Page 49 - Encyclopedia of Chemical Compounds 3 Vols

Words to Know
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S

SALT An ionic compound where the anion is derived from an acid.

SEMICONDUCTOR A material that has an electrical conduc-
tance between that of an insulator and a conductor.
When charged with electricity or light, semiconductors
change their state from nonconductive to conductive or
vice versa.

SEQUESTERING AGENT A substance that binds to metals in
water to prevent them from combining with other com-
ponents in the water and forming compounds that could
stain (sequestering agents are sometimes used in clean-
ing products). Also called a ‘‘chelating agent.’’

SILICATE A salt in which the anion contains both oxygen and
silicon.

SOLUBLE Capable of being dissolved in a liquid such as water.

SOLUTION A mixture whose properties and uniform through-
out the mixture sample.

SOLVENT A substance that is able to dissolve one or more
other substances.

SUBLIME To go from solid to gaseous form without passing
through a liquid phase.

SUPERCONDUCTIVITY A state in which a material loses all
electrical resistance: once established, an electrical cur-
rent will flow forever.

SUPERCOOLED WATER Water that remains in liquid form,

even though its temperature is below 0 C.

SUSPENSION A mixture of two substances that do not dis-
solve in each other.

SYNTHESIZE To produce a chemical by combining simpler
chemicals.

xlviii CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS