Edexcel GCSE Chemistry Key Terms

A saturated compound formed from an alkene where two bromine atoms are attached to the first and second carbon atoms of the main chain.

The precise IUPAC name for the saturated, colourless product formed when ethene undergoes an addition reaction with bromine.

A positively charged atom (cation) formed when a Group 1 metal loses its single outer electron to achieve a full outer shell.

The specific capacity pattern for filling electron shells in the first 20 elements, with a maximum of 2, 8, and 8 electrons in the first three shells respectively.

A 2D representation showing which atoms are bonded to each other, though often with incorrect bond angles.

A structure that is exactly one atom thick, such as graphene.

The spatial geometry and shape of a molecule or lattice in three dimensions.

A 3D model using spheres for atoms and sticks for bonds to show geometry and bond angles.

The industrial goal of producing enough chemical product to be profitable within a practical timeframe that allows for continuous production.

How close a measurement is to the true, actual value.

A substance that releases hydrogen ions ($H^+$) in aqueous solution.

A substance that changes colour depending on whether it is in an acidic or alkaline environment.

Acidic compounds formed when non-metals react chemically with oxygen.

Aqueous solutions with a pH less than 7, containing a higher concentration of hydrogen ions than hydroxide ions.

The process by which a body of water or soil experiences a harmful decrease in pH due to acid rain.

The addition of a dilute acid to provide the acidic conditions required for certain reagents to function.

A measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions ($H^+$) in a solution.

Precipitation with a lower pH than normal, caused when acidic pollutant gases like nitrogen dioxide dissolve in atmospheric water vapour.

The minimum amount of energy required for a collision between particles to successfully result in a chemical reaction.

The minimum amount of energy required for a collision between particles to result in a successful chemical reaction.

The minimum amount of energy that colliding particles must possess in order for a successful chemical reaction to occur.

An electrode, such as copper, that chemically participates in the electrolysis reaction, resulting in a change in its mass.

Electrodes that participate in the chemical reaction during electrolysis, rather than just providing a surface for electron transfer.

The specific region on an enzyme where the substrate binds and the chemical reaction occurs.

Specific locations on the surface of a catalyst where reactant molecules bind and the reaction takes place.

The physical mass of product successfully produced and collected in an experiment or industrial process.

A process where many monomers join together to form a long-chain polymer without the loss of any other atoms or molecules.

Long-chain molecules formed by joining many unsaturated monomers together without the loss of any atoms.

A reaction where atoms add across a carbon-carbon double bond, converting it to a single bond.

The degree of attraction between a solute and the stationary or mobile phase in chromatography.