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SAT Natural Sciences - Chemical Substances and Properties

Here you will learn some English words related to chemical substances and properties, such as "saline", "buffer", etc. that you will need to ace your SATs.

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SAT Vocabulary for Natural Sciences
catalyst
catalyst
[noun]

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

Ex: Enzymes are naturally occurring biological catalysts that allow complex metabolic reactions to proceed efficiently in living cells.Ā 
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buffer
buffer
[noun]

a solution containing a weak acid and its conjugate base, or a weak base and its conjugate acid, which maintains a stable pH when small amounts of acid or base are added

Ex: The buffer solution in the lab kept the pH steady even after the addition of a strong acid.Ā 
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reactant
reactant
[noun]

a substance that takes part in and undergoes a chemical reaction, leading to the formation of new products

Ex: In photosynthesis, carbon dioxide (COā‚‚) and water (Hā‚‚O) are the reactants that, in the presence of sunlight, produce glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) and oxygen (Oā‚‚).Ā 
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reagent
reagent
[noun]

a substance or compound used in a chemical reaction to detect, examine, or produce other substances

Ex: The chemist carefully measured the reagent before adding it to the reaction flask.Ā 
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noble gas
noble gas
[noun]

any of the elements in Group 18 of the periodic table, including helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, and radon, characterized by their inert nature and stable electron configurations

Ex: Helium, a noble gas, is known for its low density and is often used in balloons to make them float.Ā 
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inert gas
inert gas
[noun]

a group of non-reactive gases that typically exhibit low chemical reactivity due to their stable electron configurations

Ex: Inert gases like helium and argon are commonly used in welding to shield the molten metal from reacting with oxygen in the air.Ā 
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halogen
halogen
[noun]

a type of chemical element found in Group 17 of the periodic table, known for being highly reactive and commonly used in disinfectants and lights

Ex: Chlorine is a halogen commonly used in water treatment for its disinfectant properties.Ā 
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polythene
polythene
[noun]

a durable plastic material used for packaging, bags, and various applications

Ex: Supermarket shopping bags are often made of polythene material.Ā 
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polystyrene

a lightweight and versatile synthetic polymer used in packaging, insulation, and disposable products

Ex: The food industry favors polystyrene containers for their excellent insulation and cost-effectiveness.Ā 
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phosphorous
phosphorous
[Adjective]

referring to the essential chemical element phosphorus, which is vital in biological processes and various industrial applications

Ex: Plants require phosphorous for healthy growth and development.Ā 
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acetone
acetone
[noun]

a colorless, volatile liquid solvent commonly used for removing nail polish and other substances from surfaces

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alginate
alginate
[noun]

a naturally occurring polysaccharide derived from brown seaweed, commonly used in various industries for its thickening, gelling, and stabilizing properties

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silicate
silicate
[noun]

a compound containing silicon and oxygen atoms, often forming minerals or glasses, with diverse applications in industry and nature

Ex: Quartz is a common silicate mineral found in many types of rocks.Ā 
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graphene
graphene
[noun]

a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a two-dimensional honeycomb lattice, known for its exceptional strength, electrical conductivity, and flexibility

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malic acid

a naturally occurring organic compound found in many fruits that contributes to their sour taste

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citric acid

a weak organic acid found naturally in citrus fruits like lemons, oranges, and limes, commonly used as a food additive for flavoring and preserving

Ex: Lemon juice contains citric acid, giving it its characteristic tart flavor.Ā 
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phosphate
phosphate
[noun]

a chemical compound that contains phosphorus and oxygen atoms, commonly found in salts or esters of phosphoric acid, important for biological processes and industrial applications

Ex: Plants absorb phosphates from the soil to promote healthy root development and flower formation.Ā 
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charm quark

a type of elementary particle that is one of the six types, or flavors, of quarks that has an electric charge of +2/3 and participates in strong and electromagnetic interactions

Ex: Physicists at the Large Hadron Collider study collisions to observe the behavior of charm quarks in high-energy experiments.Ā 
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disinfectant

something that has specific chemicals or causes a chemical reaction that destroys harmful microorganisms such as bacteria

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bicarbonate

a chemical compound important for regulating pH balance, found in baking soda and crucial for bodily functions

Ex: Baking soda contains bicarbonate, which helps baked goods rise when mixed with acidic ingredients.Ā 
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solute
solute
[noun]

a substance that is dissolved in a solvent, resulting in a solution

Ex: In saltwater, salt (NaCl) is the solute that dissolves in water, the solvent.Ā 
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saturated
saturated
[Adjective]

having absorbed as much of a substance as possible at a given temperature, reaching its maximum concentration

Ex: The saturated sugar solution had reached its limit and could not dissolve any more sugar crystals.Ā 
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ethereal
ethereal
[Adjective]

(of a solution) containing volatile or highly flammable substances, such as diethyl ether

Ex: The reaction mixture was distilled under vacuum to remove the ethereal solvent.Ā 
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inorganic
inorganic
[Adjective]

describing chemical compounds that do not contain carbon-hydrogen bonds and are typically derived from minerals or non-living matter

Ex: Sodium chloride (table salt) is an inorganic compound widely used in cooking and food preservation.Ā 
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solvent
solvent
[noun]

a liquid that is capable of dissolving another substance

Ex: Ethanol is commonly used as a solvent to dissolve oils and perfume essences for the production of aftershaves and colognes.Ā 
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alkaline
alkaline
[Adjective]

refering to substances that have a pH greater than 7, indicating a basic or non-acidic nature

Ex: Soap is often alkaline, making it effective for cleaning grease and oils.Ā 
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saline
saline
[Adjective]

containing or relating to salt

Ex: The doctor administered a saline solution to rehydrate the patient.Ā 
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