IGCSE+Edexcel+glossary

back to IGCSE chemistry > e = changing of particles at the surface from a liquid into a gas state; at any temperature between the melting and boiling point of a liquid.
 * **acid** = any substance that produces hydrogen ions, H+, when dissolved in water
 * **acidic solution** = a solution with a pH less than 7
 * **acid rain** = rain with a pH less than 5.6; acid rain has been made more acidic than normal rain because sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides have dissolved in it; acid rain causes damage to buildings made from limestone, damages metal structures, kills fish, damages leaves in trees so they photosynthesise less
 * **acidic soil** = soil with a pH less than 7
 * **activation energy** = minimum amount of energy needed to start the reaction/for a successful collision.
 * **actual yield** = the amount of product obtained when carrying out a reaction
 * **addition reaction** = a reaction in which atoms are added to an unsaturated carbon compound; the atoms are added using the double bond as one of the double bonds breaks and is used to make two new bonds, e.g. alkenes and halogens
 * **addition polymer** = polymer formed by addition polymerization; adding many unsaturated monomers using double bonds
 * **addition polymerization** = the joining together of many unsaturated monomer molecules (double bonds) to form a long molecule; new monomers are added to the chain at the double bonds
 * **alcohol** = a homologous series of organic compounds which has //-OH// as its functional group; ethanol is a member of this homologous series
 * **alkanes** = a homologous series of hydrocarbons which are saturated as they have only single bonds between the carbon atoms
 * **alkenes** = a homologous series of hydrocarbons which are unsaturated as they have at least 1 double bond somewhere in the chain
 * **allotrope** = different forms of the same element e.g. diamond, graphite and the fullerenes are allotropes of carbon
 * **alloys** = mixture of a metal and small amounts of other metals and non-metals, made to have certain improved properties eg harder, stronger, increased resistance to corrosion, increased heat or electrical resistance
 * **alkali** = any base which is soluble in water
 * **alkali metal** = any metal in group 1 of the Periodic Table, most reactive metals
 * **alkali solution** = a solution with a pH larger than 7
 * **anions** = negative ions; attracted to anode
 * **anode** = positive electrode in electrolysis
 * **arrangement** = how particles are positioned compared to each other e.g. close together, far apart, in fixed positions
 * **atom** = the smallest particle that can exits of an element
 * **atomic number =** number of protons in the nucleus of an atom, determines the order and place of each element in the Periodic Tab le
 * **avogadro’s constant** = 6.02 x 1023
 * **balanced equation** = numbers of atoms are the same on either side of the equation (any equation should be balanced as in any chemical reaction particles are only re-arranged and are not destroyed or created); also shows the ratio in which reactants react and products are produced during a chemical reaction
 * **base** = a substance which can neutralise an acid to make a salt and water examples: metal oxides, metal hydroxides,
 * **bauxite** = ore containing aluminium oxide from which aluminium is extracted
 * **blast furnace** = a furnace used for getting iron from iron oxide with the help of carbon
 * **boiling** = a process during which a liquid changes into a gas as its particles gain more energy and move a lot faster and also much farther apart from each other. further from gas to liquid; only happens at the boiling temperature as opposed to evaporation
 * **brine** = concentrated sodium chloride solution
 * **catalyst** = a substance which speeds up a reaction but which remains unchanged at the end of the reaction
 * **catalytic converter** = a piece of equipment which is part of the exhaust of a car and which changes nitrogen oxides into nitrogen before they are released into the atmosphere
 * **cathode** = negative electrode in electrolysis
 * **cation** = positive ion ; attracted to cathode
 * **chain length** = number of carbon atoms one after the other in an organic compound
 * **chemical bond** = electrostatic attraction between atoms or ions
 * **chemical property** = how it reacts
 * **chromatogram** = the result of a chromatography
 * **chromatography** = a separating technique which uses the difference in solubility in a given solvent between the different parts of a mixture to separate them;
 * **combustion** = burning, the reacting of a substance with oxygen, exothermic
 * **complete combustion** = combustion in sufficient oxygen which in the case of hydrocarbons produces carbon dioxide and water
 * **compound** = a pure substance made from two or more different atoms joined together chemically
 * **concentration** = the number of moles of per liter of solution; tells us how much solute is dissolved inn a solvent
 * **condensation** = a process during which a gas changes into a liquid because its particles are having less energy, slow down and come much closer together
 * **condensation polymer** = a long molecule formed by condensation polymerization e.g. nylon
 * **condensation polymerization** = the joining together of many of two different monomer molecules to form one single long molecule during which a small molecule is removed for each link between the monomers.
