AP Chemistry Course Syllabus
Instructor: David M. Tessmer
Email:
dtessmer@fusd1.org
Text: Brown, Theodore E., H. Eugene LeMay, and Bruce E. Bursten, 2000. Chemistry: The
Central Science. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Class Description: This is a two semester class designed to be equivalent to a one-year college
course in chemistry. As such, it is a very challenging course that will introduce you to many
fundamental and important topics in chemistry. It will also allow you to increase your knowledge
of chemistry and abilities in chemistry far beyond that acquired in Chemistry 1. . .so it is worth the
effort! If you do well enough on the AP Chemistry exam that is held in May, you may even be
able to earn college credit for taking this class!
Class Requirements: Students will have passed Chemistry 1 and done well. You must be in
Algebra 2 or a higher math class. Class periods consist of labs, demonstrations, discussions, and
group projects which cannot be made up, even though you make the effort. The out-of-class
experience simply is not the same. Each student needs 2 notebooks: One will be a 3-ring binder with
notes, returned work, and quizzes. The other is for working in the lab, where you need a quad-ruled,
permanently-bound laboratory notebook. Each student also needs a scientific calculator,
preferably a graphing calculator. I expect that all students will take the AP exam, and I heartily
recommend that you purchase an AP Chemistry review book! The AP chemistry exam this year
is scheduled for Tuesday, May 11, 2010.
Lab requirements: It is our goal to use each 85 minute period for lab experiences. This will not
always be the case, but the lab experience is invaluable to truly getting your hands and head
wrapped around these concepts. Labs are time intensive - expect labs to require anywhere from 12 hours of work outside of class. All labs are hands-on, completed by the student either alone or in a
small group. This will require you to work collaboratively with your peers as well as on your own.
Students are required to follow safety procedures at all time, and to correctly use scientific equipment and
all chemicals and glassware. A separate lab notebook will be maintained by each student, where original
lab data (in ink!) and notes are kept. The lab reports will include a purpose/question, flow chart of the
procedure, the data section, calculations, and analysis of data, including answering questions about the lab,
and writing a conclusion.
Assignments: I am told, successful students spend an average of 60 minutes each night on AP Chemistry.
Daily assignments include reading the text, completing practice exercises, prepping and concluding labs.
Students have ample chance to practice chemical calculations and mathematical formulation of principles
and laws. Because I want you, as students, to gain a full appreciation of the science of chemistry, this
course is lab intensive. This means that you must dedicate yourself to conscientiously completing
homework assignments and reading assignments outside of class. It is very important that you keep up!
You will be given a homework sheet for each unit which will give you an opportunity to ask me questions
before homework is due. The goal is to collect homework every Friday so it will give you a chance to aske
questions before the homework is due. Please make every effort to do your homework nightly. I am here at
after school if you need additional help. Come and get it! Do not procrastinate! (I reserve the right to
change the schedule and/or assignments, but will try not to do so, and you will be notified if I do.)
Grading:
60% Tests, quizzes, lab write-ups
20% Lab performance
20% Homework
The “fine print”:
Work missed due to unexcused absences may not be made up. Work missed due to excused absences must
be made up promptly. Don’t wait until it’s posted to make it up! Tests must be taken on the scheduled day,
except in case of extreme illness or other medical emergency. If you know in advance you will be absent the
day of a test, I may give you permission to take the test early or immediately upon your return, depending
on the circumstances. You need to speak to me in advance, however. Lots of absences in AP Chem lead to
a low grade. Period. Even if they’re excused! Don’t copy homework, etc.—tests don’t involve group
work, and you won’t know what you’re doing if you rely too heavily on others to complete assignments.
Course Outline
Topic 1 Matter and Measurement- 1 week
A. The study of chemistry
B. Classification of matter
C. Properties of matter
D. Units of measurement
E. Uncertainty in Measurement
F. Dimensional analysis
Topic 2 Atoms, Molecules, and Ions- 2 weeks
A. The atomic theory
B. The discovery of atomic structure
C. The modern view of atomic structure
D. The periodic table
E. Molecules and molecular compounds
F. Ions and Ionic compounds
G. Naming inorganic compounds
H. Radioactivity
I. Nuclear equations
J. Half-life
K. Fission and fusion
Topic 3 Stoichiometry- 2 weeks
A. Chemical equations
B. Patterns of chemical reactivity
C. Atomic and molecular weights
D. The mole
E. Empirical and molecular formulas
F. Quantitative information from balanced equations including limiting reagents
Topic 4 Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis- 2 weeks
A. General Properties of Aqueous solutions
B. Precipitation reactions, net ionic equations
C. Simple acid/base reactions
D. REDOX reactions
E. Concentration of solutions
F. Solution stoichiometry
Topic 5 Electronic Configuration- 1 week
A. The wave nature of light
B. Quantized energy and photons
C. Line spectra
D. The wave behavior of matter
E. Quantum mechanics and atomic orbitals
F. Orbital representation
G. Electron configuration
Topic 6 Periodicity – 1 week
A. Development of the periodic table
B. Radius of atoms
C. Ionization energy
D. Electron affinity
E. Metals, nonmetals, metalloids
F. Group trends
Topic 7 Bonding – 1 week
A. Ionic bonding
B. Covalent bonding
C. Electronegativity
D. Lewis structures, resonance
Topic 8 Molecular Geometry - 2 weeks
A. VSEPR model
B. Polarity
C. Hybridization
D. Multiple Bonds
Topic 9 Basics of Organic Chemistry – 1 week
A. Introduction to hydrocarbons
B. Alkanes, alkenes, alkynes
C. Isomers
D. Combustion reactions
E. Functional groups
Topic 10 Gases – 2 weeks
A. Characteristic of gases
B. Pressure
C. The gas laws
D. Ideal gas equation
E. Gas mixtures and partial pressures
F. Kinetic molecular theory
G. Gas effusion
H. Deviation from ideal gases, real gases
Topic 11 Intermolecular Forces - 1 week
A. Intermolecular Forces
B. Phase Changes
C. Vapor Pressure
D. Phase Diagrams
Topic 12 Properties of Solutions– 1 week
A. Factors affecting solubility
B. Molarity and Molality
C. Vapor pressure, boiling point, freezing point, osmotic pressure
D. Colligative Properties
Topic 13 Kinetics – 1 week
A. Rate Laws, collision theory
B. Rate and concentration
C. Rate and temperature
D. Reaction mechanisms
E. Catalysts, rate determining step
Topic 14 Equilibrium – 3 weeks
A. The concept of equilibrium
B. The equilibrium constant
C. Calculating equilibrium constants, Kc, Kp
D. Le Chatalier’s principle
E. Ksp
Topic 15 Acids and Bases – 3 weeks
A. Bronsted, Arrhenius, and Lewis definitions
B. pH scale
C. Weak/strong acids/ bases
D. Ka and Kb expressions
E. Buffers
F. Titrations and indicators
Topic 16 Thermochemistry/Thermodynamics - 2 weeks
A. The nature of energy
B. First Law of thermodynamics
C. Heating curves, phase changes
D. Enthalpy of reaction
E. Calorimetry
F. Hess’s Law
G. Spontaneous processes
H. Entropy and the second law of thermodynamics
I. Entropy changes
J. Gibbs free energy
Topic 17 Electrochemistry - 2 weeks
A. Balancing REDOX reactions
B. REDOX titrations
C. Voltaic cells, EMF, Nernst equation
D. Spontaneity of REDOX reactions
E. Corrosion and Electrolysis
AP Exam Review – 3 weeks
AP Exam - May 6th @ 8 am