Chemistry Vocab

surface tension

A measure of how difficult it is to stretch or break the surface of a liquid

intermolar forces

forces of hold atoms together within a molecule

intramolecular forces

forces that exist between molecules

capillary action

the attraction of the surface of a liquid to the surface of a solid

Cohesion

Attraction between molecules of the same substance

Adhesion

An attraction between molecules of different substances

Sublimation

solid to gas

Evaporation

Liquid to gas

Condensation

Gas to liquid

polar

a covalent bond between two atoms where the electrons forming the bond are unequally distributed

nonpolar

a bond in which electrons are shared equally

Solubility

A measure of how much solute can dissolve in a given solvent

soluble

capable of being dissolved

Solute

A substance that is dissolved in a solution.

Solvent

the substance in which the solute dissolves

Solvated

a solute particle that is surrounded by solvent molecules

Dipole

occur due to the unequal sharing of electrons between atoms in a molecule.

hydrogen bond

Attraction between a positive hydrogen atom and a negative atom.

universal solvent

substance that dissolves most chemicals (water)

aqueous solution

a solution in which water is the solvent

Surfactant

a substance which tends to reduce the surface tension of a liquid in which it is dissolved.

Solution

A mixture that forms when one substance dissolves another.

Suspension

A mixture in which particles are large and do not dissolve completely

Colloids

particles that are intermediate in size between those in solutions and suspensions (pic is milk mixed with water)

Tyndall effect

Scattering of a light beam as it passes through a colloid

Electrolyte

An ionic compound whose aqueous solution conducts an electric current

nonelectrolyte

A substance that dissolves in water to give a solution that does not conduct an electric current

saturated solution

a solution that cannot dissolve any more solute under the given conditions

unsaturated solution

A solution that contains less solute than a saturated solution does and that is able to dissolve additional solute

supersaturated solution

contains more dissolved solute than a saturated solution at the same temperature

Hydration

a chemical reaction in which a substance combines with water

Immiscible

liquids that are not soluble in each other

Miscible

Describes two liquids that are soluble in each other

precipitate

A solid that forms from a solution during a chemical reaction.

Emulsion

The colloidal dispersion of one liquid in another

Henry's Law

the solubility of a gas in a liquid is directly proportional to the partial pressure of that gas on the surface of the liquid

effervescence

the rapid escape of a gas from a liquid in which it is dissolved

Concentration

A measurement of how much solute exists within a certain volume of solvent

Molarity

the number of moles of solute per liter of solution

Molality

the concentration of a solution expressed in moles of solute per kilogram of solvent