The APsolute RecAP: Chemistry Edition
The APsolute RecAP: Chemistry Edition is a guided review through all nine units of study. Season one begins with essential background knowledge and continues with weekly detailed episodes for success in the course. Areas of focus include atomic structure, molecular and ionic compounds, intermolecular forces, reactions, kinetics, thermodynamics, equilibrium and acids and bases. Season two focuses on big picture connections, lab skills and FRQ practice. Make sure to subscribe wherever you get podcasts, download the accompanying study guides for extra practice, and follow along on social media for the question of the day and course updates!
TRAILER
Trailer
The APsolute RecAP: Chemistry Edition, written by Sarah Rayder and hosted by Melanie Kingett, will be your guide to scoring the five!
EPISODE 1
The APsolute RecAP: Chemistry Edition - Physical and Chemical Change
Start your day with a solid breakfast! Episode 1 reviews, compares and contrasts physical and chemical changes and how to recognize them as well as the states of matter.
EPISODE 2
The APsolute RecAP: Chemistry Edition - Atomic Structure
Never trust an atom, they make up everything! But, what is an atom and what is an atom made of?
EPISODE 3
The APsolute RecAP: Chemistry Edition - Periodic Table
Being able to read the Periodic Table provides you with a “legal cheat sheet”. Therefore, Episode 3 recaps the set-up of the periodic table and how to read it.
EPISODE 4
The APsolute RecAP: Chemistry Edition - Chemical Bonding
Elements can form different types of chemical bonds to reach noble-gas configuration. Episode 4 recaps three types of chemical bonds.
EPISODE 5
The APsolute RecAP: Chemistry Edition - Chemical Formulas and Naming
Being able to name chemical compounds can save lives! Therefore, Episode 5 reviews the major naming rules as well as how to write chemical formulas.
EPISODE 6
The APsolute RecAP: Chemistry Edition - Types of Chemical Reactions
Chemistry might seem like magic occasionally, but you don’t need a crystal ball to predict products of reactions!
EPISODE 7
The APsolute RecAP: Chemistry Edition - Introduction to Gas Laws
Why do you have to measure the cold tire pressure? It all comes down to gases.
EPISODE 8
The APsolute RecAP: Chemistry Edition - Introduction to Solution Chemistry
Air and steel are solutions?! Yes! Episode 8 starts by defining solutions (1:30).
EPISODE 9
The APsolute RecAP: Chemistry Edition - AP Overview and Exam Structure
With the goal in mind, we are starting the season to talk about the AP exam!
EPISODE 10
The APsolute RecAP: Chemistry Edition - Big Ideas and Science Practices
To connect the different concepts throughout the year, we are looking first at the big ideas
EPISODE 11
The APsolute RecAP: Chemistry Edition - Units and Exclusions
This episode will now discuss the content of the AP Chemistry curriculum by describing the nine units outlined in the CED and their connections.
EPISODE 12
The APsolute RecAP: Chemistry Edition - Moles, Molar Mass and Mass Spectroscopy
The episode recaps foundational terms for chemical calculations.
EPISODE 13
The APsolute RecAP: Chemistry Edition - Atomic Structure, Electron Configuration and PES
The episode starts with a recap of atomic structure (1:13) before it focuses on electrons.
EPISODE 14
The APsolute RecAP: Chemistry Edition - Coulomb’s Law and Periodic Trends
The Periodic Table is trendy! Episode 14 recaps Coulomb’s Law (1:10) and describes how it applies to atomic structure (2:00).
EPISODE 15
The APsolute RecAP: Chemistry Edition - Chemical Bonds
Episode 15 starts with a quick recap of electronegativity and how it determines the type of bond formed (1:10).
EPISODE 16
The APsolute RecAP: Chemistry Edition - VSEPR Theory
In this episode we define the acronym V-S-E-P-R and take a closer look at bonding and non-bonding electron pairs around a central atom (1:10).
EPISODE 17
The APsolute RecAP: Chemistry Edition - Intermolecular Forces
This episode recaps the five types of intermolecular forces, discusses factors influencing the strength of force and provides examples.
Episode 18
The APsolute RecAP: Chemistry Edition - Kinetic Molecular Theory
Episode 18 starts with a recap of a recap: Reviewing Episode 7 Kinetic Molecular Theory (1:06)
Episode 19
The APsolute RecAP: Chemistry Edition - Aqueous Solutions
Water is oh so special, being the star of this episode! Episode 19 starts with a recap of Episode 8 definition of solution components, electrolytes and concentration.
