Science Tech Bowl Study Guide

Sections: General, Astronomy/Physics, Earth Science, Chemistry, Biology, Biotechnology/Medicine

Hypothesis

A testable, educated prediction about the outcome of an experiment.

Theory

A well-supported explanation based on repeated experiments and evidence.

Scientific Law

A statement describing a consistent natural phenomenon (often mathematical).

Experiment

A controlled procedure used to test a hypothesis.

Data

Information collected from observations or experiments.

Quantitative Data

Numerical data such as measurements and counts.

Qualitative Data

Descriptive, non-numerical data (e.g., color, texture, behavior).

Scientific Method

A step-by-step process: question → hypothesis → experiment → analyze data → conclusion.

International System of Units (SI)

The modern metric system used worldwide for science.

Metric System

A base-10 measurement system using meters, grams, and liters.

Imperial System

Measurement system used mainly in the U.S. (feet, pounds, gallons).

Mole (mol)

$6.022 \times 10^{23}$ particles of a substance (Avogadro’s number).

Gram (g)

Metric unit of mass.

Liter (L)

Metric unit of volume.

Meter (m)

SI unit of length.

Second (s)

SI unit of time.

Joule (J)

SI unit of energy.

Watt (W)

Unit of power (1 joule per second).

Calorie (cal)

Unit of energy; 1 calorie raises 1 g of water by 1°C.

Newton (N)

SI unit of force.

Volt (V)

Unit of electrical potential (electric pressure).

Ampere (A)

Unit of electric current.

Ohm (Ω)

Unit of electrical resistance.

Pascal (Pa)

SI unit of pressure.

Torr

Unit of pressure equal to 1 mmHg.

Atmosphere (atm)

Standard air pressure at sea level (101,325 Pa).

Kelvin (K)

SI unit of temperature; absolute temperature scale.

Celsius (°C)

Temperature scale based on water freezing at 0° and boiling at 100°.

Metric Prefixes

Nano (n) = $10^{-9}$; Micro (μ) = $10^{-6}$; Milli (m) = $10^{-3}$; Centi (c) = $10^{-2}$; Deci (d) = $10^{-1}$; Deca (da) = $10^{1}$; Hecto (h) = $10^{2}$; Kilo (k) = $10^{3}$; Mega (M) = $10^{6}$; Giga (G) = $10^{9}$.

Fundamental SI Units

Meter (length), Kilogram (mass), Second (time), Ampere (current), Kelvin (temperature), Mole (amount of substance), Candela (luminous intensity).

Imperial Units

Foot = 12 inches; Yard = 3 feet; Mile = 5,280 feet; Pound (lb) = Unit of weight/mass in imperial system; Gallon = Unit of liquid volume (U.S. gallon = 3.785 L).

Four Fundamental Forces

Gravitational, Electromagnetic, Strong nuclear, Weak nuclear.

Gravity

Force of attraction between objects with mass.

Richter Scale

Logarithmic scale measuring earthquake magnitude.

Earthquake

Sudden ground shaking from tectonic plate movement.

Bomb Cyclone

Rapidly intensifying low-pressure storm.

Cumulus Cloud

Fluffy, cotton-like cloud formed by rising warm air.

Lightning

Sudden electrical discharge in the atmosphere.

Erosion

Movement of soil/rock by wind, water, or ice.

Igneous Rocks

Formed from cooled magma or lava.

Sedimentary Rocks

Formed from compacted sediments.

Metamorphic Rocks

Formed when rocks change under heat and pressure.

Crystals

Solids with repeating atomic structure.

Minerals

Naturally occurring inorganic solids with definite composition.

Canyons

Deep valleys formed by erosion.

Oceans

Large bodies of saltwater covering most of Earth.

Geysers

Hot springs that erupt water and steam.

Volcanoes

Openings where magma reaches Earth’s surface.

Mountains

Large landforms formed by tectonic forces.

Pacific Ring of Fire

Area around Pacific Ocean with frequent volcanoes and earthquakes.

Fault Lines

Cracks where tectonic plates move.

Tectonic Plates

Large pieces of Earth’s lithosphere.

Atom

The smallest unit of an element that retains its chemical properties.

Element

A pure substance made of one type of atom.

Molecule

Two or more atoms chemically bonded together.

Species (chemical)

A specific atom, ion, or molecule in a reaction.

Ion

An atom or molecule with a net electric charge.

Cation

A positively charged ion (lost electrons).

Anion

A negatively charged ion (gained electrons).

Noble Gas

Group 18 elements; very stable and unreactive.

Metal

Element that is shiny, malleable, conducts heat/electricity, and tends to lose electrons.

Salt

Ionic compound formed from a cation and an anion.

Ionic Bond

Bond formed by transfer of electrons between atoms.

Covalent Bond

Bond formed by sharing electrons.

Metallic Bond

Bond between metal atoms sharing a “sea of electrons.”

Dipole-Dipole Forces

Attraction between polar molecules.

Intermolecular Forces (IMF)

Forces between molecules (weaker than bonds).

Intramolecular Forces

Bonds within a molecule (stronger).

London Dispersion Forces

Weak attractions caused by temporary electron shifts.

Dipole

Separation of positive and negative charge in a molecule.

Induced Dipole

Temporary dipole caused by nearby charge.

Polar Molecule

Molecule with uneven charge distribution.

Non-Polar Molecule

Molecule with equal charge distribution.

Combustion

Reaction with oxygen releasing energy (often fire).

Redox Reaction

Reaction involving transfer of electrons (reduction + oxidation).

Precipitation Reaction

Reaction forming a solid from two solutions.

Acid-Base Reaction

Reaction between acid and base producing salt and water.

Acid

Substance that donates H⁺ ions.

Base

Substance that accepts H⁺ ions or produces OH⁻ ions.

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)

Molecule that stores genetic information.

RNA (Ribonucleic Acid)

Molecule involved in protein synthesis.

Nucleus (cell)

Organelle that contains DNA in eukaryotic cells.

Cell

Basic unit of life.

Cytoplasm

Gel-like material inside the cell.

Organelles

Specialized cell structures with specific functions.

Bacteria

Single-celled prokaryotic organisms.

Mitochondria

“Powerhouse” of cell; produces ATP.

Chloroplasts

Organelle for photosynthesis in plants.

Golgi Apparatus

Modifies and packages proteins.

Ribosomes

Site of protein synthesis.

Vacuoles

Storage organelles.

Cell Membrane

Selectively permeable barrier around cell.

Prokaryote

Cell without nucleus.

Eukaryote

Cell with nucleus.

Protein

Molecule made of amino acids; performs cellular functions.

Enzyme

Protein that speeds up chemical reactions.

Genes

Segments of DNA coding for traits.

Chromosomes

Structures of DNA and protein.

Genome

Entire genetic material of an organism.

Chromatids

Identical halves of a duplicated chromosome.