Glossary Of Scientific Terminology (A-F)

Acid – A compound that creates H⁺ ions when dissolved in water.

Acidic solution – A solution that contains a greater concentration of H⁺ ions than water.

Addition Polymerisation Reaction– During a reaction lots of small monomer Molecules join to create a single Molecule. The Molecule is large polymer Molecule and there is nothing other than this single Molecule after the reaction.

Addition Reaction – A reaction that sees two Molecules joining together to create a single larger Molecule. There is nothing else besides that one Molecule left or created.

Adsorption – When a liquid or a gas Molecule becomes attached to the surface of another substance.

Alkali – A compound that makes OH^- ions once it is dissolved in water.

Alkaline solution – A solution that contains a larger concentration of OH^- ions than pure water.

Alkali Metals – Within Group 1 (on the Periodic Table) Reactive Metals (Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Fr)

Alkanes – A Homologous Series with a general Formula.

Alkanoic Acids – A Homologous Series that sees a group in an Alkane replaced by a Carboxyl group.

Alknols - A Hydrogen Atom in an Alkane (with a Homologous Series) that has been replaced by a Hydroxyl group.

Amine Group (Amino Group) – A group that is present in Amino Acids.

Amino Acid – Compounds that contain the amine group –NH₂ & also the carboxyl group –COOH.

Amines – A Compound that has a Hydrogen atom in an alkane, or other Hydrocarbon, replaced by an amine group –NH₂.

Amylase – An Enzyme which catalyses the Hydrolysis of starch to glucose in the body.

Atom – Nothing is smaller than this & it is the smallest part of any element. It is made up of a Nucleus, Protons, Electrons and Neutrons.

Atomic Number – The amount of protons that are in an atom’s nucleus.

Balanced Chemical Equation (A) – An equation with the same amount of atoms from each element on either side of the equation.

Base – A substance which can receive hydrogen ions (from Acids)

Battery – A collection of chemicals cells connected together.

Benedict’s Solution – A solution which changes from blue to orangey red when heated with sugar (ex sucrose)

Biodegradable – Something that can rot through natural biological process.

Burning (Reaction) – A reaction in which a substance combines with oxygen which will release energy in the forms of heat & light.

Carbohydrates – A group of compounds. A class of foods that are made by plants & important for survival.

Carboxylic Acid – An Acid containing the group called Carboxyl (-COOH)

Carboxyl Group – A group found within Carboxyl Acids.

Catalyst – A Substance that will speed up a Chemical Reaction & remains the same after it has been used to speed up said reaction.

Catalyst Poison – Something that stops a Catalyst from working.

Catalytic Converter – Something which changes carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen and unburned hydrocarbons into the lesser harmful pollutants; carbon dioxide, nitrogen and water vapour.

Catalytic Hydration – An addition reaction in which water adds on to a Molecule in the presence of a catalyst.

Cell (chemical)– A process that changes chemical energy into electrical energy (also see Battery)

Chemical Equation – (see Formulae Equation)

Chemical Reaction – A (chemical) process in which one or more new substances are formed.

Chromatography – A practise that allows the separation of a small quantity of soluble compounds.

Combustion – Also known as Burning.

Compound – A substance that is made of more than one element and is chemically joined.

Concentrated Solution – A Solution that has a lot more Solute than Solvent in it.

Concentration – The amount of Solute within a solution (Moles per Litre)

Condensation Polymerisation – A reaction that sees many small monomer Molecules combine to make one large polymer Molecule, with water or some other small Molecule formed at the same time.

Condensation Reaction – A Reaction that sees two or more Molecules join up to become a single larger Molecule, with water or another small Molecule formed at the same time.

Corrosion – A reaction during which the surface of a metal changes to a element into a compound.

Covalent Bond – A common attraction between two Nuclei holding them together through a shared pair of Electrons.

Covalent Network – A huge Lattice of Atoms held in place by Covalent Bonds.

