Science Process Skills, Scientific Investigation, States of Matter, and Changes

A set of vocabulary flashcards based on lecture notes detailing science process skills, steps in a scientific investigation, states of matter and phase changes, and the characteristics of physical and chemical changes.

Science Process Skills

The foundational thinking tools used to conduct investigations and solve problems.

Observing

The most basic skill in science, which involves using the five senses to gather facts and information about your surroundings.

Inferring

Using past experiences to make explanations about objects, events, or living things.

Predicting

An educated guess based on good observations and inferences.

Classifying

Grouping objects according to their similarities and differences.

Measuring

A science skill that is important in collecting, comparing, and interpreting data.

Communicating

Sharing results using ways such as graphs, diagrams, and maps.

Scientific Investigation

A careful, organized way of finding answers to questions and testing observations in our surroundings.

Scientific Method

An organized set of steps that scientists use to research, discover facts, and verify the work of other scientists around the world.

Background Research

Finding out what is already known about your topic before making a hypothesis.

Hypothesis

A smart guess or possible answer you can think about for your question.

Experiment

Testing a hypothesis using tools, following steps, and observing.

Matter

Anything that takes up space and has mass.

Melting

A phase change where heat is added and a substance changes state from solid to liquid.

Freezing

A phase change where heat is removed and a substance changes state from liquid to solid.

Evaporation

A phase change where heat is added and a substance changes state from liquid to gas.

Condensation

A phase change where heat is removed and a substance changes state from gas to liquid.

Deposition

A phase change where heat is removed and a substance changes state directly from gas to solid.

Sublimation

A phase change where heat is added and a substance changes state directly from solid to gas.

Physical Change

A change that affects the appearance or state of a substance without changing what it is, which is often reversible with small energy changes.

Chemical Change

A change that happens when a substance turns into something completely new, usually irreversible with large energy changes.

Precipitate

A solid that can be produced as a result of a chemical change.