AP Chemistry study guide
AP Chemistry · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
AP Chemistry is an advanced placement course and exam intended to mirror a one-year, introductory college general chemistry course. It suits students who have already taken high school chemistry and Algebra II and who want to build fluency in quantitative problem solving, experimental design, and molecular-level reasoning about matter. The AP Chemistry study guide has 9 sections and about 2,803 words.
01Atomic Structure and Properties
The nucleus–electron attraction is proportional to the product of charges and inversely proportional to distance (Coulomb's law). Effective nuclear charge (Z eff) increases left to right across a period because protons are added while electrons enter the same shell; shielding by core electrons stays roughly constant.
318 words, about 2 min02Compound Structure and Properties
Draw Lewis structures by counting valence electrons, then assign formal charge = (valence e−) − (nonbonding e−) − ½(bonding e−). The best structure minimizes formal charge and places negative charge on the more electronegative atom.
317 words, about 2 min03Properties of Substances and Mixtures
The strength of attractions between particles sets boiling point, vapor pressure, viscosity, surface tension, and solubility. Rank forces: ion–dipole hydrogen bonding dipole–dipole London dispersion.
336 words, about 2 min04Chemical Reactions
Write balanced equations, then convert to net ionic form by removing spectator ions. Precipitation depends on solubility rules; a reaction occurs only if an insoluble solid, a gas, or a weak electrolyte or water forms.
282 words, about 1 min05Kinetics
The rate law expresses rate as k[A]^m[B]^n; exponents are determined experimentally, not from coefficients. Use the method of initial rates: compare trials where one concentration changes while others stay fixed.
333 words, about 2 min06Thermochemistry
Energy is conserved. Enthalpy change ΔH is heat transferred at constant pressure; q = mcΔT gives the heat gained or lost by a substance, with m in grams and c in J/(g·°C).
285 words, about 1 min07Equilibrium
At equilibrium, forward and reverse rates are equal and concentrations are constant-but not equal. For aA + bB ⇌ cC + dD, Kc = [C]^c[D]^d/([A]^a[B]^b).
307 words, about 2 min08Acids and Bases
Brønsted–Lowry acids donate protons; bases accept them. Conjugate pairs differ by one H+.
335 words, about 2 min09Thermodynamics and Electrochemistry
Entropy S measures dispersal of energy and the number of microstates. ΔS is positive when gas moles increase, temperature rises, or a solid dissolves into ions.
290 words, about 1 min