A highly penetrating type of nuclear radiation similar to x-ray radiation, except that it comes from within the nucleus of an atom and has a higher energy. Energywise, very similar to cosmic ray except that cosmic rays originate from outer space.
Placing a thin layer of zinc on a ferrous material to protect the underlying surface from corrosion.
Gangue
Sand, rock, and other impurities surrounding the mineral of interest in an ore.
Geiger counter
A gas filled tube which discharges electriaclly when ionizing radiation passes through it.
Gel
Colloidal suspension of a solid dispersed in a liquid; a semirigid solid.
Gem-dimethyl group
Two methyl groups of the same carbon atom.
Geometrical Isomers
Compounds with different arrangements of groups on either side of a bond with restricted rotation, such as a double bond or a single bond in a ring; for example cis-trans isomers of certain alkenes.
Stereoisomers that are not mirror images of each other; also known as position isomers.
Graham's Law
The rates of effusion of gases are inversely proportional to the square roots of their molecular weights or densities.
Greenhouse Effect
Trapping of heat at the surface of the earth by carbon dioxide and water vapour in the atmosphere.
Ground State
The lowest energy state or most stable state of an atom, molecule or ion.
Group
A vertical column in the periodic table; also called a family.
