Here are the main topics covered in AP Chemistry:
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Atomic Structure and Properties
- Structure of atoms, including protons, neutrons, and electrons
- Electron configuration and its impact on chemical behavior
- Periodic trends (ionization energy, atomic radius, electronegativity)
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Molecular and Ionic Compound Structure and Properties
- Chemical bonding: ionic, covalent, and metallic
- Lewis structures and molecular geometry
- Intermolecular forces and their effect on physical properties
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Intermolecular Forces and Properties
- Types of intermolecular forces: London dispersion, dipole-dipole, and hydrogen bonding
- Phase changes, vapor pressure, and boiling points
- Properties of liquids, solids, and gases
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Chemical Reactions
- Types of reactions: synthesis, decomposition, single replacement, double replacement, and combustion
- Balancing chemical equations
- Reaction stoichiometry and limiting reactants
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Kinetics
- Rate laws and reaction rates
- Factors affecting reaction rates (concentration, temperature, catalysts)
- Reaction mechanisms and the rate-determining step
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Thermodynamics
- Enthalpy, entropy, and Gibbs free energy
- Endothermic and exothermic reactions
- Laws of thermodynamics and energy conservation
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Equilibrium
- Chemical equilibrium and the equilibrium constant (K)
- Le Chatelier’s Principle
- Calculations involving equilibrium concentrations and pressures
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Acids and Bases
- Strong and weak acids/bases, and their dissociation in water
- pH, pOH, and the relationship between them
- Buffer solutions and titration curves
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Applications of Thermodynamics
- Calculating energy changes using calorimetry
- Gibbs free energy and spontaneity of reactions
- Coupling of reactions in biological and industrial processes
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Electrochemistry
- Redox reactions and oxidation states
- Galvanic and electrolytic cells
- Standard reduction potentials and calculating cell voltage
These topics form the core of the AP Chemistry curriculum, preparing students for the conceptual and practical challenges of the AP exam.
