- abiotic
- nonliving
- acceleration
- the rate at which velocity changes
- anemometer
- an instrument used to measure wind speed
- Animalia
- kingdom consisting of multicellular, eukaryotic heterotrophs
Examples include snakes, insects, and birds.
- Archaebacteria
- kingdom consisting of unicellular prokaryotic bacteria that can be found living in extreme conditions
- asteroid
- a celestial body bigger than 10 m orbiting the Sun, mainly between Mars and Jupiter
- asthenosphere
- the soft layer of the mantle on which pieces of the lithosphere float
- autotroph
- an organism that is able to capture energy from sunlight or chemicals and use it to produce its own food from inorganic compounds
- average speed
- the total distance traveled by an object divided by the total time traveled
- balanced force
- equal forces acting on an object in opposite directions
- bar graph
- a type of graph that shows a quantitative comparison between ordered pairs, using a series of columns to display data
- barometer
- an instrument used to measure air pressure
- biome
- large region with typical plants and animals that includes several ecosystems
- biosphere
- the region on, below, and above the Earth's surface where life exists
- biotic
- living
- boiling point
- the temperature at which a liquid turns to vapor
- causal relationship
- a relationship where one variable causes another variable to change
- chemical change
- a change that results in the formation of a new substance with different properties than the original substance
- chemical formula
- a representation of a substance using the symbols of the elements that make up that compound
- chemical property
- a characteristic of matter that requires altering the substance before it can be observed
- chemical symbol
- a one, two, or three letter representation of an element
- circle graph
- a type of graph that shows how portions make up a whole such as percentages with the entire circle representing 100%
- class
- in classification, a group of closely related orders
- comet
- a celestial body mainly composed of ice and dust
- all the populations of different species living and interacting together in a distinct area
- comparative investigation
- type of investigation that involves collecting data on different populations/organisms, or under different conditions (e.g., times of year, locations) to make a comparison
- compound
- a pure substance whose smallest unit is made up of atoms of two or more elements joined by chemical bonds
- conceptual model
- a model that makes comparisons with familiar things to help illustrate or explain an idea
- conduction
- the transfer of heat through a material by direct contact
- conductivity
- the ability of a substance to allow the flow of energy or electricity
- conductors
- materials, such as metal, that increase heat transfer
- constants
- all factors in the experiment that are not allowed to change throughout the entire experiment or investigation
- constant speed
- speed of an object that does not change
- control group
- a standard of comparison for checking or verifying the results of an experiment where all variables must be held constant
- convection
- the transfer of heat in a fluid (gas or liquid) as a result of the movement of the fluid itself
- convergent boundary
- the boundary between two colliding tectonic plates
- core
- the center part of Earth below the mantle
- crust
- the thin outmost layer of Earth; the upper part of the lithosphere
- data table
- type of graphic organizer used to display data in rows and columns
- density
- the mass of a substance divided by its volume D = Mass/Volume
- dependent variable
- the variable that acts in response to the manipulation of the independent variable
The dependent variable can be thought of as the results of the experiment.
- descriptive investigation
- type of investigation that involves describing and/or quantifying parts of a natural system
- displacement
- the increase in volume of water when an object is emerged in water
- divergent boundary
- the boundary between two tectonic plates that are moving away from each other
- domain
- larger, more inclusive taxonomic category than Kingdom
- ecology
- the study of the relationships between biotic and abiotic factors in environments
- ecosystem
- all of the living (biotic) and all of the physical nonliving factors (abiotic) in an area
- electrons
- subatomic particles located outside the nucleus, with a negative charge and little or no mass
- element
- a pure substance made entirely of one type of atom
- ellipse
- an object that is egg of oval-shaped
- emergency shower
- safety equipment used if a toxic or corrosive chemical is spilled on the skin or clothing
Contaminated clothing should be removed.
- empirical evidence
- evidence relating to or based on experience or observation
- energy
- the ability of a system to do work
- Eubacteria
- kingdom consisting of unicellular prokaryotic organisms
- eukaryote
- an organism whose cells contain complex structures enclosed within membranes
- experimental group
- the group(s) being tested with the independent variable
Each experimental group has only one factor different from each other, everything else must remain constant.
