Science Vocabulary Terms
Process Skills
Classify / grouping or ordering objects or events into categories based on properties or criteriaPredict / stating the outcome of a future event based on a pattern of evidence
Communicate / using words or graphic symbols to describe an action, object, or event
Measure / using standard or non standard units to describe the dimensions of an object
Observe / using the senses to gather information about an object or event
Quantitative Observation / Observations that use numbers or measurements or make comparisons such as more than, all, less than, few or none
Qualitative Observation / Observations that are made using only the senses and refer to specific properties
Infer / making an educated guess about an object or event based on previously gathered data or information
Standard Units / Units of measure using American Standard or Metric systems (meter, inches, miles, etc)
Non-standard Units / Units of measure not included in the American Standard or Metric Systems (Paperclips, tiles, etc)
Inquiry
Inquiry / Finding out informationHypothesis / Statement that makes predictions about the relationship between variables.
Experiment / Test to find out something
Controlled Investigation / This determines the effect of an independent variable and is used to make sure that only one variable is tested
Independent Variable(Manipulated) / The variable that is changed or tested in an experiment
Dependent Variable (Responding) / The variable that is the result of, or response to, the independent variable.
Control Variable / The variables that are kept the same, or unchanged, in the experiment
Data / Includes both scientific observations and inferences gathered in an experiment
Timing Device / An instrument used to measure time
10x Magnifier / Tool used to enlarge objects 10 times their size or see details
Line graph / Represents data that has been collected over an amount of time
Mixtures and Solutions
Solids / Have a definite shape and volume. The particles are close together and vibrate in place.
Liquids / Have a definite volume, but the shape changes depending on the container they are in. The particles are close together, but are able to move apart.
Gases / Have no definite shape or volume. The particles move freely and are spread out.
Volume of a solid / This can be found by calculating Height x width x length in a regular solid and by water displacement in an irregular shaped solid.
Volume of a liquid / This can be measured using a graduated cylinder or graduated syringe
Mixture / when two or more substances are mixed together, but can be separated into their original parts
Solution / a special kind of mixture where the substances dissolve or mix so completely that they cannot be distinguished as separate substances
Magnetic Attraction / uses different magnetic components in a mixture (sand and iron filings)
Sifting / Uses a sieve (screen) to separate substances based on the size of the particles (Gravel & Water).
Filtration / uses a filter to separate substances based on the size of the particles (Powder & Water)
Evaporation / process in which a substance turns from a liquid to a gas
Flotation / the desired substance is lighter than the other components in the mixture so it floats rather than sink
Chromatography / separate and analyze the solutes in solution by put a small amount of the solution on filter paper
Solubility / The property that substances have of dissolving in
Solute / the substance that is in the least amount
Solvent / the substance that is in the greatest amount (This is usually a liquid)
Motions/Forces
Motion / Movement
Magnetism / A force that acts at a distance, but can not be seen using magnets
Gravity / A pull that attracts objects to each other
Lubrication / Reduces friction by making surfaces smoother (motor oil, wax, or grease)
Friction / When two substances rub together
Position / The location of an object relative to another object
Direction / The path in which an object is moving (It is described using north, south, east, west, up, down, etc.
Speed (Rate of Motion) / How fast an object is moving
Unbalanced Forces / When objects are unequal in strength and opposite in direction
Balanced Forces / When objects are equal in all directions and there is not a force to offset it