AP CHEMISTRY
WEEK 7
Study Guide
, AP CHEMISTRY
WEEK 7 STUDY GUIDE
Message to Lumist AP Learners
Hi AP Campers! Welcome to week 7 of the AP Chemistry Study Camp. This is a special
week because we are covering 2 units. In order to fit the camp into 8 weeks, we
combined the Equilibrium and Acids & Bases units together this week. About 7-9% of
the final exam will cover topics from equilibrium; whereas, acids & bases are weighted
around 11-15% of the final exam.
We will start off the week with the equilibrium unit. We will learn that reactions do
not always occur in one direction. This affects the concentrations of reactants and
products in a solution. Another important concept we will learn is the Le Chatelier’s
principle. Then, we will move onto the acids & bases unit. Some concepts such as strong
acids/bases and titrations from week 4 will be further explored. Some new concepts we
will learn are the mathematical expressions of pH and pOH. Our discussion of weak
acids will be a good bridge between these two units since weak acid dissolution in an
equilibrium process. Lastly, we will discuss buffers which are important in many fields.
Interestly, blood pH is maintained through the bicarbonate buffer. This prevents
medical conditions such as blood acidosis and alkalosis.
This guide includes tips to help you avoid common misunderstandings and remember
key concepts. The end of this guide has a problem set with questions you can expect on
the exam. There is also a bonus question for students who want extra practice and a bit
of a challenge.
Good luck!
Chapter 1 Overview: Topics & Concepts
Equilibrium (7-9% Final Exam Weighting)
1. Introduction to Equilibrium
Learning Objective: understand the relationship between reversible chemical/physical
processes and the equilibrium state.
2
, AP CHEMISTRY
WEEK 7 STUDY GUIDE
● Reactions can be reversible. One example is the melting and freezing of water. We
will also look at the reversible reactions between acids/bases and water in the next
chapter.
● Equilibrium is reached when
𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑟𝑥𝑛 = 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑒 𝑟𝑥𝑛
● At equilibrium, the reaction looks like it is stopped because there are no changes in
the concentration of products and reactants.
● Therefore, at equilibrium, the concentration/pressure of products and reactants is
constant at equilibrium.
● Equilibrium can also be understood by examining the graph of
concentration/pressure of a reactant over time. Rate of the reaction vs time is
another graph that also is useful when studying equilibrium.
2. Direction of Reversible Reactions
Learning Objective: Explain how the direction of a reversible reaction relates to the
forward and backward reaction rates.
3
WEEK 7
Study Guide
, AP CHEMISTRY
WEEK 7 STUDY GUIDE
Message to Lumist AP Learners
Hi AP Campers! Welcome to week 7 of the AP Chemistry Study Camp. This is a special
week because we are covering 2 units. In order to fit the camp into 8 weeks, we
combined the Equilibrium and Acids & Bases units together this week. About 7-9% of
the final exam will cover topics from equilibrium; whereas, acids & bases are weighted
around 11-15% of the final exam.
We will start off the week with the equilibrium unit. We will learn that reactions do
not always occur in one direction. This affects the concentrations of reactants and
products in a solution. Another important concept we will learn is the Le Chatelier’s
principle. Then, we will move onto the acids & bases unit. Some concepts such as strong
acids/bases and titrations from week 4 will be further explored. Some new concepts we
will learn are the mathematical expressions of pH and pOH. Our discussion of weak
acids will be a good bridge between these two units since weak acid dissolution in an
equilibrium process. Lastly, we will discuss buffers which are important in many fields.
Interestly, blood pH is maintained through the bicarbonate buffer. This prevents
medical conditions such as blood acidosis and alkalosis.
This guide includes tips to help you avoid common misunderstandings and remember
key concepts. The end of this guide has a problem set with questions you can expect on
the exam. There is also a bonus question for students who want extra practice and a bit
of a challenge.
Good luck!
Chapter 1 Overview: Topics & Concepts
Equilibrium (7-9% Final Exam Weighting)
1. Introduction to Equilibrium
Learning Objective: understand the relationship between reversible chemical/physical
processes and the equilibrium state.
2
, AP CHEMISTRY
WEEK 7 STUDY GUIDE
● Reactions can be reversible. One example is the melting and freezing of water. We
will also look at the reversible reactions between acids/bases and water in the next
chapter.
● Equilibrium is reached when
𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑟𝑥𝑛 = 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑒 𝑟𝑥𝑛
● At equilibrium, the reaction looks like it is stopped because there are no changes in
the concentration of products and reactants.
● Therefore, at equilibrium, the concentration/pressure of products and reactants is
constant at equilibrium.
● Equilibrium can also be understood by examining the graph of
concentration/pressure of a reactant over time. Rate of the reaction vs time is
another graph that also is useful when studying equilibrium.
2. Direction of Reversible Reactions
Learning Objective: Explain how the direction of a reversible reaction relates to the
forward and backward reaction rates.
3
