Conjugate Acid Base Pair Flashcards, test questions and answers
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Alkaline |
Term used to describe when a base completely dissociates in water to yield aqueous OH ions |
Arrhenius acid |
A chemical compound that increases the concentration of hydrogen ions in aqueous solution |
Arrhenius base |
A substance that increases the concentration of hydroxide ions in aqueous solution |
Binary acid |
An acid that contains only two different elements: hydrogen and one of the more-electronegative elements |
Oxyacid |
An acid that is a compound of hydrogen, oxygen, and a third element, usually a nonmetal |
Strong acid |
Acid that ionizes completely in aqueous solution |
Weak acids |
Acids that are weak electrolytes |
Amphoteric |
Any species that can react as either an acid or a base |
Bronsted-Lowry acid |
A molecule or ion that is a proton donor |
Bronsted-Lowry acid-base reaction |
Protons are transferred from one reactant (the acid) to another (the base) |
Bronsted-Lowry base |
A molecule or ion that is a proton acceptor |
Conjugate acid |
The species that is formed when a Bronsted-Lowry base gains a proton |
Conjugate base |
The species that remains after a Bronsted-Lowry acid has given up a proton |
Diprotic acid |
Can donate two protons per molecule |
Monoprotic acid |
An acid that can donate only one proton (hydrogen ion) per molecule |
Polyprotic acid |
An acid that can donate more than one proton per molecule |
Triprotic acid |
An acid able to donate three protons per molecule |
Lewis acid |
An atom, ion, or molecule that accepts an electron pair to form a covalent bond |
Lewis acid-base reaction |
The formation of one or more covalent bonds between an electron-pair donor and an electron-pair acceptor |
Lewis base |
An atom, ion, or molecule that donates an electron pair to form a covalent bond |
Neutralization |
The reaction of hydronium ions and hydroxide ions to form water molecules |
Salt |
An ionic compound composed of a cation from a base and an anion from an acid |

alkaline |
the solution formed when a base completley dissociates in water to yield aqueous OH- ions |
arrhenius acid |
a chemical compound that increases the concentration of hydrogen ions, H+, in aqueous solutions |
arrhenius base |
a substance that increases the concentration of hydroxide ions, OH-, in aqueous solutions |
binary acid |
an acid that contains only two different elements: hydrogen and one of the more electronegtive elements |
oxyacid |
an acid that is a compound of hydrogen, oxygen, and a third element, usually a nonmetal |
strong acid |
one that ionizes completley in aqueous solutions |
weak acids |
acids that are weak electrolytes |
amphoteric |
any species that can react as either an acid or a base |
Bronsted-Lowry acid |
is a molecule or ion that is a proton donor |
Bronsted-Lowry Base |
is a molecule or ion that is a proton acceptor |
Bronsted-Lowry Acid-base reactions |
protons are transferred from one reactant (the acid) to another (the base) |
monoprotic acid |
an acid that can donate only one proton (hydrogen ion) per molecule |
polyprotic acid |
ana tom that can donate more than one proton per molecule |
diprotic acid |
can donate two protons per molecule |
triprotic acid |
an acid able to donate three protons per molecule |
Lewis acid |
an atom, ion, or molecule that accepts an electron pair to form a covalent bond |
Lewis base |
an atom, ion, or molecule that donates an electron pair to form a covalent bond |
Lewis acid-base reaction |
the formation of one or more covalent bonds between an electron-pair donor and electron pair acceptor |
conjugate base |
the species left after a Bronsted-Lowry acid has given up a proton |
Conjugate acid |
species left after a Bronsted-Lowry base gains a proton |
neutralization |
the reaction of hydronium ions and hyroxide ions to form water molecules |
salt |
ionic compound composed of a cation rom a base and an anion from an acid |

What happens when NaC2H3O2 is added to a solution of HC2H3O2? |
Because C2H3O2- is a weak base, the pH of the solution increases; that is, [H+] decreases. |
In which direction will the equilibrium of this reaction shift to? |
This equilibrium will shift to the left, thereby decreasing the equilibrium concentration of [H+]. |
What is the common-ion effect? |
The extent of ionization of a weak electrolyte is decreased by adding to the solution a strong electrolyte that has an ion in common with the weak electrolyte. |
Is the ionization of a weak base also decreased by the addition of a common ion? |
Yes |
