CHEMISTRY GLOSSARY

Peltier effect    →   Peltierov efekt

Peltier effect is the absorption or generation of heat (depending on the current direction) which occurs when an electric current is passed through a junction between two materials.

pyrolysis    →   piroliza

Pyrolysis is a disintegration of some matter under the influence of heat for example dry distillation.

racemisation    →   racemizacija

Racemisation is a conversion, by heat or by chemical reaction, of an optically active compound into an optically inactive form which half of the optically active substance becomes its miror image (enantiomer).

entropy    →   entropija

Entropy (S) is a measure of the unavailability of a system’s energy to do work; in a closed system, an increase in entropy is accompanied by a decrease in energy availability. When a system undergoes a reversible change the entropy (S) changes by an amount equal to the energy (Q) transferred to the system by heat divided by the thermodynamic temperature (T) at which this occurs.

All real processes are to a certain extent irreversible changes and in any closed system an irreversible change is always accompanied by an increase in entropy.

radiation    →   radijacija

The process of heat transfer which occurs through empty space and can also occur in matter, in the form of electro-magnetic (EM) waves, is called radiation or radiant heat. Whenever EM radiation is emitted and then absorbed, heat is transferred. This principle is used in microwave ovens, laser cutting, and RF hair removal.

radiation damage    →   radijacijsko oštećenje

Radiation damage is a general term for the alteration of properties of a material arising from exposure to ionising radiation (penetrating radiation), such as X-rays, γ-rays, neutrons, heavy-particle radiation, or fission fragments in the nuclear fuel material.

radical    →   radikal

Radical is a reaction intermediate where a bond is broken and the two parts of the molecule exist carrying a single unshared electron. The radicals are normally destroyed quickly by recombination or they break into another radical and a stable molecule.

erbium    →   erbij

Erbium was discovered by Carl Gustaf Mosander (Sweden) in 1843. Named after Ytterby, a village in Sweden. It is soft, malleable, silvery metal. Reacts slowly with water. Dissolves in acids. Metal ignites and burns readily. Erbium is found with other heavier rare earths in xenotime and euxenite. Erbium oxide is used in ceramics to obtain a pink glaze. Also a few uses in the nuclear industry and as an alloying agent for other exotic metals.

ether    →   eter

Ethers are organic compounds with a formula R-O-R, where R is not equal to H. They may be derived from alcohols by elimination of water, but the major method is catalytic hydration of olefins. They are volatile highly flammable compounds; when containing peroxides they can detonate on heating. The term ether is often used synonymously with diethyl ether.

exothermic reaction    →   egzotermna reakcija

Exothermic reactions are those in which heat is released and there is a corresponding decrease in temperature (ΔH° < 0).

If the reaction is exothermic in one direction, in the opposite direction the reaction is endothermic.