7–9% of the AP exam. 9 key topics. 4 common errors analyzed.
Unit 5 (Kinetics) is part of the AP Chemistry core curriculum. Work through each key topic in sequence, constructing ICE tables, net ionic equations, or energy diagrams as appropriate.
These are the most frequently penalized mistakes on AP exam FRQs and MCQs. Review each before your next practice session.
Confusing reaction intermediates with catalysts — intermediates are produced then consumed within the mechanism and do not appear in the overall equation, whereas catalysts appear in the mechanism but are regenerated
Deriving the rate law from the overall balanced equation rather than from the rate-determining elementary step or from experimental data tables
Omitting units on the rate constant k — the correct units depend on the reaction order (e.g., M/s for zero-order, s^-1 for first-order, M^-1·s^-1 for second-order) and their absence costs significant-figure or unit points
Using integrated rate law in the wrong form — substituting into the second-order expression when the data actually show first-order behavior (linear ln[A] vs. t plot)
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