Vocabulary for IELTS (Academic) - Chemistry

Here you will learn some English words about chemistry, such as "arsenic", "catalyst", "distill", etc. that are needed for the IELTS exam.

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arsenic

[noun]

a poisonous chemical element with properties of both metals and nonmetals that is grey in color, used in industry or as a pesticide

calcium

[noun]

a soft silver-white metal that is an important element in bones and teeth

carbon

[noun]

a nonmetal element that can be found in all organic compounds and living things

Ex: Activated carbon is widely used in filtration systems to remove impurities.

copper

[noun]

a metallic chemical element that has a red-brown color, primarily used as a conductor in wiring

Ex: In telecommunications , copper cables are still widely used for transmitting data over short distances .

helium

[noun]

a chemical element that is a colorless noble gas which is lighter than air

gold

[noun]

a valuable yellow-colored metal that is used for making jewelry

Ex: The Olympic medals are traditionally made of gold, silver , and bronze .

iron

[noun]

a metallic chemical element with a silvery-gray appearance, widely used for making tools, steel, buildings, and various industrial products

Ex: Children need sufficient iron for proper growth and development .

lead

[noun]

a heavy soft metal, used in making bullets, in plumbing and roofing, especially in the past

Ex: The plumber replaced the corroded lead pipes with modern alternatives to ensure the safety of the drinking water supply .

acid

[noun]

a water-soluble chemical substance that contains Hydrogen and has a sour taste or corrosive feature with a PH less than 7

Ex: When dissolved in water, carbonic acid forms from carbon dioxide, contributing to the acidity of rainwater.

catalyst

[noun]

(chemistry) a substance that causes a chemical reaction to happen at a faster rate without undergoing any chemical change itself

Ex: In the Haber process , iron is used as a catalyst to promote the synthesis of ammonia from nitrogen and hydrogen gases .

chemical

[noun]

a substance or compound produced or used in a process involving chemistry

element

[noun]

a substance that is composed of only one type of atom, typically characterized by specific physical and chemical properties

Ex: Carbon is a versatile element found in all living organisms and many non-living materials .

compound

[noun]

(chemistry) a substance that its molecules consist of two or more elements that are held together by a chemical bond

Ex: Many compounds are essential for life , like carbohydrates and proteins .

to hydrate

[Verb]

(chemistry) to combine and form a compound with water molecules

Ex: The process of rusting occurs when iron metal hydrates by reacting with oxygen and water vapor in the air.

mixture

[noun]

(chemistry) a combination of two or more substances without forming a chemical bond or any chemical reaction

Ex: Alloys like brass are solid mixtures of copper and zinc .

to adsorb

[Verb]

to take in a liquid, gas, or other substance from the surface chemically or physically

balanced

[Adjective]

evenly distributed or in a state of stability

Ex: The therapist helped her achieve a balanced emotional state through mindfulness techniques .

to behave

[Verb]

(chemistry) to react in a particular way because of the laws

Ex: The substance behaves inertly under normal conditions , showing no significant reaction .

bond

[noun]

a link that holds atoms or ions together in any molecule or crystal

Ex: Hydrogen bonds play a crucial role in the structure of DNA, contributing to its stability and the specificity of base pairing.

to catalyze

[Verb]

to increase the rate of a chemical reaction

Ex: Certain metals , such as palladium and nickel , can catalyze hydrogenation reactions in organic synthesis .

chain reaction

[noun]

a chemical or nuclear process that is self-sustained and its products cause other processes of the same kind

chemical reaction

[noun]

(chemistry) a process in which several chemicals combine and form different substances

to dehydrate

[Verb]

(chemistry) to lose water molecules during a chemical reaction

Ex: During the synthesis of alcohols , the alkene molecule reacts with water to add an -OH group , while simultaneously dehydrating to form an alcohol product .

to distill

[Verb]

to heat a liquid and turn it into gas then cool it and make it liquid again in order to purify it

Ex: The plan is to distill rainwater for a clean water source .

equation

[noun]

a symbolic representation of a chemical reaction showing reactants and products

Ex: Students practice writing chemical equations in chemistry class .

formula

[noun]

a symbolic representation of a chemical substance using its constituent elements

Ex: Balancing the chemical formula ensures mass conservation.

to precipitate

[Verb]

(chemistry) to become separated from the solvent in a solid form

Ex: The cooling process in the volcanic vent allowed minerals to precipitate, creating stunning stalactites and stalagmites .

preservation

[noun]

the action of keeping something the way it is or in good condition

reaction

[noun]

(chemistry) a process in which several chemicals combine and form different substances

Ex: Balancing equations ensures mass conservation in a reaction.

aluminum

[noun]

a light silver-gray metal used primarily for making cooking equipment and aircraft parts

Ex: The bicycle frame is made from aluminum, making it easier to carry and maneuver compared to traditional steel frames .

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