Glossary Flashcards
acid
a species that releases H+ ions in aqueous solution
acid dissociation constant Ka
the equilibrium constant that shows the extent of
dissociation of a weak acid
acid–base pair
a pair of two species that transform into each other by gain or loss of a proton
activation energy
the minimum energy required to start a reaction by the breaking of bonds
actual yield
the amount of product obtained from a reaction
addition polymerisation
formation of a very long molecular chain, by repeated addition reactions of many unsaturated alkene molecules (monomers)
addition reaction
a reaction in which a reactant is added to an unsaturated molecule to make a one saturated molecule
adsorption
the process that occurs when a gas or liquid or solute is held to the surface of a solid
alicyclic
containing carbon atoms joined together in a ring that is not aromatic
aliphatic
containing carbon atoms joined together in straight or branched chains
alkali
a type of base that dissolves in water forming hydroxide ions, OH–(aq) ions
alkanes
the hydrocarbon homologous series with single carbon-to-carbon bonds and the general formula: CnH2n+2
alkenes
the hydrocarbon homologous series with at one double carbon-to-carbon bonds and the general formula: CnH2n
alkyl group
a side chain formed by removing a hydrogen atom removed from an alkane parent chain, for example, CH3, C2H5; any alkyl group is often shown as R
alkynes
the hydrocarbon homologous series with one triple carbon-to-carbon bonds and the general formula: CnH2n–2
amount of substance
the quantity whose unit of the mole, used as a means of counting any species such as atoms, ions and molecules
anhydrous
containing no water molecules
anion
a negatively charged ion with more electrons than protons
aromatic
containing one or more benzene rings
atom economy
(sum of molar masses of desired products)/(sum of molar masses of all products) Å~100%
atomic (proton) number
the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom
atomic orbital
a region around the nucleus that can hold up to two electrons, with opposite spins
average bond enthalpy
the average enthalpy change that takes place when breaking by homolytic fission 1 mol 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 × 1023 mol–1)