 * **covalent bond** = force of attraction between a pair of shared electrons and the nucleii of both atoms
 * **cracking** = the breaking down of long-chain alkanes into smaller alkanes and alkenes using a catalyst and heat (500 C)
 * crude oil (or petroleum) = a mixture of organic compounds formed, as a result of high temperatures and pressures, from the remains of living plants and animals which died millions of years ago; a fossil fuel
 * crystallisation = the forming of crystals from a saturated solution
 * decomposition = breaking down a compound into simpler substances
 * delocalised electrons = electrons that can move between atoms; they are not part of 1 atom
 * diamine
 * diatomic = 2 atoms only
 * dicarboxylic acid
 * diffusion = the movement of particles by which different substances mix as a result of the random motion of each of their particles
 * displacement reaction = a reaction in which a more reactive metal or halogen takes the place of a less reactive metal or halogen in its compound
 * distillate = the liquid obtained from distillation; the liquid which has evaporated and condensed
 * distillation = a separating technique in which a mixture is heated, the substance with the lowest boiling point evaporates and is condensed back to liquid form
 * ductile = can easily be drawn into wires, what metals are
 * endothermic = absorbs energy
 * electrical conductivity = conducts electricity for which it needs mobile charged particles
 * electrodes = rods of ususally carbon which are used to make elctrical contact with the electrolyte
 * electrolysis = a reaction which uses electricity to decompose a compound
 * electrolyte = an ionic compound or acid which conducts electricity (molten or in solution) and which is decomposed as it conducts
 * electrolytic cell = a beaker with an electrolyte, 2 electrodes, a power supply and leads which changes electrical energy into chemical energy
 * electron = a sub-atomic particle which has a negative charge and no relative mass
 * electronic configuration = the number of electrons on each energy level in an atom
 * element = a pure substance that consists of 1 type of atom only
 * empirical formula = the formula which gives the most simple ratio of atoms/ions in a molecule/formula unit
 * equilibrium = is reached when the forward reaction and reverse reaction are going on at the same time; at this point the amount of reactant or product does not change.
 * evaporation = a process during which a liquid changes into a gas as some of its particles at the surface gain more energy, move a lot faster and farther apart from each other and eventually escape from the liquid; happens at any temperature between melting and boiling point.
 * exothermic = releases/gives out energy
 * fermentation = the changing of sugars dissolved in water into alcohol and carbon dioxide by the enzymes in yeast at a temperature of between 30 C to 40 C.
 * filtrate = the liquid/solution that goes through the filter paper
 * fixed positions = particles in a solid cannot move from their positions because of the strong forces of attraction
 * forces of attraction = forces which hold/pull particles together
 * forward reaction = the reaction which produces the products
 * fraction = a group of substances which has a specific boiling point/range/condenses at similar temperature (because they have a similar number of carbon atoms in them);
 * fractional distillation = crude oil is heated to evaporate most components which then condense back at different levels in the fractionating column because they have differing boiling points;
 * freezing = process during which a liquid changes into a solid as its particles lose energy, slow down and come closer together again
 * fuel = a substance that can release a lot of energy e.g. by burning
 * gas = a state of matter in which particles are far apart, have a lot of energy and move fast and randomly
 * galvanising = the coating of steel or iron by zinc to protect it from rusting
 * giant structure = a structure in which a very large number of atoms or ions are joined together strongly and continuously in all 3 directions; a large network of particles
 * group = vertical column in Periodic Table
 * half equation = equation showing what goes on at each electrode in electrolysis
 * halogen = any element from group 7 in the Periodic table
 * homologous series = a group of organic compounds which all have the same general formula, similar chemical properties because they have the same functional group, have a gradual trend in physical properties, and differ by one CH2 unit.
