Chemistry Glossary
Every key term from chemistry in one place. Each card shows an icon and a short definition. Click any card with a clickable icon to open the full labeled diagram.
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asymmetricalNOT the same on all sides. In chemistry: a molecule shape where the polar bonds do NOT cancel out, making the molecule polar.
dipoleA separation of positive and negative charge across a bond or molecule.
dissolveTo break apart and mix evenly into a liquid until you can no longer see the individual pieces.
ENHow hard an atom pulls on shared electrons in a bond. Higher number = stronger pull.
nonpolar bondA bond where electrons are shared equally between two atoms.
nonpolar moleculeA molecule whose overall pull on electrons is balanced — either it has only nonpolar bonds, or its polar bonds cancel out.
delta plusA small, partial positive (δ+) or negative (δ-) charge on an atom in a polar bond — not a full charge like in an ion.
periodic trendA pattern in element properties (like electronegativity, atomic size, or reactivity) that shows up as you move across or down the periodic table.
polar bondA bond where electrons are shared unequally — one atom pulls them closer than the other.
polar moleculeA molecule with polar bonds AND an asymmetrical shape, so the pulls do not cancel out.
soluteThe substance that gets dissolved — usually a solid that disappears into a liquid.
solventThe substance that does the dissolving — usually the liquid in which something is dissolved.
symmetricalThe same on all sides. In chemistry: a molecule shape where the polar bonds cancel each other out.
universal solventA nickname for water, because its polar shape lets it dissolve more substances than any other liquid.