Term | Definition |
Absolute temperature scale | The Kelvin temperature scale |
Accuracy | An indication of how close a measurement is to the true value |
Acid | A molecule that donates H+ ions |
Acid ionization constant | The equilibrium constant for an acid's ionization reaction |
Acid ionization reaction | The reaction in which an H+ separates from an acid molecule so that is can be donated to an other reaction |
Activated complex | Another name for the intermediate state of a chemical reaction |
Activation energy | The energy necessary to start a chemical reaction |
Alkaline dry cell | A dry cell made with a potassium hydroxide salt bridge |
Amphiprotic compound | Compounds that can act as either an acid or a base, depending on the situation |
Amphoteric compound | Another name for Amphiprotic compounds |
Amplitude (light) | A measure of the height of the crests or the depth of the troughs on a wave |
Anion | A negative ion |
Anode | The electrode at which oxidation occurs |
Atom | The smallest chemical unit of matter |
Atomic mass | The number on the periodic chart that is below an element's symbol. It represents the average mass of an atom's isotopes in atomic mass units. |
Atomic mass units | The mass unit used on the periodic chart: 1.00amu = 1.66xă10ă^(-24) |
Atomic number | The number on the periodic table that is above the element's symbol. It represents the number of protons in the nucleus of the atom |
Atomic radius | The average radius of an atom |
Avogadro's number | the number of molecules or atoms in a mole: 6.02xă10ă^23 |
Base | A molecule that accepts H+ ions |
Bent | A molecular shape in which a central atom is Bonded to two other atoms. The bond are 105 degrees apart. |
Boiling | The process a substance changes from its liquid phase to its to its gas phase. |
Boiling point | The temperature at which the vapor pressure of a liquid is equal to normal atmospheric pressure. |
Boiling-point elevation | When a solute is dissolved in a solvent, the boiling point of the solution will be higher than that of the pure solvent. |
Bond energy | The energy required to break a bond |
Boyle's Law | At constant temperature, the pressure and volume of a gas are inversely related. |