2008 Syllabus for Chemistry
July 28 - August 1, 2008
Institute Overview
This workshop is primarily designed for both beginning AP teachers and those with three or fewer years experience in teaching AP Chemistry. We will be covering bonding, up through introductory Molecular Orbital Theory (The case for O2), kinetics, equilibrium, and some of the acid-base chemistry. Buffers, thermodynamics, and electrochemistry are typically taught in AP Chemistry Advanced Workshops. There will be a major emphasis on the laboratory aspects of these topics and the program will include six or seven laboratory experiences in four afternoon sessions. I bring these labs to you because my experience has been (a) they work, (b) they can be completed in a high school time frame, and (3) most are reasonably inexpensive.
Consultant Background
Patsy Mueller - AP Chemistry Teacher - formerly of Highland Park H.S in Illinois, currently teaching at Regina Dominican H. S. in Wilmette, Illinois. Patsy was an AP Reader from 1980- 2005 including 15 years as a Table Leader, served on the AP Test Development Committee for four years, and has been an AP Summer Institute consultant since 1991. If you have any questions about the Chemistry APSI between now and then, I can be reached via email at pmueller @ ameritech.net, or by phone at (847) 234-6078.
Institute Preparation
The days are long ones, so come rested. Because sandals are not permitted in the lab, a pair of sneakers or other shoes which cover the surface of your foot will be needed, (Sandals are fine for the lecture/discussion sessions.) Safety goggles are required, and a lab apron or lab coat could be helpful, along with
- a calculator,
- a ruler,
- graph paper with the smaller squares,
- a 3 - ring binder with LARGE rings and 7-8 section dividers for the binder.
Staplers and a 3-hole punch will be provided, but you may find it convenient to bring your own.
Institute Schedule
We meet from approximately 8:00 am -12:00 pm, then 1-4 pm (afternoons are primarily spent doing the lab work). We will finish no later than noon on Friday. Your daily worksheets and/or lab write-ups, etc. will be completed and evaluated "on-site," [Portfolio Assessment] and will be returned to you to take home with you. No assignments will need to be completed after the Institute, unless you register for the WU Graduate Credit Option (see the information below).
- Bonding
- Nature of covalent bond
- Lewis structures
- Bond properties: length, strength, and energy
- Resonance
- VSEPR Theory: shapes and polarities of Molecules
- Hybridization
- Pi and sigma Bonds
- Molecular Orbital Theory: The case of O2
- Kinetics
- An appreciation of Rate
- Demonstrations
- Terms and definitions: average and instantaneous rate, collision theory, mechanism
- Concentration and Rate
- Concentration vs. rate: rate laws. rate constant, order of reaction
- Relationship between concentration and time: Integrated rate expression, and half lives.
- Temperature and Rate
- Activation energy
- Kinetic energy distribution curve
- Catalysts and Rate
- Potential energy diagrams
- Mechanisms
- Rate determining step and order of reaction
- Gas Phase Equilibrium
- Definition and conditions of equilibrium
- Quantitative aspects: mass action: Kc and Kp
- Qualitative aspects: LeChatelier
- Acid-Base Equilibria
- Defining an acid and base: behavioral, Arrhenius, Bronsted-Lewis definitions
- Kw and pH
- Strong acids and bases: ion concentrations and pH
- Weak acids and bases
- Ka and Kb equilibria
- Ion concentrations and pH
- Hydrolysis reactions
- Definition
- Ion concentrations and pH
- Acid-Base Interactions
- Neutralization reactions
- Buffers
- Titration curves
- Laboratory
- Stoichiometry
- % of copper in a penny
- Empirical formula of copper iodide
- Redox titration to find the oxidation number of a nitrogen in a compound.
- Redox
- Kinetics
- Finding the order of a reaction using water flow through a buret.
- Finding the order of the decomposition of crystal violet: a spectroscopic exercise.
- Acid-Base Equilibria
- Hydrolysis reactions
- Strong acid/strong base titration: titration curve to find the concentration of an unknown base.
- Weak acid/strong base titration: titration curve to find the pKa and Ka of a weak acid.
Graduate Credit Option
Participants may also earn three graduate education hours for any of the AP Summer Institutes from Washburn University for a reduced tuition rate of $85 per credit hour and the successful completion of an academic assignment. The academic assignment must be submitted to Dr. Sandy Tutwiler (sandy.tutwiler@washburn.edu) by August 15, 2008.
Additional Information
Timothy W. Peterson, Ph.D.
Dean of Continuing Education
Washburn University
1700 College Avenue
Topeka, KS 66621Phone: (785) 670-1399
Fax: (785) 670-1028