GCSE Chemistry Vocabulary Flashcards

Flashcards covering key vocabulary from GCSE Chemistry, including definitions and explanations.

Chemical Bonding

The process where atoms combine through chemical reactions by transferring electrons.

Ionic Bonding

A type of chemical bonding that involves the electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions.

Covalent Bonding

A type of chemical bonding where atoms share pairs of electrons.

Metallic Bonding

The bonding that occurs between metal atoms, characterized by a 'sea' of delocalized electrons and positively charged metal ions.

Fractional Distillation

A process used to separate mixtures of hydrocarbons based on their different boiling points.

Reversible Reaction

A reaction that can proceed in both the forward and reverse directions under certain conditions.

Endothermic Reaction

A chemical reaction that absorbs energy from the surroundings, resulting in a temperature decrease.

Exothermic Reaction

A chemical reaction that releases energy to the surroundings, resulting in a temperature increase.

Hydrocarbon

Organic compounds consisting entirely of hydrogen and carbon atoms.

Polymerization

The process through which monomers join together to form a polymer.

Catalyst

A substance that speeds up a chemical reaction without being consumed in the process.

Nitrates

Ionic compounds containing the nitrate ion (NO3-) that are commonly used in fertilizers.

Eutrophication

The excessive growth of algae in water bodies due to nutrient pollution, leading to oxygen depletion.

Alkane

A hydrocarbon with single covalent bonds between carbon atoms; saturated.

Alkene

A hydrocarbon that contains at least one carbon-to-carbon double bond; unsaturated.

pH Scale

A numerical scale used to measure the acidity or alkalinity of a solution, ranging from 0 (acidic) to 14 (alkaline) with 7 being neutral.

Thermoplastic

Plastics that can be melted and reshaped repeatedly without significant chemical change.

Thermoset

Plastics that become rigid when heated and cannot be remelted.

Smart Material

Materials that can change their properties in response to changing environmental conditions.

Bioethanol

Ethanol produced from biological sources, often used as a renewable fuel.

Electrolysis

A chemical process that causes the decomposition of a compound by passing an electric current through it.

Ammonium Ion (NH4+)

A positively charged ion formed from ammonia, commonly found in fertilizers.

Sulfuric Acid (H₂SO₄)

A highly corrosive strong mineral acid used in various industrial processes including the production of fertilizers.