What is a buffered solution (or buffer)? |
A solution which contains a weak conjugate acid-base pair that can resist drastic changes in pH upon the addition of small amounts of strong acid or strong base. |
Why does a buffer resist changes in pH? |
A buffer resists changes in pH because it contains both an acidic species to neutralize OH- ions and a basic one to neutralize H+ ions. |
Why does a buffer resist changes in pH? |
A buffer resists changes in pH because it contains both an acidic species to neutralize the [OH-] ions and a basic one to neutralize [H+] ions. |
How are buffers prepared? |
Buffers are prepared by mixing a weak acid or a weak base with a salt of that acid or base. |
Under what conditions will buffers most effectively resist a change in pH in either direction? |
When the concentrations of weak acid and conjugate base are about the same. |
What are the two important characteristics of a buffer? |
Its capacity and its pH. |
What is buffer capacity? |
Buffer capacity is the amount of acid or base the buffer can neutralize before the pH begins to change to an appreciable degree. |
What determines a buffer's capacity? |
The amount of acid and base from which the buffer is made. |
What determines the pH of the buffer? |
The pH of the buffer depends on the Ka for the acid and on the relative concentrations of the acid and base that comprise the buffer. |
What is the Henderson-Hasselbach equation? |
pH = pKa + log ([base] / [acid]) |
Explain why a mixture of HC2H3O2 and NaC2H3O2 can act as a buffer while a mixture of HCl and NaCl cannot. |
In a mixture of HC2H3O2 and NaC2H3O2, HC2H3O2 reacts with added base and C2H3O2- combines with added acid, leaving [H+] relatively unchanged.; Although HCl and Cl- are a conjugate acid-base pair, Cl- has no tendency to combine with added acid to form undissociated HCl.; Any added acid simply increases [H+] in an HCl-NaCl mixture. |
Do reactions between strong acids and weak bases or strong bases and weak acids essentially proceed to completion?; Under what conditions? |
Yes, as long as the buffering capacity of the buffer is not exceeded, we can assume the strong acid or strong base is completely consumed by reaction with the buffer. |
What are the steps to calculate how the pH of a buffer will respond to the addition of a strong acid or a strong base? |
1.; Consider the acid-base neutralization reaction, and determine its effect on [HX] and [X-].; (Stoichiometry calculation) 2.; Use Ka and the new concentrations of [HX] and [X-] from step 1 to calculate [H+].; (Equilibrium calculation) |
What is a pH titration curve? |
It is the graph of the pH as a function of the volume of the added titrant. |
For a strong acid-strong base titration, what determines the initial pH of the solution before the addition of a strong base (or strong acid)? ; |
The pH of the solution is determined by the inital concentration of the strong acid, if the titrant is a strong base, or the initial concentration of the strong base, if the titrant is a strong acid. |
For a strong acid-strong base titration, what determines the pH of the solution after a strong base or strong acid is being added but before the equivalence point? |
The pH of the solution is determined by the concentration of acid or base that has not yet been neutralized. |
For a strong acid-strong base titration, what is the pH of the solution at the equivalence point? |
The pH of the solution is 7.00 (neutral). |
For a strong acid-strong base titration, what determines the pH of the solution after the equivalence point? |
The pH of the solution is determined by the concentration of the excess strong base or excess strong acid in the solution (concentration of titrant). |
What is the end point of a titration? |
It is the point in a titration where the indicator changes color to distinguish it from the actual equivalence point that it closely approximates. |
For a weak acid-strong base titration, what determines the pH of the solution prior to the addition of the strong base titrant? |
The inital pH is determined by the pH of just the weak acid. |
For a weak acid-strong base titration, what determines the pH of the solution just prior to the equivalence point? |
The pH of the solution just prior to reaching the equivalence point is determined by the concentrations of the weak acid and its conjugate-base. |
For a weak acid-strong base titration, what is the pH of the solution?; What determines this pH? |
The pH of the solution at the equivalence point is greater than 7.00, which is determined by the conjugate-base of the weak acid, a weak base. |