 * hydrocarbon = a compound which has carbon and hydrogen only
 * incomplete combustion = burning in not enough oxygen
 * indicator = any chemical which can change colour when added to different chemicals, usually acids and bases
 * inert = very unreactive
 * inert gases = gases in group 0
 * intermolecular forces = weak forces of attraction between molecules
 * ion = a charged atom or group of atoms (which has become charged because it has either lost or gained an electron(s))
 * ionic bond = strong electrostatic attraction between two oppositely charged ions, formed between metals and non-metals
 * isomers = compounds with the same molecular formula but different structures or displayed formula and therefore different properties
 * isotopes = atoms with the same number of protons and electrons but different number of neutrons; same mass number but different mass number
 * lattice = regular 3-dimensional arrangement of the particles (atoms, ions or molecules)
 * limestone = calcium carbonate
 * liquid = a state of matter in which particles are close together but in a disorderly arrangement, they can move past one another and have energy to move from their positions
 * lubricant = an oily but soft substance used to reduce friction between two moving surfaces
 * malleable = easily shaped without breaking, what metals are
 * mass number = the total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom
 * melting = a process during which a solid changes into a liquid as its particles have gained more energy and move from their positions and past one another into an irregular arrangment
 * metallic bond = attraction between positive metal ions and delocalised (mobile ‘sea’ of electrons electrons
 * metallic character = behaves like a metal, gives away electron (s) when it reacts to form a positive ion, conducts, shiny, malleable
 * mixture = 2 or more substances mixed together which have not reacted and which are therefore easily separated by physical processes like evaporation/distillation/filtration
 * molar mass = the actual mass of 1 mole or 6.02 x 1023 particles (atoms, ions, molecules or formula units) of that substance
 * molar volume = the volume of 1 mole of a gas = 24L at rtp
 * mole = the name given to a certain number and that number is 6.02 x 1023.
 * molecular formula= shows the type of atoms/ions and their number/molar ratio in a molecule/formula unit
 * molecule = a particle made up of 2 or more atoms held together by covalent bonds
 * monomer = a small molecule which can be joined together to make a long molecule called a polymer; a monomer must have a double bond or a functional group at either end
 * movement = how particles move e.g. fast, vibrate
 * neutron = a sub-atomic particle with no charge and which is in the nucleus and has a relative mass of 1
 * neutralisation = a reaction between an acid and a base to produce water and a salt and sometimes also carbon dioxide
 * noble gas = any element form the last group in the Periodic Table
 * noble gas electronic configuration = the way in which electrons are arranged in the noble gas atoms which is that they have their outer shell full! This 2 electrons in the helium atom and 8 in the other noble gases
 * ore = a mixture of rock which contains a useful chemical
 * organic compounds = compounds that have the element CARBON in it
 * oxidation = a reaction during which a substance gains oxygen; oxygen is added to the element or compound increasing its mass; also a reaction during which a substance loses an electron
 * oxide = a compound which ends with oxygen
 * oxidizing agent = a chemical which oxidises another chemical; it loses oxygen/gains electrons and becomes reduced
 * oxide layer = layer of an oxygen compound
 * % yield = the actual yield expressed as percentage of the theoretical yield
 * period = horizontal row in the Periodic Table
 * periodic trends = gradual changes in properties of the elements in the same period
 * petroleum = a mixture of organic compounds formed, as a result of high temperatures and pressures, from the remains of living plants and animals which died millions of years ago; contains fossil fuels.
