Our final example highlights AP Chemistry Curriculum
Framework Learning Objectives 6.1 and 6.3. Equilibrium is
one of the most fundamental and pervasive concepts of
chemistry and, although students often master the calculations
utilizing equilibrium constants, they often struggle to grasp the
conceptual understanding of the dynamic nature of chemical
and phase equilibria.28−32 The particulate nature of chemistry
makes it challenging to “see” that molecules are always in
motion and to understand that the constant macroscopic
properties of a system at equilibrium are not the result of
stationary molecules or static processes in the system. The Data
First Approach can be used to help students construct a deeper
understanding of chemical processes and the particulate nature
of chemistry while also clarifying these and other misconceptions
about equilibrium.