📚 A-Level Chemistry: Essential English Vocabulary Summary | A-Level 化学:必考英文词汇汇总
Mastering precise scientific terminology in English is a passport to top marks in A-Level Chemistry. This article pulls together the most frequently examined vocabulary – not just definitions, but the exact phrasings that examiners expect you to use in explanations, calculations and practical write-ups.
掌握精准的英文化学术语是 A-Level 化学拿高分的通行证。本文汇整了最高频的必考词汇——不仅是定义,更是你在解释、计算和实验报告中必须使用的标准表述。
1. Atomic Structure | 原子结构
Atom: The smallest electrically neutral particle of an element that retains its chemical identity, composed of a positively charged nucleus surrounded by a cloud of electrons.
原子:元素保持其化学性质的最小电中性粒子,由一个带正电的原子核和围绕的电子云构成。
Nucleus: The dense central part of an atom containing protons and neutrons; almost all mass is concentrated here.
原子核:原子致密的中心部分,包含质子和中子;原子的几乎全部质量都集中于此。
Proton number (Z): The number of protons in the nucleus, which determines the identity of the element. Also called the atomic number.
质子数 (Z):原子核中的质子数目,决定了元素的种类。也称为原子序数。
Mass number (A): The total number of protons plus neutrons in the nucleus.
质量数 (A):原子核中质子数与中子数的总和。
Isotope: Atoms of the same element (same Z) that have different numbers of neutrons, thus different mass numbers. They exhibit identical chemical behaviour but slightly differing physical properties.
同位素:质子数相同而中子数不同的同种元素的原子。它们的化学行为相同,但物理性质略有差异。
Relative atomic mass (Aᵣ): The weighted mean mass of an atom of an element compared with 1/12 the mass of a carbon‑12 atom.
相对原子质量 (Aᵣ):元素一个原子的加权平均质量与一个碳‑12 原子质量的 1/12 之比。
Atomic orbital: A region of space around the nucleus where there is a high probability (typically >90%) of finding an electron. Orbitals are labelled s, p, d and f.
原子轨道:原子核外电子出现概率很高(通常 >90%)的空间区域。轨道分为 s、p、d 和 f。
Electronic configuration: The arrangement of electrons in energy levels, sub‑levels and orbitals, e.g. 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ for Ne.
电子排布:电子在能层、亚层和轨道中的排布方式,如 Ne 的 1s² 2s² 2p⁶。
First ionisation energy: The energy required to remove one mole of electrons from one mole of gaseous atoms to form one mole of gaseous 1+ ions.
第一电离能:从一摩尔气态原子中移去一摩尔电子,生成一摩尔气态 1+ 离子所需的能量。
2. Chemical Bonding and Structure | 化学键与结构
Ionic bond: The electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions formed by electron transfer, typically between a metal and a non‑metal.
离子键:带相反电荷的离子之间的静电引力,由电子转移形成,通常在金属和非金属之间。
Covalent bond: The strong electrostatic attraction between a shared pair of electrons and the nuclei of two atoms.
共价键:一对共用电子与两个原子核之间的强静电吸引力。
Dative (coordinate) covalent bond: A covalent bond in which both electrons in the shared pair originate from the same atom.
配位共价键:共用电子对的两个电子均来自同一个原子的共价键。
Metallic bond: The electrostatic attraction between a lattice of positive metal ions and a ‘sea’ of delocalised electrons.
金属键:金属正离子晶格与离域电子“海洋”之间的静电引力。
Electronegativity: The power of an atom to attract the bonding pair of electrons in a covalent bond towards itself.
电负性:一个原子在共价键中吸引电子对的能力。
Polar bond: A covalent bond where the electron pair is unequally shared, giving a partial charge separation (δ⁺ and δ⁻).
极性键:电子对共享不均的共价键,导致部分电荷分离 (δ⁺ 和 δ⁻)。
VSEPR theory: Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion – electron pairs around a central atom repel and position themselves as far apart as possible, determining molecular shape.
