nanoscience flashcards

Amino Acid

Organic compound with an amine group and a carboxyl group; builds proteins when linked together.

Anion

A negatively charged ion.

Buffer

A solution that resists pH changes when small amounts of acid or base are added.

Calibration Curve (Standard Curve)

Graph used to determine unknown concentrations by comparing to known standards.

Catalysis

The acceleration of a reaction by lowering its activation energy.

Cation

A positively charged ion.

Circuit Board

A platform that connects and supports electronic components in a circuit.

Colloid

A mixture with particles evenly dispersed that don’t settle out.

Conductance

A measure of how easily electricity flows; inverse of resistance.

Conductivity

The ability of a material to conduct electricity.

Constructive Interference

When two waves combine to create a larger wave.

Control Experiment

An experiment with constants used as a comparison for variables.

Destructive Interference

When two waves cancel each other out due to opposite phases.

Detection Limit

Smallest detectable amount of a substance with high confidence.

Diffraction

Spreading of waves as they pass an edge or opening.

Diffraction Grating

Optical tool that separates light into different wavelengths.

Electrode

A conductor that allows current to enter or leave a non-metallic medium.

Electrolyte

A substance that conducts electricity via ion movement in solution.

Electromagnetic Radiation

Energy from oscillating electric and magnetic fields, including light.

Electron

A negatively charged subatomic particle with wave-like behavior.

Energy

The capacity to do work.

Energy Density

Amount of energy stored per unit volume.

Energy Levels

Discrete energy states electrons can occupy in atoms/molecules.

Etching

Chemical or physical process used to cut into surfaces for patterning.

Free Electrons

Electrons not bound to atoms; move freely and conduct electricity.

Frequency (Light)

Number of wave cycles per second; measured in hertz (Hz).

Light Absorption

Process where matter absorbs light energy and excites electrons.

Light Emission

Release of a photon as an excited electron returns to a lower state.

Light Scattering

Deflection of light when it encounters particles or irregularities.

Lithography

Patterning technique using chemicals or light on flat surfaces.

Molarity (M)

Moles of solute per liter of solution (mol/L).

micro- (μ)

Prefix meaning 10⁻⁶.

milli- (m)

Prefix meaning 10⁻³.

nano- (n)

Prefix meaning 10⁻⁹.

Nanoparticle

A particle between 1 and 100 nanometers in size.

Non-Radiative Relaxation

Electron loses energy without emitting light (photon).

Nonpolar Molecule

A molecule with evenly distributed charge; no partial charges.

Nucleation and Growth

Formation of small nuclei that act as templates for further growth.

Nucleic Acid

Polymers made of nucleotides (DNA/RNA).

Organic Molecule

Carbon-based molecule, often with hydrogen and oxygen.

Oxidation

Loss of electrons in a chemical reaction.

Photolithography

Using light to etch nanoscale patterns on materials.

Photomask

Plate that allows light to pass through specific patterns.

Photoresist

Light-sensitive material used in patterning surfaces.

Polymer

Large molecule made of repeating monomers.

Radiative Relaxation

Energy loss via photon emission from an excited electron.

Reciprocal of Resistivity

Electrical conductivity; the inverse of resistivity.

Reduction

Gain of electrons in a chemical reaction.

Resistance

Opposition to electric current flow (R = V/I).

Resistivity

A material’s intrinsic resistance to electrical flow.

Self-Assembly

Spontaneous organization into ordered structures.

Solute

Substance dissolved in a solution.

Solution (Chemistry)

A homogeneous mixture where one substance is dissolved in another.

Solvent

The substance doing the dissolving in a solution.

Spectroscopy

Study of how matter interacts with light.

Surface Area to Volume Ratio

A measure comparing surface exposure to volume; affects reactivity.

Surface Plasmon Resonance

Oscillation of electrons at a surface when excited by light.

Thermal Energy

Kinetic energy from random particle motion.

Ultraviolet (UV) Light

Light with wavelengths between 100–400 nm.

Visible Light

Light visible to humans; 380–700 nm wavelengths.

Voltage

Electric potential difference between two points.

Wavelength

Distance between wave peaks; relates to energy and color.