Episode 20
The APsolute RecAP: Chemistry Edition - Types of Chemical Equations
What IS a chemical reaction? Our episode starts with differentiating between physical (1:08) and chemical changes (1:47).
Episode 21
The APsolute RecAP: Chemistry Edition - Dive Deeper: Stoichiometry
Stoichiometry, every chemistry student’s nightmare! But we got you!
Episode 22
The APsolute RecAP: Chemistry Edition - Types of Chemical Reactions
Episode 22 starts with a recap of the five types of chemical reactions described in episode 6. But then we are getting in deep!
Episode 23
The APsolute RecAP: Chemistry Edition - Reaction Rate and Rate Law
Diamonds are forever, aren’t they? Episode 23 recaps reaction rates and rate laws.
Episode 24
The APsolute RecAP: Chemistry Edition - Reaction Mechanism and Rate Law
Did you know that you can compare a chemical reaction with your daily experience in the lunch line?
Episode 25
The APsolute RecAP: Chemistry Edition - Catalysis
Episode 25 starts with the definition of a catalyst and describes how we can identify the catalyst in a set of elementary steps.
Episode 26
The APsolute RecAP: Chemistry Edition - Listener’s Choice 1
Our listener’s choice recaps three topics: Ideal Gas Laws, Solubility and Internal Energy.
Episode 27
The APsolute RecAP: Chemistry Edition - Midterm Review
Episode 27 reviews Units 1-4 of the AP Chemistry curriculum. Starting off with Unit 1 it gives an overview over counting atoms and isotopes.
Episode 28
The APsolute RecAP: Chemistry Edition - Listener’s Choice II
Our episode recaps two connected concepts: Boiling points and the strength of intermolecular forces.
Episode 29
The APsolute RecAP: Chemistry Edition - Energy of Chemical Reactions
We are surrounded by exothermic and endothermic reactions. Episode 29 starts by describing the first law of Thermodynamics...
Episode 30
The APsolute RecAP: Chemistry Edition - Heat Capacity and Calorimetry
Heat transfer is all around! The episode starts by describing the heat transfer on a particle level.
Episode 31
The APsolute RecAP: Chemistry Edition - Enthalpy
Heat, Energy and now Enthalpy? What is going on? Our episode starts by defining and distinguishing between these concepts.
Episode 32
The APsolute RecAP: Chemistry Edition - Equilibrium Constant
Try to keep your balance! The episode starts with an analogy of villagers commuting from Moleville to Chemtown.
Episode 33
The APsolute RecAP: Chemistry Edition - Le Chatelier’s Principle
Let’s be disruptive: What happens when you disturb the equilibrium of a chemical reaction? Our episode talks you through several different scenarios and their effect on the reaction as well as K and Q.
Episode 34
The APsolute RecAP: Chemistry Edition - Solubility Equilibria
Our episode starts with addressing the question: What IS solubility?
Episode 35
The APsolute RecAP: Chemistry Edition - Acids and Bases - The Basics
We start our recap with a recap: What are acids and bases and acid-base reactions?
Episode 36
The APsolute RecAP: Chemistry Edition - pH and pOH
We are starting with a recap of episode 35 and are defining acids and bases and their connection to pH and pOH.
Episode 37
The APsolute RecAP: Chemistry Edition - Acid-Base Titrations
Acid-base titrations are an experimental approach to determine the concentration of an unknown acid or base.
Episode 38
The APsolute RecAP: Chemistry Edition - Buffers
Buffers are a common term in the english language, but what do they mean in Chemistry?
Episode 39
The APsolute RecAP: Chemistry Edition - Entropy
Click, click, click - you picture has been taken! Our episode starts with describing entropy with respect to the dispersal of matter and compares it to the snapshots or microstates.
Episode 40
The APsolute RecAP: Chemistry Edition - Gibbs Free Energy
Our episode starts with a clarification of using the terms thermodynamically favored vs spontaneous.
Episode 41
The APsolute RecAP: Chemistry Edition - Galvanic and Electrolytic Cells
Have you ever built a lemon battery? How do they work?
Episode 42
The APsolute RecAP: Chemistry Edition - Electrolysis
Electroplating is an important industrial process to prevent corrosion and upvalue jewelry and cutlery.
