8th Grade Science Vocabulary List Scientific Method • Lab Safety • Lab Measurement • Metric Conversion

Observation

Using your senses to gather information.

Hypothesis

A testable prediction about what will happen.

Variable

Any factor that can change in an experiment.

Independent Variable

The one factor you purposely change.

Dependent Variable

The factor that changes and gets measured.

Controlled Variable

Factors kept the same in every trial.

Control Group

The group used for comparison; gets no treatment.

Experimental Group

The group that receives the treatment being tested.

Data

Facts and information collected during an experiment.

Conclusion

A summary of whether the data supported the hypothesis.

Safety Goggles

Protective eyewear that shields eyes from chemicals and debris.

Lab Apron

Protective clothing that shields skin and clothes from spills.

Eyewash Station

Equipment used to rinse chemicals out of the eyes.

Emergency Shower

Equipment used to rinse a large spill off the body.

Fire Extinguisher

A device used to put out a small fire.

Fire Blanket

A fireproof blanket used to smother flames.

Hazard Symbol

A picture that warns of a specific danger.

Safety Data Sheet (SDS)

A document with safety facts about a chemical.

Fume Hood

A ventilated space that removes harmful gases.

Contamination

When unwanted material makes a substance unsafe.

Eye Hazard

Wear safety goggles at all times.

Fire Hazard

Tie back hair; keep flammables away.

Chemical Safety

Rinse skin immediately if contacted.

Electrical Hazard

Keep equipment away from water.

Breakage Hazard

Handle glassware with care.

Animal Safety

Wash hands after handling animals.

Graduated Cylinder

A tool used to measure the volume of liquids.

Triple Beam Balance

An instrument used to measure mass.

Meniscus

The curved surface of a liquid; read at eye level.

Volume

The amount of space matter occupies.

Mass

The amount of matter in an object.

Length

The measurement of distance between two points.

Precision

How close repeated measurements are to each other.

Accuracy

How close a measurement is to the true value.

Estimation

Making a reasonable guess about a measurement.

Calibration

Adjusting an instrument so it gives accurate readings.

Metric System

A decimal-based system of measurement used in science.

Meter (m)

The base unit of length.

Liter (L)

The base unit of volume.

Gram (g)

The base unit of mass.

Kilo- (k)

A prefix meaning 1,000 times the base unit.

Centi- (c)

A prefix meaning 1/100 of the base unit.

Milli- (m)

A prefix meaning 1/1,000 of the base unit.

Base Unit

The starting unit before a prefix is added.

Conversion Factor

A ratio used to change one unit into another.

Significant Figures

The digits in a measurement that show its precision.