Chemistry Definitions

1) Proton number (atomic number): is the number of protons in the

nucleus of an atom.

2) Nucleon number (mass number): the total number of protons and

neutrons in the nucleus of an atom.

3) Elements: A substance containing only one kind of atom which cannot

be broken down into smaller substances.

4) Compound: A substance made of two or more elements bonded

chemically in fixed ratio that can not be separated by physical methods
together.

5) Isotopes: are atoms of the same element which have the same proton
number but a different nucleon number. isotopes have the same
properties because they have the same number of electrons in their
outer shell

6) Spectator ions: Ions which do not take part in a reaction.

7) lattice structure of ionic compounds: is a regular arrangement of

alternating positive and negative ions.

8) Ionic bonding: The bonding between a metal and a non- metal which
involves the complete transfer of electrons from the metal to the non-
metal.

9) Covalent bond: The bonding between 2 or more non- metal atoms which
involve the sharing of pairs of electrons between the atoms.
10) Metallic bonding: Attractive force of attraction between immobile
positive ions and delocalised mobile ‘sea of electrons’ in a lattice and use
this to describe the electrical conductivity and malleability of metals

11) Macromolecule: A giant lattice made of many non-metal atoms joined

together by strong covalent bonds.

12) Relative atomic mass (Ar): The average mass of naturally occurring atoms
of an element on a scale where the 12 C atom has a mass of exactly 12 units

13) Relative molecular mass (Mr): is the sum of the relative atomic masses.
(Relative formula mass or Mr will be used for ionic compounds.)

14) Mole: is the number of particles which is equal to Avogadro’s constant

6.023 * 1023.

15) Concentration: The amount of solute dissolved in a defined volume of a

solution. Number of particles per unit volume

16) Electrolysis: is the breakdown of an ionic compound, molten or in

aqueous solution, by the passage of electricity.

17) Electrode: Inert substance that allows electricity to pass through the
solution.

18) Electrolyte: An ionic compound which conducts electricity when molten or

dissolved in water.

19) Anode: Positive electrode

20) Cathode: Negative electrode

21) Electroplating: The coating of the surface of one metal with a layer of
another to increase strength, durability, corrosion resistance, and even to
make it more lustrous.

21) Exothermic: a reaction in which energy is given out causing the

temperature of the surrounding to increase. In a reaction bond forming is
exothermic as energy is given out.

22) Endothermic: a reaction in which energy is taken in causing the

temperature of the surrounding to decrease. Also, endothermic reactions are
bond breaking as energy is taken in to break the bonds between the
molecules.

23) Fuel: Any substance used as a source of energy.

24)Rate of the reaction: is a measure in change ( of mass or volume) per unit

time.

25) Photochemical reactions: A reaction which can only occur in the presence
of light. The rate of these reactions also increase as the light intensity
increases.

26) Equilibrium: A reaction which occurs in a closed system, where the rate of
forward reaction equals the rate of the backward reaction with no visible
change in concentration,

27) Redox reaction: A reaction in which electrons are lost ( oxidation) and
gained (reduction).

28) Oxidation: A reaction in which electrons are lost or oxygen is gained.

29) Reduction: A reaction in which electrons are gained or oxygen is lost.

30) Oxidising agent: is a substance which oxidises another substance and
undergoes reduction in a redox reaction.

31) Reducing agent: is a substance which reduces another substance and

undergoes oxidation in a redox reaction.

32) Acids: Acids are proton donors

33) Strong acids: Acids which are completely ionized or dissociate completely
to give H+ ions when dissolved in water. Ex: Sulphuric acid.

34) Weak acids: Acids which partially ionize or partially dissociate to give H+
ions when dissolved in water. Also weak acids always form reversible reactions
when dissolved in water. Ex: Ethanoic acid

35) Base: Proton acceptors. All soluble bases are known as Alkalies.

36) Weak alkali: An alkali which only partially ionizes or partially dissociates to
give OH- ions when dissolved in water. Weak alkalies also form reversible
reactions when dissolved in water. Ex: Ammonia

37) Strong alkali: An alkali which gets fully ionized or fully dissociates in water
to give OH- ions when dissolved in water. Ex: Sodium hydroxide

38) Acidic oxides: All non-metals form acidic oxides. These oxides react with
basic solutions. Ex: Carbon dioxide, Sulphur dioxide, etc.

39) Basic oxides: All metal oxides are basic oxides which mean they would
react with acidic solutions. Ex: Sodium oxide, Calcium oxide, etc.

40) Neutral oxides: These oxides do not react with acids or bases and have no
effect on litmus paper. Ex: Carbon monoxide, water, dinitrogen oxide
41) Amphoteric oxides: These oxides react with both acidic and basic solutions.
Ex: Aluminum oxide, lead oxide, zinc oxide, etc.

42) Carbon cycle: The movement of carbon dioxide between the atmosphere,
living things and dead remains.

43) Homologous series: A group of compounds with same general formula,

same functional group, similar chemical properties, different physical
properties and different chain lengths.

44) Functional group: Group of molecules which determine the properties of its
members.

45) Hydrocarbon: A compound which contains only carbon and hydrogen

atoms.

46) Saturated hydrocarbons: Hydrocarbons that contain single bonds between

all their atoms.

47) Unsaturated hydrocarbons: Hydrocarbons which contain a double, triple or

multiple bond between their atoms.

48) Structural Isomer: Compounds with the same molecular formula but
different structural formula.

49) Cracking: Cracking is a process which involves the production of alkenes

by heating vaporized form of alkanes in the presence of a catalyst ( Alumina,
Silica or zeolite). This process is used to breakdown long chain alkanes into
small chain alkenes and can sometimes produce another small alkane or
hydrogen.
50) Fermentation: It is a process in which glucose molecules are broken down
by the yeast cells which act as a catalyst, in the absence of oxygen to produce
ethanol and carbon dioxide. This reaction occurs at a temperature of 37°C.

51) Polymer: A large molecule or macromolecule built up from small units

called monomers. There are 2 types of polymers: Natural and Synthetic

52) Polymerisation: A reaction in which a polymer is formed. There are 2 types

of polymerosation reactions: Addition and condensation.

53) Addition polymerisation: A reaction in which inly one type of monomer is

used and only a polymer is formed without a byproduct.

54) Condensation polymerisation: A reaction in which more than one type of

monomer is used and a polymer along with a simple molecule is formed.

55) Monomer: A small molecule which joins together to form a polymer.

56) Non-biodegradable: A substance which cannot be broken down in the

environment by the decomposer such as the bacteria, or other living
organisms.

57) Rf: Retention factor. It is calculated as Distance traveled by solute/

Distance traveled by the solvent

58) Activation energy: The minimum amount of energy required for the
particles to react when they collide.

59) Fraction: A part of a mixture which contains molecules with similar boiling
points, molecular masses, etc.

60) Catalyst: A substance which speeds up the rate of a chemical reaction

without undergoing any change and without getting used up.