THE WORDWHEEL GUIDE
Chemistry vocabulary game
Chemistry uses familiar-looking words with precise meanings. This pack links particle vocabulary to the language of substances and solutions, from atom and ion to solvent and catalyst. The short entries are starting points for reading a lesson, not a replacement for the lesson’s models and equations.
Updated September 25, 2026
For introductory chemistry learners and anyone refreshing laboratory vocabulary.
What to notice as you learn
An atom is electrically neutral in the usual introductory definition; an ion carries net charge. An isotope differs in neutron number from another atom of the same element. A solvent dissolves a solute; a catalyst changes reaction rate.
After a discovery, classify the word: particle, substance, quantity, or role in a reaction. Say how it differs from a related term. Review the examples before trying to recall the meaning without looking.
How this topic game works
There are 12 levels in this starter pack. Each accepts only words from the Chemistry glossary below. Use the required highlighted letter and each tile at most once. Find 3–5 matching terms on the same wheel to complete each level, with no timer. Keep collecting words until the count reaches the goal, then choose Next level. Each level offers extra valid answers beyond the goal. Any glossary term that fits the board counts, so a clue is a suggestion rather than a required answer.
Clues offer definitions and optional letter reveals. Three reveals are shared across a board and saved if you leave. Read the full meaning after a discovery for its example sentence and reference. Levels repeat after the last one. Review vocabulary is optional: use it to recall discovered words from their meanings, and keep a personal list of terms to practise again.
Chemistry glossary: 40 terms to practise
These are the pack’s complete vocabulary list. The notes and examples below are original introductory explanations by Wordwheel; references provide fuller context. A word may have other meanings outside this subject.
- atom
- The smallest unit of an element that retains its chemical identity.
- Example: A carbon atom contains six protons.
- OpenStax · Chemistry 2e
- ion
- An atom or group of atoms with a net electric charge.
- Example: A sodium ion carries a positive charge.
- IUPAC Gold Book · Ion
- acid
- In the Brønsted–Lowry model, a substance that donates a proton.
- Example: An acid transfers a proton to a base.
- OpenStax · Chemistry 2e
- base
- In the Brønsted–Lowry model, a substance that accepts a proton.
- Example: The base accepts a proton during the reaction.
- OpenStax · Chemistry 2e
- bond
- An interaction holding atoms or ions together in a chemical substance.
- Example: A covalent bond involves shared electrons.
- OpenStax · Chemistry 2e
- mole
- The unit for an amount containing 6.02214076 × 10²³ specified entities.
- Example: One mole of water contains that many water molecules.
- OpenStax · Chemistry 2e
- salt
- An ionic compound made from positive and negative ions.
- Example: Sodium chloride is a familiar salt.
- OpenStax · Chemistry 2e
- solvent
- The component of a solution that dissolves the solute.
- Example: Water is the solvent in this salt solution.
- OpenStax · Chemistry 2e
- isotope
- An atom with the same proton number but a different neutron number from another form of its element.
- Example: Carbon-12 and carbon-14 are isotopes.
- OpenStax · Chemistry 2e
- catalyst
- A substance that changes reaction rate without being consumed overall.
- Example: A catalyst provides an alternative reaction pathway.
- OpenStax · Chemistry 2e
- proton
- A positively charged particle in an atomic nucleus.
- Example: The number of protons identifies the element.
- OpenStax · Chemistry 2e
- electron
- A negatively charged particle found around an atomic nucleus.
- Example: An atom becomes a positive ion when it loses an electron.
- OpenStax · Chemistry 2e
- gas
- A state of matter that expands to fill its container.
- Example: The gas occupies the available volume.
- OpenStax · Chemistry 2e
- metal
- An element typically conducting heat and electricity well in its solid state.
- Example: Copper is a metal used in electrical wire.
- OpenStax · Chemistry 2e
- mass
- A measure of the amount of matter and of inertia.
