Study Course - AP®︎ CHEM
Lab Takeaways

Predict bonding based on properties

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CONCEPT RELATED TO

Observable and measurable properties related to bonding types

Need to Know:

  • General properties and characteristics associated with ionic, covalent and metallic compounds

Be Prepared to Answer:

  • Predict or explain behavior of compounds in relation to properties such as; electrical and thermal conductivity, solubility in polar and non-polar solvents, hardness, melting point, boiling point etc.

Try out these AP Free Response Questions:

2018 AP Chemistry Exam, Question 4:

Context: This question involves comparing the properties of two compounds, CS₂ and COS, to understand the relationship between molecular structure and physical properties.

Tasks:

  • Draw Lewis structures for both compounds.

  • Predict and justify the molecular shapes using VSEPR theory.

  • Discuss the differences in boiling points based on intermolecular forces.

Skills Assessed: Ability to relate molecular geometry and bonding to physical properties like boiling points.

View Question here | Worked out Solution | Video Explanation

2021 AP Chemistry Exam, Question 6:

Context: This problem investigates the properties, solubility, and behavior of $\text{CaSO}_4$​ and $\text{PbSO}_4$​, focusing on their electrical conductivity, solubility in water, particulate representations, and the effect of adding a common ion to the system.

Tasks:

  • Part (a): Relate the inability of ionic solids to conduct electricity to their lattice structures.

  • Part (b): Use experimental data to compare the solubility of ionic compounds in water.

Skills Assessed: Ability to explain ionic structures and conductivity, analyze solubility differences using experimental data, interpret and represent particulate interactions, and apply Le Châtelier’s principle to predict the effects of the common ion effect.

View Question here | Worked out Solution | Video Explanation

2016 AP Chemistry Exam, Question 3:

Context: This problem focuses on determining the molar mass of an unknown metal (M) through its reaction with iodine ($I_2$​) to form $MI_2$​, assessing the ionic nature of the compound, comparing the physical states of halogens, and identifying a solution to reduce unused iodine to iodide.

Tasks:

  • Part (c): Propose and explain an experimental test to confirm whether $MI_2$​ is ionic.

  • Part (d): Explain why $I_2$​ is a solid and $Br_2$ is a liquid at room temperature, referencing their intermolecular forces.

Skills Assessed: Understanding of titration involving precipitation, stoichiometric calculations, and solution concentration determinations.

View Question here | Worked out Solution | Video Explanation

Related Labs:

  • URL: Visit here

    Source: Vanderbilt Student Volunteers for Science (link)

    Relevance: Students use LED circuits to measure the conductivity of solids and solutions, learning to distinguish between ionic, covalent (molecular), and metallic bonding based on electrical conductivity properties.

  • URL: Click here.

    Source: My Chemistry Class (link)

    Relevance: Students use physical and chemical properties to determine the type of bonding in unlabeled chemicals, learning to predict whether substances contain ionic, polar covalent, nonpolar covalent, or metallic bonds based on systematic property testing.

  • URL: Click here.

    Source: Pedersen Science (link)

    Relevance: Students determine the type of bonding in five unknown chemicals using physical and chemical properties, directly demonstrating how to distinguish between ionic, metallic, polar covalent, and nonpolar covalent bonds based on observable characteristics.