Chemistry Glossary

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Atomic Number

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128 Terms

1

Atomic Number

the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom .

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2

Isotopes

atoms of the same element with the same number of protons and electrons but different numbers of neutrons . Isotopes of an element have different masses .

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3

Relative Atomic Mass

the weighted mean mass of an atom compared with 1 / 12th mass of an atom of carbon - 12 .

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4

Relative Isotopic Mass

the mass of an atom of an isotope compared with 1 / 12th mass of an atom of carbon - 12 .

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5

Relative Molecular Mass ( M₁ )

the mass of a simple molecule .

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6

Empirical Formula

the simplest whole number ratio of atoms of each element present in a compound .

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7

Ideal Gas

a gas which has molecules that occupy negligible space with no interactions between them . The ideal gas equation is : pV = nRT .

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8

Mole ( mol )

the amount of any substance containing as many particles as there are carbon atoms in exactly 12g of carbon - 12 isotope .

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9

Molecular Formula

the number and type of atoms of each element in a molecule .

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10

Base

a substance that can accept H * ions from another substance .

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11

Titration

a technique used to determine the amount of one solution of a known concentration required to completely react with a known volume of another solution of unknown concentration .

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12

Oxidation

loss of electrons / increase in oxidation number .

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13

Oxidation Number

a number that represents the number of electrons lost or gained by an atom of an element . A positive oxidation number indicates the loss of electrons . Roman numerals are typically used to indicate the oxidation number of elements that may have different oxidation states ( e.g. iron ( II ) and iron ( III ) )

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14

Redox Reaction

a reaction in which one element is oxidised and another is reduced .

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15

Covalent bond

a strong bond formed between 2 atoms due to the electrostatic attraction between a shared pair of electrons and the atomic nuclei .

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16

Dative Covalent ( Coordinate ) bond

a type of covalent bond in which both of the electrons in the shared pair come from one atom .

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17

Electronegativity

the ability of an atom to attract bonding electrons in a covalent bond . This is often quantified using Pauling's electronegativity values . Electronegativity increases towards F in the periodic table .

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18

Hydrogen Bonding

a type of intermolecular bonding that occurs between molecules containing N , O or F and a H atom of -NH , -OH or HF . A lone pair on the electronegative atom ( N , O or F ) allows the formation of a hydrogen bond .

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19

Ionic Compounds

compounds made up of oppositely charged ions . These compounds generally have high melting and boiling points . Typically , ionic compounds are soluble and can conduct electricity when liquid or aqueous ( but not when solid ) .

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20

London ( Dispersion ) Forces

induced dipole - dipole interactions caused when the random movement of electrons creates a temporary dipole in one molecule which then induces a dipole in a neighbouring molecule .

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21

Non - linear

the shape of a molecule in which the central atom has 2 bonding pairs and 2 lone pairs .

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22

Octahedral

the shape of a molecule in which the central atom has 6 bonding pairs .

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23

Permanent Dipole

a permanent uneven distribution of charge .

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24

Polar Molecule

a molecule that contains polar bonds with dipoles that don't cancel out due to their direction ( must be unsymmetrical ) .

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25

Tetrahedral

the shape of a molecule in which the central atom has 4 bonding pairs .

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26

Trigonal Planar

the shape of a molecule in which the central atom has 3 bonding pairs .

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27

Trigonal bipyramidal

the shape of a molecule in which the central atom has 5 bonding pairs .

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28

Displayed Formula

the relative positions of atoms and the bonds between them .

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29

Functional Group

a group of atoms responsible for the characteristic reactions of a compound .

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30

Heterolytic Fission

when a covalent bond breaks , one bonding atom receives both electrons from the bonded pair .

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31

Homolytic Fission

when a covalent bond breaks , each bonding atom receives one electron from the bonding pair , forming 2 radicals .

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32

Saturated

an organic compound which only contains C - C single bonds .

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33

Skeletal Formula

the simplified organic formula , shown by removing hydrogen atoms from alkyl chains , leaving the carbon skeleton and the functional groups . E.g. butan - 2 - ol

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34

Structural Formula

the minimal detail that shows the arrangement of atoms in a molecule . E.g. butane : CH , ( CH₂ ) ₂CH₂ .

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35

Structural Isomers

compounds with the same molecular formula but different structural formulae .

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36

Unsaturated

an organic compound which contains at least one C = C double bond , a C = C triple bond or an aromatic ring .

