CHEMISTRY GLOSSARY

Fahrenheit scale    →   Fahrenheitova skala

Fahrenheit scale is the temperature scale in which 212 degrees is the boiling point of water and 32 degrees is the freezing point of water. The scale was invented in 1714 by the German physicist G.D. Fahrenheit (1686-1736).

32 °F = 0 °C
212 °F = 100 °C
1 °F =(5/9) °C
T(°C) = (5/9)[T(°F) - 32]
T(°F) = (9/5)T(°C) + 32

flammable limit    →   granica zapaljivosti

Flammable limits refer to the conditions under which a mixture of a flammable material and air may catch fire or explode. When vapour s of a flammable or combustible liquid are mixed with air in the proper proportions in the presence of a source of ignition, rapid combustion or an explosion can occur. The proper proportion is called the flammable range and is also often referred to as the explosive range. The flammable range includes all concentrations of flammable vapour or gas in air, in which a flash will occur or a flame will travel if the mixture is ignited.

The lower flammable limit (LEL) or the lower explosive limit is the lowest concentration of a flammable vapour or gas in air that will propagate a flame from an ignition source. The upper flammable limit (UEL) or the upper explosive limit is the highest concentration of a flammable vapour or gas in air that will propagate a flame from an ignition source. Any concentration between these limits can ignite or explode.

gallium    →   galij

Gallium was discovered by Lecoq de Boisbaudran (France) in 1875. The origin of the name comes from the Latin word Gallia meaning France. It is soft, blue-white metal. Stable in air and water. Reacts violently with chlorine and bromine. Gallium is found throughout the crust in minerals like bauxite, germanite and coal. Used in semiconductor production. It us used in making LED’s (light-emitting diodes) and GaAs laser diodes.

infrared radiation    →   infracrveno zračenje

Infrared radiation is an electromagnetic radiation within the area from 1.0 μm to 300 μm, and is responsible for the transmission of radiant heat.

Joule-Thomson coefficient    →   Joule-Thompsonov koeficijent

Joule-Thomson coefficient (μ) is a parameter which describes the temperature change when a gas expands adiabatically through a nozzle from a high pressure to a low pressure region. It is defined by

where H is enthalpy.

light    →   svjetlo

Light (visible radiation) is a form of electromagnetic radiation able to be detected by the human eye. Its wavelength range is between about 400 nm and about 700 nm. The boundaries are not precise, because individuals vary in their ability to detect extreme wavelengths.

magnesium    →   magnezij

Magnesium was discovered by Sir Humphry Davy (England) in 1808. The origin of the name comes from the Greek word Magnesia, a district of Thessaly. It is lightweight, malleable, silvery-white metal. Burns in air with a brilliant white flame and reacts with water as temperature elevates. Can ignite in air. React violently with oxidants. Magnesium is found in large deposits in the form of magnesite, dolomite and other minerals. It is usually obtained by electrolysis of melted magnesium chloride (MgCl₂) derived from brines, wells and sea water. Used in alloys to make airplanes, missiles and other uses for light metals. Have structural properties similar to aluminium.

orbital    →   orbitala

Orbital is the area in space about an atom or molecule in which the probability of finding an electron is greatest.

The possible atomic orbitals correspond to subshells of the atom. Thus there is one s-orbital for each shell (orbital quantum number l = 0). There are three p-orbitals (corresponding to the three values of l) and five d-orbitals. The shapes of orbitals depend on the value of l.

photomultiplier    →   fotomultiplikator

Photomultiplier (photomultiplier tube or PMT) is a very versatile and sensitive detector of radiant energy in the ultraviolet, visible, and near infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. A typical photomultiplier tube consists of a photoemissive cathode (photocathode) followed by focusing electrodes, an electron multiplier (dynode) and an electron collector (anode) in a vacuum tube.

proline    →   prolin

Proline has an aliphatic side chain with a distinctive cyclic structure. It is unusual because it is conformationally restricted. The secondary amino (imino) group of proline residues is held in a rigid conformation that reduces the structural flexibility of polypeptide regions containing proline. It is not an essential amino acid, which means that the human body can synthesize it.

• Abbreviations: Pro, P
• IUPAC name: pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid
• Molecular formula: C₅H₉NO₂
• Molecular weight: 115.13 g/mol