A

Actinium is the name for

the element with atomic number 89 and is
represented by the symbol Ac.
Acid Catalysis is a chemical reaction that
requires the presence of an acid to act as
a catalyst in order to proceed.
Acidic Solution is any aqueous
solution which has a pH < 7.0 ([H
+
] > 1.0
x 10
-7
M).
Acid Promoted refers to a chemical
reaction that needs an acid to proceed but
does not act as a catalyst for the reaction.
Acidulant is a food additive that lowers
the pH to give a tart or bitter taste.
Acology is the study of medical remedies.
Acrylic Fiber is a polymer that contains at
least 85% by mass acrylonitrile monomers.
Activated Carbon is a processed form
of carbon treated to be more porous.
Activated Charcoal is a processed form
of carbon treated to be more porous.
Activated Complex complex is an
intermediate state that is formed during the
conversion of reactants into products. An
activated complex is the structure that
results at the maximum energy point along
the reaction path. The activation energy of
a chemical reaction is the difference
between the energy of the activated
complex and the energy of the reactants.
Activity Series is an list of metals ranked
in order of decreasing reactivity to displace
hydrogen gas from water and
acid solutions. It can also be used to
predict which metals will displace other
metals in aqueous solutions.
Acute Health Effect is the effect caused
by the initial exposure of a hazardous
chemical on a human or animal body.
When a hazardous material's acute health
effect is listed, the effects are generally
severe and dangerous adverse effects, but
subside after the exposure stops.
Acylation is a chemical reaction that adds
an acyl group to a molecule.
Acyl Group is a functional group with
formula RCO- where R is bound to
the carbon atom with a single bond.
Acyl Halide is a functional group with
formula R-COX where X is
a halogen atom.
Adsorption is a different process
from absorption, in which a
substance diffuses into a liquid or solid to
form a solution.
Alcohol is a substance containing an OH
group attached to a hydrocarbon group.
Alcohol Dehydrogenase is an enzyme that
facilitates reactions to oxidizes alcohol to
an aldehyde or ketone in conjunction
with NADH.
Alcoholysis is a substitution chemical
reaction which has an alcohol as
a reactant that is incorporated into part of
the product molecule.
Aldehyde is an organic
compound containing the -
CHO functional group at the end of a
hydrocarbon chain.
Aldoheptose is
a heptose carbohydrate with
an aldehyde functional group at the
first carbon.
Aldohexose is a hexose carbohydrate with
an aldehyde functional group at the
first carbon.
Aldoxime is an oxime where one
R group is a hydrogen.
Aldopentose is
a pentose carbohydrate with
an aldehyde functional group at the
first carbon.
Aldose is a molecule made up of
a monosaccharide bonded to an aldehyde
chain.
Aldotetrose is a tetrose carbohydrate with
an aldehyde functional group at the
first carbon.
Algaecide is a substance used to control or
kill algae.
Aliphatic refers to organic molecules or
functional groups where the carbon bonds
are not aromatic.
Aliphatic Amino acid is an amino
acid containing an aliphatic side chain
functional group.
Aliphatic Compound is a compound
containing carbon and hydrogen joined
together in straight chains, branched trains
or non-aromatic rings.
Aliphatic Group is a functional
group where the group is made up of
carbon and hydrogen atoms and not
aromatic.
An Alkali Metal is any of
the elements found in Group IA of
the periodic table. Alkali metals are very
reactive chemical species which readily
lose their one valence electron to form
ionic compounds with nonmetals.
An Alkaline refers to an aqueous
solution having a pH greater than 7 or
having a [OH
-
] greater than 10
-7
.
An Alkaline Earth Metal is
an element belonging to group 2 of
the periodic table. The alkaline earth
metals, as a group, share charactertic
properties.
Alkaloids are a class of organic
compounds with at least one nitrogen in
a heterocyclic ring.
An Alkane is a hydrocarbon containing
only single carbon-carbon bonds.
An Alkenyl group is a hydrocarbon group
formed when a hydrogen atom is removed
from an alkene group.