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37

Alkane

a homologous series with the general formula C₂H₂n + 2 +

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38

Bond Enthalpy

the energy required to break one mole of gaseous bonds . Actual bond enthalpies may differ from the average as the average bond enthalpy considers a particular bond in a range of molecules .

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39

Complete Combustion

when a compound is burnt in a plentiful supply of oxygen . When alkanes are completely combusted , the only products are water and carbon dioxide .

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40

Hydrocarbon

a compound which contains hydrogen and carbon atoms only .

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41

Incomplete Combustion

when a compound is burnt in a limited supply of oxygen . When alkanes are incompletely combusted , water , carbon monoxide , particulates and some carbon dioxide may be produced .

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42

Propagation

the intermediate steps in a radical substitution mechanism where a radical reacts with another species .

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43

Radical Substitution

a type of substitution reaction in which a radical replaces another atom / group of atoms in a compound . Alkanes can undergo radical substitution reactions with chlorine or bromine in the presence of UV light , forming a mixture of organic products ( further substitution or reactions at different positions may occur ) .

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44

Alkyl

a group with the general formula CnH₂n + 1 .

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45

Addition Polymerisation

the formation of a long chain molecule when many monomers join together ( the polymer is the only product ) .

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46

Catalyst

a substance which increases the rate of a reaction without being used up .

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47

Cis - Trans Isomerism

a type of E / Z isomerism in which the two substituent groups attached to the cabon atoms are the same . According to the CIP priority rules , cis isomers have the highest priority substituents on the same side of the double bond ( both above or below ) while trans isomers have them on the opposite sides ( one above and one below ) .

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48

Electrophile

an electron pair acceptor .

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49

Electrophilic addition

a reaction in which a π bond is broken and 2 new o bonds form as a result of the addition of an electron pair acceptor ( electrophile ) .

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50

E / Z Isomerism

a type of stereoisomerism caused by the restricted rotation of TT bonds . Two different groups must be attached to each carbon atom of the C = C group . According to the CIP priority rules , Z isomers have the highest priority substituents on the same side of the double bond ( both above or below ) while E isomers have them on the opposite sides ( one above and one below ) .

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51

Stereoisomers

compounds with the same structural formula but a different arrangement of atoms in space .

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52

Alcohol

an organic compound containing the OH functional group . The polarity of the OH functional group means that alcohols can form hydrogen bonds and are soluble in water ( when the alkyl chain is short ) . In addition to this , alcohols have a relatively low volatility compared with alkanes .

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53

Alkene

an organic compound containing a C = C double bond . Alkenes can be formed from alcohols via the elimination of H₂O using an acid catalyst and heat .

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54

Carboxylic Acid

an organic compound containing the -COOH functional group . Carboxylic acids can be formed from the oxidation of primary alcohols using Cr₂O₂2 / H * and reflux .

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55

Elimination

a type of reaction in which 2 atoms / groups of atoms are removed from a molecule .

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56

Ketone

an organic compound containing the C = O functional group in the middle of an alkyl chain . Ketones can be formed by the oxidation of a secondary alcohol .

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57

Oxidising Agent

a substance that can oxidise another species while being reduced .

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58

Primary Alcohol

an alcohol in which the OH is attached to a primary carbon atom ( i.e. RCH₂OH ) . Primary alcohols can be oxidised to form either an aldehyde or a carboxylic acid , depending on the conditions .

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59

Secondary Alcohol

an alcohol in which the OH is attached to a secondary carbon atom ( i.e. R₂CHOH ) . Secondary alcohols can be oxidised under reflux with Cr₂O , ² / H * to form a ketone .

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60

Tertiary Alcohol

an alcohol in which the OH is attached to a tertiary carbon atom ( i.e. R , COH ) . Tertiary alcohols cannot be oxidised .

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61

CFC

A class of compound made up of carbon , fluorine and chlorine , used as refrigerants and aerosol propellants . CFCs can be broken down by UV light in the upper atmosphere to form chlorine radicals which catalyse the breakdown of ozone .

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62

Nucleophile

an electron pair donor .

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63

Nucleophilic Substitution

a reaction in which an electron pair donor attacks an electrophilic atom ( an atom with a partial or full positive charge ) to replace an atom / group of atoms .

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64

Reducing Agent

a substance that can reduce another substance .

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65

Distillation

a technique in which a liquid is heated then the vapour is cooled and collected in a separate flask to the reaction mixture . During distillation , the condenser must be positioned horizontally .

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66

Reflux

the continual boiling and condensing of a reaction mixture . This is to ensure that the reaction goes to completion . During reflux , the condenser must be positioned vertically .

