CHEMISTRY GLOSSARY

onyx    →   oniks

Onyx is a semiprecious stone, a type of stone with many different layers of colour.

Onsager relations    →   Onsagerove relacije

Onsager relations are an important set of equations in the thermodynamics of irreversible processes. They express the symmetry between the transport coefficients describing reciprocal processes in systems with a linear dependence of flux (J_i) on driving forces (X_j).

In Onsager’s theory the coupling coefficients are equal, L_ij = L_ji. This is known as reciprocal relations. The theory was developed by the Norwegian chemist Lars Onsager (1903-1976) in 1931.

acceleration    →   akceleracija

If a point-like object undergoes a change in velocity Δv=v_f-v_i in time Δt=t_f-t_i (indexes i and f stand for initial and final instant as well as for initial and final velocity) its average acceleration, a is defined as

The instantaneous acceleration, a, is obtained from the average acceleration by shrinking the time interval Δt towards zero. The average acceleration approaches a limiting value, which is the acceleration of a given instant:

Acceleration is a vector quantity. SI unit for acceleration is m s^-2.

angular acceleration    →   kutna akceleracija

If the angular velocity of a body changes from an initial value ω_i to a final value ω_f, average angular acceleration, α, can be defined for the time interval Δt = t_f - t_i:

The instantaneous angular acceleration, α, is the limit of the average angular acceleration, as Δt is made to approach zero:

SI unit for angular acceleration is s^-2.

angular velocity    →   kutna brzina

A point-like object that undergoes circular motion changes its angular position from initial Θ_i to final Θ_f, relative to a fixed axis, specified in a coordinate system with an origin that coincides the centre of the circular path of object. The change in its angular position is called angular displacement ΔΘ = Θ_f - Θ_i. Also, a rigid body that rotates about a specified rotation axis, changing its angular position from initial Θ_i to final Θ_f, undergoes an angular displacement ΔΘ.

The average angular velocity, ω_av, is the ratio of the angular displacement and the time interval Δt=t_f-t_i, in which that displacement occurs.

Θ_f and Θ_i are the initial and final angular position, respectively.

The instantaneous angular velocity ω is the limit of the average angular velocity, as Δt is made to approach zero.

ω_av and ω are positive for the counterclockwise rotation (in direction of increasing Θ) and negative for the clockwise rotation (in direction of decreasing Θ).

SI unit for angular velocity is s^-1.The measure for the angle Θ is radian. The relationship between radians and degrees is:

For example, the angular velocity of the minute hand of a clock is:

beta particle    →   beta-čestica

Beta particle is a charged particle emitted from a radioactive atomic nucleus either natural or manufactured. The energies of beta particles range from 0 MeV to 4 MeV. They carry a single charge; if this is negative, the particle is identical with an electron; if positive, it is a positron.

An unstable atomic nucleus changes into a nucleus of the same mass number but different proton number with the emission of an electron and an antineutrino (or a positron and a neutrino)

Biot-Savart law    →   Biot-Savartov zakon

The magnetic field B due to a current-carrying conductor can be determined by Biot-Savart law. The contribution to magnetic field set up at distance r by the current element IdL is given by expression:

where μ₀ is permeability constant. It plays a role in magnetic problems equivalent to the role of permittivity constant μ₀ in electrostatics problems. In order to obtain B, contributions of all current elements have to be integrated. In case of a long straight conductor, carrying current I, Biot-Savart law gives:

SI unit for magnetic field B is tesla (T).

Permaeability constant μ₀ has value 4π×10^-7 T m A^-1.

Carnot cycle    →   Carnotov kružni proces

Carnot cycle is the most efficient cycle of operations for a reversible heat engine. Published in 1824 by French physicist Nicolas Léonard Sadi Carnot (1796-1832), it consists of four operations on the working substance in the engine:

1-2: Isothermal expansion at thermodynamic temperature T₁ with heat Q_H taken in.

2-3: Adiabatic expansion with a fall of temperature to T₂.

3-4: Isothermal compression at temperature T₂ with heat Q_C given out.

4-1: Adiabatic compression at temperature back to T₁.

According to the Carnot principle, the efficiency of any reversible heat engine depends only on the temperature range through which it works, rather than the properties of the working substances.

chemical potential    →   kemijski potencijal

For a mixture of substances, the chemical potential of constituent B (μ_B) is defined as the partial derivative of the Gibbs energy G with respect to the amount (number of moles) of B, with temperature, pressure, and amounts of all other constituents held constant.

Also called partial molar Gibbs energy. Components are in equilibrium if their chemical potentials are equal.

electric field    →   električno polje

If a small amount of charge experience a force, there is an electric field in the vicinity. Electric field E is defined in terms of electrostatic force F that would be exerted on positive test charge q_p placed in the field:

SI unit for electric field is N C^-1, or V m^-1.

The electric field due to a point charge q at distance r from it given by:

where ε₀ is permittivity constant, and is ε_o=8.85×10^-12 C² N^-1 m^-2.