This document provides a syllabus for an Advanced Placement Chemistry course. It outlines the course goals, which include preparing students to receive a score of 3 or higher on the AP exam. The course will cover topics equivalent to a full year of college general chemistry. It is a rigorous course that requires significant time commitment outside of class. The syllabus details course policies on attendance, grading, materials needed, and the schedule of topics to be covered throughout the year.

1. Megonigal’s AP CHEMISTRY COURSE SYLLABUS
2012-2013
Megonigale@calvertnet.k12.md.us/ apchem2012-13.blogspot.com
OVERVIEW
Advanced Placement Chemistry is a course designed to prepare students for the AP Chemistry exam. The course covers the
equivalent of two semesters (8 credit hours) of college level General Chemistry. It is a rigorous math-based course, with a significant
laboratory component. It is intended for students who are willing to commit considerable time to studying and completing
assignments outside of class. This course will expand upon topics learned in Honors Chemistry such as bonding, stoichiometry and
reactions but will also introduce new topics such as kinetics, equilibrium, thermodynamics and electrochemistry.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
1. Each student will take the AP Chemistry exam AND will receive a 3 or better on it.
2. The student will understand the principles of Chemistry covered in the course content.
3. The student will communicate chemical ideas.
4. The student will identify and utilize a framework for acquiring new knowledge in science.
5. The student will develop a balanced creative, intuitive, and analytical approach to problem solving.
PHILOSOPHY
I am very excited that you have chosen to take on the challenge of a college-level class in high school. In this course, you may find
that you have never worked so hard at school before and are unable to enjoy some of the outside activities you are used to doing.
You may also find that your friends are not investing as much time into school as you are, but I hope you realize you are investing in
yourself! Your time and effort will pay off and no one can take away from you. Many young adults do poorly their first year of
college because they underestimate the amount of effort needed to be successful. You are beginning that journey now. Unlike
college though, you will be in a much smaller class and will have the benefit of an instructor who is readily available.
RESPONSIBILITY
My mission is to conduct a learning environment that will encourage all students to achieve beyond their expectations, and to
expand their potential through success and positive reinforcement. I have high expectations for you and me.
As students taking such an advanced course, it is critical to develop successful study habits right away. I recommend the following:
1. Form a study group that meets on a regular basis (after school, on weekends, during lunch, etc…)
2. Give 100% when completing assignments and do not take short cuts. We move too quickly and you will fall behind.
3. Do not procrastinate.
4. Read the chapter(s) prior to starting a new topic – this includes reading tables/graphs and example problems
5. Spend a minimum of 5 hours per week outside of the classroom studying, reading and practicing (from the College Board).
RULES
Each student is required to adhere to the following rules in order to create and maintain a positive learning environment for all
students at all times.
1. Follow directions the first time given.
2. Arrive to class on time and prepared with: pen/ pencil, notebook/ binder, covered textbook, and calculator.
3. Food and drink are not permitted in the laboratory setting.
4. Refrain from the use of inappropriate behavior such as: the use of profanity, fighting, horseplay, the disregard for safety, and
the disregard for authority.
5. Absolutely no cheating.
MATERIALS
1. Pencils and erasers
2. Scientific or graphing calculator (TI-83/84 OR TI-83/84 Plus)
3. ORGANIZED binder for this class only AND a composition notebook
4. COVERED TEXTBOOK (Zumdahl, S.S. Chemistry, 6th ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2003)
5. WebAssign Account (used to access all homework assignments – must be set up on your own)

2. GRADE
The AP exam is graded on correctness, which will be the standard for this class. Student evaluation is based on a percentage system.
Every evaluation is worth a certain amount of points within the fixed value category. Students will be evaluated as defined below.
1. Tests and Quizzes: Category weight is 85%. A test will be given at the completion of each unit. Quizzes will be used as needed
to check for understanding. These assessment activities will be in the same format that is used on the AP exam: multiple choice,
short answer, and problem-solving.
2. Homework/Problem Sets: Category weight is 15%. Problem sets will be assigned with each topic. Students will typically have
two to four school nights to complete the assignment. Homework assignments on Webassign.net will be graded by
Webassign. Homework I check will receive full credit, half credit, or no credit based on effort and clarity of solutions.
3. Reassessments will be offered at the teacher’s discretion based on overall class performance on chapter exams.
ATTENDANCE
The nature of science classes demands perfect, or near perfect, attendance in order to perform well. Each day’s course work will be
an extension of the previous day’s lesson. Thus, it is very important to be present for as many days as possible. In order to stay
caught up, adhere to the following set of procedures.
1. When absent each student is required to complete any missed work/notes (check with a buddy).
2. All work due on the first day of an absence is to be turned in the first day back.
3. Tests and quizzes taken on the first day absent are to be taken the first day back.
4. Students absent 3 or more days must develop a timetable with the teacher for completing the missing work.
5. Tests, quizzes and laboratory experiments will be made up before school, after school, or during the student’s lunch period.
6. Webassign homework is still due at the posted time when you are absent.
7. Cheating and/ or plagiarism will result in a grade of zero.
COURSE SEQUENCE by Textbook Chapter
Topic Text Reference
Summer Assignment: Review of Honors Chemistry* Chapters 1, 2 and 3
Types of Chemical Reactions and
Solution Stoichiometry* Chapter 4
Gases* Chapter 5
Thermochemistry* Chapter 6
Chemical Kinetics Chapter 12
Chemical Equilibrium Chapter 13
Acids and Bases Chapter 14
Applications of Aqueous Equilibrium Chapter 15
Thermodynamics
(Spontaneity, Entropy and Free Energy) Chapter 16
Electrochemistry Chapter 17
Properties of Solutions Chapter 11
Liquids and Solids Chapter 10
Atomic Structure and Periodicity Chapter 7
Bonding Chapters 8 and 9
Nuclear Chemistry Chapter 18
Organic Chemistry Chapter 22