An Alkoxide is a organic functional
group formed when a hydrogen atom is
removed from an hydroxyl group of
an alcohol when reacted with a metal.
An Alkoxy group is a functional group
containing an alkyl group bonded to
an oxygen atom.
An Alkylammonium salt is an
ammonium salt where the ammonium
cation has the general structure
NR
x
H
4-x
where x = 1-4.
An Alkylate is the product formed by
the reaction of an alkane and an alkyne.
Alkylation is the the process where
an alkyl group is introduced into a
molecule.
An Alkyl group is a hydrocarbon group,
such as CH
3
- or C
3
H
7
-.
An Alkyne is a hydrocarbon containing a
triple carbon-carbon bond.
Allotrope refers to one or more forms of
an elementary substance.
An Alloy is a substance made by melting
two or more elements together, at least one
of them a metal. An alloy crystallizes upon
cooling into a solid solution, mixture, or
intermetallic compound.
An Alpha carbon is the carbon in a
molecule bonded to an atom or moiety of
interest.
Alpha decay is the spontaneous
radioactive decay where an alpha
particle is produced.
An Alpha hydrogen is a hydrogen atom
bonded to the -carbon in a molecule.
An Alpha particle is a He
2+
ion or
the helium nucleus. This particle is
commonly denoted by the Greek letter .
Alpha radiation is ionizing radiation
resulting from the decay of radioisotopes
where an alpha particle is emitted. This
radiation is denoted by the Greek letter .
An Alternative copolymer is a type
of polymer consisting of two different
repeating mer units in which the mer units
alternate positions within the chain of
the molecule.
Aluminum is the name for the element
with atomic number 13 and is represented
by the symbol Al.
Americium is the name for the element
with atomic number 95 and is represented
by the symbol Am.
An Amide is a functional group containing
a carbonyl group linked to a nitrogen atom.
An Amidogen is a radical composed of
a nitrogen and two hydrogen atoms (NH
2
).
An Amine is a compound in which one or
more of the hydrogen atoms in ammonia
have been replaced by an organic
functional group. Amines are generally
weak bases. Further, most amines are
organic bases.
Amine Functional Group is a functional
group containing three substituents around
a central nitrogen atom containing a lone
pair of electrons.
An Amino Acid is a type of organic acid
that contains an acid functional group and
an amine functional group on adjacent
carbon atoms. Amino acids are considered
to be the building blocks of proteins.
Aminolysis is a substitution chemical
reaction which has an amine as
a reactant that is incorporated into part of
the product molecule.
An Ammeter is an instrument used to
measure current.
Ammonium is a cation with formula
NH
4
+
.
Ammonium is the conjugate acid of
ammonia.
Ammonium is also added into the name of
any molecule where a nitrogen atom has
four single bonds and positive formal
charge.
An Ammonium salt is a salt containing
an ammonium cation and any anion.
Ampere is the base SI unit of electrical
current.
An Amphetamine is a psychostimulant
drug, based on the chemical formula
C
9
H
13
N.
Anaerobic means "without oxygen".
Analyte is the substance being analyzed in
a analytical procedure.
Analytical chemistry is the chemistry
discipline concerned with the chemical
composition of materials. Analytical
chemistry also is concerned with
developing the tools used to examine
chemical compositions.
Anhydrous literally means 'no water'.
Substances without water are anhydrous.
Angular momentum quantum number,
, is the quantum number associated with
the angular momentum of an
atomic electron. The angular momentum
quantum number determines the shape of
the electron's orbital.
Androgen is the name given to any natural
or synthetic compound that stimulates or
controls male sex characteristics.
Androgens typically are steroid hormones.
Androgens are precursor molecules to
estrogens, the female sex hormones.
Anisotropy refers to a material exhibiting
different values of a property in different
crystallographic directions.
Anti addition is an addition reaction that
adds two substituents to opposite sides of
a double or triple bond such that the bond
order of the bond decreases but the number
of substituents increases.
