Honors Chemistry

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Course Overview

Acellus Honors Chemistry provides students with an in-depth introduction to chemistry. Students are introduced to various forms of matter. They learn about the basic components of the atom and electron orbitals. They will become familiar with the Periodic Table and learn how to use it to predict properties of specific elements. They will learn about chemical bonding, practice stoichiometry, and learn basic reactions. An introduction to organic chemistry is also included. Additional lessons have been included in this course to provide students with the more in-depth understanding that they will require for AP Chemistry. Acellus Honors Chemistry is taught by Dr. James Chapman. Acellus Honors Chemistry is A-G Approved through the University of California.

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Course Objectives & Student Learning Outcomes

Upon the completion of this course students will have attained a fundamental understanding of chemistry, the characteristics of matter, and the scientific method. Students will understand the properties and changes of matter. They will understand atomic structure and be familiar with the quantum theory and the atom. They will be familiar with the various molecular shapes and know how to use the Periodic Table to predict behavior and properties of various elements. Students will be familiar with the different types of chemical bonds, their properties and formulas, naming conventions, and how to draw Lewis structures for various compounds. Students will know about some of the more common types of chemical reactions and how to balance them to perform basis stoichiometric calculations. They will know the different states of matter and how to use the gas laws to solve problems. Students will also know how to calculate the concentration of various solutions including how to dilute known concentrations of molar solutions. Students will know how to identify acids and bases and calculate pH and pOH as well as Ka for weak acids. Students will also have a basic understanding of organic and nuclear chemistry.

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This course was developed by the International Academy of Science. Learn More

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Scope and Sequence

Unit 1 – Introduction to Chemistry In this unit students discuss why we study chemistry, the characteristics of matter, and the scientific method. They also study scientific notation, SI units and prefixes, conversions between SI units for temperature, derived SI units for volume and density, scientific notation for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, unit conversion in dimensional analysis, data analysis, significant figures and rounding, and calculations using significant figures in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Unit 2 – Matter, Atomic Structure, and the Period Table In this unit students explore states and properties of matter, physical versus chemical changes, and elements versus compounds, as well as types of mixtures and separation methods for mixtures. They also investigate the organization of the atom, what makes atoms different, radioactive decay, the quantum theory and the atom, and electron configuration.  Additionally, they delve into the modern periodic table, electron configuration and periodicity, and periodic trends. Unit 3 – Chemical Bonding In this unit students study valence electrons, ionic bonds and compounds, properties and formulas of ionic compounds, and names of ions and ionic compounds. They also discuss covalent bonds, single and multiple covalent bonds, and the strength of covalent bonds. Unit 4 –  Naming Compounds and Lewis Structures In this unit students investigate the names of binary molecular compounds.  They also explore naming acids, and Lewis Structures, including covalent compounds, polyatomic ions, resonance, and exceptions. Unit 5 – Molecular Shapes and Chemical Equations In this unit students discuss valence shell electron pair repulsion (VSEPR), electronegativity, and polarity. They also study chemical reactions, balancing chemical equations, types of chemical reactions, and reactions in water. Unit 6 – The Mole In this unit students explore how to convert moles to particles and to mass, and the mole ratios of compounds.  They also investigate calculations for molar mass of compounds, percent composition calculations, empirical and molecular formula calculations, and formulas of hydrates. Unit 7 – Stoichiometry In this unit students discuss chemical reactions in terms of stoichiometric calculations, including mole to mole, mole to mass, mass to mole, mass to mass, limiting reactants, and percent yield.  Following this unit students are presented with the Mid-term Review and Exam. Unit 8 – Solids, Liquids, and Gases In this unit students study gases in terms of behavior, units, and the kinetic-molecular theory, and in terms of Dalton’s Law of Partial Pressures. They also investigate liquids, solids, and the intermolecular forces that determine the state of matter. Unit 9 – Gas Laws In this unit students explore the laws that pertain to gases, including Boyle’s, Charles’s, and Gay-Lussac’s laws, as well as the Combined Gas Law and the Ideal Gas Law.  They also discuss the Ideal Gas Law in terms of molar mass and density, as well as stoichiometry in gases with volume-volume and volume-mass. Unit 10 – Mixtures and Solutions In this unit students investigate heterogeneous and homogeneous mixtures, as well as concentration as percent by mass, percent by volume, molarity, dilution of molar solutions, molality, and mole fractions. They also study solvation in ionic and molecular compounds, solubility, and colligative properties. Unit 11 – Acids and Bases In this unit students discuss the Arrhenius, Bronsted-Lowry, and Lewis Models, the strength of acids, weak acid ionization constants, the strength of bases, weak base ionization constants, hydrogen ions, ion product constant, pH and pOH, pH and H+ calculations, pOH and OH- calculations, pH and pOH calculations, and pH and pOH strong acids and bases. They also explore Ka calculations for weak acids, neutralization reactions for acids and bases, basic, acidic, and neutral salt solutions, and buffer solutions. Unit 12 – Organic Chemistry In this unit students study hydrocarbons, including alkanes, drawing structures, naming straight-chain alkanes, branched-chain alkanes, and cyclic alkanes.  They also investigate structures from names, alkenes, alkynes, aromatics, isomers, substituted hydrocarbons – functional groups, halocarbons, alcohols, ethers, amines, aldehydes, keytones, and carboxylic acid, including ester and amide. Unit 13 - Reactions In this unit students explore substitution and elimination reactions, addition reactions, oxidation-reduction reactions, and polymers.  Following this unit students are presented with the Final Review and Exam.