Tag: Chemistry terminology

Sucrose, the scientific name for common table sugar, is a disaccharide composed of two monosaccharides: glucose and fructose. This common sweetener is often the subject of chemical misunderstandings, including the query, 'Is sucrose a 1/4?'. The definitive answer is no, and understanding why sheds light on the specific structures of different carbohydrates.

Palmitic acid, a saturated fatty acid with 16 carbon atoms, is the most common fatty acid in animals, plants, and microorganisms. While widely known by its common name, chemists and scientists have another, more systematic name for this ubiquitous substance: hexadecanoic acid.

Iron, a crucial element for human biology and industrial applications, is the most common element on Earth by mass. The common confusion surrounding the term "ferrous" often leads to the question, "Is there any difference between ferrous and iron?", with the answer lying in the distinction between an element and a descriptive adjective.