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Environmental Science 9
Chapter 2 Flash Cards from Living in the Environment
51
Science
9th Grade
01/11/2011

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Term
Science
Definition
an endeavour to discover how nature works and to use that knowledge to make predictions about what is likely to happen in nature
Term
the scientific method
Definition
identify a problem, research, ask a question, collect data, propose hypothesis, make testable preditions, test predictions, accept or reject hypothesis
Term
scientific theory
Definition
well-tested and widely accepted scientific hypothesis or a group of related hypotheses
Term
peer review
Definition
when details, results, reasoning, methods, and models for experiments are imported to others in their field to examine.
Term
inductive reasoning
Definition
specific observations and measurements to arrive at a general conclusion or hypothesis
Term
deductive reasoning
Definition
involves using logic to arrive at a specific conclusion based on a generalization or premise
Term
scientific law
Definition
well-tested and widely accepted description of what we find happening over and over again in the same way in nature
Term
paradigm shift
Definition
a new discovery or idea that overthrows well accepted scientific theory or law
Term
tentative science
Definition
controversial results not yet considered reliable
Term
reliable science
Definition
consists of data that is widely accepted by scientists who are considered experts in the field under study
Term
matter
Definition
anything that has mass and takes up space
Term
elements
Definition
fundamental substances that each have a unique set of properties and cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means
Term
compounds
Definition
combinations of two or more different elements held together in fixed proportions
Term
atom
Definition
the smallest unit of matter into which an element can be divided and still retain its chemical properties
Term
atomic theory
Definition
idea that all elements are made up of atoms
Term
protons
Definition
positively charged subatomic particle
Term
neutrons
Definition
neutrally charged subatomic particles
Term
electrons
Definition
negatively charged subatomic particles
Term
nucleus
Definition
center of an atom which contains one or more protons and in most cases one or more neutrons, and one or more electrons moving rapidly somewhere around the nucleus
Term
atomic number
Definition
number unique to each element; equal to the number of protons in the nucleus of its atom
Term
mass number
Definition
total number of protons and neutrons in its nucleus
Term
isotopes
Definition
forms of an element having the same atomic number but different mass numbers
Term
ion
Definition
an atom or groups of atoms with one or more net positive or negative charges
Term
molecule
Definition
a combination of two or more atoms of the same or different elements held together by chemical bonds
Term
chemical formula
Definition
used to show the number of each type of atom or ion in a compound
Term
pH scale
Definition
measurement of the concentration of hydronium ions (acids) or hydroxide ions (bases)
Term
organic compounds
Definition
contain at least two carbon atoms
Term
cells
Definition
fundamental structural units of life
Term
genes
Definition
sequences of nucleotides that contain genetic information for making specific proteins
Term
trait
Definition
characteristic passed on from parents to offspring
Term
chromosome
Definition
special DNA molecule together with a number of proteins
Term
matter quality
Definition
measure of how useful a form of matter is to humans as a resource based on availability and concentration
Term
high-quality matter
Definition
highly concentrated, typically found near the earth's surface, and great potential for resource use
Term
low-quality matter
Definition
not highly concentrated, often located deep underground, little potential for use as a resource
Term
physical change
Definition
a change in which the chemical composition of matter does not change
Term
chemical change
Definition
changes the arrangement of atoms or ions within molecules of the involved substances
Term
nuclear changes
Definition
changes in the nuclei of matter's atoms
Term
law of the conservation of matter
Definition
where a physical or chemical change occurs, no atoms are created or destroyed
Term
energy
Definition
capacity to do work or transfer heat
Term
kinetic energy
Definition
moving matter with mass and velocity
Term
heat
Definition
total kinetic energy of all moving atoms, ions, or molecules within a given substance
Term
potential energy
Definition
stored energy potentially available for use
Term
energy quality
Definition
measure of an energy source's capacity to do useful work
Term
law of conservation of energy
Definition
when energy is converted from one form to another in a physical or chemical change, no energy is created or destroyed
Term
second law of thermodynamics
Definition
when energy changes from one form to another, we always end up with lower-quality or less usable energy than we started with
Term
energy efficiency
Definition
measure of how much useful work is accomplished by a particular input of energy into a system
Term
system
Definition
set of components that function and interact in some regular way
Term
positive feedback loop
Definition
causes a sstem to change further in the same direction
Term
negative feedback loop
Definition
causes a system to change in the opposite direction from which it is moving
Term
tipping point
Definition
causes a fundamental shift in the behavior of a system
Term
synergistic interaction
Definition
occurs when two or more processes interact so that the combined effect is greater than the sum of their separate effects
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