AP®︎ Chemistry Unit 1: Notes & Study Guide

Prepare for your quiz, test, or the AP exam with a comprehensive review on Unit 1 of AP Chemistry – Atomic Structure and Properties.

Exam weight: 7%–9%
8 Topics

Unit 1: Atomic Structure and Properties

How atoms are built, how electrons are arranged, and how periodic trends follow from atomic structure.

Begin with Topic 1.1: Moles and Molar Mass

To review Unit 1, go through each of the 8 topics below.

Everything you actually need to know for your Unit 1 test, pulled directly from the AP® Chemistry curriculum.

Topic 1.1
~5 min
Review
Moles and Molar Mass
Moles and Molar Mass
  • The Mole and Why It Exists
  • Atomic Mass and Molar Mass
  • The Conversion Roadmap
Review
Topic 1.2
~6 min
Review
Mass Spectra of Elements
Mass Spectra of Elements
  • Isotopes and Average Atomic Mass
  • What a Mass Spectrum Shows
  • From Mass Spectrum to Average Atomic Mass
Review
Topic 1.3
~6 min
Review
Elemental Composition of Pure Substances
Elemental Composition of Pure Substances
  • What a Pure Substance Is
  • The Law of Definite Proportions
  • Empirical Formula
Review
Topic 1.4
~6 min
Review
Composition of Mixtures
Composition of Mixtures
  • Pure Substances vs Mixtures
  • Types of Mixtures
  • Quantitative Composition by Mass
Review
Topic 1.5
~6 min
Review
Atomic Structure and Electron Configuration
Atomic Structure and Electron Configuration
  • Atomic Structure and Coulombic Attraction
  • Energy Levels, Sublevels, and Electron Organization
  • The Rules for Writing Ground-State Electron Configurations
Review
Topic 1.6
~6 min
Review
Photoelectron Spectroscopy
Photoelectron Spectroscopy
  • What Photoelectron Spectroscopy Shows
  • How to Read a PES Graph
  • What Determines Binding Energy
Review
Topic 1.7
~6 min
Review
Periodic Trends
Periodic Trends
  • How the Periodic Table Reflects Electron Structure
  • Coulomb’s Law, Shielding, and Effective Nuclear Charge
  • The Four Major Periodic Trends
Review
Topic 1.8
~7 min
Review
Valence Electrons and Ionic Compounds
Valence Electrons and Ionic Compounds
  • Valence Electrons and Why They Control Reactivity
  • Periodic Trends and Reactivity
  • Typical Ionic Charges and How to Predict Them
Review

Notes

1 credit used · 5/5 remaining