CHEMISTRY GLOSSARY

zeta potential    →   zeta potencijal

Zeta potential (ζ) is the potential across the interface of all solids and liquids. Specifically, the potential across the diffuse layer of ions surrounding a charged colloidal particle, which is largely responsible for colloidal stability. Also called electrokinetic potential.

iodine    →   jod

Iodine was discovered by Bernard Courtois (France) in 1811. The origin of the name comes from the Greek word iodes meaning violet. It is shiny, black, non-metallic solid with characteristic odour. Sublimes easily and as a gas it is violet and intensely irritating to the eyes, nose and throat. Iodine occurs on land and in the sea in sodium and potassium compounds. Required in small amounts by humans. Once used as an antiseptic, but no longer due to its poisonous nature.

kinetic energy    →   kinetička energija

Kinetic energy (E_k) is associated with the state of motion of a body. It is a scalar property and defined to be

Kinetic energy is most clearly exhibited in gases, in which molecules have much greater freedom of motion than in liquids and solids.

Knudsen’s pipette    →   Knudsenova pipeta

Kudsen's automatic pipette, developed by the Danish physicist Martin Knudsen (1871-1949), allows quick and accurate transfer of a constant volume of liquid (sea water), usually around 15 mL. On the top of pipette is a double sided C vent that can establish flow between the body of the pipette and one of the branches (A or B), or isolate the body of the pipette from both of the branches. Sucking through the B branch the pipette is filled with liquid, it is closed with a twist of the C valve and the liquid is released by rotating the valve towards the A branch (so atmospheric air can enter the pipette). Emptying the pipette takes around 30 seconds. Before it's first use, the pipette must be calibrated with distilled water.

mass    →   masa

Mass (m) is the quantity of matter contained in a particle or body regardless of its location in the universe. Mass is constant, whereas weight is affected by the distance of a body from the centre of the Earth (or of other planet). The SI unit is kilogram.

According to the Einstein equation

all forms of energy possess a mass equivalent.

mass-energy equivalence    →   ekvivalencija mase i energije

In the special theory of relativity Einstein demonstrated that neither mass nor energy were conserved separately, but that they could be traded one for the other and only the total "mass-energy" was conserved. The relationship between the mass and the energy is contained in what is probably the most famous equation in science,

Where m is the mass of the object and c is the velocity of light. Cockcroft and Walton (1932) are routinely credited with the first experimental verification of mass-energy equivalence.

molybdenum    →   molibden

Molybdenum was discovered by Carl William Scheele (Sweden) in 1778. The origin of the name comes from the Greek word molybdos meaning lead. It is silvery white, very hard metal, but is softer and more ductile than tungsten. Molybdenum is found in the minerals molybdenite (MoS₂) and wulfenite (MoO₄Pb). Its alloys are used in aircraft, missiles and protective coatings in boiler plate.

newton    →   njutn

Newton (N) is the SI unit of force, being the force required to give a mass of one kilogram an acceleration of 1 m s^-2 (N = kg m s^-2). It was named after the British scientist Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727).

phosphorescence    →   fosforescencija

Phosphorescence is emission of light from a substance exposed to radiation and persisting as an afterglow after the exciting energy has been removed. Unlike fluorescence, in which the absorbed energy is spontaneously emitted about 10^-8 second after excitation, phosphorescence requires additional excitation to produce radiation and may last from about mili second to days or years, depending on the circumstances.

phosphorus    →   fosfor

Phosphorus was discovered by Hennig Brandt (Germany) in 1669. The origin of the name comes from the Greek word phosphoros meaning bringer of light. White phosphorus is white to yellow soft, waxy phosphorescent solid with acrid fumes. Toxic by inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact. Red phosphorus is powdery, non-flammable and non-toxic. Phosphorus is found most often in phosphate rock. Pure form is obtained by heating a mixture of phosphate rock, coke and silica to about 1450 °C. Used in the production of fertilizers and detergents. Some is used in fireworks, safety matches and incendiary weapons. Phosphorus is also important in the production of steels, phosphor bronze and many other products.