Chemistry Definition

Chemical change

A change in the chemical composition or make-up of a substance.

Physical change

A change in the form or physical properties of a substance, without a chemical reaction or the creation of a new substance.

Pure substance

A chemical combination of matter in definite (fixed) properties.

Molecules

A chemical combination of two or more atoms in definite (fixed) properties.

Surfactants

A contraction of surface active agents; substances that allow oil and water to mix, or emulsify.

Alkaline solution

A solution that has a pH above 7.0 (neutral).

Acidic solution

A solution that has a pH below 7.0 (neutral).

Solution

A stable physical mixture of two or more substances.

Volatile alcohols

Alcohols that evaporate easily.

Alkanolamines

Alkaline substances used to neutralize acids or raise the pH of many hair products.

Compounds molecule

Also known as compounds; a chemical combination of two or more atoms of different element in definite (fixed) properties.

Oxidation-reduction

Also known as redox; a chemical reaction in which the oxidizing agent is reduced (by losing oxygen) and the reducing agent is oxidized (by gaining oxygen).

Emulsifier

An ingredient that brings two normally incompatible materials together and binds them into a uniform and fairly stable blend.

Emulsion

An unstable physical mixture of two or more immiscible substances (substances that normally will not stay blended) plus a special ingredient called an emulsifier.

Matter

Any substance that occupies space and has mass (weight).

Ammonia

Colorless gas with a pungent odor that is composed of hydrogen and nitrogen.

Miscible

Liquids that are mutually soluble, meaning that they can be mixed together to form stable solutions.

Immiscible

Liquids that are not capable of being mixed together to form stable solutions.

Combustion

Rapid oxidation of a substance, accompanied by the production of heat and light.

Chemistry

Science that deals with the composition, structures, and properties of matter, and how matter changes under different conditions.

Silicones

Special types of oil used in hair conditioners, water-resistant lubricants for the skin, and nail polish dryer.

Glycerin

Sweet, colorless, oily substance used as a solvent and as a moisturizer in skin and body creams.

pH

The abbreviation used for potential hydrogen. pH represents the quantity of hydrogen ions.

Reduction

The process through which oxygen is subtracted from or hydrogen is added to a substance through a chemical reaction.

Element

The simplest form of chemical matter; an element cannot be broken down into a simpler substance without a loss of identity.

Atoms

The smallest chemical components (often called particles) of an element; structures that make up the element and have the same properties of the element.

Organic chemistry

The study of substances that contain the element carbon.

Inorganic chemistry

The study of substances that do not contain the element carbon, but may contain the element hydrogen.

Solvent

The substance that dissolves the solute and makes a solution.

Solute

The substance that is dissolved in a solution.

Suspension

Unstable physical mixtures of undissolved particles in a liquid.