AP Chemistry BLOCK Summer Assignment 2022-2023

SIGN UP FOR OUR GOOGLE CLASSROOM before summer: code fwc5tsi

Instructor: Mrs. Daniels [email protected]

Welcome to AP Chemistry. I am excited that you’ve decided to accept the challenge and have signed up for this
rigorous, yet rewarding class. Please note that even though you’ve signed up for the course, sometimes it is
difficult for this class (2nd and 3rd hour block) to fit into everyone’s schedule so there IS a possibility that you
may not end up in the course if you have upper level language or math classes that meet during those hours.

I recognize that you’ve had limited exposure to chemical symbols, formulas, equations, etc., so there will be
some important basics that you will need to work through either alone or with a partner who may also be taking
the class. I will be using our GoogleClassroom site to communicate with you periodically throughout the summer,
but will leave you alone for the most part ☺…I realize summer vacation is summer vacation and do not intend on
taking up a huge portion of your time; however, it is important that you learn some basic chemistry skills before
starting on day one in the fall. I will be posting some short video tutorials and assignments on GoogleClassroom.
I will put suggested due dates on the videos and assignments, but ultimately the final due date will be the first
day of the Fall Semester.

Part 1 of the summer assignment will test your resourcefulness and willingness to learn new things on your
own. It will guide you in teaching yourself how to use significant figures in measurement and in calculations. The
guidelines and worksheet are attached, but there will be additional resources posted to GoogleClassroom.
*Note: these will be up soon and have not yet been posted

Part 2 will come in pieces. These will be little snippets/lessons intended to help introduce you to some basic
chemical principles like balancing equations and identifying chemical substances. Each one will have some
SHORT practice for you to self-assess on whether you’ve gotten the concept.

I look forward to meeting you all at the beginning of the next school year. If you need to contact me during the
summer, you can email me or reach out on GoogleClassroom and I will get back to you quickly.

Best of luck to you,

Mrs. Daniels
[email protected]

PART 1: SIGNIFICANT FIGURES IN CALCULATIONS -

Unless you have been exposed to significant figure rules in another course, this topic will take a bit of study.

I have attached a two-sided page with explanations of the rules, and examples of problem solving in addition,
subtraction, multiplication and division.

There is also a page of problems for you to complete. This page (along with the rest of the summer
assignment) is due at the beginning of class on the first day of next school year.
 Significant Figures (aka Sig Figs or Significant Digits) in Measurement & Calculations
A successful chemistry student habitually labels all numbers, because the unit is important. Also of great
importance is the number itself. Any number used in a calculation should contain only figures that are
considered reliable; otherwise, time and effort are wasted. Figures that are considered reliable are called
significant figures. Chemical calculations involve numbers representing actual measurements. In a
measurement, significant figures in a number consist of:
Figures (digits) definitely known + One estimated figure (digit)
In class you will hear this described as "ONE estimated PLACE PAST what is KNOWN."

Recording Measurements
When someone reads an instrument (ruler, thermometer, graduated cylinder, buret, barometer, balance, etc.),
(s)he expresses the reading as one which is reasonably reliable. For example, in the accompanying illustration,
note the reading marked A. This reading is definitely beyond the 7 cm mark and also beyond the 0.8 cm mark.
We read the 7.8 with certainty. We further estimate that the reading is five-tenths the distance from the 7.8 mark
to the 7.9 mark. So, we estimate the length as 0.05 cm more than 7.8 cm. All of these have meaning and are
therefore significant. We express the reading as 7.85 cm, accurate to three significant figures. All of these
figures, 7.85, can be used in calculations. In reading B we see that 9.2 cm is definitely known. We can include
one estimated digit in our reading, and we estimate the next digit to be zero. Our reading is reported as 9.20 cm.
It is accurate to three significant figures.

Rules for Zeros

If a zero represents a measured quantity, it is a significant
figure. If it merely locates the decimal point, it is not a
significant figure.

Zero Within a Number. In reading the measurement 9.04 cm, the zero represents a measured
quantity, just as 9 and 4, and is, therefore, a significant number. A zero between any of the other digits in a
number is a significant figure.

Zero at the Front of a Number. In reading the measurement 0.46 cm, the zero does not represent a
measured quantity, but merely locates the decimal point. It is not a significant figure. Also, in the measurement
0.07 kg, the zeros are used merely to locate the decimal point and are, therefore, not significant. Zeros at the
first (left) of a number are not significant figures.