An Antibonding orbital is a molecular
orbital containing an electron outside the
region between the two nuclei.
Aqueous is a term used to describe a
system which involves water. The word
aqueous is also applied to a solution or
mixture in which water is the solvent.
When a chemical species has been
dissolved in water, this is denoted by
writing (aq) after the chemical name.
An Aqueous solution is any solution in
which water (H
2
O) is the solvent.
Argentum is the Latin name for the
element silver
Arg is an abbreviation for the amino acid
arginine.
Argon is the name for the element with
atomic number 18 and is represented by
the symbol Ar.
An Arrhenius acid is a substance that
when added to water increases the number
of H
+
ions in the water.
An Arrhenius base is a substance that
when added to water increases the number
of OH
-
ions in the water.
The Arrhenius rate equation is a
mathematical expression which relates the
rate constant of a chemical reaction to the
exponential value of the temperature.
Arsenic is the name for the element with
atomic number 33 and is represented by
the symbol As.
An Aryl group is a functional group
derived from a simple aromatic ring
compound where one hydrogen atom is
removed from the ring.
An Aryl Halide is a molecule where
a halogen atom is bonded to a carbon atom
that is part of an aryl ring.
Atactic refers to a polymer chain
configuration in which the side groups are
poitioned randomly on one or the other
side of the polymer backbone.
An Atom is the defining structure of
an element, which cannot be broken by
any chemical means. A typical atom
consists of a nucleus
of protons and neutrons with electrons
orbiting this nucleus.
An Atomic ion is an atom which has
gained or lost at least one electron
resulting in a net positive or negative
charge on the atom.
Atomic mass or atomic weight is the
average mass of atoms of an element,
calculated using the relative abundance of
isotopes in a naturally-occurring element.
An Atomic mass unit or amu is one
twelfth of the mass of an unbound atom of
carbon-12. It is a unit of mass used to
express atomic masses and molecular
masses.
Atomic Number is number of protons in
an element.
The Atomic Radius is a term used to
describe the size of the atom, but there is
no standard definition for this value.
An Atomic Solid is one in which atoms of
an element are bonded to other atoms of
the same atom type.
The Atomic Volume is the volume one
mole of an element occupies at room
temperature.
The Aufbau principle, simply put, means
electrons are added to orbitals as protons
are added to an atom.
Aurum is the Latin name for the element
goldthe.
Avogadro's Law is the relation which
states that at the same temperature and
pressure, equal volumes of all gases
contain the same number of molecules.
Avogadro's number is the number of
particles found in one mole of a substance.
It is the number of atoms in exactly 12
grams of carbon-12. This experimentally
determined value is approximately 6.022 x
10
23
particles per mole.
The Azimuthal quantum number, , is
the quantum number associated with the
angular momentum of an atomic electron.
The angular momentum quantum number
determines the shape of the electrons
orbital.

B
A Bar is a unit of pressure that is defined
to be equal to 10
5
pascals.
Barium is the name for the element with
atomic number 56 and is represented by
the symbol Ba.
A Barometer is a device that measures
atmospheric pressure.
A Base is a chemical species that
donates electrons or hydroxide ions or that
accepts protons.
A Basic Anhydride or base anhydride is a
metal oxide that forms a basic solution
when reacted with water.
Base catalysis is a chemical reaction that
requires the presence of a base to act as
a catalyst to proceed.
A Battery is a series of electrochemical
cells using redox reactions to provide a
source of electric current.
Battery acid is any acid that can be used
in a chemical cell or battery.
A Benzenoid ring is an aromatic ring that
possesses a benzene-like structure.
Berkelium is the name for the element
with atomic number 97 and is represented
by the symbol Bk.
Beryllium is the name for the element
with atomic number 4 and is represented
by the symbol Be.
The Beta carbon is the carbon atom one
bond removed from the -carbon in a
molecul away from the moiety of interest.
A Beta hydrogen is a hydrogen atom
bonded to the -carbon of a molecule.
