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SAT Natural Sciences - Chemistry

Here you will learn some English words related to chemistry, such as "polymer", "isotope", "reactive", etc. that you will need to ace your SATs.

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SAT Vocabulary for Natural Sciences
polymer
polymer
[noun]

a large molecule composed of repeating structural units, or monomers, covalently bonded together in a chain-like structure

Ex: Polyethylene is a common polymer used in the production of plastic bags, bottles, and various packaging materials. 
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isotope
isotope
[noun]

each of two or more forms of the same element that contain equal numbers of protons but different numbers of neutrons in their nuclei, leading to variation in atomic mass

Ex: Carbon-12 and carbon-14 are isotopes of carbon, with the former having 6 neutrons and the latter having 8 neutrons. 
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reactive
reactive
[Adjective]

having a tendency to undergo chemical reactions

Ex: Sodium is highly reactive with water. 
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radioactive
radioactive
[Adjective]

containing or relating to a dangerous form of energy produced by nuclear reactions

Ex: Radioactive isotopes are used in medical imaging for diagnostic purposes. 
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covalent bond

a chemical bond where atoms share electrons to form a stable molecule

Ex: Covalent bonds are like atoms sharing electron hugs to stick together. 
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double bond

a type of chemical bond between two atoms involving the sharing of two pairs of electrons, resulting in a stronger and more stable connection than a single bond

Ex: Ethylene (C₂H₄) contains a double bond between two carbon atoms, allowing it to participate in polymerization reactions. 
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hydrophilic
hydrophilic
[Adjective]

defining substances or surfaces that have a strong attraction to water molecules, allowing them to easily absorb or interact with water

Ex: The hydrophilic nature of cellulose fibers in paper towels makes them effective at absorbing spills. 
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hydrophobic
hydrophobic
[Adjective]

characterized by substances or surfaces that repel water molecules, showing little or no affinity for water

Ex: The hydrophobic coating on a rain jacket causes water to bead and roll off its surface. 
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exothermic reaction

a chemical reaction that releases heat energy to its surroundings, typically resulting in a temperature increase

Ex: Combustion of propane in a gas stove is an exothermic reaction that releases heat and light. 
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endothermic reaction

a chemical process that absorbs heat energy from its surroundings, often resulting in a temperature decrease

Ex: When ammonium nitrate dissolves in water, the endothermic reaction causes the solution to cool. 
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atomic mass

the weighted average mass of an atom of an element, taking into account the masses of all its naturally occurring isotopes

Ex: The atomic mass of carbon is approximately 12.01 because it averages the masses of carbon-12 and carbon-13 isotopes. 
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molecular mass

the total mass of all the atoms in a single molecule of a substance

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mass number

the total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom

Ex: The mass number of carbon-12 is 12, as it has 6 protons and 6 neutrons. 
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mole
mole
[noun]

a fundamental unit in chemistry that represents the amount of substance containing as many entities (atoms, molecules) as there are in 12 grams of carbon-12

Ex: One mole of water contains 6.022 x 10²³ water molecules. 
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beaker
beaker
[noun]

a container usually made of glass or plastic used in chemistry and laboratory

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pipette
pipette
[noun]

a laboratory tool used to measure and transfer small volumes of liquid

Ex: She carefully calibrated the pipette before transferring the sample into the test tube. 
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centrifuge

a device that spins samples to separate components based on density

Ex: Medical tests often require the use of a centrifuge. 
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indicator paper

a special paper treated with chemicals that change color in response to certain conditions, used to test for the presence of specific substances or measure pH levels

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periodic table

a tabular arrangement of chemical elements organized based on their atomic number, electron configuration, and recurring chemical properties

Ex: The periodic table, devised by Dmitri Mendeleev, categorizes elements into rows and columns based on their properties. 
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calcification

the process where calcium or calcium salts accumulate in a tissue, making it hard and rigid

Ex: The calcification of bones is essential for maintaining their strength and structure. 
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titration
titration
[noun]

a laboratory method used to determine the concentration of a substance in a solution by gradually adding a reagent of known concentration until a reaction is completed

Ex: In the chemistry lab, we used titration to find the concentration of acetic acid in vinegar. 
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fermentation

the process by which microorganisms convert carbohydrates into alcohol, acids, or gases

Ex: The fermentation of dough by yeast produces carbon dioxide gas, causing the dough to rise and become light and airy when baked. 
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concentration

the measure of how much of a substance is present in a certain volume of solution

Ex: The concentration of salt in the ocean water affects its buoyancy. 
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microprobe

a device used to analyze the chemical composition of small samples at a microscopic scale

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multicomponent alloy

a type of metallic material composed of three or more elements mixed together in varying proportions

