"Chemistry is all around you, in every interaction of matter and so in chemistry is the understanding of all we observe. Chemistry supplies the answers to: Why ice floats? How batteries generate electricity? What does the catalytic converter in your car do? Why is the ozone layer important? How is life maintained and reproduced? What are the tiles on the space shuttle made of? How do we freeze dry coffee? By accepting the challenge of AP Chemistry, you are building the academic foundation required to excel in any science field." General College Chemistry is often the primary obstacle faced by students studying medicine, environmental science, pharmacy, geology, biology, material science, engineering and many other science and technical fields in college. AP Chemistry students can expect to work hard and reap the rewards of their effort by scoring well enough on the AP Chemistry Exam to receive 8 hours of college credit.

This course is the equivalent of the general chemistry course usually taken during the freshman year of college by science majors. Students can expect to achieve a deep understanding of the fundamentals of general chemistry, develop critical thinking and problem solving skills, and learn to interpret or explain chemical phenomenon. Some of the differences between AP Chemistry and the first year chemistry course are; the use of a college level textbook, coverage of more topics and in greater depth, the emphasis on chemical calculations, and more comprehensive and engaging laboratory work. The College Board has developed national standards that dictate the objectives of the course. To achieve the national standards a college text is used and the course focuses on chemical calculations and the application of concepts. The purpose of AP Chemistry is to prepare students to take the Advanced Placement Exam and to score well enough to receive college credit for their efforts. The College Board furnishes an examination and the results are sent to colleges at the request of the student. Participating Universities in turn grant credit and appropriate placement to students that have done well on the examination.

The text, Chemistry, by Stephen and Susan Zumdahl 5th edition, is an indispensable resource containing detailed explanations, plentiful examples and numerous end of chapter questions. The answer to some of the end of chapter questions are provided.

Click to go to Tips for Success  Click to go to Topic Outline

Materials:

scientific calculator, spiral, three ring notebook, lab notebook

Laboratory Work:

You will keep a laboratory reports in a bound essay book and turn in typed laboratory reports.  Each student will receive and read a copy of lab safety rules.  After reading and discussing the safety rules each student will sign a safety contract.

Homework:

Title all homework assigned from the text with the following information: chapter, page number, the numbers of the assigned questions. Worksheet assignments should have the same title as the worksheet. All answers should be numbered.  The answers to textbook assignments will be provided therefore the correctness and the clarity of your work will be graded. When working problems you must include all relationships, units and the algebra required to solve the problem. The homework for each unit will be taken up and graded.

AP Question of The Week

AP Questions of the Week will be assigned on the first day of each week starting the 5th week of the first six week and due the first day of class the following week. When working problems you must include all relationships, units and the algebra required to solve the problem.

ChemSkill Builder:

A major portion of your grade will be completing the assigned homework from the ChemSkill Builder CD. Each student will have a personalized problem set where answers are checked immediately, and fully worked-out solutions are presented in response to wrong answers. ChemSkill Builder is a must do and will be 50 points of your test grade.  25 points of the 50 points are bonus and awarded for turning in ChemSkill Builder complete and on time with 80 % in each section the other 25 points are part of the 200 point test grade.

Extra Credit:

Extra credit opportunity are posted on Mrs. A’s web site.

Spring AP Reviews:

There will be three Saturday AP exam reviews with food, prizes and lots of great chemistry. In addition to the Saturday reviews we will have one extended lab period to take a mock AP exam and have additional review sessions as needed.

Grades:

No work may be turned in after the work has been graded and returned to the class.

I calculate your grade using a point system.

Possible points:

daily quizzes = 50

lab reports = 50

homework-class-work = 25

test = 200

GRADE = (total earned points / total possible points) X 100

You will receive a progress report or report card every three weeks

Conduct:

You are expected to follow all school regulations. I expect you to be courteous and to do your own work to the best of your ability. If you are tardy, sign the notebook on the small table by the door. Please do not interrupt class by explaining your tardiness. To do well you must make an effort to be in class everyday!

Tips for Success:

Be attentive and actively involved in the lesson.  Evaluate your understanding of new concepts and skills introduced in the lesson.

Ask Questions.  There is such thing as a bad question.  To get a good answer ask a good question.

Do homework.  Do all the homework.  Attempt every question.  Ask questions in class to clarify any difficulties discovered doing the homework.  Correct homework.  Homework makes the difference between long or short term memory, emulating a procedure or understanding a concept and doing your best or falling short of your goal.

Get help before a little problem becomes a big problem. I have tutorials at 7:45 every morning.  Understanding today's lesson may depend on understanding yesterday's lesson.

Take good notes.

Use the unit syllabus as a study guide.

Keep all your work, notes and handouts organized.

Read the text a few sections at a time.

Good attendance is a must.

Use the resources provided on this web site.

General Topic Outline:

Nomenclature: Inorganic, Organic, Coordinate Complexes

Review: Stoichiometry and Calculations of Formulas

Reactions in Aqueous Solutions

Writing Reactions AP Style

Gases

Properties of Solutions

Kinetics

Equilibrium

Solubility Equilibrium

Acid Base Chemistry

Thermodynamics

Electrochemistry

Atomic Structure & Periodicity

Bonding

Intermolecular Forces & States of Matter