2nd ed., Moog & Farrell: Wiley, 2002.
Media Companion to Chemistry: The Central Science, 8th ed., Gardner: Prentice-Hall, 2000.
Chemistry with Computers/CBL, Holmquist and Volz: Vernier Software.
Laboratory Experiments for Advanced Placement Chemistry, Vonderbrink: Flinn Scientific, 1995.
AP* Test Prep Series: AP Chemistry, Waterman, for Chemistry: A Central Science, 10th ed., 2009.
Preparing for the Chemistry AP Exam, Pearson Prentice-Hall, 2004.
5 Steps to a 5: AP Chemistry, McGraw-Hill, 2008.
Multiple Choice & Free Response Questions for the AP Chemistry Exam, 4th ed., Demmin: D&S Marketing, 2000.
(4) Learning Activities & Course Structure
Students will participate in a variety of activities selected to help them master the major principles of chemistry. They include:
lecture & discussion, problem solving sessions, peer tutoring, study groups, laboratory experiments, demonstrations, computer
simulations, internet lessons, PowerPoint presentations, quizzes, and unit tests. Each chapter, the student will receive an outline of the
main concepts presented, a list of assigned homework problems, and a set of sample problems. The completion of these problems is
important for the student to achieve mastery of the course content. The teacher will provide multiple opportunities for the students to
discuss and review these problems.
Students are expected to maintain a cumulative notebook using a three-ring binder divided into sections labeled:
REFERENCE INFORMATION, CHAPTER HOMEWORK, NOTES, and GRADED WORK. Students should also keep a separate
binder at home to store all of their lab experiment reports once they have been graded and returned.
Homework sets are assigned each chapter as an important part of the class. The homework problems are meant to provide
comprehensive practice for the student to internalize the concepts presented in class. The teacher will provide guided practice and
modeling of problem solving in class. All homework sets should be completed on notebook paper neatly, showing all appropriate work.
Assignments should be clearly labeled and turned in at the completion of each chapter. Access to a web site will be provided where
students can practice homework problems, receive additional instruction, take sample quizzes, and study class material. Students are
expected to spend at least six hours per week in unsupervised individual study. To increase success, students are encouraged to review
the day’s notes and material each evening, as well as complete any assigned work. Research shows that a daily review of class material
facilitates learning, enhances understanding, and increase academic performance.
Lab experiments are a major part of this course. Lab procedures and background information will be presented to students
prior to the experiment. A thorough review of the lab procedures and pre-lab assignments need to be completed before beginning the lab.
Most labs are done in pairs, but each student will submit an individual report. Each lab report will consist of, at a minimum, a cover
page; pre-lab questions; data tables/charts; sample calculations, equations, and/or graphs; post-lab questions, including error analysis; and
a short summary of the lab results.
(5) AP CHEMISTRY LAB COURSE CONTENT (subject to change)
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Basic Lab Techniques (N)
Inorganic Nomenclature: Oxidation numbers, Dry Lab #2 (B)
Inorganic Nomenclature: Binary Compounds, Dry Lab #3 (B)
Inorganic Nomenclature: Ternary Compounds, Dry Lab #4 (B)
Preparation and Analysis of Hydrated Copper Sulfate
Metathesis Reactions (B)
Limiting Reactants (B)
Empirical Formula of a Compound (B)
Atomic Weight of Tin (M)
Chemical Reactions in Water, Dry Lab 4.3
Oxidation-Reduction Equations, Dry Lab 6 (B)
Activity Series (V)
Properties of Acids and Bases (B)
Titrations of Acids and Bases (N)
Calorimetry (B)
Thermochemistry and Hess’s Law (V)
Emission Spectra of Metal Atoms (G)
VSEPR Models
Gas Laws (H)
Molar Mass of a Volatile Liquid (B)
Molar Volume of a Gas (W)
Evaporation and Intermolecular Forces (H)
Effects of Bonding and Polarity on Solubility
Formula Mass of a Solid (B)
Study of the Kinetics of a Reaction (V)
Le Chateliers Principle (B)
Determination of an Equilibrium Constant (B)
PKa and the Equivalent Mass of an Acid (V)
Ksp of a Slightly Soluble Salt (B)
Electrochemical Cells (V)
Aspirin Synthesis (B)
(M): General Chemistry 101 Lab Manual, Manhattan College.
(B): Beran & Brady. General Chemistry: Principles & Structure, Wiley, 4th ed.
(W): Wagner. Prentice-Hall Chemistry: A Study of Matter, 1989.
(N): Nelson & Kemp. Chemistry: The Central Science, Prentice-Hall, 8th ed.
(V): Vonderbrink, Sally. Lab Experiments for AP Chemistry, Flinn Scientific, 1995.
(G): Bishop et al. Standard & Microscale Experiments in General Chemistry, Harcourt, 4th ed., 2000.
(H): Holmquist et al. Chemistry with CBL, 2nd ed., 1997.
(6) GRADING
Grades will be computed and interim reports generated with the assistance of a software program. If possible, grades will
be posted and updated weekly via the internet for student and parent review. All assignments will be categorized and
weighted using the following scoring guidelines:
CATEGORY 1 == Unit Tests and Quizzes……………………………. 60 to 70% of total grade
CATEGORY 2 == Laboratory Experiments/Reports/Classwork.…….. 20 to 30% of total grade
CATEGORY 3 == Homework sets……………………………………. 5 to 10% of total grade
The average of the four cumulative categories will then determine the student’s term grade as follows:
A+
A
AB+
B
BC
D
F
>97%
94-97%
90-93.5%
87-89.9%
84-86.9%
80-83.9%
70-79.9%
60-69.9%
<60%
superior
outstanding
excellent
great
very good
good
fair
below average
failing
Extra credit and enrichment possibilities may be included on some tests and chapter homework assignments. Although the
assigned point value of a test is usually 100 points, it will sometimes be possible to score greater than 100% through
exceptionally superior performance. On some unit tests where class averages are particularly low, the maximum assigned
point value may be lowered at the teacher’s discretion. All labs and tests will be scored using a rubric scale similar to how
the AP exam will be graded. Homework sets and lab reports may be submitted past the due date, but they will be assessed
a point deduction daily. Students who are late to school, who leave early, or miss class legitimately for other activities,
must still arrange for their assignments to be turned in on the due date. Students who are legally absent are granted the
standard grace period.
NOTE: Since AP Chemistry is a two-semester course, you will receive two credits for this course: AP Chemistry I and AP
Chemistry II. The class has no final exam, so your final course grade for each semester will be determined by the
average of the two term grades. That means that each term grade accounts for 50% of the semester grade. I will
evaluate your term grades on the basis of percentages, and not letters, to determine your overall course grade.
Thus, two term grades of an A and a B will not necessarily guarantee an A for the course. I will analyze the
percentages earned each term, and then submit a final grade recommendation. Therefore, an 87% and a 93%
would equal a course grade of an A. But, an 82% and a 90% would translate to a course grade of a B.
(7) HONOR CODE
This course will follow an honor code that will be agreed upon by the members of this class. The honor code is a
pledge to act honestly, responsibly, and above all, with honor and integrity in all facets of this course. As students, and
more importantly citizens, living in the 21 st century, you should show yourselves in a way that displays high values and a
strong ethical character. There is no “short cut” for hard work and effort. There is no substitute for integrity.
A good reputation is more valuable than money. Publilius Syrus (~100 BC)