AP Course Guide Units

This first unit sets the foundation of the course by examining the atomic theory of matter, the fundamental premise of chemistry.

The chemical and physical properties of materials can be explained by the structure and arrangement of atoms, ions, or molecules and the forces between them.

This unit explore the shapes of the particles involved and the space between them as key factors in determining the nature of physical changes. The properties of solids, liquids, and gases reflect the relative orderliness of the arrangement of particles in those states, their relative freedom of motion, and the nature and strength of the interactions between them.

This unit explores chemical transformations of matter. Chemical changes involve the making and breaking of chemical bonds. Many properties of a chemical system can be understood using the concepts of varying strengths of chemical bonds and weaker intermolecular interactions.

This unit focuses on equipping students with an understanding of the rates at which chemical changes occur and the factors that influence reaction rates. These factors include the concentration of reactants, temperature, catalysts, and other environmental factors.

This unit teaches students the laws of thermodynamics which describe the essential role of energy and explain and predict the direction of changes in matter. Thermodynamics provides tools for understanding this key role, particularly the conservation of energy, including energy transfer in the forms of heat and work.

Chemical equilibrium is a dynamic state in which opposing processes occur at the same rate. In this unit, students learn that any bond or intermolecular attraction that can be formed can be broken. These two processes are in a dynamic competition.

This unit builds on the content about chemical equilibrium studied in Unit 7. Chemical equilibrium plays an important role in acid-base chemistry and solubility. The proton-exchange reactions of acid-base chemistry are reversible reactions that reach equilibrium quickly, and much of acid-base chemistry can be understood by applying the principles of chemical equilibrium.

Application of thermodynamics connects principles and calculations learned across Units 5-8. The thermodynamics of a chemical reaction is connected to both the structural aspects of the reaction and the macroscopic outcomes of the reaction.