For a weak acid-strong base titration, what determines the pH of the solution after the equivalence point? |
The pH of the solution after the equivalence point is determined by the concentration of [OH-] from the excess strong base. |
How does a pH titration curve for a weak acid-strong base titration differ from a strong acid-strong base titration?; (There are 3 differences.) |
1.; The solution of the weak acid has a higher inital pH than a solution of a strong acid of the same concentration. 2.; The pH change at the rapid-rise portion of the curve near the equivalence point is smaller for the weak acid than it is for the strong acid. 3.; The pH at the equivalence point is above 7.00 for the weak acid-strong base titration. |
Why is the choice of indicator for a weak acid-strong base titration more critical than it is for a strong acid-strong base titration? |
The pH change near the equivalence point becomes smaller as Ka decreases. |
What is the solubility-product constant (or simply the solubility product)? |
It is the equilibrium constant (Ksp) for the equilibrium that exists between a solid ionic solute and its ions in a saturated aqueous solution. |
Do solids, liquids, and solvents appear in the equilibrium-constant expressions for heterogeneous equilibria? |
No |
Why is the concentration of undissolved solid not explicitly included in the expression for the solubility-product constant? |
The concentration of undissolved solid does not appear in the solubility product expression because it is constant as long as there is solid present. |
What is the difference between solubility and the solubility-product constant? |
The solubility of a substance is the quantity that dissolves to form a saturated solution.; The solubility-product constant (Ksp) is the equilibrium constant for the equilibrium between an ionic solid and its saturated solution. |
Besides temperature, name three other factors that affect the solubility of ionic compounds? |
The presence of common ions, the pH of the solution, and the presence of complexing agents. |
How is the common-ion effect related to the solubility of a slighly soluble salt? |
The solubility of a slightly soluble salt is decreased by the presence of a second solute that furnishes a common ion. |
The concentrations of ions calculated from Ksp sometimes deviate appreciably from those found experimentally.; What three factors contribute to this deviation? |
The deviations are due to electrostatic interactions between ions in solution (which can lead to ion pairs), ignoring other equilibria that occur simultaneously in the solution, and the assumption that ionic compounds dissociate completely into their component ions when they dissolve. |
Will the solubility of any substance whose anion is basic be affected to some extent by the pH of the solution? |
Yes |
The solubility of almost any ionic compound is affected if the solution is made sufficiently acidic or basic.; Under what condition are the effects noticeable? |
The effects are very noticeable when one or both ions involved are at least moderately acidic or basic. |
What effect does an increase in [H+] (as pH is lowered) have on the solubility of slightly soluble salts containing basic anions? |
The solubility of slightly soluble salts containing basic anions increases as [H+] increases (as pH is lowered).; The more basic the anion, the more the solubility is influenced by pH.; Salts with anions of negligible basicity (the anions of strong acids) are unaffected by pH changes. |
What is a complex ion? |
A complex ion is an assembly of a metal ion and the Lewis bases bonded to it. |
How is the stability of a complex ion in aqueous solution judged? |
Stability of a complex ion in aqueous solution can be judged by the size of the equilibrium constant for its formation from the hydrated metal ion. |
What is Kf? |
Kf is the formation constant. |
What effect does the presence of suitable Lewis bases (NH3, CN-, or OH-, for example) have on the solubility of metal salts? |
The solubility of metal salts increases in the presence of suitable Lewis bases, if the metal forms a complex with the base. |
Some metal hydroxides and oxides that are relatively insoluble in neutral water dissolve in what kind of solutions? |
Strongly acidic and strongly basic solutions. |
Substances that are soluble in strong acids and bases because they capable of behaving as either an acid or base are called what? |
Amphoteric |
Name four amphoteric substances that are metal hydroxides and oxides. |
The hydroxides and oxides of Al3+, Cr3+, Zn2+, and Sn2+. |

What contains acetic acid? |
Vinegar |
