AP CHEMISTRY SYLLABUS

GCHS 2010-2011

Description: This is an advanced placement course designed to prepare the student for
the AP chemistry exam. The course covers the equivalent of one full year of college
level General Chemistry, comparable to a first year course at a college or university. The
course is a rigorous math-based course, with a strong laboratory component. It is
intended for students who have demonstrated a willingness to commit considerable time
to studying and completing assignments outside of class.

The course will develop the student’s ability to incorporate mathematical skills in the
solution of chemistry problems, both through the use of textbook problems and
laboratory activities. Since the AP exam no longer allows the use of calculators,
significant emphasis will be placed on developing the student’s ability to solve problems
through dimensional analysis and estimation. Students will be required to do extensive
writing, and to keep a thorough and accurate laboratory notebook.

Since passing the AP exam may qualify the student to by-pass a first-year college
chemistry course, AP Chemistry should be considered a college class, with college level
expectations for behavior, participation and effort.

Course Objectives:

- Hold students responsible for their own learning.

- Strengthen problem-solving skills and prepare them to be critical and
independent thinkers.
- Develop lab skills further.
- Have students work hard but enjoy themselves in the process.
- Have students physically manipulate equipment and materials in lab
experiments in order to make relevant observations and collect data, and to
use that data to form conclusions and check hypotheses.

Homework: Homework assignments will consist of textbook problems, reaction

prediction assignments, and practice worksheets and free response type questions.
Completing your homework is an essential part of your success in this course.
Homework is designed to help you better grasp the concepts covered in class by allowing
you to practice independently and assess your level of comprehension.

Quizzes: Because tests will often cover material presented over several weeks, quizzes
will be given periodically to check your progress and allow time for improvement before
the test. Many of these quizzes will not be announced, however, they will only be given
on material that we have discussed in class and problems that we have had a chance to go
over and ask questions about.
Laboratory Emphasis: The difference between college chemistry and the usual
chemistry course taken in high school is especially evident in the laboratory work. The
AP Exam includes questions based on experiences and skills students acquire in the
laboratory—for example, making observations of chemical substances and reactions,
recording data, and calculating and interpreting results based on the quantitative data
obtained. Students are required to keep a lab notebook that includes all the labs that we
do. These include the lab title, purpose, procedures, and all observations and calculations
done during the lab. There are also questions that they must answer about the lab itself
and any prior information needed (pre-lab questions), and conclusion questions about the
lab. (post-lab questions)

Text: Masterton and Hurley, Chemistry Principles and Reactions,.2006, updated 5th
edition.

SCHEDULE

Chapter Days
1. Matter and Measurement 6
2. Atoms, Molecules, and Ions [C1} 6
Chemical Reactions, organic chem.., and complex ions [C3] [C4] 9
3. Mass Relations in Chemistry; Stoichiometry [C3] [C6] 15
4. Reaction in Aqueous Solution [C4] 10
Quarter Exam (Ch. 1-4)
5. Gases [C2] 11
6. Electronic Structure and Periodicity [C4] 10
7. Bonding [C1] 10
8. Thermochemistry [C3] 9
Semester Exam (Ch. 1-8)
9. Liquids and Solids [C2] 7
10. Solutions [C2] 10
11. Rate of reaction [C3] 10
12. Gaseous Chemical Equilibrium [C3] 10
13. Acids and Bases 10
14. Equilibria in acid Base Solutions [C3] 11
Quarter Exam (Ch. 9-13)
16. Precipitation Equilibria [C3] 7
17. Spontaneity [C3] 5
18. Electrochemistry 6
Review for AP Exam
AP Chemistry Exam
AP CHEMISTRY LABS [C5] AND [C7]

Chapter Experiment
1 Density
2 Separation of Mixtures
Types of Reactions
Activity Series
3 Determination of Empirical Formula
3 Percent Water in a hydrate
3 Stoichiometry of chemical equations – Percent Yield
4 Analysis of unknown Chloride
5 Analysis of Aluminum/Zinc alloy
6 Mendeleev for a day
6 Flame Tests
7 Molecular Models
8 Calorimetry
9 Classification of chemical Substances
10 Determination of the Equilibrium Constant
11 Rates of Reaction – A Clock reaction
12 Le Chatliers Principle
13 Standardization of a solution
13 Percent Acetic Acid in Vinegar
14 Acid Base Titration
16 Making 2g of a Precipitate
16 Determination of the solubility Product
17 Enthalpy of Reaction and Hess’s Law
18 Voltaic cell Measurements
Synthesis of Aspirin

C1 – Structure of Matter (Atomic theory and atomic structure, Chemical bonding)

C2 – State of Matter (Gases, Liquids, and Solids; Solutions)

C3 – Reaction (Reaction types, Stoichiometry, Equilibrium, Kinetics, Thermodynamics)

C4 – Descriptive Chemistry (Relationships in the periodic table)

C5 – Laboratory (Physical manipulations; Processes and procedures; Observations and data

manipulation; Communication, group collaboration, and the laboratory report)

C6 – The course emphasizes chemical calculations and the mathematical formulation of

principles.

C7 – The course includes a laboratory component comparable to college level chemistry

laboratories. A minimum of one double-period per week or its equivalent is spent engaged in
laboratory work. A hands-on laboratory component is required. Each student should complete a
lab notebook or portfolio of lab reports.