 * **pH** = a number between 1 and 14 which tells us how strong or how weak an acid or alkali is
 * **pH scale** = a scale running from 1- 14 used to show how acid or alkaline a substance is
 * **physical property** = properties like melting and boiling point, volatility, conductivity, appearance, colour
 * **poly(ethene)** = polymer made from polymerising ethene molecules - addition polymer
 * **polymer** = a large molecule made from many small molecules that have been joined together; each polymer is made up of many repeated units
 * **polymerisation** = a chemical reaction in which many small molecules or monomers are joined together to form a long molecule called a polymer
 * **position of equilibrium** = gives an idea of how much reactant or product there is at equilibrium
 * **precipitation** = a reaction between 2 salt solutions which produces an insoluble salt which sinks to the bottom of the test tube
 * precipitate = insoluble solid formed during a reaction
 * product = substance on right hand of equation
 * pure substance = a single chemical element or compound which melts and boils at fixed temperatures
 * rate of a reaction = amount of change in a reactant or product over a period of time; tells us how fast a reaction is going
 * reactant = substance on left side of equation
 * reactivity = refers to the ease with which a substance reacts with other substances
 * reactivity series = a list of metals with the most reactive metal first based on results from experiments
 * redox = a reaction during which both a chemical is oxidised and another is reduced
 * reducing agent = a chemcial which reduces another chemical; it gains oxygen/loses electrons and becomes oxidised
 * reduction = a reaction during which a susbstance loses oxygen and has its mass decreases; also a reaction during which a substance gains electrons
 * relative atomic mass = the mass of an atom as compared to 1/12th of the mass of a carbon-12 atom; it is also the average mass of all isotopes
 * relative molecular mass = the sum of the relative atomic masses (multiplied by the number of times they are in the molecule) of the atoms in the molecule
 * relative formula mass = the sum of the relative atomic masses (multiplied by the number of times they are in the formula) of the atoms or ions in the giant structure
 * residue = the insoluble part that remains behind in the filter paper during a filtration or what is left in the flask
 * reverse reaction = reaction which changes products back into reactants
 * reversible reaction = a reaction during which products are made but are also changed back again into reactants
 * rust = a loose orange brownflaky layer of hydrated iron oxide
 * sacrificial protection = method of rust protection in which blocks of more reactive metal are attached to irn; the more reactive metal react with the air and water instead of the iron
 * saturated solution = a solution which contains as much solute as possible
 * saturated organic compound = each carbon atom in the organic compound has made 4 single covalent bonds
 * simple molecular substance = substance made up of individual molecules held together by covalent bonds and has weak intermolecular forces between these molecules
 * solid = a state of matter in which particles are close together and in a regular arrangement, can only vibrate in fixed positions and have little energy
 * solvent = a liquid that does the dissolving
 * solvent front = the height the solvent goes up to on the chromatography paper
 * solute = a solid which dissolves
 * solution = a mixture made by dissolving a solute in a solvent
 * steel = an alloy of iron with other elements
 * sub-atomic particle = very small particles from which atoms are made: electrons, protons and neutrons
 * sublimation = a process during which a solid changes directly into a gas because its particles have alot more energy, move around very fast and are very far apart.
 * system = the reactants and products of a reaction
 * theoretical yield = the amount of product you should obtain according to the balanced equation and calculations
 * thermal decomposition = breaking down of a compound by hetaing it
 * transition element = metal in the transition block of the Periodic Table
 * universal indicator = a mixture of indicators used to measure the pH because it goes different colours
 * unsaturated organic compound = has at least one double bond; decolourizes brown bromine water
 * valency = the combining power of an atom or group of atoms; in an ionic compound the valency of an ion is its charge; in a molecule the valency of an atom is the number of bonds it makes
 * valency electrons = the electrons on the most outer shell;
 * vapourise = change from liquid into gas
 * vibrate = move forwards and backwards but in the same fixed position
 * volatile = vapourises easily, low boiling point
 * word equation = an equation in which the names of the chemicals are used