Zero at the End of a Number. In reading the measurement 11.30 cm, the zero is an estimate and represents a
measured quantity. It is therefore significant. Another way to look at this: The zero is not needed
as a placeholder, and yet it was included by the person recording the measurement. It must have been
recorded as a part of the measurement, making it significant. Zeros to the right of the decimal point, and at the
end of the number, are significant figures.

Zeros at the End of a Whole Number. Zeros at the end of a whole number may or may not be significant. If a
distance is reported as 1600 feet, one assumes two sig figs. Reporting measurements in scientific notation
removes all doubt, since all numbers written in scientific notation are considered significant. 1 600 feet 1.6
x103 feet Two significant figures
1 600 feet 1.60 x 103 feet Three significant figures
1 600 feet 1.600 x 103 feet Four significant figures
 Sample Problem #1: Underline the significant figures in the following numbers.
(a) 0.0420 cm answer = 0.0420 cm (e) 2 403 ft. answer = 2 403 ft. (b) 5.320 in. answer = 5.320 in. (f)
80.5300 m answer = 80.5300 m (c) 10 lb. answer = 10 lb. (g) 200. g answer = 200 g (d) 0.020 ml answer
= 0.020 ml (h) 2.4 x 103 kg answer = 2.4 x 103 kg

Rounding Off Numbers

In reporting a numerical answer, one needs to know how to "round off" a number to include the correct number
of significant figures. Even in a series of operations leading to the final answer, one must "round off" numbers.

The rules are well accepted rules:

1. If the figure to be dropped is less than 5, simply eliminate it.
2. If the figure to be dropped is greater than 5, eliminate it and raise the preceding figure by 1.
3. If the figure is 5, followed by nonzero digits, raise the preceding figure by 1
4. If the figure is 5, not followed by nonzero digit(s), and preceded by an odd digit, raise the preceding
digit by one.
5. If the figure is 5, not followed by nonzero digit(s), and the preceding significant digit is even, the
preceding digit remains unchanged.

Sample Problem #2: Round off the following to three significant figures.
(a) 3.478 m answer = 3.48 m (c) 5.333 g answer = 5.33 g (b) 4.8055 cm answer = 4.81 cm (d) 7.999
in. answer = 8.00 in.

Multiplication
In multiplying two numbers, when you wish to determine the number of significant figures you should have in
your answer (the product), you should inspect the numbers multiplied and find which has the least number of
significant figures. This is the number of significant figures you should have in your answer (the product). Thus
the answer to 0.024 x 1244 would be rounded off to contain two significant figures since the factor with the
lesser number of significant figures (0.024) has only two such figures.

Sample Problem #3: Find the area of a rectangle 2.1 cm by 3.24 cm.
Solution: Area = 2.1 cm x 3.24 cm = 6.804 cm 2 We note that 2.1 contains two significant figures,
while 3.24 contains three significant figures. Our product should contain no more than two significant
figures. Therefore, our answer would be recorded as 6.8 cm2
Sample Problem #4: Find the volume of a rectangular solid 10.2 cm x 8.24 cm x 1.8 cm Solution:
Volume = 10.2 cm x 8.24 cm x 1.8 cm = 151.2864 cm3 We observe that the factor having the least
number of significant figures is 1.8 cm. It contains two significant figures. Therefore, the answer is
rounded off to 150 cm3.

Division
In dividing two numbers, the answer (quotient) should contain the same number of significant figures as are
contained in the number (divisor or dividend) with the least number of significant figures. Thus the answer to
528 ÷ 0.14 would be rounded off to contain two significant figures. The answer to 0.340 ÷ 3242 would be
rounded off to contain three significant figures.
 Sample Problem #5: Calculate 20.45 g ÷ 2.4 mL
Solution: 20.45 g ÷ 2.4 mL = 8.52083 g/mL
We note that the 2.4 has fewer significant figures than the 20.45. It has only two significant figures.
Therefore, our answer should have no more than two significant figures and should be reported as 8.5
g/mL.

Addition and Subtraction

In adding (or subtracting), set down the numbers, being sure to keep like decimal places under each other, and
add (or subtract). Next, note which column contains the first estimated figure. This column determines the last
decimal place of the answer. After the answer is obtained, it should be rounded off in this column. In other words,
round to the least number of decimal places in you data.