What contains lactic acid? |
sour milk |
What does phosphoric acid do to many carbonated beverages? |
It gives a tart flavor |
What foods contain citric acid? |
Lemons, oranges, grapefruits |
What contains malic acid? |
Apples |
What contains tartaric acid? |
Grapejuice |
What is the common name for Sodium Hydroxide NaOH? |
lye |
Acids were first recognized as what? |
a distinct class of compounds because of the common properties of their acqeous solutions. |
What are the properties of an acid? |
1. Acqeous solutions of acids have a sour taste. 2. Acids change the color of acid-base indicators. 3. Some acids react w/active metals to release hydrogen gas, H2. 4. Acuds react with bases to produce salts and water. (salt- the reaction products are water and an ionic compound called a salt). 5. Some acids conduct electric current. 6. Contains H30 |
What is a binary acid? |
An acid that contains only two different elements: hydrogen and one of the more electronegative elements. ex: HF, HCl, HBr, and HI. |
How do you name binary acids? |
by using the Binary Acid Nomenclature: 1. THe name of a binary acid begins with the prefix, hydro-. 2. The root of the name of the second element follows this prefix. 3. The name that ends with the suffix -ic. Ex: HF- Hyrdrofluoric acid, HCl-hydrochloric acid, HI- Hydroiodic acid, H2S- Hydrosulfuric acid |
What is an oxyacid? |
An acid that is a compound of hydrogen, oxygen, and a third element, usually a nonmetal. Ex: HNO3 (nitric acid) |
What kind of class does oxyacids belong to? |
Ternary acids- which are acids that contain three different elements. |
What does an oxyacid's name depend on? |
it is based on its anion |
What are the five common industrial acids? |
sulfuric acid, nitric acid, phosporic acid, hydrochloric acid, and acetic acid |
What is the most commonly produced industrial chemical in the world? What are some uses of this acid? Why is this acid effective? |
Sulfuric acid. It is used in large quantities in petroleum refining and metallurgy as well as in the manufacture of fertilizer. Production of metals, paper, paint, dyes. Because it attracts water, concentrated sulfuric acid is an effective dehydration (water removing) agent. |
What is Nitric Acid? What is its characteristics? what is it used for? what happens when it is left standing? |
it is a volatile, unstable liquid that is rarely used in industry or laboratories. Dissolving the acid in water provides stabilitu. It also turns proteins yellow. Use to make explosives, rubber, platics, dyes, and pharmaceuticals. Usually the solutions are colorless, but left standing, they become yellow because of slight decompisition to brown nitrogen dioxide gas. |
Along w/nitrogen and potassium, Phosporus is what? What is phosphoric acid used for? |
It is an essential element for plants and animals. Most of the phosporic acid produced each year is directly for manufacturing fertilizers and animal feed. Dilute p.acid has a pleasant but sour taste that is not toxic. It is used in flavoring agents in beverages. It is important in the manufacture of detergents and ceramics. |
What is hydrochloric acid used for? Industrially? and what about its dilute solution? |
HCl is produced by the stomack to aid digestion. Industrially, it is used for "pickling" (immerison of metals in a. solutions to remove surface impurities) iron and steel. It is used as a cleaning agent, food processing, activation of oil wells, recover Mg from sea water. The dilute solution is referred to as muriatic acid (found in hardware stores. to maintain the correct acidity in swimming pools) |
What are some characteristics of acetic acid? What is its concetrated solution called? How does it get its name? How is it used? |
Concentrated acetic acid is clear, colorless, pungent smelling liquid called glacial acetic acid. the name derives from the fact that pure acetic acid has freezing point of only 17C. IT can form crystals in a cold room. The fermentation of plants sometimes produce this acid. It is important industrially in synthesizing chemicals used in the manufacture of plastics. It is also used as a fungicide. |
How do bases differ from acids? What are its characteristics? |
1. Aqueous solutions of bases taste bitter. 2. Bases change the color of acid-base indicators. 3. Dilute acqeous solutions feel slippery. 4. Bases react with acids to produce salts and water. 5. Bases conduct electric current. 6. It contains OH |
Who is Svante Arrhenius? |
A Swedish chemist who lived from 1859-1927, understood that acqeous solutions of acids and bases conduct electric current. He came up w/the Arrhenius acids and bases. |
