CHEMISTRY GLOSSARY

actinium    →   aktinij

Actinium was discovered by André Debierne (France) in 1899. The origin of the name comes from the Greek word aktinos meaning ray. It is heavy, silvery-white, very radioactive metal. Reacts with water. Glows in the dark. Actinium is extremely rare, found in all uranium ores. Usually obtained by treating radium with neutrons in a reactor.

adenosine triphosphate    →   adenozin trifosfat

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is nucleotide that is of fundamental importance as a carrier of chemical energy in all living organisms. It consists of adenin linked to D-ribose).

alanine    →   alanin

Alanine is hydrophobic amino acids with aliphatic side chain. It is the second simplest amino acid, but used the most in proteins. The nonpolar hydrophobic amino acids tend to cluster together within proteins, stabilizing protein structure by means of hydrophobic interactions. Alanine is a nonessential amino acid, meaning it can be manufactured by the human body, and does not need to be obtained directly through the diet.

• Abbreviations: Ala, A
• IUPAC name: 2-aminopropanoic acid
• Molecular formula: C₃H₇NO₂
• Molecular weight: 89.09 g/mol

aluminium    →   aluminij

Aluminium was discovered by Friedrich Wöhler (Germany) in 1827. The origin of the name comes from the Latin word alumen meaning alum. It is soft, lightweight, silvery-white metal. Exposed surfaces quickly form protective oxide coating. Metal reacts violently with oxidants. Third most abundant element in the earth’s crust. Aluminium is the most abundant metal to be found in the earth’s crust, but is never found free in nature. Aluminium is obtained by electrolysis from bauxite. Used for many purposes from airplanes to beverage cans. Too soft in its pure form so less than 1 % of silicon or iron is added, which hardens and strengthens it.

analyte    →   analit

Analyte is a component of a sample upon which is carried out analytic analysis.

centi    →   centi

Centi is a prefix used in the SI system meaning one hundredth of. For example 1 cm means one hundredth of a meter; 2.3 cg could also be written 2.3×10^-2 g or 0.023 g.

centripetal force    →   centripetalna sila

Centripetal force is a force which makes body move through a curvature. Its orientation is always in path forwards the centre of rotation.

antimony    →   antimon

Antimony has been known since ancient times. The origin of the name comes from the Latin word stibium meaning mineral stibnite. It is hard, brittle, silvery-white semimetal. Stable in dry air. Toxic by ingestion or inhalation. Antimony is found in stibnite (Sb₂S₃) and in valentinite (Sb₂O₃). It is alloyed with other metals to increase their hardness. Also in the manufacture of a few special types of semiconductor devices. Also in plastics and chemicals. A few kinds of over-the-counter cold and flu remedies use antimony compounds.

complete ionic equation    →   potpuna ionska jednadžba

Complete ionic equation is a balanced equation that describes a reaction occurring in a solution, in which all strong electrolytes are written as dissociated ions.

ionic conductor    →   ionski vodič

Ionic conductor is a material that conducts electricity with ions as charge carriers.