Chapter 2: Science, Matter, Energy, and Systems

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