What is an Arrhenius acid? |
A chemical compound that increases the concentration of hydrogen ions. H+, in acqeous solutions. An acid will ionize in solution, increasing the number of hydrogens present. |
What is an Arrhenius base? |
a substance that increases the concentration of hydroxide ions OH-, in acqeous solutions. These bases dissociate in solution to release OH ions into the solutions. |
What are all pure acqeous acids? |
electrolytes |
Why do acids form hydronium? |
because acid molecules are polar, so that one or more hydrogen ions are attracted by ater molecules. Negatively charged anions are left behind. Ex: HNO3 + H2O = H3O + NO3 |
What is a strong acid? |
One that ionizes completely in acqeous solutions. Ex: HCl (hydrochloric acid), HClO4 (perchloric acid), HNO3 (nitric acid). Ex: H2SO4 + H2O = H3O + HSO4 |
What do strength of acids depend on? |
the polarity of the bond between hydrogen and the element to which it is bonded and the ease with which that bond can be broken. Acid strength increases with increasing polarity and decreasing bond energy. |
What are weak acids? |
Acids that are weak electrolytes. The aqeous solution of weak acid contains hydronium ions, anions, and dissolved acid molecules. Ex: Hydrocyanic acid (HCN) Ex: HSO4 + H2O = H3O + SO4 |
What do organic acids contain? |
the acidic carboxyl grou: COOH. |
How many hydrogen atoms does a molecule of acetic acid contain? What is its characteristics? |
contains four. Only one of the hydrogen atoms is ionizable. The hydrogen atom in the carboxyl group in acetic acid is the one that is acidic and forms the hydronium ion. |
What are most bases? |
They are ionic compounds containing metal cations and the OH anion. because these bases are ionic, they dissociate to some extent. |
When a base completely dissociates in water to yiel aqueous OH- ions, the solution is referred to as...? |
Alkaline. Ex: Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is the common laboratory base. NaOH - Na + OH |
What other hydroxides form alkaline solutions? |
Li, Na, K, Rb, and Cs |
What is a base commonly used in household cleaners? |
NH3. Ammonia is a base because it produces hydroxide ions when it reacts with water molecules. |
What do the strength of bases depend on? |
the extent to which the base dissociates, or adds hydroxide ions to the solutions. Ex of strong base: KOH. - Strong bases are strong electrolytes. Ex: Ca(OH)2 = Ca + 2OH Weak base: NH3 + H2O = NH4 + OH |
What happens when a base is not very soluble? |
They do not produce a large number of hydroxie ions when added to water. ex: Cu(OH)2. |
What do the alkalinity of aqueous solutions depend on? |
The concentration of OH ions in solution. |
Who expanded the Arrhenius acid definition? |
(1923) Danish chemist JN Bronsted and English chemist TM Lowry. |
What is a Bronsted-Lowry acid? |
A molecule or ion that is a proton donor. Like hydrogen chloride and water. Ex: HCl + NH3 = NH4 + Cl Ex: H2O + NH3 = NH4 + OH |
What is a bronsted-lowry base? |
a molecule or ion that is a proton acceptor. The arrhenius hydroxide base such as NaOH is not a bronsted-lowry base because its species cannot accept a proton. |
What happens in a Bronsted-Lowry acid-base reaction? |
protons are transferred from one reactant (the acid) to another (the base). |
What is a monoprotic acid? |
An acid that can donate only one proton (hydrogen ion) per molecule. Ex: Perchloric acid (HClO4), hydrochloric acid (HCl), and nitric acid (HNO3). Ex: HCl + H2O = H3O + Cl |
What is a polyprotic acid? |
an acid that can donate more than one proton per molecule. Ex: Sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and phosphoric acid (H3PO4). |
The ionization of polyprotic acid occur in what? |
Stages because an acid can only donate a hydrogen atom one at a time. |
What is a diprotic acid? |
can donate two protons per molecule. Ex of ionization:(sulfuric acid) H2SO4 + H20 = H30 + HSO4- HSO4 + H20 = H30 + SO4 2- |
What is a triprotic acid? |
An acid able to donate three protons per molecule. Ex: H3PO4 + H20 = H30 + H2PO4 - H2PO4 + H20 = H30 + HPO4 2- HPO4 + H20 = H30 + PO4 3- |
Which stage of ionization is greatest concentration of ions formed with most polyprotic acids |
the first |
What is the third classifcation of acids and bases based on? |
the bonding and structure. includes substances that do not contain hydrogen at all. |
Who was GN Lewis? |
The American chemist whose name was give to electron dot structures and famous for third classification. |
What is a Lewis Acid? |
An atom, ion, or molecule that accpets and electron pair to form a covalent bond. |
