CHEMISTRY GLOSSARY

permanent hardness    →   stalna tvrdoća

Permanent hardness in water is hardness due to the presence of the chlorides, nitrates and sulphates of calcium and magnesium, which will not be precipitated by boiling. The lime scale can build up on the inside of the pipe restricting the flow of water or causing a blockage. This can happen in industry where hot water is used.

Brinell hardness    →   Brinellova tvrdoća

Brinell hardness is a scale for measuring the hardness of metals introduced around 1900 by Swedish metallurgist Johan Brinell (1849-1925). A small chromium steel ball is pressed into the surface of the metal by a load of known weight. The loading force is in the range of 300 N to 30 000 N. The ratio of the mass of the load in kilograms to the area of the depression formed in square millimetres is the Brinell Hardness Number.

hardness    →   tvrdoća

Hardness is the resistance of a material to deformation of an indenter of specific size and shape under a known load. This definition applies to all types of hardness scales except Mohs scale, which is a based on the concept of scratch hardness and is used chiefly for minerals. The most generally used hardness scales are Brinell (for cast iron), Rockwell (for sheet metal and heat-treated steel), Knoop (for metals).

temporary hardness    →   prolazna tvrdoća

Temporary Hardness is due to the bicarbonate ion, HCO₃^-, being present in the water. It can be removed by water reboiling, whereby white solid emerges calcium carbonate that is limescale.

water hardness    →   tvrdoća vode

Hardness is defined as the concentrations of calcium and magnesium ions expressed in terms of calcium carbonate. These minerals in water can cause some everyday problems. They react with soap and produce a deposit called soap curd that remains on the skin and clothes and, because it is insoluble and sticky, cannot be removed by rinsing.

Hard water may also shorten the life of plumbing and water heaters. When water containing calcium carbonate is heated, a hard scale is formed that can plug pipes and coat heating elements. Scale is also a poor heat conductor. With increased deposits on the unit, heat is not transmitted to the water fast enough and overheating of the metal causes failure. Build-up of deposits will also reduce the efficiency of the heating unit, increasing the cost of fuel.

There are two types of water hardness, temporary and permanent.

Temporary Hardness is due to the bicarbonate ion, HCO₃^-, being present in the water. This type of hardness can be removed by boiling the water to expel the CO₂, as indicated by the following equation:

Permanent hardness is due to calcium and magnesium nitrates, sulphates, and chlorides etc. This type of hardness cannot be eliminated by boiling.

abrasive    →   abraziv

Abrasive is a very hard, brittle, heat-resistant substance that is used to grind the edges or rough surfaces of an object. Boron carbide, diamond, and corundum are abrasive.

alloy    →   legura

Alloys are solid solutions of metal or nonmetal in metal and are prepared in order to obtain certain properties. In this way alloys can have greater hardness, corrosion resistance or some other properties gained from the metal they are composed.

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.

water softener    →   omekšivač vode

Water softeners are substances which help remove constant water hardness. It reacts with calcium and magnesium salts, creating compounds that do not react with soap.

chromium    →   krom

Chromium was discovered by Louis-Nicholas Vauquelin (France) in 1797. The origin of the name comes from the Greek word chroma meaning colour. It is very hard, crystalline, steel-grey metal. The pure metal has a blue-white colour. It is hard, brittle and corrosion-resistant at normal temperatures. Hexavalent compounds toxic by skin contact. The most important chromium mineral is chromite [Fe,Mg(CrO₄)]. Produced commercially by heating its ore in the presence of silicon or aluminium. Used to make stainless steel. It gives the colour to rubies and emeralds. Iron-nickel-chromium alloys in various percentages yield an incredible variety of the most important metals in modern technology.