- experimental investigation
- a type of investigation involving a process in which a "fair test" is designed in which variables are actively manipulated, controlled, and measured in an effort to gather evidence to support or refute a causal relationship
- eye wash station
- safety equipment used if a chemical splashes in someone's eyes
Eyes should be flushed for 15 minutes and the teacher should be notified immediately.
- family
- in classification, a group of closely related genera (plural for genus)
- fire blanket
- large non-flammable cloth used to smother fires on people
- fire extinguisher
- active fire protection device used to extinguish or control small fires
- force
- a push or pull on an object
- Fungi
- kingdom consisting of heterotrophic, eukaryotic organisms
Examples include mushroom and yeast.
- genus
- group of closely related species, the first part of the scientific name in binomial nomenclature
- graduated cylinder
- an instrument used to measure the volume of a liquid
- graph
- a pictorial representation of quantative information recorded in a data table
- gravity
- the natural force of attraction between any two bodies
- heat
- thermal energy that is transferred from matter at a higher temperature to matter at a lower temperature
- heat resistant gloves
- protective clothing used to protect hands when handling hot objects
- heterotroph
- an organism that contains its food by consuming other living things
- hypothesis
- a proposed explanation, based on observation and research, for a scientific question
- inclined plane
- a simple machine that has a flat surface and one raised end
- independent variable
- the variable that is changed on purpose for the experiment
This may refer to several levels or conditions of an independent variable.
- inference
- an interpretation of an observation based upon evidence and prior knowledge
- inner core
- the solid, dense center of our planet that extends from the bottom of the outer core to the center of the Earth
- insulators
- materials, such as wood, that slow down heat transfer
- kinetic energy
- energy in motion
- kingdom
- largest and most inclusive group in the Linnaean classification system
- lab apron
- protective clothing worn to protect clothing and skin against chemical spills
Lab aprons are
usually made of plastic and do not cover the arms.
- lab coat
- protective clothing worn to protect clothing and skin against chemical spills
Lab coats are
usually made of cloth.
- latex gloves
- protective clothing used to protect hands against chemicals
- law of conservation of energy
- law that states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another
- law of universal gravitation
- law developed by Newton that states the force of gravity depends on the product of the masses of the objects divided by the square of the distances between them
- line graph
- a type of graph that shows a continuous relationship (trend) between two variables
- lithosphere
- the outermost rigid layer of Earth that consists of the crust and the rigid upper mantle
- luster
- the way a substance reflects light
- malleability
- capable of being shaped or formed, as by hammering or pressure
- mantle
- the layer of Earth between the crust and the core
- mathematical model
- a model made up of a mathematical equations and data
Computer software is often used to create mathematical models.
- matter
- anything that has mass and takes up space
- melting point
- the temperature at which a solid becomes a liquid
- meniscus
- a concave surface of a liquid resulting from surface tension
The bottom of the meniscus is used to measure the volume of a liquid in apparatus such as a graduated cylinder.
- mesosphere
- the strong lower part of the mantle between the asthenosphere and the outer core
- metal
- an element that is typically hard, shiny, malleable, ductile, and good conductors of heat and electrical and electricity
- metalloid
- an element that has some of the characteristics of metals and some of the characteristics of nonmetals
- meteor
- a meteoroid that enters Earth’s atmosphere and appears as a streak of light due to friction
- meteoroid
- a piece of rock or dust in space that comes from comets or asteroids
- meteorite
- part of a meteoroid that survives the passage through our atmosphere and reaches the Earth's surface
- metric ruler
- the standard instrument for linear measurement in the scientific laboratory
- mixture
- a combination of two or more pure substances that are not chemically combined
- molecule
- two or more atoms joined together by a chemical bond
- motion
- a change in an object's position over a given period of time
- multicellular
- made up of many cells
- net force
- the force that results from combining all the forces exerted on an object
- neutrons
- subatomic particles located in the nucleus, with no charge and a mass
- nitrile gloves
- protective clothing used to protect hands against chemicals
- nonmetal
- an element that is typically, soft and dull and not a good conductors of heat and electrical and electricity
- observation
- the process of using one or more of the senses to gather information
- orbit
- the path (usually an ellipse) that a body takes as it travels around another body in space
- order