which of the three acid definitions is the broadest? Explain. |
The Lewis definition is the broadest of the 3 acid definitions. It applies to any species that can accept an electron pair to form a covalent bond iwht another species. Ex: H + NH3 = NH4 Ag + 2NH3 = Ag(NH3)2 |
Any compound in which the central atom has 3 valence electrons and forms three covalent bonds can react as a ___? How does it do it? |
Lewis acid. It odes so by accepting a pair of electrons to form a fourth covalent bond, completing an electron octet. |
What is a Lewis base? |
An atom, ion, or molecule that donates an electron pair to form a covalent bond. Ex: BF3 + F = BF4 |
what is a Lewis acid-base reaction? |
It is the formation of one or more covalent bonds between an electron pair donor and an electron pair acceptor. |
The Bronsted-Lowry definitions of acids and bases provide a bases for ___? |
studying proton transfer reaction. |
What is the conjugate base? |
the species that remains after a Bronsted-Lowry acid has given up a proton. Ex: HF (acid) + H20 = F (conj b) + H30 |
What is the conjugate acid? |
The species that is formed when a Bronsted-Lowry base gains a proton. |
What is mean when it is siad that Bronsted-Lowry acid-base reaction are equilibrium system? |
That both and forward reverse reactions occur. They involve two acid-base pairs, known as conjugate acid-base pairs. HF (acid 1) + H20 (base 2) = F (base 1) + H30 (acid 2) |
In every conjugate acid-base pair, the acid has __ more proton than its conjugate base. |
one |
The extent of the reaction between a bronsted-lowry acid and base depend on ___. |
the relative strenghts of the acids and bases involved. |
What is the relationship between the strength of an acid and that of its conjugate base? |
the stronger an acid is, the weaker its conjugate base. |
What is the relationship between the strength of a base and its conjugate acid? |
the stronger a base is, the weaker its conjugate acid. |
Proton-transfer reactions favor the production of ____. |
weaker acid and weaker base. |
A violent proton transfer reaction could result from ____. |
bringing together a very strong acid and very strong base in certain proportions becaus the reaction has almost no tendency to go in the reverse direction. |
What is amphoteric? |
Any species that can react as either an acid or a base is described. Ex: H2S04 (acid) + H20 = H30 = HS04. NH3 + H20 = NH4 + 0H |
Molecular compounds containing -OH groups can be ___ and ____. |
Acidic or amphoteric |
What is a hydroxyle group? |
it is the covalently bonded OH group in an acid. |
What needs to happen for the compound to be acidic? |
a water molecule must be able to attract a hydrogen atom from a hydroxyl group. |
Where are the small, more electronegative atoms of nonmetals located? |
at the upper right in the periodic table. form compounds with acidic hydroxyl group. |
The behavior of a compound is affected by the number of ___. |
oxygen atoms bonded to the atom connected to the -OH group. |
The larger the number of such oxygen atoms is ___ |
the more acidic the compound is likely to be. |
An acid-base reaction occurs in aqueous solution between ____. |
hydrochloric acid, a strong acid that completely dissociates to produce H30 and sodium hydroxide, a strong base that completely dissociates to produce OH. |
What is neutralization? |
The reaction of hydronium ions and hydroxide ions to form water molecules. |
Water is not hte only product of a neutralization. A salt is also produced. What is a salt? |
an ionic compound composed of a cation from a base and an anion from an acid. |

Acid |
A substance that is a hydrogen ion donor when dissolved in water or involved in a reaction. |
Activation Energy |
The minimum amount of energy required to initiate a chemical reaction. |
Activity Series |
A list of elements ranked according to their reactivity, or the ease with which they undergo a chemical reaction. |
Alkaline |
A term used to describe a solution or substance that has the properties of a base. |
Alkane |
A saturated hydrocarbon which means that all of the carbons are bonded with single bonds. |
Alkene |
An unsaturated hydrocarbon containing a carbon-carbon double bond. |
Alkyne |
An unsaturated hydrocarbon containing a carbon-carbon triple bond. |
Alpha Particle |
A particle consisting of two protons and two neutrons, like the nucleus of a helium atom, that is given off by certain radioactive elements during nuclear decay. |
Angular Momentum Quantum Number |
Symbolized by l, indicates the sublevel, or type of orbital, an electron is in. |
