Download First Semester Vocabulary

Physical Properties Vocabulary
matter – anything that has mass and takes up space
mass – the amount of matter in an object; measured by a balance
volume – the amount of space taken up by matter
relative density – refers to whether an object will sink or float
texture – how a substance feels
odor – how a substance smells
solid – a state of matter that has a fixed shape and volume
liquid – a state of matter that has a fixed volume but its shape changes to match the shape of
its container
9. gas – a state of matter that does not have a fixed shape or volume
10. physical property – a characteristic of matter that can be observed or measured
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Matter: Mixtures & Solutions
1. mixture - a combination of two or more substances that do not join together to form a new
substance; can be separated EASILY
2. solution – a mixture in which the substances are spread out evenly between one another and
cannot be told apart; both substances are still there but you cannot see them (salt + water)
3. dissolve – to form a solution with another substance
4. solubility – the ability of a substance to dissolve in another substance
5. alloy – a solution of different metals (copper + zinc = brass)
6. temperature – the amount of energy in a substance; measured with a thermometer in degrees
Celsius (◦C)
7. mass – the amount of matter in an object; measured using a balance in grams (g)
8. volume – the amount of space taken up by matter; can be measured directly (cm 3) or using the
water displacement method (mL)
9. weight – the measure of the amount of gravity acting on an object’s mass; measured using a
spring scale in Newtons (N)
10. physical property – a characteristic of matter that can be observed or measured and can be
changed without changing the matter itself
Forms of Energy Vocabulary
source of energy – the place where energy comes from
energy – the ability to do work; can change from one form to another
solar energy – energy from the sun; used by plants to make food
mechanical energy – the energy of motion; can be used to generate electricity or motion
thermal energy – heat energy; used to heat homes, cook food, and generate electricity
light – energy that travels in waves and can move through empty space; can also have
thermal energy
7. sound – energy that can be heard and is made by vibrating objects; used in sonar to locate
things that may be hidden
8. electrical energy – energy made by electric charges; used to create heat and light in our
homes and businesses
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9. chemical energy – energy stored in chemical bonds; we use this form of energy every time
we eat or use a battery
10. fossil fuel – a natural resource that contains chemical energy; when burned the chemical
energy is released
Light Vocabulary
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light – energy that travels in waves and can move through empty space
reflection – bouncing of light from a surface
refraction – the bending of light through an object
lens – a curved, transparent object that bends light rays
convex lens – bends light toward each other creating a focal point; light rays cross each
other creating
an x shape
6. concave lens – bends light rays away from each other; light rays create a v shape
7. prism – a transparent object that refracts white light and creates a rainbow
8. conductor – a substance that allows heat and electricity to easily pass through it; examples
include metals such as copper
9. insulator - a substance that does not allow heat and electricity to easily pass through it;
examples include plastic and rubber (glass will not conduct electricity, but will conduct heat)
10. thermal energy – heat energy
Electricity Vocabulary
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electricity - a form of energy produced inside particles of matter
circuit - the path through which an electric current moves
current - the movement or flow of electricity in a certain path
conductor - a substance that allows electricity or heat to easily pass through it
insulator - a substance that does not allow electricity or heat to easily pass through it
electromagnet - a temporary magnet made when a coil of wire is attached to a battery and
wrapped around iron
7. open circuit – no current flows; there is not a complete path for the electricity to flow
8. closed circuit – current flows; there is a complete path for the electricity to flow
9. battery – a source of electrical energy
10. source of energy – the place where energy comes from
Force & Motion Vocabulary
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force - a push or pull on an object
motion - movement
friction - a force that works against motion
gravity - a force that pulls objects toward one another
work - happens when a force moves an object over a distance
inertia - the tendency of an object to resist a change in its motion; moving keeps moving; at
rest remains at rest
7. displacement - happens when one object pushes away or takes the place of another object
8. magnetism - a force that pulls magnetic objects
9. energy - the ability to do work
10. simple machine – an object used to make work easier; tools – hammer, pulley, screw driver
Changes to Earth’s Surface Vocabulary
1. weathering – the breaking down of rock on the surface of the Earth, usually by the force of
water, wind, or ice
2. erosion – the movement of weathered particles by water, wind, or ice
3. deposition – the process by which materials that have been eroded are dropped in a new place
4. glacier – a huge piece of ice that slowly moves across the surface of the Earth and remains
frozen during the entire year
5. earthquake – the shaking of the Earth’s crust caused by large pieces of rock underneath the
Earth’s surface moving against each other
6. volcano – a mountain made from hardened lava, rocks, and ash that erupted from underneath
the Earth’s surface
7. landslide – occurs when gravity pulls down some of the land on the slope of a hill
8. delta – a large, flat area of land at the mouth of a river formed by the deposition of sediments
9. canyon – the high walls along a river and the river itself
10. sand dune – a hill of sand formed by the deposition of sand by the wind
Rocks, Soil, & Fossils
1. fossil – the remains of a plant or animal that lived long ago
2. soil – a material made up of tiny pieces of weathered rock
3. sedimentary rock – rock that forms when sediments are pressed together
4. humus – decaying plant and animal material in the soil
5. loam – soil rich in nutrients that is good for plant growth
6. soil texture – the size of soil particles
7. clay – material made of very small grains of minerals
8. topsoil – the top layer of soil where plants grow
9. organic – from living matter; anything that was living or was part of a living organism
10. inorganic – not living; any matter that never was living or was never part of a living thing
Water Cycle Vocabulary
1. water cycle – the change of water from one state to another as it travels from Earth’s surface
to the atmosphere and back
2. evaporation – The process by which a liquid changes to a gas (when water “disappears” from
the ground)
3. condensation – The process by which gas changes into a liquid, such as water vapor changing
to water (clouds, fog, dew, the ‘sweat’ on a coke can)
4. precipitation – water falling to the surface of the Earth in the form of rain, snow, sleet, or hail
5. respiration – the process in which animals release water vapor into the air when they breathe
6. transpiration – the process of water vapor leaving a plant and entering the atmosphere
7. surface water – water on top of Earth’s surface; includes rivers, lakes, and oceans
8. groundwater – water below Earth’s surface; aquifer
9. runoff – the water flow that occurs when water is pulled across the Earth’s surface to the
lowest point, usually a ditch, stream, or river
10. accumulation – to collect or pile up; water accumulates in ditches, streams, rivers, lakes, and
oceans