VSEPR 理论:价层电子对互斥理论——中心原子周围的电子对相互排斥,尽量远离,从而决定分子的形状。
Giant covalent structure: A network of atoms held together by covalent bonds throughout the whole structure (e.g. diamond, graphite, SiO₂).
巨型共价结构:整个结构中遍布共价键的原子网络(如金刚石、石墨、SiO₂)。
Intermolecular force: Attractive forces between molecules, much weaker than covalent or ionic bonds. Includes London forces, dipole‑dipole interactions and hydrogen bonds.
分子间作用力:分子之间的吸引力,远弱于共价键或离子键。包括伦敦力、偶极‑偶极作用和氢键。
Hydrogen bond: A strong dipole‑dipole attraction between a lone pair on a highly electronegative atom (N, O or F) and a hydrogen atom covalently bonded to another N, O or F.
氢键:一个强电负性原子 (N、O 或 F) 上的孤对电子与另一个与 N、O 或 F 共价键合的氢原子之间的强偶极‑偶极吸引。
3. Energetics | 能量学
Enthalpy change (ΔH): The heat energy change measured at constant pressure. Units: kJ mol⁻¹.
焓变 (ΔH):在恒压下测量的热量变化。单位:kJ mol⁻¹。
Exothermic reaction: A reaction that releases heat energy to the surroundings; ΔH is negative and the temperature of the surroundings increases.
放热反应:向环境释放热量的反应,ΔH 为负,环境温度升高。
Endothermic reaction: A reaction that absorbs heat energy from the surroundings; ΔH is positive and the temperature of the surroundings decreases.
吸热反应:从环境吸收热量的反应,ΔH 为正,环境温度降低。
Standard enthalpy of combustion (ΔH°): The enthalpy change when one mole of a substance is completely burned in oxygen under standard conditions.
标准燃烧焓 (ΔH°):在标准条件下,一摩尔物质完全在氧气中燃烧时的焓变。
Standard enthalpy of formation (ΔH°): The enthalpy change when one mole of a compound is formed from its elements in their standard states under standard conditions.
标准生成焓 (ΔH°):在标准条件下,由标准状态下的元素生成一摩尔化合物时的焓变。
Hess’s law: The total enthalpy change for a reaction is independent of the route taken, provided the initial and final conditions are the same.
赫斯定律:反应的总焓变与途径无关,只要始终态条件相同。
Mean bond enthalpy: The average energy required to break one mole of a given covalent bond in the gaseous state, averaged over a range of compounds.
平均键焓:在气态下,断开一摩尔特定共价键所需的平均能量,取了一系列化合物的平均值。
Calorimetry: An experimental technique measuring heat changes using a calorimeter; key formula q = mcΔT.
量热法:用量热计测量热量变化的实验技术;关键公式 q = mcΔT。
4. Chemical Kinetics | 化学动力学
Rate of reaction: The change in concentration of a reactant or product per unit time; common units are mol dm⁻³ s⁻¹.
反应速率:反应物或产物浓度随时间的变化率;常用单位 mol dm⁻³ s⁻¹。
Activation energy (Eₐ): The minimum energy that colliding particles must possess for a reaction to occur.
活化能 (Eₐ):碰撞粒子必须具备的最低能量,反应才能发生。
Catalyst: A substance that increases the rate of a reaction without being consumed, by providing an alternative reaction pathway with lower activation energy.
催化剂:通过提供活化能较低的替代反应路径来提高反应速率,自身在反应中不被消耗的物质。
Homogeneous catalyst: A catalyst that exists in the same phase (usually liquid or gas) as the reactants.
均相催化剂:与反应物处于同一相态(通常为液相或气相)的催化剂。
Heterogeneous catalyst: A catalyst that exists in a different phase from the reactants (e.g. solid catalyst with gaseous reactants).
多相催化剂:与反应物处于不同相态的催化剂(如固体催化剂与气体反应物)。
Collision theory: For a reaction to occur, particles must collide with sufficient kinetic energy (≥ Eₐ) and with the correct orientation.
碰撞理论:反应发生需要粒子碰撞具有足够的动能(≥ Eₐ)且取向正确。
Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution: A graph showing the distribution of kinetic energies among gas particles at a given temperature; the area under the curve to the right of Eₐ represents the fraction of particles with enough energy to react.
麦克斯韦–玻尔兹曼分布:描述给定温度下气体粒子动能分布的曲线;Eₐ 右侧的曲线下面积代表具有足够反应能量的粒子比例。
Rate equation: An expression linking rate of reaction to the concentrations of reactants raised to certain powers, e.g. rate = k[A]ᵐ[B]ⁿ. The order with respect to A is m.
速率方程:将反应速率与反应物浓度(带幂次)联系起来的表达式,如 rate = k[A]ᵐ[B]ⁿ。对 A 为 m 级。
5. Chemical Equilibria | 化学平衡
Dynamic equilibrium: The state in a reversible reaction where the rates of the forward and reverse reactions are equal, and the concentrations of reactants and products remain constant.
动态平衡:可逆反应中正逆反应速率相等、反应物和产物浓度保持恒定的状态。
Le Chatelier’s principle: If a system at equilibrium is subjected to a change in concentration, pressure or temperature, the position of equilibrium shifts to partially counteract the change.
勒夏特列原理:若平衡系统受到浓度、压力或温度改变,平衡位置将会移动以部分抵消该改变。
Equilibrium constant (Kc): For a reaction aA + bB ⇌ cC + dD, Kc = [C]ᶜ [D]ᵈ / [A]ᵃ [B]ᵇ, with concentrations at equilibrium. It is affected only by temperature.
平衡常数 (Kc):对于反应 aA + bB ⇌ cC + dD,Kc = [C]ᶜ [D]ᵈ / [A]ᵃ [B]ᵇ,各浓度为平衡浓度。其数值仅受温度影响。
Homogeneous equilibrium: An equilibrium in which all reactants and products are in the same phase.
均相平衡:所有反应物和产物处于同一相态的平衡。
Heterogeneous equilibrium: An equilibrium involving species in more than one phase; pure solids and pure liquids do not appear in the expression for Kc.
多相平衡:涉及多于一种相态的平衡;纯固体和纯液体不出现在 Kc 的表达式中。
Yield: The amount of desired product obtained, often expressed as a percentage of the theoretical maximum.
产率:实际获得的目标产物量,通常表示为理论最大产量的百分比。
6. Acids, Bases and pH | 酸、碱与 pH
Bronsted–Lowry acid: A proton (H⁺) donor.
布朗斯特–劳里酸:质子 (H⁺) 的给予体。
Bronsted–Lowry base: A proton (H⁺) acceptor.
布朗斯特–劳里碱:质子 (H⁺) 的接受体。
Conjugate acid–base pair: Two species that differ by one proton, e.g. NH₄⁺ (acid) and NH₃ (base).
共轭酸碱对:相差一个质子的两种物质,如 NH₄⁺ (酸) 和 NH₃ (碱)。
Strong acid: An acid that fully dissociates in aqueous solution, releasing all its protons (e.g. HCl).
强酸:在水溶液中完全电离,释放所有质子的酸(如 HCl)。
Weak acid: An acid that partially dissociates in water, establishing an equilibrium (e.g. CH₃COOH).
弱酸:在水中部分电离,建立平衡的酸(如 CH₃COOH)。
pH: pH = −log₁₀[H⁺]; a measure of the hydrogen ion concentration in a solution.
pH:pH = −log₁₀[H⁺];衡量溶液中氢离子浓度的尺度。
Acid dissociation constant (Kₐ): For HA ⇌ H⁺ + A⁻, Kₐ = [H⁺][A⁻] / [HA]; its magnitude indicates acid strength. pKₐ = −log₁₀Kₐ.