Base |
A substance that is a hydrogen acceptor in a reaction, or a substance that produces hydroxide ions when dissolved in water. |
Beta Particle |
An electron, or positron, given off when a nucleus breaks down during the nuclear decay of certain radioactive elements. |
Biochemistry |
The study of the chemistry involved with living organisms. |
Biotechnology |
The application of the knowledge of biochemistry to create new processes or products that are useful to humans. |
Buret |
A measuring instrument made of a long, graduated glass tube with a tap at the bottom that is used to dispense accurate amounts of fluid. |
Boiling |
The change of a liquid to a gas/vapor, both within the liquid and at its surface. |
Boiling Point |
The temperature at which a heated substance changes from a liquid to a gas; the temperature at which the vapor pressure of the liquid is equal to the atmospheric pressure. |
Catalyst |
A substance that speeds up the rate of a chemical process without being consumed by it. |
Chain Reaction |
A series of reactions in which the material or substance that starts a reaction is also produced by the reaction and is available to start another reaction. |
Colligative property |
A property of a solvent that depends on the number of solute particles dissolved in it, but not on the identity or nature of those solute particles. |
Diffusion |
The gradual mixing of two gases because of the spontaneous, random motion of their particles. |
Condensation Point |
The temperature at which a given substance changes from a gas to a liquid. |
Condensing |
Changing a gas/vapor to a liquid. |
Dilute |
Decrease the concentration of a solution by adding additional solvent. |
Dynamic Equilibrium |
A state of balance in which the rates of the forward and reverse reactions are equal even though the forward and reverse reactions continue to occur. |
Dipole-Dipole Forces |
Intermolecular attractions between polar molecules. |
Endothermic Process |
A chemical or physical change that absorbs energy from the surroundings. |
Energy |
The ability to cause change or the ability to do work. |
Entropy |
The property that describes the disorder of a system (S). |
Enzyme |
A molecule that catalyzes biological reactions. |
Equilibrium Constant |
The value obtained when equilibrium concentrations are plugged into the law of mass action equilibrium expression. The equilibrium constant is represented by the letter K and is constant for a given system at a given temperature. |
Equilibrium Position |
A given set of equilibrium concentration values. |
Evaporating |
The change of a liquid to a gas, or vapor, which occurs at the surface of the liquid. |
Fission |
A nuclear reaction in which an atomic nucleus splits into fragments, usually two fragments of comparable mass, with the release of large amounts of energy in the form of heat and radiation. |
Free Energy |
The combined enthalpy-entropy function of a system (G) that helps predict spontaneity. |
Freezing |
Changing a liquid to a solid. |
Freezing Point |
The temperature at which a given substance changes from a liquid to a solid. |
Fusion |
A nuclear reaction in which the nuclei of two very small atoms, such as two hydrogen isotopes, combine together into one larger nucleus. |
Gamma Rays |
High-frequency electromagnetic radiation that is emitted by the nuclear decay of a radioactive element. |
Gas |
The state or phase of matter that has an indefinite shape and volume. |
Hess's Law; |
If a process can be written in multiple steps, the enthalpy change of the overall process will be equal to the sum of the enthalpy changes of all the steps. |
Heterogeneous Mixture; |
A mixture in which the composition and properties are not uniform throughout the mixture. |
Homogeneous Mixture; |
A mixture in which the composition and properties are uniform, or the same, throughout the mixture. |
Hydrogen Bonding; |
Intermolecular attractions between two molecules that both contain a hydrogen atom covalently bonded to a strongly electronegative atom (N, O, or F). |
Ideal Gas; |
A model gas that conforms perfectly to all of the assumptions of the kinetic theory. |
Indicator; |
A weak acid or base that changes colors with a change in pH. |
Intermolecular Forces; |
The forces of attraction that occur between individual molecules. |
Ion-Dipole Forces; |
The attraction between the partially charged poles of a polar molecule and charged ions. |
Joule; |
The SI derived unit used to measure energy or work. |
Law of Conservation of Energy |
Energy can be converted form one form to another, but it is not created or destroyed in ordinary physical and chemical processes. |