Episode 43
The APsolute RecAP: Chemistry Edition - Listener’s Choice III
Our listener’s choice recaps three topics: (R)ICE tables, titrations and buffers.
Episode 44
The APsolute RecAP: Chemistry Edition - Multiple Choice Strategies
You’ve made it through the year! Let’s hone our Multiple Choice skills to make sure we can show off our knowledge and skills!
Episode 45
The APsolute RecAP: Chemistry Edition - FRQ Annotations
The FRQ section has 3 long and 4 short question sets which you will have 105 minutes to complete.
Episode 46
The APsolute RecAP: Chemistry Edition - Test Taking Tips 2021
The episode discusses and compares the structure of the two exam formats: the paper exams in May and the digital exam in June.
Episode 47
The APsolute RecAP: Chemistry Edition - Empirical and Molecular Formulas
Switching glucose and formaldehyde would be really bad.
Episode 48
The APsolute RecAP: Chemistry Edition - Gravimetric Analysis
Do you have your own bathroom? Then you might be familiar with soap scum, which is the result of a combination of having hard water and soap.
Episode 49
The APsolute RecAP: Chemistry Edition - Lewis Diagrams and Formal Charges
Lewis Diagrams give us information about the arrangement and bond order of compounds.
Episode 50
The APsolute RecAP: Chemistry Edition - Selected Unit 1 and 2 Free-Response Questions
The FRQs discussed in this episode are 2008 - Question 2 and 5 as well as 2019 question 5. These are released FRQs from previous exams and copyright of the College Board.
Episode 51
The APsolute RecAP: Chemistry Edition - Episode 51: Types of Solids and Their Properties
Sitting in your room, you might have salted peanuts as a snack, a pencil, tea with sugar and you listen to this episode with earphones in.
Episode 52
The APsolute RecAP: Chemistry Edition - Episode 52: Deviation From Ideal Gas Law
Teachers wish students would always behave ideal, but in reality life happens and it gets messy.
Episode 53
The APsolute RecAP: Chemistry Edition - Episode 53: Beer-Lambert Law
Coffee needs to be “just right” and we can tell how strong it is by the color.
Episode 54
The APsolute RecAP: Chemistry Edition - Episode 54: Unit 3 Selected FRQs
The FRQs discussed in this episode are the question 4s from the 2019, 2018 and 2017 AP Exam. These are released FRQs from previous exams and copyright of the College Board.
Episode 55
The APsolute RecAP: Chemistry Edition - Episode 55: Unit 4 Selected FRQs
Unit for is a mix of foundational skills, like stoichiometry, and an introduction to later topics.
Episode 56
The APsolute RecAP: Chemistry Edition - Episode 56: Concentration Changes Over Time
An AP Chemistry classic experiment for concentration changes over time is determining the rate law of fading Crystal Violet.
Episode 57
The APsolute RecAP: Chemistry Edition - Episode 57: Unit 5 selected FRQs
Unit 5 is often a stand alone unit and offers a unique perspective on reactions. Episode 57 discusses the questions 2010B - Question 6 and 2019 - Question 6.
Episode 58
The APsolute RecAP: Chemistry Edition - Episode 58: Energy of Phase Changes
We are taking a closer look at what happens when hot water is cooled down or ice is heating up.
Episode 59
The APsolute RecAP: Chemistry Edition - Episode 59: Unit 6 selected FRQs
Unit 6 is all about the big idea Energy. Episode 59 discusses the questions 2021 - Question 4, 2017 - Question 5 and 2013 - Question 3.
Episode 60
The APsolute RecAP: Chemistry Edition - Episode 60: Factors Affecting the Dissolution of a Salt
This episode is an application of earlier discussed concepts. In episode 33 we talked about disruptions affecting equilibrium: concentration, temperature and pressure.
Episode 61
The APsolute RecAP: Chemistry Edition - Episode 61: Unit 7 Selected FRQs
The FRQ questions on the AP exam often combine content from two or three different units. In today’s episode, we are emphasizing questions that require knowledge and skills from Unit 7: Equilibrium.
Episode 62
The APsolute RecAP: Chemistry Edition - Episode 62: Molecular Structure and Acid Strength
All hydrohalic acids, but hydrofluoric acid, are strong acids. Why is that?