ACT Science - Chemical Substances and Compounds

Here you will learn some English words related to chemical substances and compounds, like "buffer", "solute", "halogen", etc. that will help you ace your ACTs.

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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: Bromine , a halogen with properties similar to chlorine , is employed as a disinfectant in swimming pools and hot tubs .

polythene [noun]

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

Ex:

polystyrene [noun]

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

Ex: Artists sculpt intricate designs using polystyrene due to its ease of shaping and lightweight nature .

phosphorus [noun]

a chemical element that is a vital component of DNA and bone structure, found in dairy products, meat, and nuts, playing a key role in cellular energy transfer

Ex: Firefighters use phosphorus in flame retardants to prevent fires .

acetone [noun]

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

alginate [noun]

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

silicate [noun]

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

Ex:

graphene [noun]

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

malic acid [noun]

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

citric acid [noun]

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: Many soft drinks and candies include citric acid to enhance their taste .

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: The doctor recommended a diet rich in phosphates to strengthen bone density and prevent osteoporosis .

charm quark [noun]

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: Charm quarks are known for their relatively short lifetime , decaying into more stable particles within a fraction of a second after their creation .

disinfectant [noun]

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

bicarbonate [noun]

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

Ex: Bicarbonate in the blood acts as a buffer against acids , ensuring stable pH levels .

solute [noun]

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

Ex: Carbon dioxide ( CO2 ) dissolving in soda is an example of a gas solute in a liquid solvent .

saturated [adjective]

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

Ex:

ethereal [adjective]

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

Ex: The compound 's ethereal aroma indicated the presence of volatile organic compounds .

inorganic [adjective]

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

Ex: Inorganic acids such as sulfuric acid are essential in chemical manufacturing processes .

solvent [noun]

a liquid that is capable of dissolving another substance

Ex:

alkaline [adjective]

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

Ex: Baking soda ( sodium bicarbonate ) is slightly alkaline and is used in baking and as a household cleaner .

saline [adjective]

containing or relating to salt

Ex:

reactant [noun]

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

Ex: The reactants in the process of burning wood are wood and oxygen .

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 .

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: Pharmacists prepare buffers to ensure the stability of medicines during storage .

reagent [noun]

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

Ex: The forensic lab uses specific reagents to test for the presence of illicit drugs in samples .

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: Argon , a noble gas commonly used in welding , provides an inert atmosphere to prevent the oxidation of metals during the process .

inert gas [noun]

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

Ex: Inert gases such as neon are used in neon signs to produce characteristic bright colors when electrically charged .

ACT Science
Physics	Electromagnetism and Mechanics	Chemistry	Chemical Substances and Compounds
Biology	Biochemistry and Cell Structure	Medical Science	Neurology and Blood Biochemistry
Anatomy and Genetics	Diseases	Zoology	Animal Life and Evolution
Agriculture and Forestry	Botany and Gardening	Geology	Geography and Oceanography
Astronomy and Aerospace Science