CHEMISTRY GLOSSARY

analytical balance    →   analitička vaga

Analytical balances are instruments used for precise determining mass of matter. Analytical balances are sensitive and expensive instruments, and upon their accuracy and precision the accuracy of analysis result depends. The most widely used type of analytical balances are balances with a capacity of 100 g and a sensitivity of 0.1 mg. Not one quantitative chemical analysis is possible without usage of balances, because, regardless of which analytical method is being used, there is always a need for weighing a sample for analysis and the necessary quantity of reagents for solution preparation.

The working part of the balance is enclosed in a glass-fitted case. The baseplate is usually of black glass or black slate. The beam has agate knife-edges at its extremes, supporting stirrups from which balance pans are suspended. Another agate or steel knife-edge is fixed exactly in the middle of the beam on its bottom side. This knife-edge faces downwards and supports the beam. When not in use and during loading or unloading of the pans, the balance should be arrested.

The principle of operation of a modern laboratory balance bears some resemblance to its predecessor - the equal arm balance. The older instrument opposed the torque exerted by an unknown mass on one side of a pivot to that of an adjustable known weight on the other side. When the pointer returned to the center position, the torques must be equal, and the weight was determined by the position of the moving weights.

Modern electronic laboratory balances work on the principle of magnetic force restoration. In this system, the force exerted by the object being weighed is lifted by an electromagnet. A detector measures the current required to oppose the downward motion of the weight in the magnetic field.

arginine    →   arginin

Arginine is an electrically charged amino acids with basic side chains. It is one of the least frequent amino acids. As a group the charged amino acids are important for making proteins soluble. These residues are generally located on the surface of the protein. Arginine is well designed to bind the phosphate anion, and is often found in the active centers of proteins that bind phosphorylated substrates. As a cation, arginine, as well as lysine, plays a role in maintaining the overall charge balance of a protein. Although arginine is considered an essential amino acid (it must be obtained through the diet), this is true only during the juvenile period in humans.

• Abbreviations: Arg, R
• IUPAC name: 2-amino-5-(diaminomethylideneamino)pentanoic acid
• Molecular formula: C₆H₁₄N₄O₂
• Molecular weight: 174.20 g/mol

fcc    →   fcc

fcc is abbreviation for face-centered cubic lattice.

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:

ligand field theory    →   teorija ligandnog polja

Ligand field theory is a description of the structure of crystals containing a transition metal ion surrounded by nonmetallic ions (ligands). It is based on the construction of molecular orbitals involving the d-orbitals of the central metal ion and combinations of atomic orbitals of the ligands.

micelle    →   micele

Micelle is an electrically charged colloidal particle, usually organic in nature, composed of aggregates of large molecules, e.g., in soaps and surfactants. For aqueous solutions, the hydrophilic end of the molecule is on the surface of the micelle, while the hydrophobic end (often a hydrocarbon chain) points toward the centre.

monodentate ligand    →   monodentantni ligand

Monodentate ligand is a ligand that has only one atom that coordinates directly to the central atom in a complex. For example, ammonia and chloride ion are monodentate ligands of copper in the complexes [Cu(NH₃)₆]²⁺ and [CuCl₆]²⁺.

psychoactive drug    →   psihoaktivna droga

Psychoactive drugs are natural (mescaline) or synthetic substances (LSD) which take effect on central nervous system causing euphoria, and by lengthened use they also cause addiction, gradually destroying the nervous system.

asparagine    →   asparagin

Asparagine is neutral amino acids with polar side chains. The polar amino acids are an important class of amino acids since they provide many of the functional groups found in proteins. Asparagine is a common site for attachment of carbohydrates in glycoproteins. In general this is not very reactive residues. Asparagine is amide derivative of aspartic acid. Asparagine is not essential for humans, which means that it can be synthesized from central metabolic pathway intermediates and is not required in the diet.

• Abbreviations: Asn, N
• IUPAC name: 2,4-diamino-4-oxobutanoic acid
• Molecular formula: C₄H₈N₂O₃
• Molecular weight: 132.12 g/mol

aspartic acid    →   asparaginska kiselina

Aspartic acid is an electrically charged amino acids with acidic side chains. As a group the charged amino acids are relatively abundant and are generally located on the surface of the protein. Aspartic acid and glutamic acid play important roles as general acids in enzyme active centers, as well as in maintaining the solubility and ionic character of proteins. Aspartic acid (sometimes referred to as asparate depending on pH) is non-essential in mammals, being produced from oxaloacetate by transamination.

• Abbreviations: Asp, D
• IUPAC name: 2-aminobutanedioic acid
• Molecular formula: C₄H₇NO₄
• Molecular weight: 133.10 g/mol