Chemistry Reference
In-Depth Information
softening point (of glass)
The temperature at which heated
glass
becomes suffi-
ciently soft and fluid for working and shaping; see
working point
and
working range
.
softwood
The
wood
of
coniferous
trees; the term has no relation to the actual
hard-
ness
of the wood; see
hardwood
.
soil
The loose mixture of small particles of
clay minerals
,
sand
, and
decayed organic
matter
on the surface of the earth, above
bedrock
.
soil horizon
A layer of
soil
that differs from other layers above or below it because
of its texture, composition, and/or color.
soil profile
A vertical section through the
horizons
of a
soil
.
solar radiation
See
radiation
,
solar
.
solder
The generic name for
alloys
composed mainly of lead (50-70%) and tin
(50-30%), which
melt
at relatively low temperatures and are used for joining
metal
parts.
solder, hard
An
alloy
that softens at a relatively high temperature (above 400°C),
used for
hot soldering
or
brazing
.
solder, hot
See
solder
,
hard
.
solder, soft
The generic name for
alloys
composed mainly of lead (50-70%) and tin
(50-30%), which
melt
at relatively low temperatures (below 400°C) and are used
for joining metal parts; see
soldering
,
soft
.
soldering
A
metallurgical
operation for joining
metal
parts using
solder
;
see solder
,
hot
and
solder
,
soft
.
soldering, hot
See
brazing
.
soldering, soft
A
metallurgical
operation for joining
metal
parts using a
soft solder
.
solid
One of the three states of
matter
,
gas
,
liquid
and solid; at constant temperature
solids have a definite and stable shape and volume.
solute
A gaseous, liquid, or solid
substance
dissolved in a
solvent
and forming a
solution
.
solution
(1) A
homogeneous mixture
of one or more
solutes
in a
solvent
; (2) a
diage-
netic
process that involves the dissolution of matter in sediments or in the remains
of living organisms, by
groundwater.
solvent
A
substance
that dissolves others.
sorbite
A fine
dispersion
of
cementite
in
ferrite
, formed when
steel
is
tempered
.
sound
An audible
longitudinal wave
propagated through a medium that displaces
molecules
from their equilibrium state.
sour
(1)
Acid
; (2) having an acid taste.
souring
The primary method of
neutralizing cloth
, by removing
alkalis
that remain
after
bleaching
; it entails dipping the cloth in a solution of a mild
acid
, such as
sour
milk in water.
spall
Splinter or chip; the term is sometimes also used to refer to relatively large
chunks, flakes, or flake fragments of
obsidian
that were traded between the natural