Sample Problem #6: Add 42.56 g + 39.460 g + 4.1g

Solution: 42.56 g 39.460 g 4.1 g Sum = 86.120 g
Since the number 4.1 only extends to the first decimal place, the answer must be rounded to the first
decimal place, yielding the answer 86.1 g.

Average Readings
The average of a number of successive readings will have the same number of decimal places that are
in their sum.
Sample Problem #7: A graduated cylinder was weighed three times and the recorded
weighings were 12.523 g, 12.497 g, 12.515 g. Calculate the average weight.
Solution: 12.523 g
12.497 g
+12.515 g
37.535 g

In order to find the average, the sum is divided by 3 to give an answer of 12.51167 g. Since each number
extends to three decimal places, the final answer is rounded to three decimal places, yielding a final answer of
12.512 g. Notice that the divisor of 3 does not affect the rounding of the final answer. This is because 3 is an
exact number - known to an infinite number of decimal places.
Sig Fig Practice: Name_____________________________________ Indicate the number of

significant figures in each of the following:

____ 402 m ____ 34.20 lbs ____ 0.03 sec ____ 78 323.01 g
____ 0.00420 g ____ 3 200 liters ____ 0.0300 ft. ____ 1.10 Torr
____ 5.1 x 104 kg ____ 0.48 m ____ 1 400.0 m ____ 760 mm Hg

Multiply each of the following, observing significant figure rules:

17 m x 324 m = ________________ 1.7 mm x 4 294 mm = __________________ 0.005 in x 8

888 in = _____________ 0.050 m x 102 m = ____________________ 0.424 in x .090 in =
______________ 324 000 cm x 12.00 cm = _______________

Divide each of the following, observing significant figure rules:

23.4 m ÷ 0.50 sec = ______________ 12 miles ÷ 3.20 hours = ________________ 0.960 g

÷ 1.51 moles = ____________ 1 200 m ÷ 12.12 sec = __________________

Add each of the following, observing significant figure rules. (Your answer should have the appropriate #
of sig figs):

3.40 m 102.45 g 102. cm

0.022 m 2.44 g 3.14 cm
0.5 m 1.9999 g 5.9 cm

Subtract each of the following, observing significant figure rules and units:

42.306 m 14.33 g 234.1 cm

1.22 m 3.468 g 62.04 cm

Work each of the following problems, observing significant figure rules:

Three experimental determinations were made of the percentage of oxygen in mercuric oxide. The results
were 7.40%, 7.43%, and 7.35%. What was the average percentage?

A rectangular solid measures 13.4 cm by 11.0 cm by 2.2 cm. Calculate the volume of the solid.

If the density of mercury is 13.6 g/mL, what is the mass in grams of 3426 mL of the liquid?

A copper cylinder, 12.0 cm in radius, is 44.0 cm long. If the density of copper is 8.90 g/cm 3, calculate the mass
in grams of the cylinder. (assume pi = 3.14)
A List of the Metric Prefixes

Prefix Symbol Numerical Exponential

kilo k 1,000 103

no prefix 1 100

deci d 0.1 10¯1

centi c 0.01 10¯2
milli m 0.001 10¯3
micro µ 0.000001 10¯6
nano n 0.000000001 10¯9

*You should know how to convert between different metric units.

Practice:

a. Convert 350 mL into ___________ L. b. Convert 0.28 cm into __________ mm

c. Convert 295 µg into ___________ mg d. Convert 1.68 kg into ___________ g

 Common Fractions → Decimals
No calculators are allowed on the multiple choice portion of the AP Chem Exam, and you should not attempt to
fully work any long division problems due to time constraints, therefore knowing these common fractions will
allow you to easily choose the correct answer based on estimates. Fractions that can be simplified are shown in
simplified form.

***NOTE: Since the last day of the 2021-2022 school year, the CollegeBoard has re-evaluated their testing
procedures for the AP chemistry exam and for the FIRST TIME EVER they are going to allow calculators on the
multiple choice portion of the AP chemistry exam next year. I will know more by the time the semester begins,
but for now I am still asking you to familiarize yourself with these common fractions/decimal equivalents. :)

**Be sure to stay tuned on GoogleClassroom for a few small assignments posted over the summer.
Final due date for all… First Day of Class in August.