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67

Infrared Spectroscopy

a technique used to identify particular bonds and functional groups within a molecule . This technique has been used to link global warming with increased energy usage as atmospheric gases containing C = O , O - H and C - H bonds ( such as CO₂ , H₂O and CH₂ ) show distinct peaks on IR spectra . IR spectroscopy is used to monitor gases causing air pollution ( CO and NO from car emissions ) and to measure alcohol in the breath in modern breathalysers .

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68

Mass spectrometry

a technique used to identify compounds and determine relative molecular mass .

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69

Giant Covalent Lattice

a network of atoms bonded by strong covalent bonds ( e.g. carbon ( diamond , graphite and graphene ) and silicon ) . Giant covalent lattices typically insoluble with a high melting and boiling point due to the presence of strong covalent bonds . They are also poor electrical conductors as they don't contain mobile charged particles .

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70

Metallic Bonding

strong electrostatic attraction between cations and delocalised electrons .

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71

Periodicity

a repeating trend in physical and chemical properties across the periods of the periodic table .

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72

Displacement Reaction

a reaction in which one atom is replaced by another . Halogens can undergo displacement reactions as their reactivity decreases down the group . The more reactive halogen will displace the less reactive halogen from a solution of its salt .

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73

Activation Energy

the minimum energy required for a reaction to take place .

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74

Endothermic

a reaction which takes in energy ( AH is positive ) . More energy is required to break bonds than is released by making bonds .

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75

Enthalpy Change ( AH )

the change in the heat content of a system during a reaction . This can be determined from experimental results using q = mcAT ( where q is the heat change of the surroundings , m is the mass of the surroundings , c is the specific heat capacity and AT is the change in temperature ) .

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76

Enthalpy Change of Combustion ( AH )

the enthalpy change that takes place when one mole of a substance is completely combusted .

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77

Enthalpy Change of Formation ( A , H ) :

the enthalpy change that takes place when one mole of a compound is formed from its elements .

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78

Enthalpy Change of Neutralisation ( AneutH )

the enthalpy change that takes place when one mole of water is formed from a neutralisation reaction .

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79

Enthalpy Change of Reaction ( A , H )

the enthalpy change that is associated with a particular chemical equation .

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80

Exothermic

a reaction which gives out energy ( AH is negative ) . More energy is released by bond making than is used in bond breaking .

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81

Hess ' Law

the enthalpy change of a reaction is independent of the route it takes .

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82

Boltzmann Distribution

a graph showing the distribution of the energies of molecules in relation to the activation energy . Increasing temperature will increase the proportion of molecules with energy above the activation energy . A catalyst lowers the activation energy meaning more molecules will have sufficient energy to react .

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83

Collision Theory

the theory which states that molecules must collide with sufficient energy at the correct orientation for a reaction to occur .

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84

Heterogeneous Catalyst

a catalyst that is in a different state to the reactants ( e.g. a solid catalyst with gaseous reactants ) .

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85

Homogeneous catalyst

a catalyst which is in the same state as the reactants .

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86

Rate of Reaction

a measure of how quickly a reactant is used up / a product is formed . Rate can be determined by measuring concentration , the volume of gas produced or the mass lost over time .

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87

Dynamic Equilibrium

a closed system in which the rates of the forward and reverse reactions are equivalent . The concentrations of reactants and products don't change .

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88

Le Chatelier's Principle

when a system in dynamic equilibrium is subject to change , the position of equilibrium will shift to minimise the change . This principle is used to determine the effect of changing pressure , temperature or concentration on the position of equilibrium

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89

Mass number

the total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom

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90

Concentration

A measurement of how much solute exists within a certain volume of solvent

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91

Balanced symbol equation

a symbol equation in which there are equal numbers of each type of atom on either side of the equation

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92

Ionic equation

an equation in which substances that primarily exist as ions in solution are shown as ions

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93

State symbol

solid (s), liquid (l), gas (g), and aqueous (aq)

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94

Acid

A substance that increases the hydrogen ion concentration of a solution.

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95

Percentage yield

actual yield/theoretical yield x 100

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96

Atom economy

(Molecular mass of desired products/ Molecular mass of all products) x 100

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97

Orbital

arrangement of electrons within a specific region around the nucleus

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98

Ionisation energy

the energy required to remove an electron from an atom

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99

Simple molecular

A three-dimensional structure of molecules, bonded together by weak intermolecular forces.

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100

Reduction

gain of electrons

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