All Science June Vocab

Ohm's Law Triangle (V at top, I and R at bottom)

V = Voltage / Potential Difference (Volts, V). I = Current (Amperes, A). R = Electrical Resistance (Ohms). Formulas: V = I * R, I = V / R, R = V / I

Electrical Power Triangle (P at top, V and I at bottom)

P = Electrical Power (Watts, W). V = Voltage / Potential Difference (Volts, V). I = Current (Amperes, A). Formulas: P = V * I, V = P / I, I = P / V

Electrical Energy Triangle (E at top, P and t at bottom)

E = Electrical Energy (Joules, J or Kilowatt-hours, kWh). P = Power (Watts, W or Kilowatts, kW). t = Time (seconds, s or hours, h). Formulas: E = P * t, P = E / t, t = E / P

Electrical energy

The energy converted from electron movement or flow through an electrical circuit.

Mechanical energy

The sum of potential energy and kinetic energy in a system; energy associated with the motion and position of an object.

Kinetic energy

The energy of motion.

Potential energy

Stored energy due to an object's position, state, or structure.

Thermal energy

Kinetic energy due to the random motion of atoms and molecules; perceived as heat.

Chemical energy

Potential energy stored in the chemical bonds of compounds, released during reactions.

Solar energy

Radiant energy emitted by the sun, which can be captured as heat or electricity.

Nuclear fusion

A nuclear reaction where light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing massive amounts of energy (occurs in the sun).

Nuclear fission

A nuclear reaction where a heavy nucleus splits into smaller parts, releasing energy (used in nuclear power plants).

Generator system

A system that transforms mechanical energy into electrical energy, often using a magnet revolving inside a coil of wire.

Photovoltaic cells

Solar cells that directly convert light/solar energy into electrical energy.

Action-at-a-distance forces

Forces that can act on an object without physical contact (e.g., electrostatic force, gravity, magnetism).

Charging by conduction

Transferring an electric charge from one charged object to a neutral object through direct physical contact.

Charging by induction

Rearranging charges in a neutral object by bringing a charged object nearby without touching it.

Conductors

Materials that allow electrons/electric charges to flow through them easily (e.g., metals like copper).

Contact forces

Forces that act on an object only through physical contact.

Coulomb

The standard unit of electric charge, equal to the quantity of electricity conveyed by a current of one ampere in one second.

Electric force

The attractive or repulsive force between two charged objects.

Electrons

Negatively charged subatomic particles that orbit the nucleus of an atom; their movement creates electrical current.

Force

A push or a pull exerted on an object.

Grounding

The process of connecting a charged object to Earth's surface via a conductor to safely remove excess charge.

Insulators

Materials that do not allow electrons/electric charges to flow through them easily (e.g., rubber, plastic, wood).

Laws of static charge

1. Like charges repel. 2. Opposite charges attract. 3. Charged objects attract neutral objects.

Charge

A fundamental property of matter that can be positive, negative, or neutral.

Static charge

An electric charge that builds up on the surface of an object rather than flowing through it.

Van de Graaff generator

A device that uses a moving belt to build up high levels of static charge on a hollow metal sphere.

Amperes (Amps)

The unit of measurement for electric current (A).

Circuit diagrams

Simplified drawings that use standard symbols to show components and pathways of an electrical circuit.

Current

The rate of flow of electric charge.

Electricity

A form of energy resulting from the existence or flow of charged particles.

Electric circuit

A continuous, closed path along which an electric current can flow.

Electric current

The continuous flow of electrons through a conductor.

Electric load

Any component in a circuit that converts electrical energy into another form of energy (e.g., light bulb, motor).

Electric potential

The electrical potential energy per unit charge.

Energy

The ability to do work or cause change.

Electrical resistance

A property of a material that opposes or hinders the flow of electric current (R, measured in Ohms).

Electrochemical cells

Devices that convert chemical energy into electrical energy (e.g., batteries).

Electrodes

The solid conductors in an electrochemical cell that carry electrical current into or out of the cell (anode and cathode).

Electrolyte

A liquid or paste that conducts electricity because it contains ions; found inside electrochemical cells.

Ohm's law

States that voltage across a conductor is directly proportional to the current flowing through it (V = IR).

Potential difference

The difference in electrical potential energy between two points in a circuit; also known as voltage.

Resistance

The property of a substance that hinders the motion of electric charges (R).

Resistor

An electrical component designed to introduce a specific amount of resistance into a circuit to control current or voltage.

Volt

The standard unit of measurement for voltage / potential difference (V).

Voltage

The electrical potential difference between two points, driving the flow of current.

Electrical power

The rate at which electrical energy is transformed into another form of energy (P, measured in Watts).

Joule

The standard SI unit of energy (J).

Junction point

A location in a circuit where a circuit splits into multiple paths or where multiple paths rejoin (found in parallel circuits).

Kilowatt-hour

A unit of electrical energy commonly used by utility companies for billing purposes (kWh).

