27.3. C http://www.ck12.org
coordination number
The number of ions (or atoms) that immediately surround an ion of the opposite charge (or other atoms) within
a crystal lattice.
corrosion
The deterioration of metals by redox processes.
covalent bond
A bond in which two atoms share one or more pairs of electrons.
critical mass
The minimum amount of fissionable material needed to sustain a chain reaction.
critical pressure
The pressure that must be applied to a gas at its critical temperature in order to turn it into a liquid.
critical temperature
The highest temperature at which a substance can possibly exist as a liquid.
crystal
A solid substance in which the particles are arranged in an orderly, repeating, three-dimensional pattern.
cyclic hydrocarbon
A hydrocarbon in which the carbon chain joins to itself in a ring.
cycloalkane
A cyclic hydrocarbon in which all of the carbon-carbon bonds are single bonds.
cycloalkene
A cyclic hydrocarbon with at least one carbon-carbon double bond.
cycloalkyne
A cyclic hydrocarbon with at least one carbon-carbon triple bond.