Science Quiz

Temperature

A measure of the average kinetic energy of all the particles in an object.

Degrees

Equally spaced units between two points, with space differing across scales.

Kevin Scale

A temperature scale developed by Lord Kelvin, used in scientific contexts and based on absolute zero.

Thermal energy

Total kinetic energy of all particles in a substance.

Heat

Transfer of thermal energy from an object at a higher temperature to one at a lower temperature.

Calorie

An amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of 1 g of water by 1 °C at sea level.

Conduction

Transfer of thermal energy from one substance to another through direct contact.

Conductor

A material that transfers heat very well.

Insulator

A material that is a poor conductor of heat.

Convection

Transfer of thermal energy by the movement of a fluid like a liquid or gas.

Radiation

Transfer of thermal energy by electromagnetic waves.

Natural Areas

Places that humans have left alone or restored to a natural state.

Urbanization

The growth of urban areas caused by people moving into cities.

Decomposers

Organisms that break down dead animal and plant material.

Land degradation

Process by which human activity and natural processes damage land, impairing its ability to support ecosystems.

Urban sprawl

When urbanization occurs at the edge of a city or town.

Erosion

Process by which wind, water, or gravity transport soil and sediment.

Desertification

Process by which land becomes more desert-like and unable to support life.

Deforestation

Removal of trees and other vegetation from an area.

Atomic number

Number of protons in the nucleus of an atom.

Mass number

Total number of protons and neutrons in an atom's nucleus.

Absolute Dating

The actual age of an event or object in years.

Nuclear reaction

A change that affects the nucleus of an atom.

Radioactive decay

Unstable isotopes that break down into stable isotopes.

Half life

The time needed for half of a radioactive sample to decay into daughter isotopes.

Finding the absolute age of a sample

Determining the relative percentages of a radioactive parent isotope and a stable daughter isotope.

Transportaiton

The process by which passengers or goods are moved or delivered form one place to another

recreation

something done for fun, a hobby, or a game

commerce

the buying and selling of goods

residential

used or designed for the place where people live

industrial

Of, relating to, resulting from industry, such as factories

agriculture

farming