Glossary of Chemical Terms - L

L

Lanthanides

The series of f-block elements between lanthanum and hafnium.

laser

Acronym for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation.A laser is an intense source of light with a very narrow range of wavelengths. The intense light is given off when many ions are stimulated and simultaneously emit a photon at the same wavelength.

lattice

A regular arrangement of points in space in 3 dimensions.

law

Mathematical statement of a relationship that is always the same.

leachate

The solution produced by passing a liquid through a solid, often containing chemicals that have dissolved from the solid to the liquid. As rainwater passes through landfills and associated sediments, various chemical substances may dissolve in the water and penetrate the aquifer and contaminate ground water.

levorotatory

Able to rotate plane-polarized light in a counterclockwise fashion.

ligand

A molecule or ion bonded to a central metal atom or ion in a coordination compound.

limewater

Common name for a solution of calcium hydroxide.

lipid

A fatty, waxy or oily non-polar organic compound that is characteristically insoluble in water but readily soluble in organic solvents.

liquid

The phase of matter in which a substance has a definite volume but no definite shape.

liter

Unit of volume in the metric system, slightly larger than 1 quart, since 1 liter is 33.2 ounces, or 1 quart is 0.946 liters, to three significant figures.

litmus

Plant pigment commonly used as an acid base indicator.Litmus is red (or pink) in an acid, and blue in a base.

lye

Common name for solution of sodium hydroxide.

Glossary created by David Shaw (Madison Area Technical College) for The Chemistry Place.

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