Key Definitions Flashcards

1
Q

Alkanes

A

The homologous series with the general formula: CnH2n+2.

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2
Q

Activation Energy

A

The minimum energy required to start a reaction by the breaking of bonds.

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3
Q

Alkyl Group

A

An alkane with a hydrogen atom removed, e.g. CH3, C2H5; alkyl groups are often shown as ‘R’.

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4
Q

Addition Polymer

A

A very long molecular chain formed by repeated addition reactions of many unsaturated alkene molecules (monomers).

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5
Q

Atom Economy

A

Mr of useful product x 100/ Mr of all products

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6
Q

Addition Polymerisation

A

The process in which unsaturated alkene molecules (monomers) add on to a growing polymer chain one at a time to form a very long saturated molecular chain (the addition polymer).

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7
Q

Average Bond Enthalpy

A

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.

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8
Q

Addition Reaction

A

A reaction in which a reactant is added to an unsaturated molecule to make a saturated molecule.

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9
Q

Biodegradeable

A

A substance that is broken down naturally in the environment by living organisms.

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10
Q

Adsorption

A

The process that occurs when a gas, liquid or solute is held to the surface of a solid or, more rarely, a liquid.

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11
Q

Alicyclic hydrocarbon

A

A hydrocarbon with carbon atoms joined together in a ring structure.

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12
Q

Boltzmann distribution

A

The distribution of energies of molecules at a particular temperature, usually shown as a

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13
Q

Aliphatic hydrocarbon

A

A hydrocarbon with carbon atoms joined together in straight or branched chains.

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14
Q

Bond enthalpy

A

The enthalpy change that takes place when breaking by homolytic fission 1 mol of a given bond in the molecules of a gaseous species.

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15
Q

Carbocation

A

An organic ion in which a carbon atom has a positive charge.

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16
Q

E/Z Isomerism

A

A type of stereoisomerism in which different groups attached to each carbon of a C=C double bond may be arranged differently in space because of the restricted rotation of the C=C bond.

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17
Q

Catalyst

A

A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being used ip in the process.

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18
Q

Electrophile

A

An atom (or group of atoms) that is attracted to an electron-rich centre or atom, where it accepts a pair of electrons to form a new covalent bond.

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19
Q

Cis-trans isomerism

A

A special type of E/Z isomerism in which there is a non-hydrogen group and a hydrogen atom on each C of a C=C double bond: the cis isomer (Z isomer) has the H atoms on each carbon on the same side; the trans isomer (E isomer) has the H atoms on each carbon on different sides of the bond.

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20
Q

Electrophillic addition

A

A type of addition reaction in which an electrophile is attracted to an electron-rich centre or atom, where it accepts a pair of electrons to form a new covalent bond.

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21
Q

Cracking

A

The breaking down of long-chained saturated hydrocarbons to form a mixture of shorter-chained alkanes and alkenes.

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22
Q

Elimination reaction

A

The removal of a molecule from a saturated molecule to make an unsaturated molecule.

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23
Q

Dehydration

A

An elimination reaction in which water is removed from a saturated molecule to make an unsaturated molecule.

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24
Q

Empirical formula

A

The simplest whole-number ratio of atoms of each element present in a compound.

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25
Q

Displayed formula

A

A formula showing the relative positioning of all the atoms in a molecule and the bonds between them.

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26
Q

Endothermic reaction

A

A reaction in which the enthalpy of the products is greater than the enthalpy of the reactants, resulting in heat being taken in from the surroundings (∆H +ve).

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27
Q

Dynamic equilibrium

A

The equilibrium that exists in a closed system when the rate of the forward reaction is equal to the rate of the reverse reaction.

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28
Q

Enthalpy, H

A

The heat content that is stored in a chemical system.

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29
Q

(Standard) Enthalpy change of combustion, ∆Hcө

A

The enthalpy change that takes place when one mole of a substance reacts completely with oxygen under standard conditions, all reactants and products being in their standard states.

30
Q

Fractional distillation

A

The separation of the components in a liquid mixture into fractions which differ in boiling point (and hence chemical composition) by means of distillation, typically using a fractionating column.

31
Q

(Standard) Enthalpy change of formation, ∆Hfө

A

The enthalpy change that takes place when one mole of a compound is formed from its constituent elements in their standard states under standard conditions.

32
Q

Fragmentation

A

The process in mass spectrometry that causes a positive ion to split into pieces, one of which is a positive fragment ion.

33
Q

(Standard) Enthalpy change of reaction, ∆Hrө

A

The enthalpy change that accompanies a reaction in the molar quantities expressed in a chemical equation under standard conditions, all reactants and products being in their standard states.

34
Q

Functional group

A

The part of the organic molecule responsible for its chemical reactions.