Beta radiation is
ionizing radiation resulting from the decay
of radioisotopes where a beta particle is
emitted. This radiation is denoted by the
Greek letter .
Bimolecular refers to an elementary
chemical reaction that occurs when two
reactant molecules collide with each other.
A Biocide is a substance or microorganism
that kills or controls growth of living
organisms.
Biochemistry is the chemistry of living
things. It is concerned with the structure
and chemical processes
of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic
acids and other molecules found in or
produced by organisms.
Bioorganic chemistry is a chemistry
discipline which
integrates biochemistry and organic
chemistry. Bioorganic chemistry involves
the study of biological processes using
chemical methods. Organic chemistry
methods are used to synthesize biological
molecules and to examine their structure
and the kinetics of biochemical reactions.
Bismuth is the name for the element with
atomic number 83 and is represented by
the symbol Bi.
Bohrium is the name for the element with
atomic number 107 and is represented by
the symbol Bh.
The Bohr radius is the most probable
distance between the proton and electron
in a hydrogen atom in its ground state.
The Boiling Point is the temperature at
which the vapor pressure of a liquid equals
the external pressure surrounding the
liquid. Therefore, the boiling point of
a liquid depends on atmospheric pressure.
The boiling point becomes lower as the
external pressure is reduced.
Boltzmanns constant is the
proportionality constant between
the kinetic energy and temperatur of
molecules of an ideal gas.
Bromine is the name for
the element with atomic number 35 and is
represented by the symbol Br.
BTU is short for British thermal unit, a
unit of energy equal to the amount of heat
required to raise one pound of water 1
degree Fahrenheit at a pressure of 1
atmosphere.
(1 BTU 1.054 Joules 252 calories)
A Buffer is a solution containing either
a weak acid and its salt or a weak base and
its salt, which is resistant to changes in pH.
Butter is a deprecated chemical term for
inorganic chlorides.
C
Caffeine is a chemical substance naturally
found in tea and coffee and added to colas.
It is a stimulant and diuretic. Caffeine is
highly soluble in supercritical fluid carbon
dioxide. Caffeine is soluble in water.
Cadmium is the name for the element
with atomic number 48 and is represented
by the symbol Cd.
Calcium is the name for the element with
atomic number 20 and is represented by
the symbol Ca.
Calibration is process of determining the
relation between the output or response of
a measuring instrument and the value of
the input. Calibration typically involves
the use of a measuring standard.
A Carbanion is a carbon atom which has
a negative electrical charge. A carbon
anion.
Carbon is the name for the element with
atomic number 6 and is represented by the
symbol C.
Carbonate is an ion consisting of one
carbon and oxygen atoms. The molecular
formula for the carbonate ion is CO
3
2-
.
A Carcinogen is a material that causes or
is believed to cause cancer.
Catalysis is the acceleration (or
declaration) of a chemical reaction due to
the presence of a catalyst.
A Cathode is the electrode at which
reduction occurs. Cations are attracted to
the cathode. Generally, the cathode is the
negative electrode.
A Cation is an ionic species with a
positive charge.
A Ceramic is a material constructed
from inorganic, nonmetallic materials and
then heated to change their physical
properties and allowed to cool.
Cerium is the name for the element with
atomic number 58 and is represented by
the symbol Ce.
Cesium is the name for the element with
atomic number 55 and is represented by
the symbol Cs.
The Cetane Number (abbreviated CN)
refers to the combustion quality of diesel
fuel. It represents the time delay between
the start of injection process and the the
point where the fuel ignites.
D
Deca is the prefix associated with x10 and
is denoted by the symbol da. It is rarely
used in metric measurements.
Decarboxylation is a chemical reaction
which removes carbon dioxide (CO
2
) from
a substrate.
A Denaturant is an substance that acts as
an additive to prevent human
consumption.
A Detergent is a cleaning agent. A
detergent is similar to a soap, but with a
general structure R-SO
4
-
, Na
+
, where R is a
long-chain alkyl group.
