CHEMISTRY GLOSSARY

photon    →   foton

Photon is an elementary particle of zero mass and spin 1/2. The photon is involved in electromagnetic interactions and is the quantum of electromagnetic radiation. The photon may also be regarded as a unit of energy equal to

where h is Planck constant and ν is the frequency of the radiation.

Planck constant    →   Planckova konstanta

Planck constant (h) is a constant that, when multipled by the frequency of radiation gives the quantity of energy contained in one quantum.

Equal to 6.626 075 5(40)·10^-34 J s. It was named after Max Planck (1858-1947).

quantum    →   kvant

Quantum is the smallest quantity of energy that can be emitted (or absorbed) in the form of electromagnetic radiation. Energy of a quantum (E) is equal to

where h is Planck constant and ν is the frequency of radiation.

electromagnetic radiation spectrum    →   spektar elektromagnetskog zračenja

Wavelengths of electromagnetic waves can be shown with the help of electromagnetic radiation spectrum. Electromagnetic radiation spectrum is divided into several areas from γ-radiation of very short wavelengths and great energy to radio waves with wavelengths up to 1 000 m. The human eye can only see a narrow part of the electromagnetic spectrum - visible radiation.

electron    →   elektron

The electron is an elementary particle with a negative electric charge of (1.602 189 2±0.000 004 6)×10^-19 C and a mass of 1/1837 that of a proton, equivalent to (9.109 534±0.000 047)×10^-31 kg.

In 1897 the British physicist Joseph John (J.J.) Thomson (1856-1940) discovered the electron in a series of experiments designed to study the nature of electric discharge in a high-vacuum cathode-ray tube. Thomson interpreted the deflection of the rays by electrically charged plates and magnets as evidence of bodies much smaller than atoms that he calculated as having a very large value for the charge to mass ratio. Later he estimated the value of the charge itself.

Electrons are arranged in from one to seven shells around the nucleus; the maximum number of electrons in each shell is strictly limited by the laws of physics (2n²). The outer shells are not always filled: sodium has two electrons in the first shell (2×1² = 2), eight in the second (2×2² = 8), and only one in the third (2×3² = 18). A single electron in the outer shell may be attracted into an incomplete shell of another element, leaving the original atom with a net positive charge. Valence electrons are those that can be captured by or shared with another atom.

Electrons can be removed from the atoms by heat, light, electric energy, or bombardment with high-energy particles. Decaying radioactive nuclei spontaneously emit free electrons, called β particles.

radiant power    →   snaga radijacije

Radiant power is energy of radiation striking a unit area per unit time. The SI unit of radiant power is J m^-2 s^-1.

reactivity    →   reaktivnost

Reactivity is the tendency of a compound to chemically react with other substances or itself, resulting in the release of energy.

spectroscopy    →   spektroskopija

Spectroscopy is the analysis of the lines of light emitted from excited atoms as the electrons drop back through their orbitals. These lines give the energy and distances of the electronic orbitals.

standard mean ocean water    →   standardna prosječna oceanska voda

Standard mean ocean water (SMOW) is a standard sample of pure water of accurately known isotopic composition which is maintained by the International Atomic Energy Agency. It is used for precise calibration of density and isotopic composition measurements.

electron affinity    →   elektronski afinitet

Electron affinity (E_A) is the energy change occurring when an atom or molecule gains an electron to form a negative ion. For an atom or molecule X, it is the energy released for the electron-attachment reaction

This is often measured in electronvolts. Alternatively, the molar enthalpy change, ΔH, can be used.