Cracking – The breaking up of larger hydrocarbon Molecules to produce a mixture of smaller Molecules. The use of a catalyst allows this reaction to take place at a lower temperature, making the reaction more cost effective.

Crude Oil – A Mixture that occurs naturally & consists mainly of Hydrocarbons (also see Petroleum)

Cycloalkanes – Homologous series of ring Molecules.

Decomposition – The breaking down of a compound into two or more simpler substances.

Diamines – Compounds in which two hydrogen Atoms in an Alkane, or other Hydrocarbon, have been replaced by Amine Groups.

Diatomic Element – An element that which exists only with two atoms (H₂,O₂...)

Diatomic Molecule – A Molecule which only contains two Atoms (CO, HCl...)

Dilute Solution – A Solution with less Solute in comparison to Solvent.

Displacement – The creation of a metal from a solution containing its ions by reaction with a metal higher in the electrochemical series (ECS)

Displacement Reaction – See Displacement

Distillation – Separation or Purification depending on the boiling point. The process sees a Liquid turn to Gas and then back to Liquid.

Dehydration – The removal of water from a compound.

Electrochemical Series (ECS) – A collection of metals (and hydrogen) placed in an order showing their ability to lose Electrons & form Ions within a Solution.

Electrode – A Conductor that is used to pass an electrical current through (into & and out of) Solutions.

Electrolyte –A Compound that, due to the movement of Ions, conducts when dissolved in water or when melted.

Electrolysis – Chemical changes brought on by the flow of Ions through Electrolytes at the Electrodes resulting in possible Decomposition of the Electrolyte.

Electron – A Particle which has a single negative charge and orbits the Nucleus of the Atom it is attached to.

Electroplating – Using Electrolysis a layer of metal that is deposited on another metal.The metal which is being plated by/receiving the deposit is used as a negative Electrode & in the solution there are Ions of the other metal which is what is being deposited.

Element – A Substance that cannot be broken down into any simpler Substance than it already is (using chemical means) All of its Atoms have the exact same Atomic Number.

Empirical Formula – The simplest way of showing the ratio of Atoms in a Compound.

Endothermic Reaction – A reaction that takes in heat energy from its surroundings, this has the effect of reducing Temperature.

Enzyme – A Biological Catalyst.

Equilibrium – See ‘The Matrix’ / The process of a forward and reverse reaction coinciding at the same reaction rate. The concentrations of the Reactant and Products are continuous but not always equal.

Ester Group – A group that is found in Esters.

Esters – Compounds that are formed upon the reaction of an Alkanol and an Alkanoic Acid.

Evaporation – Turning Liquid into a Vapour/Gas.

Exothermic Reaction – A reaction that gives off heat and causes the surroundings Temperature to rise.

Fats (and Oils) – High energy foods that are important.

Fatty Acids – Fats with a straight chain of Carboxylic Acids. (Saturated or Unsaturated)

Fermentation – Breaking down glucose to make ethanol & carbon dioxide catalysed by the enzymes within yeast.

Filtrate – During Filtration a Liquid will pass through a Filter, this is called Filtrate.

Filtration – The process of separating an Insoluble Solid from a Liquid using filter paper.

Flame – An area which sees gases combine to produce heat and light energy.

Flammable – The description of a Substance that will catch fire easily.

Formula – A way to show information in an exact way and in the simplest way possible; showing information using quantities & symbols.

Formulae Equation – An Equation that gives details on chemical symbols and Formulae for Reactants and their Products.

Formulae Mass – The total mass of the Relative Atomic Masses of all Atoms present in a Formula.

Fossil Fuel – A fuel that has been formed from the remains of living things.

Fraction – A given range of boiling points that groups of Hydrocarbons reach during Fractional Distillation.

Fractional Distillation – A way of getting groups of Hydrocarbons from crude oil by achieving certain boiling points.

Fuel – (when burnt) An energy producing Substance.

Functional Group – Atoms that are characteristically chemical active.