Basic Chemical Terms and Reaction Definitions

Organic compounds:
  • any substance containing carbon and hydrogen atoms that are chemically bound in as stable molecules (CH4, CH20 and C3H8)
  • inorganic compounds have no carbon-hydrogen bonds [CO, CO2 and H20]
    • About Reactions
  • reactions are either exothermic (give off energy) or endothermic (absorb energy)
  • the heat of reaction is the difference in energy difference between the reactants and products (positive for exothermic)
  • an activated complex is achieved when sufficient energy (activation energy) has been imparted to the molecule(s)
    • Finally, acids and bases are defined by whether they produce positively charged ions or negatively charged ions when disolved in water.
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