Parallel circuit

An electric circuit with multiple paths for the current to flow.

Power

The rate at which work is done or energy is transformed.

Series circuit

An electric circuit with only one path for the current to flow.

Watt

The standard SI unit of power, equal to one Joule per second (W).

Sustainable energy system

A system that extracts and uses energy in a way that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs.

Non-renewable sources

Energy sources that exist in limited amounts and are depleted faster than they can form (e.g., coal, oil, natural gas).

Renewable sources

Energy sources that can be naturally replenished in a short period of time (e.g., solar, wind, hydro).

Phantom load

The electricity consumed by an electronic device or appliance while it is turned off or in standby mode.

Smart meter

An electronic device that records consumption of electric energy in intervals and communicates that information back to the utility company.

EBM (Ecosystem Based Management)

An environmental management approach that considers the entire ecosystem, including humans, to ensure sustainability.

Biosphere

The zone of Earth where all living organisms exist.

Geosphere

The solid parts of the Earth, including the crust, mantle, and core.

Hydrosphere

All of the water on, under, or above the Earth's surface (oceans, lakes, ice, vapor).

Atmosphere

The layer of gases surrounding the Earth.

Abiotic factors

Non-living physical and chemical elements in an ecosystem (e.g., sunlight, water, temperature, soil).

Biotic factors

Living or once-living parts of an ecosystem (e.g., plants, animals, bacteria).

Biodiversity

The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem.

Water cycle

The continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth. Includes Evaporation (liquid to gas), Condensation (gas to liquid), Precipitation (rain, snow, etc.), and Transpiration (vapor from plants).

Ecosystems

Communities of living organisms interacting with their non-living environment.

Food chains / webs / pyramids

Chain: Single linear path of energy flow. Web: Network of interconnected food chains. Pyramid: Graphical representation showing biomass or energy at each trophic level.

Producers

Organisms that produce their own food from sunlight or chemicals (autotrophs).

Trophic level

The position an organism occupies in a food chain or web (e.g., producer, primary consumer).

Primary / secondary / tertiary consumers

Primary: Herbivores eating producers. Secondary: Carnivores/omnivores eating primary consumers. Tertiary: Top predators eating secondary consumers.

Decomposers

Organisms that break down dead or decaying organisms chemically (e.g., fungi, bacteria).

Detrivores

Organisms that ingest and digest dead organic matter physically (e.g., earthworms, woodlice).

Omnivores

Organisms that eat both plants and animals.

Herbivores

Organisms that eat primarily plants/producers.

Carnivores

Organisms that eat primarily other animals.

Stores

Accumulations of nutrients or matter in a specific part of an ecosystem (also called reservoirs, like carbon stored in forests or oceans).

Photosynthesis

Process where plants use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to create oxygen and energy in the form of sugar.

Cellular respiration

Process where cells break down glucose and oxygen to release energy, producing carbon dioxide and water as waste.

Complementary processes

Processes that balance each other out (e.g., photosynthesis and cellular respiration cycle carbon and oxygen between living things and the atmosphere).

Decomposition

The state or process of rotting; breaking down organic matter into simpler chemical parts.

Greenhouse gas / effect

Gases in the atmosphere trap heat from the sun, keeping Earth warm. An increase in these gases amplifies the effect, leading to global warming.

Nitrogen fixation

The process of converting nitrogen gas (N2) from the atmosphere into forms that plants can absorb, like ammonium (NH4+) or nitrates (NO3-), usually done by bacteria.

Denitrification

The process where soil bacteria convert nitrates back into nitrogen gas (N2), releasing it back into the atmosphere.

Algal blooms

A rapid increase or accumulation in the population of algae in freshwater or marine water systems, often caused by nutrient runoff.

Weathering

The breaking down or dissolving of rocks and minerals on Earth's surface by physical, chemical, or biological processes.

Leaching

The process of water dissolving and carrying soluble substances or nutrients down through soil or rock layers.

Phosphorous cycle

The movement of phosphorus through the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere (does not have a significant atmospheric component).

Water pollution

The contamination of water bodies (lakes, rivers, oceans, groundwater) usually as a result of human activities.

Bioaccumulation

The gradual accumulation of a toxic chemical or substance inside a single organism's body over time.

Biomagnification

The increasing concentration of a toxic chemical at higher levels of a food chain as predators eat contaminated prey.

Bioremediation

The use of living organisms (such as microbes or plants) to clean up or neutralize contaminated environments or pollutants.

Sustainability

Meeting our own needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, ensuring ecological balance.

Ecosystem services

The direct and indirect benefits that ecosystems provide to humans (e.g., clean drinking water, crop pollination, air purification).

Smart growth

An urban planning approach that concentrates growth in compact urban centers to avoid sprawl and protect green spaces/ecosystems.

Bias

A disproportionate weight in favor of or against an idea or thing, usually in a way that is closed-minded or unfair.