Diatomic refers to a molecule containing
only two atoms.
Diastereomers are stereoisomers that are
not enantiomers or mirror images of each
other.
Dichromate is an inorganic polyatomic
anion with molecular formula Cr
2
O
7
2-
.
A Diketone is a compound containing
two ketone functional groups.
A Diol is a molecule that contains two
hydroxyl groups.
Dioxygenyl is a polyatomic cation with
molecular formula O
2
+
.
A Dipolar bond is a covalent bond
between two atoms where one of the atoms
provides both electrons that form the bond.
A Dipole is a separation of electrical
charges. In chemistry, a dipole refers to the
separation of charges within a molecul
between two covalently bonded atoms.
A Drug is a chemical that has medicinal,
performance-enhancing or intoxicating
effects when introduced into the body of a
human or other animal.
DNA is the acronym for deoxyribonucleic
acid, usually 2'-deoxy-5'-ribonucleic acid.
DNA is a code used within cells to form
proteins.
A Dry cell is an electrolytic cell that uses a
slightly moist electrolyte paste as a salt
bridge.
Dry ice is a common name for carbon
dioxide in its solid state.
Dyne is the CGS unit of force.
E
Earths is an alchemical and old chemical
term for compounds were thought to be
elements but were later discovered to be
metal oxides.
Effusion is the movement of a gas through
a pore or capillary into another gaseous
region or into a vacuum.
Electrolysis is the passage of a direct
electric current through an ion-containing
solution. Electrolysis produces chemical
changes at the electrodes.
An Electron is a negatively charged
component of an atom. Electrons exist
outside of and surrounding the atom
nucleus. Each electron carries one unit of
negative charge and has a very
small mass as compared with that of
a neutron or proton.
Electrum is a naturally-occurring alloy
of gold and silver with a small amount of
other metals. The man-made alloy of gold
and silver is chemically similar to
electrum, but usually is called green gold.
A Chemical Element is a substance that
cannot be broken down by chemical
means. Elements are defined by the
number of protons they possess.
Emissions are the products produced other
than heat in a combustion reaction.
F
A Fatty acid is a carboxylic acid with a
long side chain of hydrocarbons. Most
fatty acids contain an even number of
carbon atoms in the hydrocarbon chain and
follow the general molecular formula of
CH
3
(CH
2
)
x
COOH where x is the number
of carbon atoms in the hydrocarbon chain.
Femto is the prefix associated with x10
-
15
and is denoted by the symbol f.
Fermium is the name for the element with
atomic number 100 and is represented by
the symbol Fm.
Ferric is a deprecated chemistry term for
the iron ion with a +3 oxidation state or
Fe
3+
.
Ferrous is a deprecated chemistry term for
the iron ion with a +2 oxidation state or
Fe
2+
.
Flammable is a property of a material
relating how easily the material ignites or
sustains a combustion reaction.
Fluorine is the name for the element with
atomic number 9 and is represented by the
symbol Fl.
Formalin is an aqueous solution of
formaldehyde.
G
Geochemistry is the scientific study of the
chemical composition of the Earth and
other planets. It includes analysis of the
chemical composition and reaction
involving rocks, minerals and soils; the
cycles ofmatter and enrgy in the earth,
water, and air; and the ongoing processes
that formed the Earth and change it.
Gln is an abbreviation for the amino acid
glutamine.
Glu is an abbreviation for the amino acid
glutamic acid.
Gly is an abbreviation for the amino acid
glycine.
A Glycol is a molecule that contains two
hydroxyl groups.
A Glycerite is an extract prepared by
soaking a sample in glycerin or a glycerin
solution. Either vegetable-based or animal-
based glycerin may be used, though it is
customary to use plant-based glycerin to
prepare herbal glycerites.
Green chemistry is the branch of
chemistry concerned with developing
processes and products to reduce or
eliminate hazardous substances. One of the
goals of green chemistry is to prevent
pollution at its source, as opposed to
dealing with pollution after it has occurred.
