Chemistry

Compound

Pure substance composed of two or more elements in a fixed ratio

Ion

An atom that becomes charged by gaining or loosing electrons

Cation

A positively charged ion made when an atom (usually a metal) looses electrons

Anion

A negatively charged ion made when an atom (usually a non metal) gains electrons

Ionic Compound

A compound made up of one or more metal cation and one or more non metal anion

Ionic Bond

The strong attraction between the positive and negative ions in an ionic compound

Electrolyte

A compound that separates into ions when dissolved in water, forming a liquid that conducts electricity

Polyatomic Ion

An ion made up of more than one atom that acts as a single charged particle

Molecular Compound

A pure substance formed from two or more non metals

Covalent Bond

The bond resulting from the sharing of electrons between non metal atoms

Molecule

The particles formed by atoms in a covalent bond

Diatomic Molecule

A molecule consisting of two atoms of the same or different elements.

Chemical Reaction

A process in which substances interact, causing the formation of new substances with new properties

Reactant

A chemical substance that is present at the start of a chemical reaction that is used up during the reaction

Product

A substance produced during a chemical reaction

Law of Conservation of Mass

Mass cannot be created or destroyed during chemical reactions

Synthesis Reaction

a reaction in which two or more substances combine to form a larger or more complex compound

Decomposition Reaction

A reaction in which a large or more complex compound breaks down to form 2 or more products

Single Displacement Reaction

A reaction in which one element displaces another element in a compound producing a new compound and a new element

Double Displacement Reaction

A reaction in which two elements in two different compounds (usually ionic) replace each other to form two new compounds

Combustion

The rapid reaction of fuel and oxygen to produce oxides and energy

Complete Combustion

A combustion reaction that uses all available fuel and only produces carbon dioxide, water, and energy

Incomplete Combustion

A combustion reaction that may produce carbon monoxide or soot as well as water, carbon dioxide, and energy; occurs when the oxygen supply is limited, often indicated by an orange, flickering flame

Corrosion

The breakdown of a metal resulting from reactions with chemicals in its environment

Galvanized steel

Steel that has been coated with a protective layer of zinc, which forms a hard, insoluble oxide

Acid

An aqueous solution that conducts electricity, tastes sour, turns blue litmus red, and neutralises bases; releases hydrogen ions

Base

An aqueous solution that conducts electricity; releases hydroxide or carbonate

Acid-Base Indicator

a substance that changes colour depending on whether it is in an acid or a base

pH

A measure of how acidic or basic a solution is

Neutral

Neither acidic or basic; with a pH of 7

Acid Leaching

The process of removing heavy metals from contaminated soils by adding an acid solution to the soil and catching the solution that drains through

Neutralization Reaction

A chemical reaction in which an acid and a base react to form an ionic compound (a salt) and water. The resulting pH is closer to 7.