Principles and Applications of Science I

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary and definitions related to the principles and applications of science.

Atom

The smallest unit of matter that retains the properties of an element.

Electron

A negatively charged particle that orbits the nucleus of an atom.

Chemical Bonding

The lasting attraction between atoms that enables the formation of chemical compounds.

Ionic Bonding

The electrostatic attraction between positively and negatively charged ions.

Covalent Bonding

A chemical bond that involves the sharing of electron pairs between atoms.

Hydrogen Bonding

A weak bond between two molecules resulting from an electrostatic attraction between a proton in one molecule and an electronegative atom in another.

Electromagnetic Waves

A type of wave that carries electromagnetic radiant energy, which includes visible light, radio waves, X-rays, etc.

Wavelength (λ)

The distance between successive crests of a wave.

Frequency (f)

The number of oscillations (cycles) that occur in a second.

Refractive Index (n)

A measure of how much the speed of light is reduced inside a medium compared to a vacuum.

Total Internal Reflection

The complete reflection of a ray of light within a medium when the angle of incidence exceeds a certain critical angle.

Cell Theory

The theory that all living organisms are composed of cells, and that cells are the fundamental unit of life.

Prokaryotic Cell

A type of cell that lacks a membrane-bound nucleus and organelles, typically found in unicellular organisms like bacteria.

Eukaryotic Cell

A type of cell that contains a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, found in multicellular organisms.

Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

An organelle responsible for protein and lipid synthesis, existing in rough and smooth forms.

Mitochondria

Organelles known as the powerhouses of the cell, where ATP is produced through respiration.

Chloroplast

An organelle in plant cells that conducts photosynthesis, converting solar energy into chemical energy.

Vesicle

A small membrane-bound sac that transports substances within or outside of a cell.

Neurotransmitter

Chemical messengers that transmit signals across a chemical synapse from one neuron to another.

Hydrophobic Effect

The tendency of nonpolar substances to aggregate in aqueous solution and exclude water molecules.

Energy Level

The specific energy that electrons possess when they occupy a certain orbit in an atom.

Oscillation

A repeated back-and-forth movement around a central point.

Diffraction

The bending of waves around obstacles or openings, leading to interference patterns.

Stationary Wave

A wave that does not progress and has nodes and antinodes, typically formed when two waves of the same frequency travel in opposite directions.