Malden High School
Academic Year 2011-2012
Course Syllabus
Name of Course: AP Chemistry
Level: Advanced Placement
Instructor: Martin Berryman
Extra help and make-up are available:
Course Number: 03461
mberryman@malden.mec.edu
7:00 – 7:30 A.M. (every day))
2:15 – 3:15 P.M. (Tuesday)
2:15 – 2:45 P.M. (Wednesday, Thursday)
Class Schedule:
Malden High School’s schedule features seven 55 minute class periods with only six
periods meeting each day. Students will be registered for a double period each day in
their schedules. The second period will alternate between laboratory and AP Study
Group with problem sets assigned for completion when lab does not meet. This will
enable the students to complete the required experimentation as well as practice AP
multiple choice and open response questions.
Textbook:
Zumdahl, Steven. Chemistry, 5th ed.
Hall, James. Experimental Chemistry, 4th ed.
Flinn Scientific AP Laboratory kits
AP Laboratory protocols from NMSI
Laboratory Sources:
Demonstration Resources:
Summerlin, Lee R. and James L. Ealy, Jr. Chemical Demonstrations: A
Sourcebook for Teachers
Shakhashiri, Bassam. Chemical Demonstrations: A Handbook for
Teachers of Chemistry, Volumes I and II
Online Homework Site:
Class Notes:
https://quest.cns.utexas.edu
http://apchemistrynmsi.wikispaces.com/AP+Chemistry+Class+Lecture+Notes
General Course Description
This is a rigorous and challenging college-level course that thoroughly covers the following topics:
Chemical calculations, matter and change, formulas and equations, states of matter, atomic structure
and bonding, gases, chemical reactions, descriptive chemistry, nuclear chemistry, kinetics,
equilibrium, acid-base, oxidation-reduction, electrochemistry, and thermodynamics. The course
emphasizes laboratory work and analysis of experimental data.
Students are expected…
 To keep a notebook/binder for a) class notes, b) text reading notes, c) problem samples, and d) daily
questions
 To be equipped for class with a graphing calculator, carbonless laboratory notebook (100 page), the
Princeton Review “Cracking the AP Chemistry Exam – 2012 Edition”, writing utensils and necessary
reference tables.
 To be prepared for the beginning of each class which entails short questions and answer sessions
based on previous class, reading assignments and problems.
 Using laboratory data students will produce laboratory reports which include procedure, observations,
data, calculations, and analysis.
 To complete chapter and online problem sets to be collected and reviewed prior to exams.
 To complete at least four to six hours per week outside of school to accomplish course objectives.
 To work cooperatively and independently during problem solving and laboratory experiments.
Assessment:
Student grades will be based on online and written homework, laboratory reports,
chapter quizzes and exams.
Course Outline
The course is organized on a quarterly basis rather than weekly. This affords increased flexibility in
accommodating student abilities.
QUARTER
First
UNITS
Foundations Intro and Lab Safety
Nomenclature
Stoichiometry
Solution Stoichiometry
Electrochemistry
EXPERIMENTS
Determination of Mole Relationships in a
Chemical reaction
Determination of % Water in a Compound
and Empirical Formula
Determination of Concentration by OxidationReduction Titration of H2O2
Determination of an Electrochemical Series
and Measurements Using Electrochemical
Cells and Electroplating
-
QUARTER
Second
QUARTER
Third
QUARTER
Fourth
Additional
Topics
Covered
UNITS
General Equilibrium – LeChatelier
Solubility Equilibrium
Acid-Base theory and pH
Buffers
Kinetics: Instantaneous and Relative
Rates
(Introduction to Differential rate Law)
UNITS
Kinetics continued…
Integrated Rate Law and Reaction
Mechanisms
Arrhenius Equation and Activation
Energy
Thermochemistry
Thermodynamics (Entropy and Free
Energy)
Types of Reactions
Atomic Structure and Bonding
UNITS
Gases (Kinetic theory of Matter and
Gas Laws)
Gas Stoichiometry
States of Matter (Intermolecular
Forces, Types of Solids, Phase
Changes and Diagrams)
Colligative Properties
-
-
-
EXPERIMENTS
Colorimetric or Spectrophotometric
Analysis and determination of Keq
Standardization of NaOH and Acid-Base
Titration
Determination od appropriate Indicators
and Buffers
EXPERIMENTS
Determination of the Rate of Reaction, its
Order, and its Activation Energy
Determination of Enthalpy change
Associated with a Reaction and Hess’s Law
EXPERIMENTS
Determining the Molar Volume of a Gas
Determination of Molar Mass by Vapor
Density
Determination of Molar Mass by Freezing
Point Depression
Nuclear Chemistry, though not taught as a separate unit, was included in the study of:
atomic structure, rates and half-life, energy (nuclear fission and fusion)
Organic Chemistry topics were infused throughout the instruction of acids and bases,
nomenclature, structure, solubility, and reactions.