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ACT Science - Chemistry

Here you will learn some English words related to chemistry, such as "radioactive", "pipette", "titration", etc. that will help you ace your ACTs.

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ACT Vocabulary for Science
polymer
[noun]

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

Ex: Polyester is a versatile synthetic polymer used in fabrics , clothing , and plastic bottles .
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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: Isotopes play a crucial role in understanding nuclear reactions , radiometric dating , and various applications in science and technology .
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reactive
[Adjective]

having a tendency to to undergo chemical reactions

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radioactive
[Adjective]

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

Ex: Geiger counters are used to detect and measure levels of radioactive contamination .
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a chemical bond where atoms share electrons to form a stable molecule

Ex: The air 's like a molecular community , held together by covalent bonds, forming a breathable atmosphere .
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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: Double bonds are essential in the formation of aromatic compounds like benzene , which contains alternating single and double bonds between carbon atoms .
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hydrophilic
[Adjective]

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

Ex: Hydrophilic surfaces in contact lenses ensure comfort by maintaining a layer of moisture between the lens and the eye .
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hydrophobic
[Adjective]

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

Ex: Leaves of some plants have a hydrophobic waxy coating that helps prevent water loss and protects against fungal growth .
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a chemical reaction that releases heat energy to its surroundings, typically resulting in a temperature increase

Ex: Mixing calcium oxide with water is an exothermic reaction, producing calcium hydroxide and giving off heat .
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a chemical process that absorbs heat energy from its surroundings, often resulting in a temperature decrease

Ex: Melting ice is an endothermic reaction because it absorbs heat from its surroundings to change from solid to liquid .
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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 uranium is approximately 238.03 , accounting for its isotopes uranium-235 and uranium-238 .
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the total mass of all the atoms in a single molecule of a substance

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

Ex: When determining the mass number of an isotope , add the number of protons and neutrons together .
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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: A mole of sodium chloride ( table salt ) weighs approximately 58.44 grams .
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beaker
[noun]

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

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pipette
[noun]

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

Ex: The laboratory protocol required the use of a graduated pipette to measure precise volumes of the solution .
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a device that spins samples to separate components based on density

Ex: Pharmaceutical labs use centrifuges to purify and separate different drug components .
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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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a tabular arrangement of chemical elements organized based on their atomic number, electron configuration, and recurring chemical properties

Ex: The periodic table is a valuable tool for predicting the chemical behavior of elements and understanding their relationships .
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(of a solid) to become one with a liquid

Ex: The detergent will dissolve in the washing machine , cleaning the clothes .
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the process of dispersing or dissolving a substance into a solvent to form a homogeneous solution

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

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crystalline
[Adjective]

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

Ex: The crystalline nature of salt makes it easily recognizable .
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the measure of how much of a substance is present in a certain volume of solution

Ex: Diluting a solution involves decreasing the concentration of its solute .
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a device used to analyze the chemical composition of small samples at a microscopic scale

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

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

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nanotube
[noun]

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

Ex: The medical field is investigating the potential of nanotubes for targeted drug delivery .
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molten
[Adjective]

heated to a liquid state due to high temperatures

Ex: The molten core of the Earth is believed to be responsible for the planet 's magnetic field .
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radical
[noun]

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

Ex: Free radicals can cause damage to cells, leading to aging and diseases.
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phase
[noun]

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

Ex: Mixing salt in water creates a single-phase solution.
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the process where calcium or calcium salts accumulate in a tissue, making it hard and rigid

Ex: Marine biologists study calcification in corals to understand the effects of ocean acidification .
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the process by which microorganisms convert carbohydrates into alcohol, acids, or gases

Ex: In the production of yogurt , fermentation of milk by specific strains of bacteria results in the formation of lactic acid , thickening the yogurt and giving it a tangy taste .
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to eliminate or neutralize harmful substances

Ex: The liver continuously detoxifies the body by eliminating harmful substances .
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to assay
[Verb]

to analyze or test a substance, typically in a laboratory setting, to determine its components or qualities

Ex: The chemist will assay the water sample for contaminants .
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a scientist who studies the structure and properties of crystals

Ex: His work as a crystallographer revealed the detailed arrangement of atoms in the crystal .
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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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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: Chromatography techniques help ensure the purity of pharmaceutical products .
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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: Strontium-90 , a byproduct of nuclear fission , undergoes beta decay to yttrium-90 , releasing high-energy electrons in the process .
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uncharged
[Adjective]

not having an electrical charge

Ex: Carbon dioxide becomes uncharged when it loses or gains electrons to become electrically neutral .
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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: Titration can determine the unknown concentration of a solute by using a standard solution of known concentration .
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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: At thermal equilibrium, there is no net heat transfer between two systems in contact with each other.
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condenser
[noun]

a device that turns vapor into liquid by cooling it

Ex: The distiller attached a condenser to the pot still to separate alcohol vapor from the mash .
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weak attractive forces between molecules or atoms, arising from temporary or induced dipoles

Ex: Van der Waals forces play a significant role in the behavior of non-polar molecules and gases.
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a scientist or engineer who specializes in the study and production of metals and alloys, including their properties, processing methods, and applications

Ex: The conference brought together metallurgists from around the world to discuss advancements in metallurgical research and technology .
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the process by which molecules of a substance adhere to the surface of a solid or liquid, forming a thin film or layer

Ex: Surface area and porosity significantly influence the adsorption capacity of materials used in environmental cleanup processes .
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biodiesel
[noun]

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

Ex: Some countries offer tax incentives for businesses that use biodiesel.
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(chemistry) the process of separating a liquid or solution into its parts by passing electricity through it

Ex: In the field of chemistry , electrolysis is commonly used to extract reactive metals from their ores , such as aluminum from bauxite .
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to disperse fine particles throughout a fluid so they remain evenly distributed without settling

Ex: By shaking the bottle , you can suspend the medicine evenly before taking a dose .
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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: Engineers adjusted the alloy's composition to achieve the eutectic point needed for optimal performance in extreme temperatures.
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to dilute
[Verb]

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

Ex: By the end of the experiment , the chemical reaction will have diluted the concentrated solution .
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