Owen Thornton
Experienced AP, chemistry, Psychology, Lang and biology instructor and tutor, with experience at the high school and undergraduate level
Loading...
Show all photos
Owen Thornton
Doctorate degree
/ 55 min
Owen - About your AP tutor
I have been tutoring for several years now and have graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a 3.94 GPA and degree in neuroscience and will be attending the University of Michigan dental school this coming year, I have been a peer tutor for years tutoring in biology, chemistry, among another other nine subjects. I’ve had great success in my studies and have really enjoyed it, and believe in finding a way to enjoy the process, and teach students in a way that prompts students to solve problems on their own through guidance rather than giving the answer. This was a technique I was able to hone in during extensive tutoring classes from the UNC learning center, apart from this I’ve also been a lecturer for biology lab classes at the undergrad level and have been TA. I really enjoy tutoring and I love to learn, and I believe sharing that passion is a great way to inspire and help students develop their own passion for the subject. I have also extensive experience with guiding and mentoring students through research, teaching at the high school level in biology, as well for chemistry at the high school level additionally, I have helped with preparation for standardized exams, such as the DAT, OAT, and MCAT I also have extensive experience in writing, as well for psychology (and a degree in it) where I can help as well for help you get the resources you need to be successful in a class. 
AP tutor test prep specialities
Practice Exams
Mock Tests
Test prep
Test taking techniques
AP Scoring Insights
Concepts learning
CoTutorAI modules
Summary
Podcast
Quiz
Learnings
Flashcard
Spotlight
Zero Risk Guaranteed
15-days refund
Free tutor swap
No cancel fee
1-yr validity
24/7 support
Rated 5 stars for test prep
Students report improved scores with every practice.
Trusted by 90% of parents for results
Parents see their children improving consistently.
Frequent progress check-ins
Students report regular updates on their progress.
Owen - also teaches
AP Biology
AP Chemistry
AP English Language and Composition
AP Psychology
AP concepts taught by Owen
The student and tutor reviewed concepts related to the kinetic theory of gases, including pressure, temperature, and their relationships with molecular motion. They practiced identifying independent, dependent, and controlled variables in gas experiments and analyzed the behavior of gases in both flexible and non-flexible containers. The session also touched upon expressing these relationships algebraically and understanding molecular-level explanations for gas behavior.
Gas Pressure: Internal vs. External
Kinetic Energy and Temperature
Variables in Gas Experiments: Independent
Dependent
Controlled
Gas Laws: Proportional Relationships
Container Properties: Flexible vs. Non-flexible
The Tutor and Student reviewed enzyme kinetics, focusing on calculating rate constants (K2, KM, K1, K-1) using experimental data and theoretical equations. They then transitioned to discussing Beer-Lambert Law, including practical aspects like unit analysis and plotting absorbance versus path length. The next session will involve further practice with unit conversions and potentially finishing a problem set.
Michaelis-Menten Kinetics: Rate Constants
Michaelis-Menten Equation: KM and Its Components
Beer-Lambert Law: Absorbance and Concentration
Graphing: Axes and Variables
Unit Conversion and Dimensional Analysis
The tutor and student reviewed concepts related to acid-base titrations, including titration curves, equivalence points, and pKa determination using half-equivalence points. They also practiced writing balanced neutralization reactions and began exploring chemical kinetics, specifically zero and first-order reactions, and how to determine rate constants (k2) and Michaelis constants (Km) from experimental data.
Titration Curves and Equivalence Points
pKa and Half-Equivalence Points
Neutralization Reactions and Stoichiometry
Molarity and Concentration Calculations
Zero-Order Kinetics and Enzyme Activity
The tutor and student reviewed Gibbs free energy, spontaneity, and chain reactions involving free radicals. They practiced calculating enthalpy changes for explosions and determining the enthalpy per gram for explosives like RDX and TNT. The session concluded with exercises on unit conversion for enthalpy calculations.
Gibbs Free Energy and Spontaneity
Chain Reactions and Free Radicals
Explosions: Types and Characteristics
Explosive Power and Power Index
The tutor and student reviewed concepts in thermodynamics, including enthalpy, Hess's Law, entropy, and Gibbs free energy. They practiced calculating enthalpy and entropy changes and discussed the factors influencing spontaneity and the conditions under which reactions proceed. The next session will focus on calculating Gibbs free energy.
Systems and Energy Transfer
Hess's Law and Enthalpy Calculations
Entropy (S) and Disorder
Spontaneity and Gibbs Free Energy (ΔG)
The tutor and student explored fundamental concepts in thermodynamics, including energy changes, exothermic and endothermic processes, and different types of thermodynamic systems. They delved into standard enthalpy of formation, Hess's Law, and the concept of spontaneity, entropy, and predicting entropy changes. The session focused on understanding these principles through examples and practice problems.
Thermodynamic Systems
Enthalpy and Heat Transfer
Standard Enthalpy of Formation
Hess's Law and Path Independence
Entropy and Disorder
Spontaneity and Gibbs Free Energy
Practical aids used by AP tutor
AP Practice worksheets
Quizzes
Presentations
Study Planner
Digital whiteboard
AP tutors on Wiingy are vetted for quality
Every tutor is interviewed and selected for subject expertise and teaching skill.