CHEMISTRY GLOSSARY

nitrogen    →   dušik

Nitrogen was discovered by Daniel Rutherford (Scotland) in 1772. The origin of the name comes from the Greek words nitron genes meaning nitre and forming and the Latin word nitrum (nitre is a common name for potassium nitrate, KNO₃). It is colourless, odourless, generally inert gas. Minimally reactive at room temperature. A component of many organic and inorganic compounds. Makes up about 78 % of earth’s atmosphere. Nitrogen is obtained from liquid air by fractional distillation. Primarily to produce ammonia and other fertilizers. Also used in making nitric acid, which is used in explosives. Also used in welding and enhanced oil recovery.

osmium    →   osmij

Osmium was discovered by Smithson Tennant (England) in 1803. The origin of the name comes from the Greek word osme meaning smell. It is hard fine black powder or hard, lustrous, blue-white metal. Unaffected by air, water and acids. Characteristic acrid, chlorine like odour due to tetroxide compound. Osmium tetroxide highly toxic. Osmium is obtained from the same ores as platinum. Used to tip gold pen points, instrument pivots, to make electric light filaments. Used for high temperature alloys and pressure bearings. Very hard and resists corrosion better than any other.

Ostwald’s process    →   Ostwaldov proces

Ostwald’s process is a process by which the nitric acid can be obtained in three degrees. In the first stage ammonia and oxygen react (with platinum-rhodium as a catalyst), whereby the nitrogen monoxide and water emerge

In the second stage nitrogen monoxide reacts with oxygen whereby nitrogen dioxide emerges

and in the third stage nitrogen dioxide dissolves in water, in the presence of air, giving the nitric acid

oxygen    →   kisik

Oxygen was discovered by Joseph Priestley (England) in 1774. The origin of the name comes from the Greek words oxy genes meaning acid and forming (acid former). It is colourless, odourless gas; pale blue liquid. Extremely reactive. Forms oxides with nearly all other elements except noble gases. It is the most abundant element in the earth’s crust and makes up almost 21 % of the atmosphere. Oxygen is obtained primarily from liquid air by fractional distillation. Small amounts are made in the laboratory by electrolysis of water. Used in steel making, welding and supporting life. Naturally occurring ozone (O₃) in the upper atmosphere shields the earth from ultraviolet radiation.

ozone    →   ozon

Ozone is an alotropic form of oxygen. It is an unstable blue gas with a pungent odour. It is a powerful oxidising agent. The gas is made by passing oxygen through a silent electric discharge.

phosphorus    →   fosfor

Phosphorus was discovered by Hennig Brandt (Germany) in 1669. The origin of the name comes from the Greek word phosphoros meaning bringer of light. White phosphorus is white to yellow soft, waxy phosphorescent solid with acrid fumes. Toxic by inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact. Red phosphorus is powdery, non-flammable and non-toxic. Phosphorus is found most often in phosphate rock. Pure form is obtained by heating a mixture of phosphate rock, coke and silica to about 1450 °C. Used in the production of fertilizers and detergents. Some is used in fireworks, safety matches and incendiary weapons. Phosphorus is also important in the production of steels, phosphor bronze and many other products.

platinum    →   platina

Platinum was discovered by Antonio de Ulloa (South America) in 1735. The origin of the name comes from the Spanish word platina meaning silver. It is rare, very heavy, soft, silvery-white metal. Resists oxygen and water. Platinum is produced from deposits of native, or elemental. Used in jewellery, to make crucible and special containers and as a catalyst. Used with cobalt to produce very strong magnets. Also to make standard weights and measures. Resists corrosion and acid attacks except aqua regia.

plutonium    →   plutonij

Plutonium was discovered by Glenn T. Seaborg, Edwin M. McMillan, J. W. Kennedy and A. C. Wahl (USA) in 1940. Named after the planet Pluto. It is silvery-white, extremely radioactive artificially produced metal. Reacts with oxygen and acids; resists alkalis. Attacked by steam. Highly toxic. Plutonium is found rarely in some uranium ores. Made by bombarding uranium with neutrons. Used in bombs and reactors. Small quantities are used in thermo-electric generators.

polonium    →   polonij

Polonium was discovered by Marie Curie (Poland) in 1898. Named for Poland, native country of Marie Curie. It is silvery-grey, extremely rare, radioactive metal. Soluble in dilute acids. Highly toxic. Severe radiotoxicity. Carcinogen. Polonium occurs in pitchblende. Produced by bombarding bismuth with neutrons. Used in industrial equipment that eliminates static electricity caused by such processes as rolling paper, wire and sheet metal.

potassium    →   kalij

Potassium was discovered by Sir Humphry Davy (England) in 1807. The origin of the name comes from the Arabic word qali meaning alkali (the origin of the symbol K comes from the Latin word kalium). It is soft, waxy, silver-white metal. Fresh surface has silvery sheen. Quickly forms dull oxide coating on exposure to air. Reacts strongly with water. Reacts with water to give off flammable gas. Reacts violently with oxidants. Occurs only in compounds. Potassium is found in minerals like carnallite [(KMgCl₃)·6H₂O] and sylvite (KCL). Pure metal is produced by the reaction of hot potassium chloride and sodium vapours in a special retort. Used as potash in making glass and soap. Also as saltpetre, potassium nitrate (KNO₃) to make explosives and to colour fireworks in mauve. Vital to function of nerve and muscle tissues.