CHEMISTRY GLOSSARY

Ostwald’s viscometer    →   Ostwaldov viskozimetar

Ostwald viscometer, also known as U-tube viscometer or capillary viscometer is a device used to measure the viscosity of the liquid with a known density. The method of determining viscosity with this instrument consists of measuring the time for a known volume of the liquid (the volume contained between the marks A and B) to flow through the capillary under the influence of gravity. Ostwald viscometers named after the German chemist Wilhelm Ostwald (1853-1932).

The instrument must first be calibrated with materials of known viscosity such as pure (deionized) water. Knowing the value of viscosity of one liquid, one can calculate the viscosity of other liquid.

where η₁ and η₂ are viscosity coefficients of the liquid and water, and ρ₁ and ρ₂ are the densities of liquid and water, respectively.

oxidation number    →   oksidacijski broj

Atoms can give one or more electrons for bond forming. The valence of any atom, which comes from stechiometrical relation of interbonded atoms, is called an oxidation number or an oxidation degree. Oxidation number of atoms in elementary state is zero. An atom of greater electronegativity has a negative, and an atom of lesser electronegativity has a positive oxidation number.

supercooled liquid    →   pothlađena tekućina

Supercooled liquids are liquids at temperatures below their normal freezing points.

surface tension    →   površinska napetost

Surface tension (σ) is a property of liquids arising from unbalanced molecular cohesive forces at or near the surface, as a result of which the surface tends to contract and has properties resembling those of a stretched elastic membrane. As a result of which the surface tends to contract and has properties resembling those of a stretched elastic membrane.

swamp gas    →   močvarni plin

Swamp gas is a gas which develops by rottening of organic matter with no presence of air at all, e.g. at bottom of the swamp. The chief component is methane (CH₄).

symmetry    →   simetrija

Symmetry is the property of a molecule, whereby the molecule has the same observed physical structure and appearance, when viewed from different orientations in space.

oxo compound    →   okso-spoj

Oxo compounds are organic compounds that contain the karbonyl group, C=O. The term thus embraces aldehydes, carboxylic acids, ketones, amides, and esters.

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.

synthesis    →   sinteza

Synthesis is a formation of a complex product from simpler reactants. For example, water can be synthesised from oxygen and hydrogen gas: