Threshold level or tipping point
Time delays can also allow an environmental problem to build slowly until it reaches a tipping point.
Convection
The movement of heat within liquids and gases from warmer to cooler portions.
Polymers
Created when multiple monomers come together through chemical bonds.
Proteins
Created by monomers called amino acids.
Complex carbohydrates
Such as cellulose and starch, consist of two or more monomers of simple sugars such as glucose.
Negative or corrective feedback loop
Causes a system to change in the opposite direction from which is it moving.
Paradigm shift
When new ideas overturn old ideas or theories.
Hypothesis
Tentative explanation that still requires more evidence to support it.
Molecule
A combination of two or more atoms of the same or different element held together by a chemical bond.
Genes
Sequences of nucleotides in DNA molecules.
Deductive reasoning
Using logic to get to a certain conclusion.
Wavelength
Distance between successive peaks or troughs in the wave.
Trait
Each code of genetic information creates this and its a characteristic thats given to the offspring by the parent.
Nuclear fission
When hit by neutrons, the heavy nuclei of some isotopes are broken up into lighter ones.
Flows and throughputs
Matter and energy within the system of certain rates.
Lipids
Include fats and waxes, essential for life.
Electromagnetic radiation
Another form of kinetic energy.
Radiation
The emission of electromagnetic energy.
Time delays
Complex systems often show between the input of a feedback stimulus and the response to it.
Compounds
Combinations of two or more different elements held together in fixed proportions.
Generalization
________ or premise: all birds have feathers.
Inductive reasoning
Involves using specific observations and measurements to arrive at a general conclusion or hypothesis.
Nucleus
Contains one or more protons and, in most cases, one or more neutrons.
Chromosome
Thousands of genes make one of these.
Potential energy
This is stored and potentially available for use.
Matter quality
The usefulness of a resource to us based on its availability and concentration.
Chemical formula
Show the number of each type of atom or ion in a compound.
Isotopes
Forms of an element having the same atomic number but different mass numbers.
Scientific law or law of nature
A well-tested and widely accepted description of what we find happening over and over against in the same way in nature.
Nucleic acids
Formed by monomers called nucleotides (DNA /RNA)
Natural radioactive decay
Isotopes spontaneously emit fast-moving subatomic particles, high-energy radiation such as gamma rays, or both.
Nuclear fusion
Nuclear change in which two isotopes of light elements are forced together at high temperatures until they make a heavier nucleus.
Science
Understanding how nature functions and then using that understanding to forecast what is likely to occur in nature
Scientific Hypothesis
A possible or testable explanation
Experiment
Tests done under controlled conditions and can be used to gather information and test ideas
Scientific Theory
A well-tested and widely accepted scientific hypothesis or a group of related hypotheses
Inductive reasoning
Involves using specific observations and measurements to arrive at a general conclusion or hypothesis
Example
After dropping multiple objects from different heights we can conclude that objects will drop to the ground when we let them go
Deductive reasoning
Using logic to get to a certain conclusion
Generalization or premise
all birds have feathers
Example
Eagles are birds
Deductive conclusion
Eagles have feathers
Tentative science or frontier science
Ideas that havent been peer-reviewed or widely tested and arent reliable
Reliable science
Ideas that have data to support them and are accepted by scientists
Unreliable science
Ideas that have not been tested widely or by others
Matter
Anything that has mass and takes up space
Elements
Each one of which is a fundamental material with a distinct set of qualities that cannot be chemically broken down into smaller chemicals
Compounds
Combinations of two or more different elements held together in fixed proportions
Atom
The most basic building block of matter
Atomic theory
The idea that all elements are made up of atoms
Atomic number
Equal to the number of protons in the nucleus of its atom
Mass number
The total number of neutrons and protons in its nucleus
Nucleus
Contains one or more protons and, in most cases, one or more neutrons
Isotopes
Forms of an element having the same atomic number but different mass numbers
Ion
Second building block of matter
Acidity
A chemical property that influences how an object dissolved in water will interact with and change its surroundings
pH
Measure of acidity
Below 7
Acidic solution
Exactly 7
Neutral solution
Above 7
Base solution
Molecule
A combination of two or more atoms of the same or different element held together by a chemical bond
Chemical formula
Show the number of each type of atom or ion in a compound
Organic compounds
Contain at least 2 carbon atoms and combine with atoms of one or more elements
Inorganic compounds
Any other compounds that do not classify under an organic compound are put under this classification
Macromolecules
Larger and more complex organic compounds are composed of this
Polymers
Created when multiple monomers come together through chemical bonds
Monomers
Simple organic molecules
Complex carbohydrates
Such as cellulose and starch, consist of two or more monomers of simple sugars such as glucose
Genes
Sequences of nucleotides in DNA molecules
Chromosome
Thousands of genes make one of these
Matter quality
The usefulness of a resource to us based on its availability and concentration
Natural radioactive decay
Isotopes spontaneously emit fast-moving subatomic particles, high energy radiation such as gamma rays, or both
Nuclear fission
When hit by neutrons, the heavy nuclei of some isotopes are broken up into lighter ones
Nuclear fusion
Nuclear change in which two isotopes of light elements are forced together at high temperatures until they make a heavier nucleus
Law of conservation of matter
No atoms are generated or destroyed during a physical or chemical change
Kinetic energy
Moving matter/energy
Radiation
The emission of electromagnetic energy
Conduction
The transfer of kinetic energy between substances in contact with one another
Convection
The movement of heat within liquids and gases from warmer to cooler portions
Electromagnetic radiation
Another form of kinetic energy
Energy quality
Measure of an energy sources capacity to do useful work
High-quality energy
Concentrated and has a high capacity to do useful work
Low-quality energy
It disperses and has little capacity to do useful work
Law of conservation of energy or The first law of thermodynamics
When energy is converted from one form to another in a physical or chemical change, no energy to created or destroyed
Energy consumption
Transferring energy across forms without causing any energy to be created or destroyed
The second law of thermodynamics
We always end up with lower-quality or less useable energy than we did when energy transforms from one form to another
Synergistic interaction or synergy
This happens when two or more processes work together to produce an effect that is bigger than the sum of the effects of each process acting alone