noun
condensation
A chemical reaction that joins molecules while releasing a small molecule.
The condensation reaction released a small molecule of water.
Etymology
The Latin verb means to make dense or bring closely together. Chemistry applies the combining image to molecules joining into a larger structure while a small molecule is released.
More examples
- The polymer formed through repeated condensation reactions.
- The chemist compared condensation with an addition reaction.
- The mechanism showed which atoms were lost during condensation.
Forms
condensation
Similar words
- addition
- An addition reaction combines reactants without losing a small molecule; condensation releases one.