35
Q

Enthalpy cycle

A

A diagram showing alternative routes between reactants and products which allows the indirect determination of an enthalpy change from other known enthalpy changes using Hess’ law.

36
Q

General formula

A

The simplest algebraic formula of a member of a homologous series. For example, the general formula of the alkanes is CnH2n+2.

37
Q

Enthalpy profile diagram

A

A diagram for a reaction to compare the enthalpy of the reactants with the enthalpy of the products.

38
Q

Greenhouse effect

A

The process in which the absorption and subsequent emission of infrared radiation by atmospheric gases warms the lower atmosphere and the planet’s surface.

39
Q

Esterification

A

The reaction of an alcohol with a carboxylic acid to produce an ester and water.

40
Q

Hess’ law

A

If a reaction can take place by more than one route and the initial and final conditions are the same, the total enthalpy change is the same for each route.

41
Q

Exothermic reaction

A

A reaction in which the enthalpy of the products is smaller than the enthalpy of the reactants, resulting in heat loss to the surroundings (∆H –ve).

42
Q

Heterogeneous catalysis

A

A reaction in which the catalyst has a different physical state from the reactants; frequently, reactants are gases whilst the catalyst is a solid.

43
Q

Heterolytic fission

A

The breaking of a covalent bond with both of the bonded electrons going to one of the atoms, forming a cation (+ ion) and an anion (– ion).

44
Q

le Chatelier’s principle

A

When a system in dynamic equilibrium is subjected to a change, the position of equilibrium will shift to minimise the
change.

45
Q

Homogeneous catalysis

A

A reaction in which the catalyst and reactants are in the same physical state, which is most frequently the aqueous or gaseous state.

46
Q

Limiting reagent

A

The substance in a chemical reaction that runs out first.

47
Q

Homologous series

A

A series of organic compounds with the same functional group, but with each successive member differing by CH2.

48
Q

Mechanism

A

A sequence of steps showing the path taken by electrons in a reaction.

49
Q

Homolytic fission

A

The breaking of a covalent bond with one of the bonded electrons going to each atom, forming two radicals.

50
Q

Molecular ion, M+

A

The positive ion formed in mass spectrometry when a molecule loses an electron.

51
Q

Hydrocarbon

A

A compound of hydrogen and carbon only.

52
Q

Monomer

A

A small molecule that combines with many other monomers to form a polymer.

53
Q

Hydrolysis

A

A reaction with water or aqueous hydroxide ions that breaks a chemical compound into two compounds.

54
Q

Nucleophile

A

An atom (or group of atoms) that is attracted to an electron-deficient centre or atom, where it donates a pair of electrons to form a new covalent bond.

55
Q

Initiation

A

The first step in a radical substitution in which the free radicals are generated by ultraviolet radiation.

56
Q

Nucleophilic substitution

A

A type of substitution reaction in which a nucleophile is attracted to an electron-deficient centre or atom, where it donates a pair of electrons to form a new covalent bond.

57
Q

Percentage yield

A

Actual amount, in mol, of product/ Theoretical amount, in mol, of product x 100

58
Q

Saturated hydrocarbon

A

A hydrocarbon with single bonds only.

59
Q

Polymer

A

A long molecular chain built up from monomer units.

60
Q

Skeletal formula

A

A simplified organic formula, with hydrogen atoms removed from alkyl chains, leaving just a carbon skeleton and associated functional groups.

61
Q

Propagation

A

The two repeated steps in radical substitution that build up the products in a chain reaction.

62
Q

Specific heat capacity, c

A

The energy required to raise the temperature of 1 g of a substance by 1°C.

63
Q

Radical

A

A species with an unpaired electron.

64
Q

Standard conditions

A

A pressure of 100 kPa (1 atmosphere), a stated temperature, usually 298 K (25 °C), and a concentration of 1 mol dm–3 (for reactions with aqueous solutions).

65
Q

Rate of reaction

A

The change in concentration of a reactant or a product in a given time.

66
Q

Standard state

A

The physical state of a substance under the standard conditions of 100 kPa (1 atmosphere) and 298 K (25 °C).

67
Q

Reflux

A

The continual boiling and condensing of a reaction mixture to ensure that the reaction takes place without the contents of the flask boiling dry.

68
Q

Stereoisomers

A

Compounds with the same structural formula but with a different arrangement of the atoms in space.

69
Q

Repeat unit

A

A specific arrangement of atoms that occurs in the structure over and over again. Repeat units are included in brackets, outside of which is the symbol n.

70
Q

Stratosphere

A

The second layer of the Earth’s atmosphere, containing the ‘ozone layer’, about 10 km to 50 km above the Earth’s surface.