AP+Chem+Essays

The concepts in chemistry are both qualitative and quantitative. Fundamental scientific principles are important, and these are described in a few essays in the Brown, LeMay and Bursten textbook. Furthermore, some facts about chemical behavior also need to be memorized. The use of fundamental principles to explain chemical behavior is a key exercise of chemists. And, of course, the importance of the rule breakers - chemicals whose behavior seems to defy fundamental principles - can't be overemphasized.

Below is a list to the top ten essays in Brown, LeMay and Bursten, according to Mr. Robinson. These are worth reading and re-reading in the days before the exam. If you have nervous energy, bury your nose in the book and read.


 * Rank || Sections of the Book || Topic ||
 * 1 || 13.1 to 13.3 || Solubility and factors that affect solubility ||
 * 2 || 7.2 to 7.4 || Effective nuclear charge and atomic trends ||
 * 3 || 10.7 and 10.9 || The Kinetic Molecular Theory and non-Ideal Gas behavior ||
 * 4 || 15.6 || Le Chatelier's Principle ||
 * 5 || all of chapter 11 || Intermolecular Forces and the solid and liquid state ||
 * 6 || 8.6, 9.4, and 9.6 || Resonance Structures, bond formation, and delocalized pi bonding ||
 * 7 || 16.9 and 16.10 || Patterns in acid-base behavior ||
 * 8 || 14.7 || Catalysis ||
 * 9 || 7.7 and 7.8 || Group trends in the families of the periodic table ||
 * 10 || 2.1 and 2.2 || A short history of the evolution of atomic theory ||