- in classification, a group of closely related families
- ordered pair
- two pieces of data that are directly related to each other
- organism
- a group of organ systems working together that has a distinct existence as a complex, self-reproducing unit
- outer core
- the liquid layer of Earth’s core that lies beneath the mantle
- Pangaea
- the hypothetical landmass that existed when all continents were joined, from about 300 to 200 million years ago
- Periodic Table of Contents
- a table in which the chemical elements are arranged in order of increasing atomic number, usually in rows, so that elements with similar atomic structure (and hence similar chemical properties) appear in vertical columns
- phenomenon
- a fact or situation that is observed to exist or happen, especially one in which the cause is in question
- phylum
- in classification, a group of closely related classes
- physical change
- a change in the size, shape, or state that does not change the chemical makeup of the substance
- physical model
- a model that you can see and touch that shows how parts relate to one another
- physical property
- a characteristic of matter that can be seen through direct observation
- Plantae
- kingdom consisting of multicellular, eukaryotic autotrophs
- plate boundary
- the space between tectonic plates
- population
- a group of freely interacting and breeding individuals of the same species
- potential energy
- stored energy
- products
- substances formed as a result of a chemical process; located on the right side of the arrow
- prokaryote
- has no nucleus or organelles – bacteria only
- Protista
- kingdom consisting of eukaryotic organisms such as the paramecium, amoeba, and euglena.
- protons
- subatomic particles located in the nucleus, with a positive charge and a mass
- psychrometer
- an instrument used to measure relative humidity
- pulley
- a simple machine made of a wheel and cord that helps you lift and lower objects
- pure substance
- a substance that cannot be separated into 2 or more substances by physical means
- qualitative data
- data that describes characteristics such as colors, smells, texture, etc.
- quantitative data
- numerical data which can be measured such as length, time, temperature, etc.
- radiation
- the transfer of heat via electromagnetic waves through space
- rate
- a ratio that compares, by division, two quantities having different attributes
- reactants
- the starting material in a chemical process; located on the left side of the arrow
- revolution
- the motion (often elliptical) of a body as it orbits another body in space
- rotation
- the spinning motion of a body on its axis
- safety glasses
- protective clothing worn to protect the eyes against flying objects
Safety glasses
do not provide adequate coverage for chemical spashes.
- safety goggles
- protective clothing worn to protect eyes against chemical splashes
- satellite
- a natural or artificial body that revolves around a planet
- scientific explanation
- a statement that helps make something comprehensible (understandable)
- semiconductor
- a substance that conducts electricity only under some conditions
- scientific model
- a representation of an object, system, or event used as a tool for understanding the natural world
- simple machine
- device that changes a force’s direction or strength to make work easier
- size dependent property
- a physical characteristic of matter that depends on the size or amount of the substance
- size independent property
- a physical characteristic of matter that does not depend on the size or amount of the substance
- species
- a group of similar organisms that can breed and produce fertile offspring
- speed
- measure of the distance an object travels in a given unit of time
- spectroscope
- an instrument used to measure properties of light over a specific portion of the electromagnetic spectrum
- spring scale
- an instrument used to measure the force of a load
- subatomic particles
- parts that make up the atom
Three main subatomic particles are protons, neutrons and electrons.
- taxonomy
- the science of classifying living organisms
- tectonic plates
- pieces of the lithosphere that move around on top of the asthenosphere
- temperature
- the average amount of energy of motion of each particle of a substance
- theory
- a scientific conclusion that is used to explain many different hypotheses about the same phenomenon or a closely related class of phenomena
- theory of continental drift
- the theory that continents can drift apart and have done so in the past
- theory of plate tectonics
- the theory that Earth's lithosphere is divided into tectonic plates that move around on top of the asthenosphere
- thermal energy
- the total energy of motion in the particles of a substance
- thermometer
- an instrument used to measure temperature
- transform boundary
- the boundary between two tectonic plates that are sliding past each other horizontally
- trend
- a general direction or pattern in which data changes
- triple beam balance
- an instrument used to measure mass
- unbalanced force
- a nonzero net force that changes an object's motion
- unicellular
- made up of one cell
- velocity
- measure of speed in a given direction
- work
- the transfer of energy