Glossary - Carbon Jargon

	Addition Reactions	An addition reaction is when a double or triple bond "opens" and another atom or group of atoms joins the molecule. Since a double or triple bond is necessary, this type of reaction is not possible with the Alkanes, only the unsaturated compounds such as the Alkenes and the Alkynes.
	Aliphatics	Carbon compounds whose structure is based on chains of carbon.
	Alkanes	Alkanes are hydrocarbons which have a single bond between the carbon atoms, i.e. they are saturated organic compounds.
	Alkenes	Alkenes are hydrocarbons which have a double bond between two carbon atoms, i.e. they are unsaturated organic compounds.
	Alkynes	Alkynes are hydrocarbons which have a triple bond between two carbon atoms, i.e. they are unsaturated organic compounds.
	Allotrope	A different physical form of the same element due to different arrangement of atoms.
	Aromatics	Carbon compounds whose structure is based on rings of carbon.
	Bromination	A test carried out on a substance or gas to determine if it has a double bond. The red bromine water turns colourless in the presence of a double bond.
	Chemical equation	Shorthand way of presenting what substances react together and what is produced. It also shows the number of atoms or molecules involved in the reaction.
	Covalent bond	A bond that consists of one or more shared pairs of electrons. Each bonded atom contributes one electron towards the shared pair.
	Electrons	These are found orbiting the nucleus of an atom and have a negative charge. Shell(s) of electrons are present in all atoms. The inner shell of any atom has a capacity of 2 electrons and any further shells have a capacity of 8 electrons. In a neutral atom the number of protons is the same as the number of electrons.
	Functional group	The part of a compound that takes part in the reaction.
	Hydrocarbon	A hydrocarbon is a compound made up solely of hydrogen and carbon.
	Ion	An ion is an atom which has lost or gained electrons and has become positively or negatively charged respectively.
	Ionic bond	An ionic bond is produced when electrons are transferred from one atom to another.
	Metal carbonates	A compound containing a metal, carbon and oxygen. For example Limestone has calcium, carbon and oxygen.
	Monomer	Monomers are the small molecules which when joined together in a process known as polymerisation, form a larger molecule known as a polymer.
	Neutrons	These are found in the centre of the atom and have no charge (i.e. It is neutral). If this number varies in a certain element you get an isotope of the element. For example, carbon-dating uses an isotope of carbon to put an age on very old artefacts found.
	Organic Chemistry	A branch of chemistry concerned solely with carbon and its compounds.
	Oxidation	Oxidation occurs when an atom loses electrons. It thereby becomes a positively charged ion, and is said to be oxidised.
	Polymer	A polymer is the result of the polymerisation process in which small and simple molecules, called monomers, are joined together.
	Polymerisation	Polymerisation is the process in which many small and basic molecules, called monomers, join together to form a larger and more complex molecule called a polymer.
	Proton	These are found in the centre of the atom and have a positive (+) charge.
	Reduction	Reduction is when an atom gains electrons.
	Saturated compounds	Compounds in which carbon atoms are joined together by single bonds.
	Substitution Reaction	A substitution reaction is when atoms or a collection of atoms are replaced with other atoms or another collection of atoms. This is common among the Alkanes.
	ThermoPlastics	Thermoplastics are plastics capable of being softened and moulded again and again through heat and pressure. Examples include Polythene, Polyvinyl Chloride and Polystyrene.
	Thermosetting Plastics	Thermosetting plastics can only be moulded in their manufacture and afterwards cannot be softened. Examples include Formica and Polyurethane.
	Unsaturated compounds	Compounds in which carbon atoms are joined together by double or triple bonds.
	Valency	The number of electrons an atom of an element must give or receive to achieve noble gas structure.

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