CHEMISTRY SPM DEFINITION LIST

1. The proton number of an atom is the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom.

2. The nucleon number of an atom is the sum of the number of protons and neutrons in the
atom.

3. Isotopes are atoms of the same element with same proton number but different nucleon
numbers.

4. Molecular formula of a compound shows the actual number of atoms of each element that
are present in a molecule of the compound.

5. Empirical formula of a compound shows the simplest whole number ratio of atoms of each
element present in the compound.

6. Ionic bond is the chemical bond formed through the transfer of electrons from metal atoms
to non-metal atoms to achieve the stable octet electron arrangement.

7. Ionic compound consist of positive ions and negative ions which are held by strong
electrostatic forces of attraction.

8. Covalent bond is the chemical bond formed through the sharing of electrons between non
metal atoms to achieve the stable duplet or octet electron arrangement.

9. Covalent compound consists of neutral molecules which are held by weak intermolecular
forces (Van der Waals).

10. Electrolytes are substances that can conduct electricity when they are in molten states or
aqueous solution and undergo chemical changes. Electrolytes are ionic compounds which
contain freely moved ions and thus, they are able to conduct electricity.

11. Electrolysis is a process whereby compounds in either molten or aqueous state are broken
down into their constituent by passing electricity through them.

12. An acid is a substance which ionises or dissociates in water to produce hydrogen ion, H+.

13. A base is a substance which ionises or dissociates in water to produce hydroxide ion, OH-.

14. An alkali is a base which is soluble in water and ionises or dissociates to produce hydroxide
ion, OH-.

15. Monoprotic acid is an acids which ionizes in water to produce 1 mol of H+ ion.
Example: Hydrochloric acid – HCl, Nitric acid – HNO3

16. Diprotic acid is an acid which ionizes in water to produce 2 mol of H+ ion.
Example : Sulphuric acid – H2SO4

17. Strong alkali is an alkali which ionises (dissociates) completely in water to form high
concentration of hydroxide ions, OH-.
18. Weak alkali is an alkali which ionises (dissociates) partially in water to form low
concentration of hydroxide ions, OH-.

19. Strong acid is an acid which ionises (dissociates) completely in water to form high
concentration of hydrogen ions, H+.

20. Weak acid is an acid which ionises (dissociates) partially in water to form low concentration
of hydrogen ions, H+.

21. An alloy is a mixture of two or more elements in a certain composition in which the major
component is a metal.

22. Polymers are a long chain molecule made by joining together lots of smaller repeating
molecules called monomers through a process called polymerisation.

23. Rate of reaction is the speed at which reactants are converted into the products in a
chemical reaction OR the change in the quantity of reactants or products per unit time.

24. Factors Affecting Rate of Reaction

 Total Surface Area
 Temperature
 Concentration
 Pressure
 Presence of Catalysts

25. Catalyst is a substance that can change / speed up the rate of reaction but remains
chemically unchanged at the end of the reaction.

26. Activation Energy, Ea is the minimum energy the colliding particles must have before
collision between them can result in chemical reaction.

27. Compounds General formula Functional group

Alkanes CnH2n+2 Single covalent bond
Alkenes CnH2n, where n = 2, 3 … Carbon-carbon double
covalent bond, C = C
Alcohol CnH2n+1OH where n = 1, 2, -OH, hydroxyl group
3…

Carboxylic acid CnH2n+1COOH , n=0,1,2…

Carboxyl group
Ester CmH2m+1COOCnH2n+1 Carboxylate group

28. Isomers are compounds with the same molecular formula but different structural formulae.
29.
OXIDATION REDUCTION
+ oxygen - oxygen
- hydrogen + hydrogen

- electron + electron
+ oxidation number - Oxidation number

Reducing Agent Oxidising Agent

30. Heat of precipitation is the heat change when one mole of a precipitate is formed.

31. Heat of displacement is the heat change when one mole of a metal is displaced from its salt
solution by a more electropositive metal.

32. Heat of neutralization is the heat change when one mole of water is formed from the
reaction between an acid and an alkali.

33. Heat of combustion is the heat change when one mole of a substance is completely burnt in
oxygen under standard condition.

All the heat of reaction, unit = KJ/mol

34. Fuel value is the amount of heat energy given out when one gram of the fuel is completely
burnt in excess of oxygen.

Unit : kJ/gram

35. FORMULA:
𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑙𝑒𝑠
𝑛𝑢𝑚. 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑠 =
6.02 𝑥 1023
𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠
𝑛𝑢𝑚. 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑠 =
𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠

𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒
𝑛𝑢𝑚. 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑠 =
𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒

Num. of moles = MV / 1000