CHEMISTRY GLOSSARY

Boltzmann constant    →   Boltzmannova konstanta

The Boltzmann constant (k or k_B) is the physical constant describing the relationship between the thermodynamic temperature and the average kinetic energy of particles in a gas. It equals the molar gas constant R divided by the Avogadro constant N_A and has the value 1.380 648 52(79)×10^-23 J/K. It is named after the Austrian physicist Ludwig Eduard Boltzmann (1844-1906).

Born-Haber cycle    →   Born-Haberov kružni proces

Born-Haber cycle is a cycle of reactions used for calculating the lattice energies of ionic crystalline solids. For a compound MX, the lattice energy is the enthalpy of the reaction

The standard enthalpy of formation of the ionic solid is the enthalpy of the reaction

The cycle involves equating this enthalpy (which can be measured) to the sum of the enthalpies of a number of steps proceeding from the elements to the ionic solid. The steps are:

1) Atomization of the metal

2) Atomization of the nonmetal

3) Ionisation of the metal

This is obtained from the ionisation potential.

4) Ionisation of the nonmetal

This is electron affinity.

5) Formation of the ionic solids

Equation of the enthalpies gives

from which ΔH_L can be found.

degree of polymerisation    →   stupanj polimerizacije

Degree of polymerisation is the number of monomeric units in a macromolecule or an oligomer molecule.

depression of freezing point    →   snižavanje ledišta

Depression of freezing point of a pure solvent is observed when substances are dissolved in it. The amount by which the freezing point is depressed is proportional to the number of molecules of solute and independent of their nature.

detergent    →   deterdžent

Detergent is a substance added to water to improve its cleaning properties. Although water is a powerful solvent for many compounds, it will not dissolve grease and natural oils. Detergents are compounds that cause such nonpolar substances to go into solution in water. Soap is the original example, owing its action to the presence of ions formed from long-chain fatty acids ion (e.g. stearat ion, CH₃(CH₂)₁₆COO^-).

deuterium    →   deuterij

Deuterium is an isotope of hydrogen that contains one neutron and one proton in its nucleus.

Devard’s alloy    →   Devardova legura

Devard’s alloy is an alloy which contains copper, aluminium and zinc (50 % Cu, 45 % Al, 5 % Zn) and is used for nitrate and nitrite reduction in order to obtain ammonia in base media.

brass    →   mjed

Brasses are alloys of copper and zinc (generally 5 % to 40 %). Brass has been known to man since prehistoric times, long before zinc itself was discovered. It was produced by melting copper together with calamine, a zinc ore. Its ductility reaches a maximum with about 30 % zinc and its tensile strength with 45 % although this property varies greatly with the mechanical and heat treatment of the alloy. Typical applications included gears, plumbing ware fittings, adapters, valves and screw machine products. The French horn is a valved brass wind instrument.

Brass may contain small amounts of other alloying elements, such as aluminum, lead, tin, or nickel. Lead can be added as an alloying element resulting in a brass that can be rapidly machined and produces minimal tool wear. Additions of aluminium, iron and manganese to brass improve strength, whilst silicon additions improve wear resistance. Brass containing tin (< 2 % ) is less liable to corrosion in seawater; it is sometimes called naval brass and is used in naval construction.

Brinell hardness    →   Brinellova tvrdoća

Brinell hardness is a scale for measuring the hardness of metals introduced around 1900 by Swedish metallurgist Johan Brinell (1849-1925). A small chromium steel ball is pressed into the surface of the metal by a load of known weight. The loading force is in the range of 300 N to 30 000 N. The ratio of the mass of the load in kilograms to the area of the depression formed in square millimetres is the Brinell Hardness Number.

Buchner funnel    →   Buchnerov lijevak

Büchner funnel is one device used for pressure assisted filtration. Buchner funnel is a cylindrical porcelain filtering funnel (glass and plastic funnels are also available) that has a perforated plate on which the flat filter paper is placed. A vacuum in the flask underneath the filter allows atmospheric pressure on the sample to force the liquid through the filter paper. It is named after the German chemist Ernst Wilhelm Büchner (1850-1925) who designed this funnel in 1885.