Definitions Flashcards
(155 cards)
Acid
A species that is a proton donor
Activation Energy
The minimum energy required to start a reaction by the breaking of bonds
Addition Polymer
A very long molecular chain formed by repeated addition reactions of many unsaturated alkene molecules (monomers)
Addition Polymerisation
The process in which unsaturated alkene molecules (monomers) add onto a growing polymer chain one at a time to form a very long saturated molecular chain (the addition polymer).
Addition Reaction
A reaction in which a reactant is added to an unsaturated molecule to make a saturated molecule.
Adsorption
The process that occurs when a gas, liquid or solute is held to the surface of a solid or, more rarely, a liquid.
1st Ionisation Energy
The energy required to remove one mole of electrons from one mole of gaseous atoms to form one mole of gaseous ions with a single positive (1+) charge
2nd Ionisation Energy
The energy required to remove one mole of electrons from one mole of gaseous atoms to form one mole of gaseous ions with a doublepositive (2+) charge
Alicyclic hydrocarbon
A hydrocarbon with carbon atoms joined together in a ring structure
Aliphatic Hydrocarbon
A hydrocarbon with carbon atoms joined together in a straight or branched chains
Alkali
A type of base that dissoves in water forming hydroxide ions OH- (aq) ions
Alkanes
The homologous series with the general formula CnH2n+2
Alkyl group
An alkane with a hydrogen atom removed eg. CH3, C2H5. Alkyl groups are often shown as ‘R’
Amount of Substance
Quantity whose unit is the mole. Chemists use the “amount of substance” as a means of counting atoms
Anhydrous
A substance that contains no water molecules
Anion
Negatively charged ion
Atom Economy
Atomic Orbital
A region of space in which up to two electrons can be found with opposite spins
Atomic (proton) number
The number of protons in the nucleus of the atom. The same as the number of electrons surrounding a neutrally charged atom of the element.
Average bond enthalpy
The average enthalpy change that takes place when breaking by homolytic fission 1 mole of a given type of bond in the molecules of a gaseous species
Avogadro Constant NA
The number of atoms per mole of the carbon-12 isotope (6.02 x10^23)
Base
A species that is proton acceptor
Biodegradable material
A substance that is broken down naturally in the environment by living organisms
Bolzmann Distribution
The distribution of energies of molecules at a particular temperature, usually shown as a graph.



