Welcome to AP Chemistry
The AP Chemistry experience is a very unique and intense learning adventure. Students who take the course are pushed to their limits of problem solving, time management and what they knew they were capable of as a student. The course requires to the students to truly love science. Those who are taking the class for the wrong reasons (weighted grade, to be with friends, etc.) find the course most unpleasant. Those who are passionate to learn more about chemistry, understanding the world around them and a possible future in the scientific field have a great experience that make them more suited for the challenges that wait ahead in the future. Here is a simple guide.....
Wondering if you are a candidate to take AP chem.................
Do you like chemistry? (if you say no to question 1......) Do you wish to pursue a future in studying science? Are willing to work hard? Do understand this class will require lots of growth and it will challenge you?
On the other hand....
Do you wait until the last minute to do the assignment? Do you not check your answers on the key? Do you copy the key? Are you too busy? Do you feel totally lost on the problems in CP chem and not ask for help? Are you taking this class only because of a weighted grade? Are you taking 4 academic classes or have after school extra-circulars?
If you answer yes to these questions, it sounds like you might need to rethinking if you can dedicate the time/energy to take the course. Please come talk to me and we can find a plan!
Successful AP Chemistry students are prepared give full effort! You will struggle at times, but you will have FON and be a better student by going through the process.
I know many students are "on the fence" about taking AP chemistry. That is why I allow students to get a head start on the first assignment, use this assignment to assess if you are ready for the AP level jump. There will be a test in the first two week that will cover the first chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 7 and 8 of the book and some extra lessons that we will cover in the first week (also known as Big Idea #1, see BIG IDEA 1, objectives for test #1. (page 8-18 on numbered pages, 18-27 on PDF). That seems like a lot of material (it is!) but most of it was covered in your fall course.
Here is the first assignment that will be due. You can get a head start by checking out a book from me now. I recommend buying the book from Amazon, it costs lest than $5 with shipping and makes a great holiday gift!The text is call "General Chemistry, Ebbing and Gammon 8th Edition" or use ISBN number "0-618-39941-0" to search. Do not feel like you have to do all the work at once! Spread it out, manage your time.....you will also have time to complete the assignment once the class starts. The head start is optional.
Chapter 1 #7, 10, 12, 18, 21, 27, 28, 31, 35, 37, 51, 55, 61, 69, 61, 69, 75, 79, 88 Solutions
Chapter 2 #3, 5, 8, 10, 18, 22, 25, 26, 29, 37, 45, 51, 57, 60, 66, 72, 74, 80, 82, 91, 93, 95 Solutions
Chapter 3 #5, 6, 10, 13, 14, 15, 18, 19, 31, 38, 41, 43, 48, 53, 58, 61, 65, 67, 78, 82, 85, 88, 92, 107, 113 Solutions
Chapter 4 #1, 15, 61, 64, 67, 75, 77, 79, 83, 87, 94, 95 Solutions (do not cover redox reactions)
Chapter 7 and 8 problems (I am not including these yet......see me if you want a head start on these as well)
Study the Ion Charts, Solubility Rules , know first ten hydrocarbons, basic SI prefixes (milli, kilo, micro, nano) (password: shakeri)
Print and use this handout pages 2-4 only. . You will get these for every test, including the AP test. Get to know what is on here.
Here are some helpful instructional videos Bozeman Science "BIG IDEA 1"