AP Chemistry Course and Exam Topics

Topics Covered by AP Chemistry

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This is an outline of the chemistry topics covered by the AP (Advanced Placement) chemistry course and exam, as described by the College Board. The percentage given after the topic is the approximate percentage of multiple-choice questions on the AP chemistry exam about that topic.

Structure of Matter (20%)
States of Matter (20%)
Reactions (35-40%)
Descriptive Chemistry (10-15%)
Laboratory (5-10%)

I. Structure of Matter (20%)

A. Atomic theory and atomic structure

  1. Evidence for the atomic theory
  2. Atomic masses; determination by chemical and physical means
  3. Atomic number and mass number; isotopes
  5. Periodic relationships including atomic radii, ionization energies, electron affinities, oxidation states

B. Chemical bonding

  1. Binding forces
    a. Types: ionic, covalent, metallic, hydrogen bonding, van der Waals (including London dispersion forces)
    b. Relationships to states, structure, and properties of matter
    c. Polarity of bonds, electronegativities
  2. Molecular models a. Lewis structures
    b. Valence bond: hybridization of orbitals, resonance, sigma and pi bonds
    c. VSEPR
  3. Geometry of molecules and ions, structural isomerism of simple organic molecules and coordination complexes; dipole moments of molecules; relation of properties to structure

C. Nuclear chemistry: nuclear equations, half-lives, and radioactivity; chemical applications

II. States of Matter (20%)

A. Gases

  1. Laws of ideal gases
    a. Equation of state for an ideal gas
    b. Partial pressures
  2. Kinetic-molecular theory
    a. Interpretation of ideal gas laws on the basis of this theory
    b. Avogadro's hypothesis and the mole concept
    c. Dependence of kinetic energy of molecules on temperature
    d. Deviations from ideal gas laws

    B. Liquids and solids

    1. Liquids and solids from the kinetic-molecular viewpoint
    2. Phase diagrams of one-component systems
    3. Changes of state, including critical points and triple points
    4. Structure of solids; lattice energies

    C. Solutions

    1. Types of solutions and factors affecting solubility
    2. Methods of expressing concentration (The use of normalities is not tested.)
    3. Raoult's law and colligative properties (nonvolatile solutes); osmosis
    4. Non-ideal behavior (qualitative aspects)

    III. Reactions (35-40%)

    A. Reaction types

    1. Acid-base reactions; concepts of Arrhenius, Brönsted-Lowry, and Lewis; coordination complexes; amphoterism
    2. Precipitation reactions
    3. Oxidation-reduction reactions
      a. Oxidation number
      b. The role of the electron in oxidation-reduction
      c. Electrochemistry: electrolytic and galvanic cells; Faraday's laws; standard half-cell potentials; Nernst equation; prediction of the direction of redox reactions

    B. Stoichiometry

    2. Balancing of equations including those for redox reactions
    3. Mass and volume relations with emphasis on the mole concept, including empirical formulas and limiting reactants

    C. Equilibrium

    1. Concept of dynamic equilibrium, physical and chemical; Le Chatelier's principle; equilibrium constants
    1. Quantitative treatment
      a. Equilibrium constants for gaseous reactions: Kp, Kc
      b. Equilibrium constants for reactions in solution
      (1) Constants for acids and bases; pK; pH
      (2) Solubility product constants and their application to precipitation and the dissolution of slightly soluble compounds
      (3) Common ion effect; buffers; hydrolysis

    D. Kinetics

    1. Concept of rate of reaction
    2. Use of experimental data and graphical analysis to determine reactant order, rate constants, and reaction rate laws
    3. Effect of temperature change on rates
    4. Energy of activation; the role of catalysts
    5. The relationship between the rate-determining step and a mechanism

    E. Thermodynamics

    1. State functions
    2. First law: change in enthalpy; heat of formation; heat of reaction; Hess's law; heats of vaporization and fusion; calorimetry
    1. Relationship of change in free energy to equilibrium constants and electrode potentials

    IV. Descriptive Chemistry (10-15%)

    A. Chemical reactivity and products of chemical reactions

    B. Relationships in the periodic table: horizontal, vertical, and diagonal with examples from alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, halogens, and the first series of transition elements

    C. Introduction to organic chemistry: hydrocarbons and functional groups (structure, nomenclature, chemical properties). Physical and chemical properties of simple organic compounds should also be included as exemplary material for the study of other areas such as bonding, equilibria involving weak acids, kinetics, colligative properties, and stoichiometric determinations of empirical and molecular formulas.

    V. Laboratory (5-10%)

    The AP Chemistry Exam includes some questions based on experiences and skills students acquire in the laboratory: making observations of chemical reactions and substances; recording data; calculating and interpreting results based on the quantitative data obtained; and communicating effectively the results of experimental work.

    AP chemistry coursework and the AP chemistry exam also include working some specific types of chemistry problems.

    AP Chemistry Calculations

    When performing chemistry calculations, students will be expected to pay attention to significant figures, precision of measured values, and the use of logarithmic and exponential relationships. Students should be able to determine whether or not a calculation is reasonable. According to the College Board, the following types of chemical calculations may appear on the AP Chemistry Exam:

    1. Percentage composition
    2. Empirical and molecular formulas from experimental data
    3. Molar masses from gas density, freezing-point, and boiling-point measurements
    4. Gas laws, including the ideal gas lawDalton's law, and Graham's law
    5. Stoichiometric relations using the concept of the mole; titration calculations
    6. Mole fractionsmolar and molal solutions
    7. Faraday's law of electrolysis
    1. Equilibrium constants and their applications, including their use for simultaneous equilibria
    2. Standard electrode potentials and their use; Nernst equation
    3. Thermodynamic and thermochemical calculations
    4. Kinetics calculations