The Greenhouse effect refers to the effect
of water and carbon dioxide absorbing
outgoing infrared radiation, raising a
systems temperature. The term is
generally used with reference to the
Earth's temperature, although it can also be
applied to other systems, such as
greenhouses and automobiles.
A Greenhouse gas is a gas present in
the atmosphere that absorbs and emits
infrared radiation.
H
Hafnium is the name for the element with
atomic with number 72 and is represented
by the symbol Hf.
A Halide is a binary compound where one
of the elements is a halogen.
A Haloalcohol is an organic compound
containing adjacent carbon atoms where
one carbon has a halogen substituent and
the other carbon has a hydroxyl
substituent.
A Haloalkane is an alkane containing one
or morehalogen atoms.
A Haloform is a trihalomethane where all
three halogen atoms are identical.
A Halogenated ether is an ether where
one or more of the hydrogen atoms of the
ether are replaced with a halogen atom.
A Halogenated hydrocarbon is a
hydrocarbon that contains one or more
halogen atoms.
Halogenation is a chemical reaction
where a halogen atom is integrated into a
molecule.
A Halogenoalkane is an alkane containing
one or more halogen atoms.
Halogenoarene is a molecule where a
halogen atom is bonded to a carbon atom
that is part of an aryl ring.
A Halohydrin is an organic compound
containing adjacent carbon atoms where
one carbon has a halogen substituent and
the other carbon has a hydroxyl substituent
A Halon is an organic compound
containing one or two carbon atoms and
halogen atoms.
Hapticity is a term describing how a
group of contiguous atoms are bonded to a
central atom of a coordination compound.
Each atom of the contiguous group is
bound once and only once to the central
atom.
Hard X-rays are x-rays with energy
greater than 5 keV.
I
An Inhibitor is a substance that delays,
slows or prevents a chemical reaction.
Inflammable is an older term identical to
flammable, which is a property of a
material relating how easily the material
ignites or sustains a combustion reaction.
An Indicator is a substance that
undergoes a distinct observable change
when conditions in its solution change.
J
Jodium is the Latin name for the element
iodine.
A Junction point is a point where a
polymer network forms branches.
A Junction unit is a non-repeating atom
or group of atoms that appear between
monomer blocks in a block
macromolecules.
K
Kalium is the German name for the
element potassium. Kalium is the source of
the symbol K for potassium on the
periodic table.
A Ketene is an organic compound
containing the >C=O=O functional group.
A Keytone is a compound containing a
carbonyl functional group bridging two
groups of atoms.
An Ketose is a molecule made up of
a monosaccharide bonded to a ketone.
L
Lanthanum is the name for the element
with atomic number 57 and is represented
by the symbol La.
Lead is the name for the element with
atomic number 36 and is represented by
the symbol Kr.
M
A Macromolecule is a molecule with a
very large number of atoms.
Magnesium is the name for the element
with atomic number 12 and is represented
by the symbol Mg.
Melting is the process by which a
substance changes from the solid phase to
the liquid phase.
Mega is the prefix associated with
x10
6
and is denoted by the symbol M.
Mercury is the name for the element with
atomic number80 and is represented by the
symbol Hg.
N
Nano is the prefix associated with
x10
-9
and is denoted by the symbol n.
A Nanometer is a unit of length equal to
1/1,000,000,000th of a meter.
Natrium is the original Latin name for the
element sodium. Natrium is the source of
sodium's element symbol Na.
Neon is the name for the element with
atomic number 10 and is represented by
the symbol Ne.
A Nitrate is an ion with the chemical
formula NO
3
-
.
A Nitrile is
an organic compound containing the -CN
functional group.
A Nitrite is an ion with the chemical
formula NO
2
-
.
O
Octet is Group of eight valence electrons
surrounding an atom. All noble gases have
an octet of valence electrons, with the
exception of helium.
Ortho is a prefix used to describe a
molecule where substituents are at the 1
and 2 positions on an aromatic compound.
An Oxide is an ion of oxygen with
oxidation state equal to -2.
