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Bidentate for Dummies

adjective

pronunciation: baɪ'dɛnteɪt

What does Bidentate really mean?

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Hey there! So, the word "bidentate" is a bit of a fancy word, but it's actually not as complicated as it sounds. Simply put, "bidentate" is used to describe something that has two "teeth" or "points" that reach out in different directions.

Think of it like a pair of pliers – they have two ends that come together to grab onto something, right? In the same way, when we say something is bidentate, it means it has two "grabbing points" or "teeth" that can connect to something else.

Now, when we talk about "bidentate" in the context of chemistry or biology, it describes a molecule or a ligand that can form two bonds with a central atom or ion. This might sound a bit tricky, but think of it like a "hug" – the bidentate molecule can wrap its "arms" around the central atom from two different sides, kind of like giving it a nice, tight hug.

So, putting it all together, "bidentate" basically means something that has two points or teeth, like a pair of pliers or a molecule that can form two bonds with a central atom. It's just a way to talk about how something can connect to or interact with other things in two different places. I hope that helps you understand what "bidentate" means!

Revised and Fact checked by Michael Rodriguez on 2023-11-15 21:09:11

Bidentate In a sentece

Learn how to use Bidentate inside a sentece

  • A bidentate ligand can attach to a central metal ion at two different points.
  • In a chemical reaction, a bidentate molecule can bond to two different atoms at the same time.
  • A bidentate toothbrush has bristles that can clean two surfaces at once.
  • A bidentate fork has two prongs for picking up food.
  • The bidentate plant had two leaves attached to the stem at the same point.

Bidentate Similar Words

Words that similar to the original word, but are not synonyms.