Chemistry terms starting with C

Condensation States of Matter & Gas Laws kJ/mol The change of a substance from the gaseous to the liquid state, accompanied by the release of latent heat.

Condensation Polymerisation Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry Dimensionless Polymerisation in which monomers join with the elimination of a small molecule, usually water. n A + n B → –(AB)ₙ– + n H₂O

Condensation Reaction Stoichiometry & Chemical Reactions Dimensionless A reaction in which two molecules join with the elimination of a small molecule, usually water. A–OH + H–B → A–B + H₂O

Conductometric Titration Electrochemistry & Redox S/m A titration in which the end point is found from changes in the conductivity of the solution.

Confidence Interval Analytical Chemistry & Spectroscopy Various The range within which the true value of a measured quantity is expected to lie with a stated probability. μ = x̄ ± ts / √n

Conformational Isomerism Organic Chemistry kJ/mol The different spatial arrangements a molecule can adopt through rotation about single bonds.

Conjugate Acid–Base Pair Acids, Bases & Salts Dimensionless Two species differing by exactly one proton, one being the acid and the other its corresponding base. HA / A⁻

Control Rod Nuclear & Radiochemistry Dimensionless A movable rod of neutron-absorbing material used to regulate the rate of a nuclear chain reaction.

Coordinate Bond Chemical Bonding & Molecular Structure kJ/mol A covalent bond in which both shared electrons are supplied by the same atom. A: + B → A→B

Coordination Compound Inorganic & Coordination Chemistry Dimensionless A compound containing a central metal atom or ion bonded to surrounding molecules or ions by coordinate bonds. [M(L)ₙ]Xₘ

Coordination Isomerism Inorganic & Coordination Chemistry Dimensionless Isomerism in compounds containing both a complex cation and a complex anion, where ligands are distributed differently between them.

Coordination Number Chemical Bonding & Molecular Structure Dimensionless The number of nearest neighbours immediately surrounding a given atom or ion in a lattice or complex.

Coordination Sphere Inorganic & Coordination Chemistry Dimensionless The central metal together with the ligands directly attached to it, written inside square brackets. [M(L)ₙ]

Copolymer Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry Dimensionless A polymer made from two or more different monomers.

Core Electron Atomic Structure & Periodicity Dimensionless An electron occupying a completely filled inner shell that does not take part in chemical bonding.

Corrosion Electrochemistry & Redox mm/year The gradual destruction of a metal by electrochemical reaction with its environment.

Counter Ion Inorganic & Coordination Chemistry Dimensionless An ion outside the coordination sphere that balances the charge of the complex ion.

Coupled Equilibria Chemical Equilibrium Dimensionless Two or more equilibria that share a common species, so that shifting one necessarily shifts the others.

Coupled Reactions Thermochemistry & Thermodynamics kJ/mol Two reactions linked through a shared intermediate so that a favourable one drives an unfavourable one. ΔG_total = ΔG₁ + ΔG₂ < 0

Covalent Bond Chemical Bonding & Molecular Structure kJ/mol A bond formed when two atoms share one or more pairs of electrons so that both achieve a stable configuration. A· + ·B → A:B

Critical Mass Nuclear & Radiochemistry kg The minimum mass of fissile material needed to sustain a nuclear chain reaction.

Critical Point States of Matter & Gas Laws K, Pa The unique combination of temperature and pressure at which the liquid and gas phases of a substance become indistinguishable. (T_c, p_c)

Critical Temperature States of Matter & Gas Laws K The temperature above which a gas cannot be liquefied by pressure alone, however great. T_c = 8a / 27Rb

Cross-Linking Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry Dimensionless The formation of covalent bonds between separate polymer chains.

Terms starting with C