- Example: The balance measures the sample’s mass.
- OpenStax · Chemistry 2e
- heat
- Energy transferred because of a temperature difference.
- Example: The reaction transfers heat to the surroundings.
- OpenStax · Chemistry 2e
- rate
- How quickly a measured quantity changes, such as concentration during a reaction.
- Example: The catalyst increases the reaction rate.
- OpenStax · Chemistry 2e
- iron
- The chemical element with symbol Fe and atomic number 26.
- Example: Iron reacts with oxygen during rusting.
- OpenStax · Chemistry 2e
- tin
- The metallic element with symbol Sn and atomic number 50.
- Example: Tin is a component of some alloys.
- OpenStax · Chemistry 2e
- ore
- Natural material from which a valuable element can be economically extracted.
- Example: The ore is processed to recover copper.
- OpenStax · Chemistry 2e
- oil
- A liquid mixture or substance that is poorly miscible with water.
- Example: The oil forms a separate layer above the water.
- OpenStax · Chemistry 2e
- solute
- A substance dissolved in a solvent.
- Example: Salt is the solute in the solution.
- OpenStax · Chemistry 2e
- solid
- A state of matter with a definite volume and shape under ordinary conditions.
- Example: The solid retains its shape in the container.
- OpenStax · Chemistry 2e
- litre
- A unit of volume equal to one cubic decimetre; also spelled liter.
- Example: The flask holds one litre of solution.
- OpenStax · Chemistry 2e
- titre
- The volume of titrant delivered to reach an endpoint in a titration; also spelled titer in this usage.
- Example: The student records the titre from the burette readings.
- OpenStax · Chemistry 2e
- ionic
- Relating to ions or the attractions between oppositely charged ions.
- Example: Sodium chloride forms an ionic crystal.
- OpenStax · Chemistry 2e
- cation
- An ion with a positive electric charge.
- Example: Sodium forms a cation when it loses an electron.
- OpenStax · Chemistry 2e
- neutron
- An electrically neutral particle in an atomic nucleus.
- Example: Isotopes of an element have different neutron counts.
- OpenStax · Chemistry 2e
- carbon
- The element with symbol C and atomic number 6.
- Example: Organic molecules contain carbon.
- OpenStax · Chemistry 2e
- test
- A procedure used to investigate a substance’s composition or properties.
- Example: The flame test provides evidence about a metal ion.
- OpenStax · Chemistry 2e
- state
- The physical form of matter, such as solid, liquid or gas.
- Example: Heating can change a substance’s state.
- OpenStax · Chemistry 2e
- lattice
- A repeating arrangement of points used to describe a crystal’s structure.
- Example: The crystal’s lattice repeats in three dimensions.
- OpenStax · Chemistry 2e
- clay
- Fine-grained mineral material containing mainly hydrated silicates.
- Example: The sample contains clay minerals.
- OpenStax · Chemistry 2e
- talc
- A soft magnesium silicate mineral.
- Example: Talc is a silicate containing magnesium.
- OpenStax · Chemistry 2e
- alloy
- A material with metallic properties made from two or more elements.
- Example: Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc.
- OpenStax · Chemistry 2e
- acyl
- A group derived from an oxoacid by removing a hydroxyl group, often written R–C(=O)– for carboxylic acids.
- Example: The reaction transfers an acyl group.
- IUPAC · Gold Book
- ester
- A compound formed by replacing an acid’s hydroxyl hydrogen with an organic group, commonly R–C(=O)–O–R′.
- Example: The product contains an ester group.
- OpenStax · Chemistry 2e
- ether
- An organic compound with an oxygen atom linking two carbon-containing groups.
- Example: The molecule has an ether linkage.
- OpenStax · Chemistry 2e
References and further reading
These organizations are reference sources, not sponsors or endorsers of the game. Follow their material to explore the subject beyond this short pack.
Continue your vocabulary practice
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