General Science

Reviewer from RECET

independent variable

variable changed by the experimenter.

dependent variable

variable that responds to the variable that is changed in the experiment.

experimental group

groups that receive treatment.

control group

opposite of experimental group.

hypothesis

it is what we think the answer to the question is and should be stated in terms of the variables defined.

scientific law

description of a natural occurrence that has been observed many times.

scientific law

reasonable explanation of a scientific; derived from a hypothesis supported by repeated testing.

scientific model

helps visualize occurrences and objects that cannot be observed directly.

metric system

used in all measurements for its convenience and simplicity.

mass

kilogram (kg)

length

meter (m)

time

seconds (s)

amount of substance

mole (mol)

temperature

kelvin (K)

electric current

ampere (A)

luminous intensity

candela (cd)

mega

exponential factor 10^6

kilo

exponential factor 10^3

deka

exponential factor 10^2

hector

exponential factor 10^1

base unit

exponential factor 10^0

deci

exponential factor 10^-1

centi

exponential factor 10^-2

milli

exponential factor 10^-3

micro

exponential factor 10^-6

lithosphere

solid part and the largest portion of earth

hydrosphere

liquid part of earth, covers around 71% of earths surface

atmosphere

gaseous portion that envelops the earth

biosphere

the region where living things are found

igneous rock

formed from hardened magma and lava. examples are: rhyolite, granite, basalt

sedimentary

formed from deposited fragments or particles of other rocks that have been weathered and eroded. examples are: limestone, conglomerate, dolomite, shale

metamorphic

rocks that have undergone changes in due to heat and pressure. examples are: marble (from limestone), slate (from shale)

rocks

are made up of minerals which are either elements or compounds

weathering

term for all processes which combine to cause disintegration and chemical alteration of rocks at or near earth’s surface

erosion

includes all the processes of loosening, removal, and transportation which tend to wear away the earth’s surface.

lithification

conversion of unconsolidated sediment into solid rock.

meteorology

study of the earth’s atmosphere, weather, and climate.

weather

the daily condition of the Earth;s atmosphere.

climate

general conditions of temperature and precipitation in a large area over a long period of time.

nitrogen

78% of gas in the atmosphere. this reacts with chemicals in the air to produce nitrates and is used by living things for protein manufacturing.

oxygen

21% of gas in the atmosphere. used for respiration and combustion processes.

other gases

<1% of gas in the atmosphere. includes water vapor, carbon dioxide and oxygen.

troposphere

layer characterized by diverse life forms, varying weather conditions, and the lowest temperature.