Oxidation is the loss of electrons during a
reaction by a molecule, atom or ion.
P
Paraffin is a waxy substance made up of a
mixture of alkanes with a total number of
carbon atoms between 20 and 40.
Particulates are small, distinct solids
suspended in a liquid or gas.
Patina is the name given to the thin layer
of corrosion products that forms on a metal
surface that has been exposed to air and
water. A patina typically has a
characteristic color. Most often, patina
refers to the greenish coating that forms on
copper and its alloys.
A pathogen is a prion, virus, plasmid or
other microorganism capable of causing
disease in humans or animals.
R
Racemic is a mixture of equal parts left-
and right-handed enantiomers of a chiral
molecule.
Radiant intensity is the measure of the
intensity of electromagnetic radiation.
Radiant flux is the measure of the amount
of radiant energy per unit time.
A radical is a molecule containing an
unpaired free electron.
Radiochemistry is the study of the
chemistry of radioactive elements.
S
Salifiable refers to a substance capable of
reacting with an acid to form a salt.
Silica is the common name for the
compound silicon dioxide, SiO
2
.
SI is the abbreviation for System
Internationale. SI is the name given to the
standard metric system of units.
A solution is a homogeneous mixture of
two or more substances. A solution may
exist in any phase.
Spectroscopy is the analysis of the
interaction between matter and any portion
of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Traditionally, spectroscopy involved the
visible spectrum of light, but x-ray,
gamma, and UV spectroscopy also are
valuable analytical techniques.
T
Technetium is the name for the element
with atomic number 43 and is represented
by the symbol Tc.
Tetrahedral is a descriptor of the
geometry of a molecule in which a central
atom forms four bonds which are directed
toward the corners of a regular
tetrahedron. Tetrahedral geometry forms a
solid with four vertices and four sides, all
of which are equilateral triangles.
A Terpolymer is a polymer composed of
three different mer units.
Thermochemistry is the scientific study
of heat that is released or absorbed during
chemical changes.
Thr is an abbreviation for the amino acid
threonine.
The Tyndall effect is the scattering of
light as a light beam passes through a
colloid. The individual suspension
particles scatter and reflect light, making
the beam visible. The amount of scattering
depends on the frequency of the light
and density of the particles.
U
A Unit is any standard used for
comparison in measurements. Unit
conversions allow for measurements of a
property that have been recorded using
different units.
An unsaturated fat is any lipid (fat)
which contains one or more carbon-carbon
double bonds. Natural unsaturated fats
tend to be oily liquids obtained from
plants.
An Unsaturated solution is a chemical
solution in which the solute concentration
is lower than its equilibrium solubility.
Ununoctium is the placeholder name for
the element with atomic number 118.
Ununpentium is the placeholder name for
the element with atomic number 115.
V
Vacuum is a volume that encloses little or
no matter.
Vanadium is the name for the element
with atomic number 23 and is represented
by the symbol V.
Vapor is a condensable gas.
W
Washing soda is a common name for the
compound sodium carbonate (Na
2
CO
3
).
A Water softener is a compound that
lowers the hardness of water by ion
exchange to precipitate out hard mineral
ions from the water.
Wet is when a surface is coated with a
layer of liquid.
X
Xanthophyll is a class of carotenoids that
are yellow pigments.
Xenobiotic is any chemical that would not
normally be found in a living organism or
be expected to be produced by it.
Y
In chemistry, Yield refers to the quantity
of a product obtained from a chemical
reaction. Chemists refer to experimental
yield, actual yield, theoretical yield, and
percent yield to differentiate between
calculated yield values and those actually
obtained from a reaction.
Yocto is the prefix associated with
x10
-24
and is denoted by the symbol y.
Z
The Zeeman Effect describes the splitting
of a spectral line into two or more spectral
lines in the presence of an external, static
magnetic field.
Zinc is the name for the element with
atomic number 30 and is represented by
the symbol Zn.
Zymurgy is the study of the process
of fermentation.