3. * means on the Midterm exam.
AP test is scheduled for Monday, May 6th, 2013

4. 5. Atomic Structure and Bonding
Outline Chapter 7, 8, 9
AP Topics by Chapter in Zumdahl a. historic overview of atomic model
b. modern atomic models
1. Measurement, Particles of Matter, Stoichiometry c. orbitals
Chapter 1, 2, 3 d. quantum numbers
a. units of measurement, unit conversion e. periodic trends
b. uncertainty, error analysis f. electronegativity
c. classification of matter g. covalent, ionic, metallic bonding
d. subatomic particles, characterizing atoms h. Lewis structures, vsepr, molecular geometry
e. periodic table i. resonance, bond order
f. naming compounds j. hybridization
2. Chemical Reactions, Solution Stoichiometry 6. Phases of Matter
Chapter 4 Chapter 5, 10, 11
a. atomic masses, mole theory a. gas laws
b. percent composition b. particle velocity
c. empirical and molecular formulas c. deviation from ideality
d. balancing equations, types of reactions d. intermolecular forces, hydrogen bonding, dipole,
e. stoichiometric calculations, mass, moles, density, LDF
limiting reagents, percent yield e. liquids
f. solids
4. Chemical Equilibrium, Acids and Bases, g. crystal structures, molecular solids, alloys
Aqueous Equilibria h. phase changes, triple point curves
Chapter 13, 14, 15 i. solutions
j. vapor pressure, colligative properties
a. Characteristics of equilibrium
b. equilibrium expressions and constants 7. Chemical Kinetics
c. heterogeneous equilibrium Chapter 12
d. Reaction quotients a. reaction rates
e. Le Chatelier’s principle b. rate laws, differential and integrated
f. acid base models: Arrhenius/Bronsted /Lewis c. half life
g. acid base strength and Ka Kb d. reaction mechanisms
h. amphoteric substances e. Activation energy and catalysts
i. calculations of pH
j. polyprotic acids 8. Electrochemistry
k. acid base properties of salts, oxides Chapter 17
l. common ion effect a. cells
m. buffers b. standard reduction potentials
n. titrations c. cell potential and free energy
o. solubility and Ksp d. Nernst equation
p. pH and solubility e. electrolysis
q. complex ion equilibria
9. Nuclear Chemistry
4. Thermochemistry Chapter 18
Chapter 6, 16 a. nuclear stability and radioactive decay
a. laws of thermodynamics b. half life
b. enthalpy c. fission and fusion
c. calorimetry d. nuclear reactions
d. Hess’s law
e. Standard enthalpies of formation 10. Organic Chemistry
f. Enthalpies of combustion Chapter 22
g. Spontaneous processes and entropy a. alkanes, alkynes, alkenes, aromatics
h. Gibbs Free energy b. isomerism
i. Free energy and equilibrium c. functional groups: alcohols, acids, amines, ethers,
halide, aldehydes, ketones and esters
d. reactions and polymerization
11. Descriptive Chemistry: Predicting Products

5. Seven Ways for Students to Maximize Their Scores on
AP Free Response Questions
1. Read all questions in a specific section to determine which ones can be answered the best.
2. Write answers and do all work for each question or problem in the appropriate pages in the answer booklet.
3. Show ALL work.
Partial credit is given for partial solutions to problems.
Little or no credit is given for an answer alone (even if correct).
4. Provide units for numerical answers and use units to solve problems.
Numbers mean little when not accompanied by units.
Dimensional analysis with units may help solve problems.
5. Report answers to the correct number of significant figures.
6. Organize answers as clearly and neatly as possible, showing each step. (Little credit may be earned if a reader cannot follow the
reasoning involved)
7. Answer each part in a multi-part question since credit for each part is awarded separately. (It is often possible to receive full credit
for later parts if they are done correctly, even when no credit is earned for an earlier part.)