Higher Chemistry Course Notes

Flashcards for key concepts and definitions from the Higher Chemistry course.

Chemical Bonding

The lasting attraction between atoms, molecules, or ions that enables the formation of chemical compounds.

Periodic Table

A tabular arrangement of the elements, ordered by atomic number, electron configuration, and recurring chemical properties.

Oxidising Agent

A substance that gains electrons in a chemical reaction and is reduced.

Reducing Agent

A substance that loses electrons in a chemical reaction and is oxidized.

Addition Reaction

A reaction where two or more substances combine to form a single product.

Hydrogen Bonding

A strong type of dipole-dipole attraction between molecules, caused by the attraction between a hydrogen atom and a highly electronegative atom.

Molar Volume

The volume occupied by one mole of a substance, typically measured at standard temperature and pressure.

Atom Economy

A measure of the amount of starting materials that become useful products in a chemical reaction.

Enthalpy Change

The heat content change of a system at constant pressure.

Hydrolysis Reaction

A chemical reaction involving the breaking of a bond in a molecule using water.

Functional Group

A specific grouping of atoms within a molecule that is responsible for characteristic chemical reactions.

Titration

A technique in which a solution of known concentration is used to determine the concentration of an unknown solution.

Volumetric Analysis

A method of quantitative chemical analysis used to determine the concentration of a substance.

Isomer

Compounds with the same molecular formula but different structural formulas.

Hydrophobic

Tending to repel or fail to mix with water.

Hydrophilic

Having a tendency to interact with or be dissolved by water.

Free Radical

An atom or molecule that has unpaired electrons and is very reactive.

Kinetic Energy

The energy of an object due to its motion.

Thermal Decomposition

A chemical reaction where a single compound breaks down into two or more products when heated.

Catalyst

A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction by lowering the activation energy without undergoing permanent chemical change.