B
balanced equation
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A representation of a chemical reaction that has values of the stoichiometric coefficients of reactants and products such that the numbers of atoms of each element is the same before and after the reaction.
balancing an equation
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Determining those values of the stoichiometric coefficients of reactants and products in a chemical equation that make the numbers of atoms of each element the same before and after the reaction.
band theory
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A description of the electronic structure in metals and semiconductors using molecular orbital theory.
barometer
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A device for measuring the pressure of the atmosphere.
base
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In Arrhenius theory, a species that dissociates to produce hydroxide ions. In Bronsted-Lowry theory, a hydrogen ion acceptor. In Lewis theory, a species that donates a pair of electrons to form a covalent bond.
base dissociation constant
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The equilibrium constant for the reaction in which a weak base reacts with water to form its conjugate acid and hydroxide ion. Also called base ionization constant.
base ionization constant
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The equilibrium constant for the ionization of a weak base. Also called base dissociation constant.
basic anhydride
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A species (often a metal oxide) that reacts with water to form a base.
battery
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A voltaic cell, or a series of such cells connected together, used to produce electricity.
bcc
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Abbreviation for body-centered cubic; a lattice structure having one atom in the center and one atom at each corner of a cube.
becquerel
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The SI unit of radioactive disintegration; one disintegration per second; abbreviated Bq.
beta particle
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A particle equivalent to an electron formed by radioactive decay or nuclear bombardment.
bidentate
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Referring to a ligand attached through two atoms to a central metal ion.
bimolecular process
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In a reaction mechanism, an elementary step in which two species collide.
binary acid
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Compounds which can behave as acids and that contain only one element other than hydrogen.
binary compound
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A compound containing two elements.
binding energy
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The energy released as particles are brought together to form a nucleus; also called nuclear binding energy.
body-centered cubic
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A lattice structure having one atom in the center and one atom at each corner of a cube; abbreviated bcc.
boiling
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The process of a liquid becoming vapor in which bubbles of vapor form beneath the surface of the liquid.
boiling point
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The temperature at which the vapor pressure of a liquid reaches atmospheric pressure.
boiling point elevation
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The increase in the boiling point of a liquid as a result of the presence of a solute.
bomb calorimeter
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A sturdy, rigid device for measuring the heat released or absorbed during a chemical reaction run under conditions of constant volume.
bond angle
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The angle formed by lines drawn between nuclei joined by bonds.
bond dissociation energy
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The energy required to sever the bond between two atoms.
bond length
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The distance between the nuclei of two bonded atoms.
bond order
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An indication of the bond strength expressed in terms of molecular orbital theory; half the difference between the number of electrons in antibonding molecular orbitals and the number of electrons in bonding molecular orbitals.
bonding molecular orbital
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An orbital formed by the overlap of atomic orbitals that reinforce each other; lower in energy than an anti-bonding molecular orbital and lower in energy than the average energy of the atomic orbitals from which it is formed.
bonding pair
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A pair of electrons between atoms joined by a covalent bond.
Born-Haber cycle
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A description of the relationship among the lattice energy, ionization energy, electron affinity, and heats of atomization of ionic compounds; used to calculate any one of these quantities from the others.
Boyle's law
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The statement that the volume of a sample of gas is inversely proportional to the pressure of the gas (at constant temperature).
Bq
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Abbreviation for becquerel; the SI unit of radioactive disintegration; one disintegration per second.
breeder reactor
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A nuclear reactor designed to produce nuclear fuel as it produces energy.
Bronsted-Lowry acid
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A species that behaves as a proton donor.
Bronsted-Lowry acid-base theory
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The idea that acids can be described as proton donors and bases as proton acceptors.
Bronsted-Lowry base
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A species that behaves as a proton acceptor.
buffer
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A solution that absorbs added acid or base while changing little in pH.
buffer capacity
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The extent to which a buffer solution can absorb the added acid or base while changing little in pH.
buffer solution
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A solution that absorbs added acid or base while changing little in pH.
by-product
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A product of a chemical reaction other than the intended or desired one(s).
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