chemical reactions vocab Flashcards
what is a catalyst?
a substance that increases the rate of a reaction but is not used up in the reaction
what is the collision theory?
the collision theory states that the particles involved in a chemical reaction must collide in order to react
combustion reaction
a reaction that involves oxygen and releases light and heat energy
concentrated acid
this refers to an acid solution with a high concentration of hydrogen ions
concentration
the number of active molecules in a set volume of solution
decomposition reaction
a reaction that involves the breakdown of a compound into simpler substances
dilute
a small number of active molecules (such as acid) in a solution
hydrocarbon
a molecule that contains only carbon and hydrogen atoms
monomer
a small molecule from which polymers are made
neutralisation reaction
a reaction in which an acid and a base combine to produce a metal, salt and water
oxidation reaction
a reaction that involves the combination of oxygen with a fuel or metal
polymer
a long-chain molecule formed by joining many smaller repeating molecules (monomers)
precipitate
an insoluble compound formed in a precipitation reaction
precipitation reaction
a reaction used to produce solid products from solutions of ionic substances
reaction rate
how fast or slow a reaction proceeds
solution
a mixture of a solute dissolved in a solvent such as water
synthesis reaction
a reaction that involves the building up of compounds by combining simpler substances, normally elements
strong acid
an acid which most of its molecules release hydrogen ions into solution
spectator ion
an ion that does not take part in a chemical reaction
strength
a strong acid readily releases a hydrogen ion in a chemical reaction; can also be used to describe the bond between different atoms
law of conservation of mass
in a chemical reaction, mass is neither created nor destroyed
