aq
Abbreviation with 3 meanings
| Stands for | Aqueous |
|---|---|
| Meanings | 3 |
| Categories | Science & Engineering, Geography & Places, Writing & Everyday |
| Also written | AQ |
aq has three meanings. The most common are Aqueous (chemistry) and Antarctica (country code); it can also stand for Author query.
Meanings of aq at a glance
| # | aq stands for | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aqueous | Science & Engineering › Chemistry |
| 2 | Antarctica | Geography & Places › Country Code |
| 3 | Author query | Writing & Everyday › Proofreading and Correction Mark |
1. Aqueous
Science & Engineering · Chemistry Abbreviations · also used in medicine
State symbol written after a formula to show that a substance is dissolved in water, as in NaCl(aq). It appears alongside (s) for solid, (l) for liquid and (g) for gas in balanced equations, and procedures use it to label water-based solutions such as saturated aq. sodium bicarbonate.
Example: HCl(aq) + NaOH(aq) gives NaCl(aq) + H2O(l).
From Latin aqua (water). Distinguishing (aq) from (l) matters: pure water is H2O(l), while dissolved ions are (aq). In thermodynamic tables, ions in solution are listed with the aq label at a standard concentration. In extractions the "aqueous layer" or "aq. phase" is the water layer.
2. Antarctica (AQ)
Geography & Places · Country Code Abbreviations
Code covering the whole of Antarctica south of 60 degrees south latitude, governed by the Antarctic Treaty of 1959 rather than by any single country. The .aq domain is reserved for organizations working there, such as research stations.
Example: The research station's team page uses an .aq address.
Antarctica has no permanent population, but several thousand scientists and staff live there in summer. The alpha-3 code is ATA. Territorial claims by seven countries are frozen under the treaty.
3. Author query (AQ)
Writing & Everyday · Proofreading and Correction Mark Abbreviations
A question from a copyeditor or typesetter asking the author to confirm or supply information, written in the margin or as a numbered comment. Journal proofs commonly include a list of AQs that must be answered before publication.
Example: AQ3: Please confirm the spelling of the second author's surname as given in the affiliation list.
Large journal publishers send proofs with numbered author queries that authors answer through an online system. Editors phrase queries neutrally to avoid offending authors and to make clear who must decide. Unanswered queries can delay publication. Book editors may simply write "Query" or "Q" in the margin.
Related abbreviations
More chemistry abbreviations
- AAS – Atomic absorption spectroscopy
- ABS – Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene
- Ac – Acetyl group
- BPA – Bisphenol A
- CAS – Chemical Abstracts Service
- CFC – Chlorofluorocarbon
- CH4 – Methane
- CO – Carbon monoxide
See all 106 chemistry abbreviations →