CHEMISTRY GLOSSARY

calibration    →   kalibracija

Calibration is correcting a measuring instrument by measuring values whose true values are known. Calibration minimises systematic error.

chemical equation equalization    →   izjednačavanje kemijske jednadžbe

Chemical equation equalization is determining values of stechiometric coefficients of reactants and products in a chemical equation in a way that the number of atoms of each element is equal before and after the reaction.

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.

dielectric constant    →   dielektrična konstanta

Dielectric constant or permittivity (ε) is an index of the ability of a substance to attenuate the transmission of an electrostatic force from one charged body to another. The lower the value, the greater the attenuation. The standard measurement apparatus utilises a vacuum whose dielectric constant is 1. In reference to this, various materials interposed between the charged terminal have the following value at 20 °C:

The exceptionally high value for water accounts for its unique behaviour as a solvent and in electrolytic solutions. Dielectric constant values decrease as the temperature rises.

electron spin    →   elektronski spin

Electron spin (s) is the quantum number, equal to 1/2, that specifies the intrinsic angular momentum of the electron.

equation of state    →   jednadžba stanja

Equation of state is an equation relating the pressure, volume, and temperature of a substance or system. Equation of state for ideal gas

where p is pressure, V molar volume, T temperature, and R the molar gas constant (8.314 JK^-1mol^-1).

galvanostat    →   galvanostat

Galvanostat is an electronic instrument that controls the current through an electrochemical cell at a preset value, as long as the needed cell voltage and current do not exceed the compliance limits of the galvanostat.

lignite    →   lignit

Lignite is a geologically young, low-grade brownish coal of relatively poor heat-generating capacity, used usually as a fuel.

metalloid    →   polumetal

Metalloid (semimetal) is any of a class of chemical elements intermediate in properties between metals and nonmetals. The classification is not clear cut, but typical metalloids are boron (B), silicon (Si), germanium (Ge), arsenic (As), and tellurium (Te). They are electrical semiconductors and their oxides are amphoteric.

dissociation constant    →   konstanta disocijacije

Dissociation constant is a constant whose numerical value depends on the equilibrium between the undissociated and dissociated forms of a molecule. A higher value indicates greater dissociation.

The term dissociation is also applied to ionisation reactions of acids and bases in water. For example

which is often regarded as a straightforward dissociation into ions

The equilibrium constant of such a dissociation is called the acid dissociation constant or acidity constant, given by

The concentration of water [H₂O] can be taken as constant.

Similarly, for a base, the equilibrium

is also a dissociation; with the base dissociation constant or basicity constant, given by

K_a (K_b) is a measure of the strength of the acid (base).