Middle School NH SAS Science Vocabulary

absorb

to take something in, such as water or light

analyze

to closely study data to identify patterns and trends

asexual reproduction

when one organism reproduces to make an identical copy of itself

atmospheric process

the transfer of energy and matter in the atmosphere, such as convection or the water cycle

atom

the smallest particle of an element that has the properties of the element

cell

the smallest unit of life; what makes up the structures and carries out the functions of living things

chemical reaction

a process in which one or more substance (reactants) changes into a new substance of substances (products)

constraints

a limitation

criteria

a standard on which a judgment or decision may be based

data

information observed or measured in a scientific investigation that is analyzed to draw conclusions

dynamic relationship

an interaction between systems, such as organisms or ecosystems, that changes over time

ecosystem

all the nonliving factors and living organisms interacting in an area

force

a push or pull acting on an object

fossil

a preserved remain or trace of an organism that lived long ago

gene

a piece of DNA that codes for a protein or trait

genetic variation

the differences in DNA between individuals within a population

geologic process

the transfer of energy and matter in the geosphere, such as erosion, the rock cycle, or earthquakes

geologic time scale

the timeline of earth's history, from its formation to present day

geoscience

the study of the Earth

graphic mathematical model

a representation of a mathematical equation using a graph

graphical display

maps, charts, graphs, or tables that can be used to analyze and interpret data

gravity

the force of attraction that exists between all matter

interpret

to determine the meaning of data

investigation

an experiment used to test an idea or explain how something works

kinetic energy

the energy an object or particle has because of its motion

mass

the amount of matter in an object

model

a reprensentation of a concept or thing that is too big, small, or complex to observe directly

mutation

a change in a gene

natural resource

something produced by nature that can be used for human benefit

offspring

the child of a parent

particle

a very small piece of matter, such as an atom

pattern

a repeating and predictable trend

population

all the organisms of a species living in an area

probability

that chance that something will happen

product

the substance or substances that result of a chemical reaction

reactant

The substance or substances that are changed in a chemical reaction

reflect

to move in one direction, hit a surface, and then quickly move in a different and usually opposite direction

reproduction

the process of one or more organisms producing offspring similar or identical to themselves

scale properties

properties such as size or mass

sexual reproduction

when two organisms reproduce to make similar offspring

solar system

the sun and the objects that orbit it, such as planets, their moons, and asteroids

solution

a mixture produced by one substance dissolving in another

speed

distrance traveled in a given amount of time

thermal energy

the total kinetic energy of a sample of matter

trait

an inherited characteristic

transmit

to pass something from one thing to another, such as traits from parent to offspring or energy through a wave

wave characteristics

speed, wavelength (distance between one wave and another), and frequency (number of waves that pass a point in a given amount of time)

wave energy

the energy transmitted by waves, which increases with increased frequency

emit

Controlled Experiment

experiment in which only one variable is changed

ammeter

a device used to measure current