Law of Mass Action; |
A general description of the equilibrium condition, including an equation that defines the equilibrium constant. |
LeCh;telier's Principle |
If a change is imposed on a system at equilibrium, the position of the equilibrium will shift in a direction that helps to reduce the effect of that change. |
Liquid |
The state or phase of matter that has an indefinite shape but a definite volume. |
London Dispersion Forces |
Intermolecular attractions resulting from the constant motion of electrons that create instantaneous and temporary dipoles. |
Melting |
Changing a solid to a liquid. |
Melting Point |
The temperature at which a given substance changes from a solid to a liquid. |
Metabolism |
All of the biochemical reactions occur within a given organism. |
Mixture |
A combination of two or more substances, each retaining its individual composition and properties. |
Molality |
The concentration of a solution in moles of solute per kilogram of solvent. |
Molarity |
The number of moles of solute in one liter of solution. |
Nonrenewable Resources |
Natural resources that are used at a faster rate than they can be replaced. |
Oxidation |
When a substance loses one or more electrons during a reaction, therefore attaining a higher, more positive, oxidation number. |
Oxidation-Reduction Reaction |
A reaction in which electrons are exchanged from one substance to another, also called redox. |
Oxidizing Agent |
A reactant species containing the element being reduced, causing another substance to be oxidized. |
Partial Pressure |
The individual pressure exerted by one gas in a mixture. |
Phase |
A distinct form of matter in which all chemical and physical properties are identical for a given sample, such as solid, liquid, and gas. |
Plasma |
The state or phase of matter in which the electrons have been separated from the atoms, often called ionized gas. |
Precipitate |
A solid that separates from a solution, usually an insoluble product formed from a chemical reaction in an aqueous solution. |
Quantization |
The concept that energy exists in discrete units or levels. |
Quantized |
The concept that energy exists in discrete units or levels. |
Quantum Numbers |
Numbers that specify the properties of atomic orbitals and of their electrons. |
Radioactive Decay |
The process by which unstable atomic nuclei break down and release radiation. |
Reducing Agent |
A reactant species containing the element being oxidized in the reaction, causing another substance to be reduced. |
Reduction |
When a substance gains one or more electrons during a reaction, therefore attaining a lower, more negative, oxidation number. |
Renewable Resources |
Natural resources that can be replaced at the same rate or even faster than they are used. |
Saturated Solution |
A solution containing the maximum amount of solute able to be dissolved under those conditions. |
Solid |
The state or phase of matter that has a definite shape and volume. |
Solute |
In a solution, the substance that is in a lower quantity, the substance being dissolved. |
Solution |
A homogeneous mixture of two or more substances. |
Solvent |
In a solution, the substance that is in a greater quantity, the dissolving medium. |
Specific Heat Capacity |
The quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of a one gram of the substance by one degree Celsius. |
Spontaneous |
A change in a system that proceeds without a net input of energy from an outside source. |
Spontaneous Generation |
An obsolete theory that organisms can originate from inanimate matter. |
Thermochemistry |
The study of the changes in energy that accompany chemical reactions and physical changes. |
Titrant |
The solution being added from the buret in a titration. |
Titration |
The controlled addition and measurement of the amount of a solution with a known concentration to a measured volume of a solution with unknown concentration to determine the unknown concentration. |
Unsaturated Solution |
A solution containing less solute than a saturated solution under the given conditions. |
Vapor |
Gas |
Vapor Pressure |
The pressure exerted by the vapor particles that evaporate from a liquid (or solid). |
Work |
The process of causing matter to move against an opposing force. |
Closed System |
A system in which energy is exchanged between the system and surroundings but matter is not exchanged. |
Open System |
A system in which both matter and energy are exchanged freely between the system and the surroundings. |
Percent by Mass |
The number of grams of solute in 100 grams of solution. |

