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AP Chemistry Concept Taxonomy

This taxonomy organizes the 500 AP Chemistry concepts into 12 categories for visualization and navigation in the learning graph.

Categories

FOUND - Foundation Concepts

Foundational scientific skills and prerequisite knowledge including measurement, data analysis, scientific method, and basic chemistry vocabulary. These concepts are prerequisites for all other areas.

ATOM - Atomic Structure

Atomic theory, subatomic particles, isotopes, electron configuration, quantum mechanics, and electromagnetic radiation. Covers the internal structure of atoms and how electrons are arranged.

MOLE - Moles and Quantitative Analysis

The mole concept, molar mass, percent composition, empirical and molecular formulas, stoichiometry, and quantitative calculations. Core computational skills used throughout the course.

Organization of the periodic table, periodic trends (atomic radius, ionization energy, electronegativity, electron affinity), and effective nuclear charge.

BOND - Bonding and Structure

Chemical bonds (ionic, covalent, metallic), Lewis structures, resonance, formal charge, VSEPR theory, molecular geometry, hybridization, and molecular polarity.

IMF - Intermolecular Forces

Intermolecular forces (LDF, dipole-dipole, hydrogen bonding, ion-dipole), states of matter, properties of solids, liquids, and solutions. Connections between molecular structure and macroscopic properties.

GAS - Gas Laws and Behavior

Ideal gas law, individual gas laws, partial pressures, mole fraction, gas stoichiometry, real gases, and deviations from ideal behavior.

RXNS - Chemical Reactions

Types of reactions, balancing equations, net ionic equations, oxidation-reduction, reaction prediction, precipitation, and qualitative analysis.

STOI - Stoichiometry and Titration

Stoichiometric calculations, limiting reagents, percent yield, titrations, gravimetric analysis, and solution preparation.

KIN - Kinetics

Reaction rates, rate laws, integrated rate laws, half-life, collision theory, activation energy, Arrhenius equation, reaction mechanisms, and catalysis.

THRM - Thermodynamics

Enthalpy, entropy, Gibbs free energy, calorimetry, Hess's law, spontaneity, and the laws of thermodynamics.

EQBM - Equilibrium

Chemical equilibrium, equilibrium constants, ICE tables, Le Chatelier's principle, solubility equilibria, and Ksp calculations.

ACID - Acids and Bases

Acid-base theories, pH calculations, strong and weak acids/bases, Ka/Kb, buffers, Henderson-Hasselbalch equation, and acid-base titrations.

ECHEM - Electrochemistry

Galvanic and electrolytic cells, standard reduction potentials, cell potential calculations, Nernst equation, Faraday's laws, and applications.

LAB - Laboratory and Experimental

Experimental design, error analysis, scientific argumentation, laboratory techniques, and data interpretation skills.