CHEMISTRY GLOSSARY
lithium → litij
Lithium was discovered by Johan August Arfvedson (Sweden) in 1817. The origin of the name comes from the Greek word lithos meaning stone, apparently because it was discovered from a mineral source whereas the other two elements, sodium and potassium, were discovered from plant sources. It is soft silvery-white metal. Lightest of metals. Reacts slowly with water and oxygen. Flammable. Can ignite in air. Reacts with water to give off a flammable gas. Lithium is obtained by passing electric charge through melted lithium chloride and from the silicate mineral called spodumene [LiAl(Si2O6)]. Used in batteries. Also for certain kinds of glass and ceramics. Some is used in lubricants.
Moh’s scale → Mohsova skala
Mohs’ scale of mineral hardness characterises the scratch resistance of various minerals through the ability of a harder material to scratch a softer. It was created by the German mineralogist Friedrich Mohs (1773-1839). Mohs based the scale on the ten readily available minerals.
| Hardness | Mineral |
|---|---|
| 1 | talc (Mg3Si4O10(OH)2) |
| 2 | gypsum (CaSO4·2H2O) |
| 3 | calcite (CaCO3) |
| 4 | fluorite (CaF2) |
| 5 | apatite (Ca5(PO4)3(OH-,Cl-,F-)) |
| 6 | orthoclase feldspar (KAlSi3O8) |
| 7 | quartz (SiO2) |
| 8 | topaz (Al2SiO4(OH-,F-)2) |
| 9 | corundum (Al2O2) |
| 10 | diamond (C) |
optically active matter → optički aktivna tvar
Optically active matter, by polarized light passing through it, turns the flat of polarized light leftwards or rightwards.
water gas → vodeni plin
Water gas (blue gas, synthesis gas) is a fuel gas used in industrial synthesis of organic chemicals, and in welding, glassmaking, and other high-temperature industrial applications. Water gas is made by passing steam over a bed of hot coal or coke. It mainly consists of carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen (H2), contaminated with small amounts of CO2, N2, CH4, and O2.
Citing this page:
Generalic, Eni. "Passing hardness." Croatian-English Chemistry Dictionary & Glossary. 29 June 2022. KTF-Split. {Date of access}. <https://glossary.periodni.com>.
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