CHEMISTRY GLOSSARY

ccp    →   ccp

ccp is abbreviation for cubic close-packed structure.

centrifugal force    →   centrifugalna sila

Centrifugal force is a force which moves a body away from the centre of motion.

centripetal force    →   centripetalna sila

Centripetal force is a force which makes body move through a curvature. Its orientation is always in path forwards the centre of rotation.

allotrope    →   alotrop

Allotropes are the elements which exist in two or more different forms in the same physical state. Allotropes generally differ in physical properties and may also differ in chemical activity.

Diamond, graphite and fullerenes are three allotropes of the element carbon. Graphite is a soft, black, slippery substance; by contrast, diamond is one of the hardest substances known. The different properties of the allotropes arise from their chemical structures. Diamonds typically crystallize in the cubic crystal system and consist of tetrahedrally bonded carbon atoms. Graphite crystallizes in the hexagonal system. In the fullerenes, the carbon atoms taking the form of a hollow sphere, ellipsoid, or tube.

In some cases, the allotropes are stable over a temperature range, with a definite transition point at which one changes into the other. For instance, tin has two allotropes: white (metallic) tin stable above 13.2 °C and grey (nonmetallic) tin stable below 13.2 °C.

The term allotropes may also be used to refer to the molecular forms of an element. Ozone is a chemically active triatomic allotrope of the element oxygen.

aluminate    →   aluminat

Aluminate is a salt formed when aluminium hydroxide or y-alumina is dissolved in solutions of strong bases, such as sodium hydroxide. Aluminates exist in solutions containing the aluminate ion, commonly written [Al(OH)₄]^-. In fact the ion probably is a complex hydrated ion and can be regarded as formed from a hydrated Al³⁺ ion by removal of four hydrogen ions:

Other aluminates and polyaluminates, such as [Al(OH)₆]^3- and [(HO)₃AlOAl(OH)₃]^2-, are also present.

amount concentration    →   količinska koncentracija

Amount concentration (also called molar concentration and in older literature molarity) is the amount of a given substance in a stated unit of a mixture, solution, or ore. The common unit is mole per cubic decimetre (moldm⁻³) or mole per litre (molL^-1) sometimes denoted by M.

The concentration of an atom, ion, or molecule in a solution may be symbolised by the use of square brackets, as [Ca²⁺].

crystal    →   kristal

Crystal is a solid with a regular geometric shape, having a characteristic internal structure and enclosed by symmetrically arranged plane surfaces, intersecting at definite and characteristic angles. In crystals the particles (atoms, ions, or molecules) have a regular three-dimensional repeating arrangement in space. This is called the crystal structure. The crystal lattice is the arrangement of points in space at which the particles are positioned.

endothermic reaction    →   endotermna reakcija

Endothermic reactions are the ones in which heat is absorbed and are facilitated by an increase in temperature (ΔH° > 0).

If the reaction is endothermal in one direction, in the opposite direction the reaction is exothermal.

analytical balance    →   analitička vaga

Analytical balances are instruments used for precise determining mass of matter. Analytical balances are sensitive and expensive instruments, and upon their accuracy and precision the accuracy of analysis result depends. The most widely used type of analytical balances are balances with a capacity of 100 g and a sensitivity of 0.1 mg. Not one quantitative chemical analysis is possible without usage of balances, because, regardless of which analytical method is being used, there is always a need for weighing a sample for analysis and the necessary quantity of reagents for solution preparation.

The working part of the balance is enclosed in a glass-fitted case. The baseplate is usually of black glass or black slate. The beam has agate knife-edges at its extremes, supporting stirrups from which balance pans are suspended. Another agate or steel knife-edge is fixed exactly in the middle of the beam on its bottom side. This knife-edge faces downwards and supports the beam. When not in use and during loading or unloading of the pans, the balance should be arrested.

The principle of operation of a modern laboratory balance bears some resemblance to its predecessor - the equal arm balance. The older instrument opposed the torque exerted by an unknown mass on one side of a pivot to that of an adjustable known weight on the other side. When the pointer returned to the center position, the torques must be equal, and the weight was determined by the position of the moving weights.

Modern electronic laboratory balances work on the principle of magnetic force restoration. In this system, the force exerted by the object being weighed is lifted by an electromagnet. A detector measures the current required to oppose the downward motion of the weight in the magnetic field.

horse power    →   konjska snaga

Horse power is an obsolete non-SI of power introduced by James Watt in 1782 to allow describing the power of steam machinery. It was equal to the work effort of a horse needed to raise vertically 528 cubic feet of water to one metre in one minute (HP = 735.498750 W).