Terms starting with S
104 terms · page 1 of 5
s-Block Elements
The elements of groups 1 and 2, plus helium, whose outermost electrons occupy an s orbital.
Electrochemistry & RedoxSacrificial Anode
A block of reactive metal attached to a structure so that it corrodes preferentially and protects the structure.
Acids, Bases & SaltsSalt
An ionic compound formed when the hydrogen of an acid is replaced by a metal or other cation.
Electrochemistry & RedoxSalt Bridge
A conducting connection between the two half-cells of a galvanic cell that completes the circuit and maintains electrical neutrality.
Acids, Bases & SaltsSalt Hydrolysis
The reaction of a salt's ions with water to produce an acidic or alkaline solution.
Analytical Chemistry & SpectroscopySampling
The process of selecting a small portion of material that genuinely represents the bulk being analysed.
Inorganic & Coordination ChemistrySandwich Compound
An organometallic compound in which a metal atom is held between two parallel planar cyclic ligands.
Stoichiometry & Chemical ReactionsSaponification
The alkaline hydrolysis of an ester, particularly a triglyceride, to give a carboxylate salt and an alcohol.
Biochemistry & Polymer ChemistrySaturated Fat
A fat whose fatty acid chains contain only single carbon–carbon bonds.
Solutions & Colligative PropertiesSaturated Solution
A solution in dynamic equilibrium with undissolved solute, containing the maximum amount that will dissolve at that temperature.
Organic ChemistrySaturation and Unsaturation
The distinction between compounds containing only single bonds and those containing multiple bonds or rings.
States of Matter & Gas LawsSchottky Defect
A point defect in which equal numbers of cations and anions are missing from their lattice sites.
Atomic Structure & PeriodicitySchrödinger Wave Equation
The fundamental equation of quantum mechanics whose solutions give the allowed energies and wavefunctions of a system.
Nuclear & RadiochemistryScintillation Counter
A detector in which radiation causes a material to emit flashes of light that are counted and measured.
Thermochemistry & ThermodynamicsSecond Law of Thermodynamics
The total entropy of the universe increases in every spontaneous process.
Chemical Kinetics & CatalysisSecond-Order Reaction
A reaction whose rate depends on the square of one concentration or on the product of two concentrations.
Electrochemistry & RedoxSecondary Cell
A cell whose reaction can be reversed by an applied current, allowing it to be recharged and reused.
Analytical Chemistry & SpectroscopySecondary Standard
A solution whose concentration has been established by titration against a primary standard.
Biochemistry & Polymer ChemistrySecondary Structure
Local regular folding patterns of a polypeptide backbone stabilised by hydrogen bonds.
Inorganic & Coordination ChemistrySecondary Valence
In Werner's theory, the non-ionisable valence corresponding to the coordination number, satisfied by ligands in fixed spatial positions.
Nuclear & RadiochemistrySecular Equilibrium
The steady state reached when a long-lived parent supports a short-lived daughter at constant activity.
Electrochemistry & RedoxSelective Discharge
The preferential reaction of one ion over others at an electrode during electrolysis.
Chemical EquilibriumSelective Precipitation
The separation of ions from a mixture by adding a reagent that precipitates them one at a time.
Chemical Kinetics & CatalysisSelectivity
The ability of a catalyst to direct a reaction towards one particular product among several possible ones.