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radical
radical
[noun]

a group of atoms bonded together that behaves as a single unit within a molecule

Ex: The hydroxyl radical is highly reactive and plays a key role in many chemical reactions. 
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assay
assay
[noun]

a test that measures the presence, amount, or activity of a specific substance in a sample, often used in scientific and medical research

Ex: The laboratory performed an assay to detect the concentration of the drug in the blood sample. 
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equilibrium

a state in a chemical reaction where the forward and reverse reactions occur at the same rate, resulting in no net change in the concentrations of reactants and products

Ex: In a dynamic equilibrium, the rate of the forward reaction equals the rate of the reverse reaction. 
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electrolysis

(chemistry) the process of separating a liquid or solution into its parts by passing electricity through it

Ex: By subjecting saltwater to electrolysis, we can produce chlorine gas and sodium hydroxide, which have various industrial applications. 
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to dissolve

(of a solid) to become one with a liquid

Ex: Sugar dissolves quickly in hot tea. 
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to dilute
to dilute
[Verb]

to make a solution or mixture weaker or less concentrated by adding more liquid

Ex: To make it more palatable, you can dilute the juice with water. 
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to suspend

to disperse fine particles throughout a fluid so they remain evenly distributed without settling

Ex: The scientist used a stirring mechanism to suspend the particles in the solution. 
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solubilization

the process of dispersing or dissolving a substance into a solvent to form a homogeneous solution

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microstructure

the arrangement, composition, and characteristics of a material at a microscopic level

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nanotube
nanotube
[noun]

a tiny, tube-shaped structure made of carbon atoms, with remarkable strength and electrical properties

Ex: Researchers are exploring the use of carbon nanotubes in the development of stronger, lighter materials. 
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molten
molten
[Adjective]

heated to a liquid state due to high temperatures

Ex: The molten lava flowed down the mountainside during the volcanic eruption. 
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phase
phase
[noun]

a phase is a distinct form of matter with uniform chemical and physical properties, separated from other forms by boundaries

Ex: Ice, water, and steam are the three phases of H2O. 
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to detoxify

to eliminate or neutralize harmful substances

Ex: Environmental initiatives aim to detoxify polluted water sources for the well-being of aquatic ecosystems. 
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crystalline
crystalline
[Adjective]

denoting substances with a highly organized molecular structure, akin to crystals

Ex: The crystalline structure of snowflakes makes each one unique. 
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crystallographer

a scientist who studies the structure and properties of crystals

Ex: The crystallographer used X-ray diffraction to analyze the mineral samples. 
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cosmochemist

a scientist who studies the chemical composition and processes of celestial bodies to understand the formation and evolution of the universe

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chromatography

a laboratory technique used to separate and analyze mixtures of substances based on their differential affinities for a stationary phase and a mobile phase

Ex: The scientist used chromatography to separate the pigments in a leaf extract. 
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beta decay

a type of radioactive decay where a nucleus emits a beta particle (electron or positron) to transform a neutron into a proton or vice versa

Ex: Carbon-14 undergoes beta decay to nitrogen-14 with the emission of an electron. 
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uncharged
uncharged
[Adjective]

not having an electrical charge

Ex: Water molecules are uncharged, consisting of neutral oxygen and hydrogen atoms. 
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condenser
condenser
[noun]

a device that turns vapor into liquid by cooling it

Ex: The distillation setup included a condenser to collect liquid from the vapor. 
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van der waal's forces

weak attractive forces between molecules or atoms, arising from temporary or induced dipoles

Ex: Water molecules are held together by hydrogen bonds, which are stronger than van der Waals forces. 
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metallurgist

a scientist or engineer who specializes in the study and production of metals and alloys, including their properties, processing methods, and applications

Ex: The metallurgist conducted experiments to determine the optimal alloy composition for the new aerospace material. 
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adsorption

the process by which molecules of a substance adhere to the surface of a solid or liquid, forming a thin film or layer

Ex: Activated charcoal is known for its high adsorption capacity, making it effective in purifying water and air. 
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biodiesel
biodiesel
[noun]

a renewable, alternative fuel made from organic materials such as vegetable oils, animal fats, or recycled cooking grease

Ex: The truck runs on biodiesel, which is better for the environment than regular diesel. 
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eutectic
eutectic
[noun]

a specific composition of a mixture of substances, typically metals or alloys, where the melting point is at its lowest possible temperature under atmospheric pressure

Ex: The eutectic composition of the alloy ensures it melts uniformly at a precise temperature suitable for casting. 
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superabsorbent

a substance capable of absorbing and retaining a large amount of liquid relative to its own mass

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