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Definitions

The document provides definitions for key chemistry concepts across multiple topics. It defines saturated and dilute solutions, explains atomic structure terms like atomic number and isotopes, outlines concepts like molecular formulas and moles. It also defines acid/base chemistry terminology, combustion reactions, electrolysis and thermal decomposition. Additional sections cover the periodic table, metals, organic chemistry topics, experimental techniques, and common color changes in chemical reactions.

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Simone Ghia
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31 views4 pages

Definitions

The document provides definitions for key chemistry concepts across multiple topics. It defines saturated and dilute solutions, explains atomic structure terms like atomic number and isotopes, outlines concepts like molecular formulas and moles. It also defines acid/base chemistry terminology, combustion reactions, electrolysis and thermal decomposition. Additional sections cover the periodic table, metals, organic chemistry topics, experimental techniques, and common color changes in chemical reactions.

Uploaded by

Simone Ghia
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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1.

States of matter
Saturated solution – a solution where no more solute dissolves at a constant temperature
Dilute solution – a solution where there are very few moles of the substance dissolved

2. Atoms, elements and compounds


Proton Number/ atomic number – number of protons in the nucleus of an atom
Mass number/nucleon number – total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom
Relative atomic mass – the average mass of atoms on a scale where the 12C (carbon-12) atom has a mass of
exactly 12 units
Isotopes – different atoms of the same element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of
neutrons
Molecule - two or more atoms bonded together
Element – substance that cannot be split / made of atoms of the same atomic no
Compound – substance containing two or more different atoms bonded together
Diatomic – molecules made up of two atoms
Covalent bonds – shared pair of electrons between two atoms

3. Stoichiometry
Molecular formula (of a compound) – the number and type of different atoms in one molecule
Empirical formula/chemical formula (of a compound) – the simplest whole number ratio of the different atoms
or ions in a compound
relative molecular mass, Mr – the sum of the relative atomic masses
Mole – Avogadro’s Number of particles / formula mass in grams / 6 x 1023 particles

4. Electrochemistry
Electrolysis – the decomposition of an ionic compound, when molten or in aqueous solution, by the passage of an
electric current
Thermal decomposition – breakdown of a substance/compound using heat/high temperature

5. Chemical energetics
activation energy, Ea – the minimum energy that colliding particles must have to react
Catalyst – A substance that speeds up a reaction without getting chemically altered
Endothermic – heat taken in from the surroundings
Exothermic – heat given out to the surroundings

6. Chemical reactions
Combustion – a reaction in which a substance reacts with oxygen
Redox reactions – reactions involving simultaneous oxidation and reduction
Oxidation – loss of electron / loss of hydrogen / gain of oxygen / increase in oxidation no. or state
Reduction – gain of electron / gain of hydrogen / loss of oxygen / reduce in oxidation no. or state
Oxidising agent – substance that oxidises another substance and is itself reduced
Reducing agent – substance that reduces another substance and is itself oxidised
Equilibrium – In a closed system, where the rate of forward reaction is the same as the rate of backward reaction.
The concentration of reactants and products is constant

7. Acids, bases and salts


Acid – proton donor
Base – proton acceptor
Strong acid – an acid that is completely dissociated in aqueous solution
Weak acid – an acid that is partially dissociated in aqueous solution
Hydrated substance – a substance that is chemically combined with water
Anhydrous substance – a substance containing no water
Water of crystallisation – the water molecules present in hydrated crystals [ CuSO4•5H2O and CoCl2•6H2O ]
Amphoteric (oxide) – reacts with both acids and bases
Neutral oxide – does not react with acids or bases

8. The Periodic Table


9. Metals
Alloy – mixture of metals or metals with non-metals
Steel alloys – mixture of iron with other elements (carbon)
Malleable – can change shape by force / hammered into sheets
Ore - rock from which metal is extracted /rock containing (high proportion of) a metal (compound)

10. Chemistry of the environment


Photochemical reaction – reactions that take place only in the presence of sunlight/UV light
Incomplete combustion – fuel burning in limited supply of oxygen to give carbon monoxide and water
Complete combustion – fuel burning in abundance of oxygen to give carbon dioxide and water

11. Organic chemistry


structural isomers – compounds with the same molecular formula, but different structural formulae
polymers – large molecules built up from many smaller molecules called monomers
Saturated substance – a substance with all single bonds
Unsaturated substance – a substance with one or more double bonds
Hydrocarbon – a compound made up of only carbon and hydrogen
Cracking – breaking down/decomposing/splitting hydrocarbons into smaller hydrocarbons/into alkanes and
alkenes/by heating/using a high temperature
Petroleum fraction – molecules with similar boiling points / molecules with similar relative molecular masses /
molecules with limited range of boiling points / molecules with limited range of molecular masses / molecules
coming off at the same place in the fractionation column
Homologous series
i. Same general formula
ii. Same functional group
iii. Similar chemical properties
iv. Trend in physical properties
v. Consecutive members differ by CH2
Biodegradable – can be decomposed by organisms / can be broken down by bacteria/by fungi
Non-biodegradable – cannot be decomposed by organisms / cannot be broken down by bacteria/by fungi
Carbohydrate – compound containing carbon hydrogen and oxygen only, with hydrogen and oxygen in a 2:1 ratio
Respiration – Living organisms/cells obtaining energy from food

12. Experimental techniques and chemical analysis


Precipitate – solid formed when two solutions mixed
Volatility – how easily a substance evaporates/boils
Excess – more than enough / other reagent is limiting
Solvent – substance /liquid that dissolves
Soluble – dissolves
Decant – pour off/out liquid
COLOURS AND COLOUR CHANGES
 HALIDES (GAS)
 Fluorine: pale yellow
 Chlorine: Green
 Bromine: Red-brown
 Iodine: Grey

 HALIDES (DISSOLVED)
 Fluorine: Bright yellow
 Chlorine: yellow
 Bromine: Brown
 Iodine: Brown

Sulphur: yellow
Copper (II) Sufate + water: colourless  blue
Cobalt(II)Chloride + water: blue  pink
Bromine + unsaturated: Red-brown  colourless
 0620/32 October/November 2010

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