Chapter 3 Stoichiometry is our first real set of AP Chemistry standards. This is where our dimensional analysis practice from the introductory unit starts to take on new life. We will start with average atomic mass and molar mass, and move our way to balancing equations, using data to determine the formulas of molecules, and doing mass calculations. These skills are always tested on the AP exam, and you will need them in almost every subsequent chapter. This is where the fun begins! (Last updated 4/25/2025.)
Though this cathode ray tube experiment shows what happens to electrons when a magnetic field is applied, we can imagine how a positively charged ion would also be affected by a magnetic field.
Group Activity: Atomic Number and Average Atomic Mass (Taken from Chemistry: A Guided Inquiry, by Moog and Farrell) Smith's answers to this activity.
Worksheets:
Average Atomic Mass 1, Answers (Problems from Zumdahl text)
Average Atomic Mass 2, Answers
Notes: Mass Spectrometry, Filled Out
Worksheet:
Mass Spectroscopy, Answers (AP questions)
Worksheets:
In this lab, students design a procedure to determine the number of water molecules in the formula for Copper II Sulfate. This lesson is also an introduction to key spreadsheet skills:
Creating a formula using the "="
Using cell numbers to repeat a formula "=C2-A2"
Telling the computer to repeatedly use only one cell "=F2/$F$16"
Taking the simple average of data "=AVERAGE(G2:G8)"
Finding the standard deviation of results "=STDEV(G2:G8)"
Lab Handout: Gravimetric Analysis of a Metal Carbonate
(Modified from the lab written by Sally Ann Vonderbrink in the book Laboratory Experiments for Advanced Placement Chemistry)
This is our first inquiry lab. We will be following the full length lab report desctription in the "Sections of an Inquiry Lab Report" handout that's taped in the notebooks. This report must include:
Title, Purpose, Theory Section (two paragraphs describing the gravimetric analysis method and filtering and decanting), Pre-lab Questions, Safety, Materials, Procedure (paraphrased and hopefully with helpful diagrams), Data & Calculations, Claim, and Discussion.
An example report is available in Smith's example notebook in the classroom.
Balancing Chemical Equations 1, Answers
Balancing Chemical Equations 2, Answers
(These worksheet questions were taken from the ChemmyBear website, which is super cool.
Priming Homework: Limiting and Excess Reagents (From Flinn Book)
Notes: Limiting and Excess Reagents with RICE tables, Filled Out
Worksheets:
Limiting Reactants 2, Answers (with excess reactant questions)
Notes: Heat of Reaction, Filled Out
(Image taken from our Chang textbook)
Worksheets:
Heat of Reaction in Stoichiometry, Answers
(Questions taken from the Brown et al. book Chemistry, The Central Science)
Heat of Reaction in Stoichiometry 2, Answers
Lab Handout: Mole to Mole Ratios in Chemical Reactions
Pre-lab (tape in notebook): Pre-lab Questions for After Theory
(Modified from the lab written by Sally Ann Vonderbrink in the book Laboratory Experiments for Advanced Placement Chemistry)
Worksheet:
Starting Fall 2023, the first half of the test will cover sections 3.1-3.6 of our textbook with emphasis on empirical formulas from combustion data. The second half of the test will cover the remainder of chapter 3, with the addition of 6.4, with emphasis on limiting reactant problems.