Browse All 960 Chemistry Terms A–Z

Cellulose Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry Dimensionless The structural polysaccharide of plant cell walls, a linear polymer of beta-linked glucose. (C₆H₁₀O₅)ₙ

Central Metal Atom Inorganic & Coordination Chemistry Dimensionless The metal atom or ion at the heart of a coordination entity, which accepts electron pairs from the ligands.

Centrifugation Foundations of Chemistry g (RCF) A separation technique that uses rapid rotation to generate an effective gravitational field, forcing denser components to the bottom of a tube. RCF = 1.118 × 10⁻⁵ × r × N²

Chain Isomerism Organic Chemistry Dimensionless Structural isomerism arising from different arrangements of the carbon skeleton.

Chain Reaction Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis Dimensionless A self-sustaining reaction sequence in which a reactive intermediate regenerates itself at each cycle. initiation → propagation → termination

Chalcogens Atomic Structure & Periodicity Dimensionless The group 16 elements — oxygen, sulfur, selenium, tellurium and polonium — collectively known as the ore-forming elements. ns² np⁴

Charge Transfer Spectrum Inorganic & Coordination Chemistry nm An intense absorption produced when an electron moves between metal and ligand orbitals.

Charles's Law States of Matter & Gas Laws m³/K At constant pressure, the volume of a fixed mass of gas is directly proportional to its absolute temperature. V₁ / T₁ = V₂ / T₂

Chelate Inorganic & Coordination Chemistry Dimensionless A cyclic complex formed when a multidentate ligand grips a metal ion through two or more donor atoms.

Chelate Effect Inorganic & Coordination Chemistry kJ/mol The greater stability of a complex containing a multidentate ligand compared with one containing equivalent monodentate ligands. ΔS favourable

Chemical Bond Chemical Bonding & Molecular Structure kJ/mol The attractive force that holds atoms or ions together in a stable chemical species.

Chemical Change Foundations of Chemistry Dimensionless A change in which the atoms of one or more substances are rearranged into new substances with different properties.

Chemical Equation Stoichiometry & Chemical Reactions Dimensionless A symbolic representation of a chemical reaction showing reactants on the left and products on the right. aA + bB → cC + dD

Chemical Equilibrium Chemical Equilibrium Dimensionless The state of a reversible reaction in which the forward and reverse reactions proceed at equal rates, so no net change in composition occurs. aA + bB ⇌ cC + dD

Chemical Formula Foundations of Chemistry Dimensionless A symbolic notation that states which elements a substance contains and in what proportions, using element symbols and subscripts.

Chemical Kinetics Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis mol/(L·s) The study of reaction rates, the factors that influence them, and the step-by-step mechanisms by which reactions occur.

Chemical Property Foundations of Chemistry Various A characteristic that describes how a substance transforms into a different substance, observable only during a chemical reaction.

Chemical Shift Analytical Chemistry & Spectroscopy ppm The position of an NMR signal relative to a reference, expressed in parts per million of the operating frequency. δ = (ν_sample − ν_ref) × 10⁶ / ν_spectrometer

Chemical Symbol Foundations of Chemistry Dimensionless The one-, two- or three-letter abbreviation used internationally to represent an element.

Chemisorption Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis kJ/mol Strong adsorption in which actual chemical bonds form between the adsorbate and the surface. ΔH ≈ −80 to −400 kJ/mol

Chirality Organic Chemistry Dimensionless The property of a molecule that makes it non-superimposable on its mirror image.

Chromatography Analytical Chemistry & Spectroscopy Dimensionless A family of separation techniques that partition components between a stationary and a mobile phase.

Chromophore Analytical Chemistry & Spectroscopy nm The part of a molecule responsible for absorbing light at a particular wavelength.

Closed System Thermochemistry & Thermodynamics Dimensionless A system that can exchange energy but not matter with its surroundings.

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