酸离解常数 (Kₐ):对于 HA ⇌ H⁺ + A⁻,Kₐ = [H⁺][A⁻] / [HA];其大小表示酸性强度。pKₐ = −log₁₀Kₐ。
Buffer solution: A solution that resists changes in pH when small amounts of acid or base are added. It consists of a weak acid and its conjugate base, or a weak base and its conjugate acid.
缓冲溶液:加入少量酸或碱时能够抵抗 pH 变化的溶液。由弱酸及其共轭碱,或弱碱及其共轭酸组成。
7. Redox and Electrochemistry | 氧化还原与电化学
Oxidation (in terms of electrons): Loss of electrons by a species.
氧化 (电子定义):某一物种失去电子。
Reduction: Gain of electrons by a species.
还原:某一物种得到电子。
Oxidation number: The charge an atom would have if all the bonds in the compound were ionic. Used to identify what has been oxidised or reduced.
氧化数:假设化合物中所有键均为离子键时原子所带的电荷。用于判断哪些物质被氧化或还原。
Redox reaction: A reaction in which both oxidation and reduction take place simultaneously.
氧化还原反应:氧化和还原同时发生的反应。
Oxidising agent (oxidant): A species that accepts electrons and is itself reduced.
氧化剂:接受电子、自身被还原的物质。
Reducing agent (reductant): A species that donates electrons and is itself oxidised.
还原剂:给出电子、自身被氧化的物质。
Standard electrode potential (E°): The voltage measured when a half‑cell is connected to the standard hydrogen electrode under standard conditions. It indicates the tendency of a species to be reduced.
标准电极电势 (E°):在标准条件下,某半电池与标准氢电极连接时测得的电压。它反映了物种被还原的趋势。
Half‑cell: An electrode immersed in a solution of ions, connected via a salt bridge; oxidation or reduction occurs at the electrode surface.
半电池:电极浸入离子溶液中,通过盐桥连接;电极表面发生氧化或还原。
Fuel cell: A cell that converts chemical energy from a fuel (e.g. hydrogen) and oxygen directly into electrical energy, with water as the waste product.
燃料电池:将燃料(如氢气)和氧气的化学能直接转化为电能的电池,废产物是水。
8. Organic Chemistry Basics | 有机化学基础
Hydrocarbon: A compound containing only carbon and hydrogen atoms.
碳氢化合物:仅含碳和氢原子的化合物。
Saturated compound: A molecule that contains only single C–C bonds; no double or triple bonds.
饱和化合物:只含 C–C 单键、没有双键或三键的分子。
Unsaturated compound: A compound containing one or more multiple bonds – typically C=C double bonds or C≡C triple bonds.
不饱和化合物:含有一个或多个多重键(通常是 C=C 双键或 C≡C 三键)的化合物。
Homologous series: A family of organic compounds that share the same general formula, functional group and similar chemical properties, and show a gradual trend in physical properties.
同系物:具有相同通式、相同官能团和相似化学性质,且物理性质呈现渐变趋势的一系列有机化合物。
Functional group: An atom or group of atoms that gives a molecule its characteristic chemical reactivity (e.g. –OH in alcohols).
官能团:赋予分子特征化学性质的原子或原子团(如醇中的 –OH)。
Empirical formula: The simplest whole‑number ratio of atoms of each element in a compound.
实验式:化合物中各元素原子数的最简整数比。
Molecular formula: The actual number of atoms of each element in one molecule.
分子式:一个分子中每种元素的实际原子数。
Structural formula: Shows how atoms are arranged and bonded in a molecule, often using condensed or displayed forms.
结构式:表示分子中原子的排列和连接方式,常使用缩略式或显示式。
Isomerism: The phenomenon where two or more compounds have the same molecular formula but different arrangements of atoms.
