AP Chemistry Course and Exam Description

A collection of flashcards based on the AP Chemistry Course and Exam Description notes, covering essential concepts and key terms relevant for the exam.

AP Chemistry

A college-level advanced placement course that allows high school students to undertake college-level studies therein, culminating in the opportunity to earn credit or advanced placement in college.

Equilibrium Constant (K)

A mathematical expression that describes the ratio of the concentrations of products to the concentrations of reactants for a reaction at equilibrium.

Le Châtelier’s Principle

If an external change is applied to a system at equilibrium, the system will adjust to counter that change and restore a new equilibrium.

Endothermic Process

A process in which a system absorbs heat from its surroundings, resulting in a temperature decrease in the surroundings.

Exothermic Reaction

A chemical reaction that releases energy by light or heat to its surroundings.

Gibbs Free Energy (ΔG)

A thermodynamic quantity that measures the maximum reversible work performed by a system at constant temperature and pressure.

Molar Mass (M)

The mass of one mole of a substance, typically expressed in grams per mole (g/mol).

Stoichiometry

The calculation of reactants and products in chemical reactions based on the conservation of mass.

Acid-Base Reaction

A chemical reaction that involves the transfer of protons (H+) between reactants, leading to the formation of water and salt.

Calibration Curve

A graphical representation showing the relationship between known concentrations of a substance and the corresponding response measured, typically used for determining unknown concentrations.

Titration

A procedure in which a solution of known concentration is used to determine the concentration of an unknown solution through controlled addition.

Weak Acid

An acid that only partially dissociates in solution, leading to an equilibrium between the undissociated acid and its ions.

Electrochemical Cell

A device that generates electricity through chemical reactions or uses electricity to drive chemical reactions.

Thermodynamics

The branch of physical science that deals with the relationships between heat and other forms of energy.

Specific Heat Capacity (c)

The amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one gram of a substance by one degree Celsius (°C).

Photoelectron Spectroscopy (PES)

A technique used to study the energy levels of electrons in atoms and molecules by measuring the energy of electrons emitted upon photon absorption.