Chemistry terms starting with C

Coenzyme Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry Dimensionless A small organic molecule that binds temporarily to an enzyme and is essential for its catalytic activity.

Cofactor Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry Dimensionless A non-protein chemical component required for an enzyme to function.

Colligative Properties Solutions & Colligative Properties Various Solution properties that depend only on the number of dissolved solute particles, not on their chemical identity.

Collision Frequency Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis s⁻¹ The number of collisions occurring per unit volume per unit time in a reacting mixture. Z ∝ n²σ√T

Collision Theory Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis mol/(L·s) The model that explains reaction rates in terms of the frequency, energy and orientation of collisions between reacting particles. rate = pZ e^(−Ea/RT)

Colloid Solutions & Colligative Properties nm A heterogeneous mixture in which particles between 1 and 1000 nm are dispersed through a continuous medium.

Column Chromatography Analytical Chemistry & Spectroscopy g A preparative technique in which a mixture is separated by passing it down a vertical column packed with stationary phase.

Combination Reaction Stoichiometry & Chemical Reactions Dimensionless A reaction in which two or more substances unite to form a single product. A + B → AB

Combined Gas Law States of Matter & Gas Laws Various The relation linking pressure, volume and temperature for a fixed amount of gas undergoing a change of state. p₁V₁ / T₁ = p₂V₂ / T₂

Combining Equilibrium Constants Chemical Equilibrium Various The rule that when two reactions are added, their equilibrium constants multiply. K_overall = K₁ × K₂

Combustion Analysis Stoichiometry & Chemical Reactions g A technique that determines the empirical formula of an organic compound by burning it completely and weighing the CO₂ and H₂O produced. C → CO₂, H → H₂O

Combustion Reaction Stoichiometry & Chemical Reactions kJ/mol The rapid exothermic reaction of a substance with oxygen, usually producing heat and light. CₓH_y + O₂ → CO₂ + H₂O

Common Ion Effect Chemical Equilibrium mol/L The suppression of the ionisation or dissolution of a substance by adding a second substance that supplies one of the same ions.

Complete Ionic Equation Stoichiometry & Chemical Reactions Dimensionless An equation showing every soluble strong electrolyte as its separate constituent ions.

Complex Ion Inorganic & Coordination Chemistry Dimensionless A charged species consisting of a central metal ion surrounded by a definite number of ligands. [ML₆]ⁿ⁺

Complex Ion Equilibrium Chemical Equilibrium mol/L The equilibrium between a metal ion, its ligands and the resulting complex ion in solution. M + nL ⇌ MLₙ

Complex Reaction Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis Dimensionless An overall reaction that proceeds through two or more elementary steps.

Complex Salt Acids, Bases & Salts Dimensionless A salt containing a complex ion that retains its identity in solution rather than dissociating into simpler ions. e.g. K₄[Fe(CN)₆]

Complexometric Titration Analytical Chemistry & Spectroscopy mol/L A titration based on the formation of a stable complex between the analyte metal ion and a chelating titrant. M²⁺ + EDTA⁴⁻ → [M(EDTA)]²⁻

Compound Foundations of Chemistry Dimensionless A pure substance formed when two or more different elements combine chemically in a fixed, whole-number mass ratio.

Compressibility Factor States of Matter & Gas Laws Dimensionless The ratio of the actual molar volume of a gas to that predicted by the ideal gas law. Z = pV / nRT

Comproportionation Reaction Stoichiometry & Chemical Reactions Dimensionless A redox reaction in which two species of the same element in different oxidation states combine to give a single intermediate state. A⁺ + A⁻ → 2A

Concentration Cell Electrochemistry & Redox V A galvanic cell in which both electrodes are identical and the potential arises solely from a difference in concentration. E = (0.0592/n) log(C₂/C₁)

Concentration Equilibrium Constant Chemical Equilibrium Various The equilibrium constant expressed in terms of the molar concentrations of the species involved. Kc = [C]^c[D]^d / [A]^a[B]^b

Terms starting with C