同分异构现象:两个或多个化合物分子式相同但原子排列不同的现象。
9. Functional Groups and Reactions | 官能团与反应
Alkane: A saturated hydrocarbon with the general formula CnH2n+2; undergoes combustion and substitution reactions with halogens under UV light (free‑radical substitution).
烷烃:通式为 CnH2n+2 的饱和烃;能发生燃烧和紫外光照下与卤素的取代反应(自由基取代)。
Alkene: An unsaturated hydrocarbon containing a C=C double bond; typical reactions include electrophilic addition (e.g. with HBr, Br₂, H₂SO₄) and polymerisation.
烯烃:含 C=C 双键的不饱和烃;典型反应包括亲电加成(如与 HBr、Br₂、H₂SO₄)和聚合反应。
Alcohol: A compound with the hydroxyl functional group –OH; classified as primary, secondary or tertiary. Undergoes oxidation, dehydration and esterification.
醇:带有羟基 –OH 官能团的化合物;分为伯、仲、叔醇。可发生氧化、脱水和酯化反应。
Carboxylic acid: A compound containing the –COOH group; weak acids that react with alcohols to form esters and with bases to form carboxylate salts.
羧酸:含有 –COOH 基团的化合物;弱酸,能与醇反应生成酯,与碱反应生成羧酸盐。
Ester: Formed by the reaction of a carboxylic acid and an alcohol in the presence of an acid catalyst; characterised by the functional group –COO– and often have fruity smells.
酯:由羧酸和醇在酸催化下反应生成;特征官能团为 –COO–,常带有水果香味。
Addition polymerisation: The process whereby unsaturated monomers (e.g. alkenes) add together without loss of any small molecules to form a long‑chain polymer.
加成聚合:不饱和单体(如烯烃)加成在一起而不脱去小分子的过程,生成高分子长链。
Condensation polymerisation: Polymerisation that involves the joining of monomers with the elimination of a small molecule such as water or HCl (e.g. polyesters, polyamides).
缩合聚合:单体结合时脱去小分子(如水或 HCl)的聚合反应(如聚酯、聚酰胺)。
Chiral centre: A carbon atom bonded to four different groups; the molecule exists as two non‑superimposable mirror images (enantiomers).
手性中心:连接四个不同基团的碳原子;分子存在两种不可重叠的镜像异构体(对映异构体)。
10. Analytical Techniques | 分析技术
Mass spectrometry: A technique that ionises a sample and separates the resulting ions according to their mass‑to‑charge ratio (m/z). The molecular ion peak gives the relative molecular mass.
质谱法:将样品离子化,并按质荷比 (m/z) 分离离子的技术。分子离子峰给出相对分子质量。
Infrared (IR) spectroscopy: A technique that identifies functional groups by measuring the absorption of infrared radiation at characteristic frequencies; absorptions appear as troughs on the spectrum.
红外光谱:通过测量特征频率处红外辐射的吸收来鉴定官能团的技术;吸收在图谱上显示为倒峰。
Fingerprint region: The region of an IR spectrum below about 1500 cm⁻¹ that is unique to each compound and can be used to confirm identity by comparison with a reference.
指纹区:红外谱图中约 1500 cm⁻¹ 以下的区域,每个化合物都独一无二,可与标准图谱比对确认身份。
Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy: C‑13 NMR tells us about the number of non‑equivalent carbon environments; proton (H‑1) NMR also reveals the number of hydrogen environments and spin‑spin splitting patterns.
核磁共振谱:碳‑13 NMR 告诉我们不等价碳环境的数目;质子 (H‑1) NMR 还能显示氢环境的数目及自旋‑自旋分裂模式。
Chemical shift (δ): The position of a signal on an NMR spectrum, measured in parts per million (ppm), providing information about the chemical environment of the nucleus.
化学位移 (δ):NMR谱中信号的位置,以百万分之一 (ppm) 为单位,提供关于该原子核化学环境的信息。
Chromatography: A separation technique where components of a mixture are distributed between a stationary phase and a mobile phase. Thin‑layer
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