Chapter 2: Science, Matter, Energy, and Systems

studied byStudied by 10 people
0.0(0)
Get a hint
Hint

Threshold level or tipping point

1 / 86

87 Terms

1

Threshold level or tipping point

Time delays can also allow an environmental problem to build slowly until it reaches a tipping point.

New cards
2

Convection

The movement of heat within liquids and gases from warmer to cooler portions.

New cards
3

Polymers

Created when multiple monomers come together through chemical bonds.

New cards
4

Proteins

Created by monomers called amino acids.

New cards
5

Complex carbohydrates

Such as cellulose and starch, consist of two or more monomers of simple sugars such as glucose.

New cards
6

Negative or corrective feedback loop

Causes a system to change in the opposite direction from which is it moving.

New cards
7

Paradigm shift

When new ideas overturn old ideas or theories.

New cards
8

Hypothesis

Tentative explanation that still requires more evidence to support it.

New cards
9

Molecule

A combination of two or more atoms of the same or different element held together by a chemical bond.

New cards
10

Genes

Sequences of nucleotides in DNA molecules.

New cards
11

Deductive reasoning

Using logic to get to a certain conclusion.

New cards
12

Wavelength

Distance between successive peaks or troughs in the wave.

New cards
13

Trait

Each code of genetic information creates this and its a characteristic thats given to the offspring by the parent.

New cards
14

Nuclear fission

When hit by neutrons, the heavy nuclei of some isotopes are broken up into lighter ones.

New cards
15

Flows and throughputs

Matter and energy within the system of certain rates.

New cards
16

Lipids

Include fats and waxes, essential for life.

New cards
17

Electromagnetic radiation

Another form of kinetic energy.

New cards
18

Radiation

The emission of electromagnetic energy.

New cards
19

Time delays

Complex systems often show between the input of a feedback stimulus and the response to it.

New cards
20

Compounds

Combinations of two or more different elements held together in fixed proportions.

New cards
21

Generalization

________ or premise: all birds have feathers.

New cards
22

Inductive reasoning

Involves using specific observations and measurements to arrive at a general conclusion or hypothesis.

New cards
23

Nucleus

Contains one or more protons and, in most cases, one or more neutrons.

New cards
24

Chromosome

Thousands of genes make one of these.

New cards
25

Potential energy

This is stored and potentially available for use.

New cards
26

Matter quality

The usefulness of a resource to us based on its availability and concentration.

New cards
27

Chemical formula

Show the number of each type of atom or ion in a compound.

New cards
28

Isotopes

Forms of an element having the same atomic number but different mass numbers.

New cards
29

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.

New cards
30

Nucleic acids

Formed by monomers called nucleotides (DNA /RNA)

New cards
31

Natural radioactive decay

Isotopes spontaneously emit fast-moving subatomic particles, high-energy radiation such as gamma rays, or both.

New cards
32

Nuclear fusion

Nuclear change in which two isotopes of light elements are forced together at high temperatures until they make a heavier nucleus.

New cards
33

Science

Understanding how nature functions and then using that understanding to forecast what is likely to occur in nature

New cards
34

Scientific Hypothesis

A possible or testable explanation

New cards
35

Experiment

Tests done under controlled conditions and can be used to gather information and test ideas

New cards
36

Scientific Theory

A well-tested and widely accepted scientific hypothesis or a group of related hypotheses

New cards
37

Inductive reasoning

Involves using specific observations and measurements to arrive at a general conclusion or hypothesis

New cards
38

Example

After dropping multiple objects from different heights we can conclude that objects will drop to the ground when we let them go

New cards
39

Deductive reasoning

Using logic to get to a certain conclusion

New cards
40

Generalization or premise

all birds have feathers

New cards
41

Example

Eagles are birds

New cards
42

Deductive conclusion

Eagles have feathers

New cards
43

Tentative science or frontier science

Ideas that havent been peer-reviewed or widely tested and arent reliable

New cards
44

Reliable science

Ideas that have data to support them and are accepted by scientists

New cards
45

Unreliable science

Ideas that have not been tested widely or by others

New cards
46

Matter

Anything that has mass and takes up space

New cards
47

Elements

Each one of which is a fundamental material with a distinct set of qualities that cannot be chemically broken down into smaller chemicals

New cards
48

Compounds

Combinations of two or more different elements held together in fixed proportions

New cards
49

Atom

The most basic building block of matter

New cards
50

Atomic theory

The idea that all elements are made up of atoms

New cards
51

Atomic number

Equal to the number of protons in the nucleus of its atom

New cards
52

Mass number

The total number of neutrons and protons in its nucleus

New cards
53

Nucleus

Contains one or more protons and, in most cases, one or more neutrons

New cards
54

Isotopes

Forms of an element having the same atomic number but different mass numbers

New cards
55

Ion

Second building block of matter

New cards
56

Acidity

A chemical property that influences how an object dissolved in water will interact with and change its surroundings

New cards
57

pH

Measure of acidity

New cards
58

Below 7

Acidic solution

New cards
59

Exactly 7

Neutral solution

New cards
60

Above 7

Base solution

New cards
61

Molecule

A combination of two or more atoms of the same or different element held together by a chemical bond

New cards
62

Chemical formula

Show the number of each type of atom or ion in a compound

New cards
63

Organic compounds

Contain at least 2 carbon atoms and combine with atoms of one or more elements

New cards
64

Inorganic compounds

Any other compounds that do not classify under an organic compound are put under this classification

New cards
65

Macromolecules

Larger and more complex organic compounds are composed of this

New cards
66

Polymers

Created when multiple monomers come together through chemical bonds

New cards
67

Monomers

Simple organic molecules

New cards
68

Complex carbohydrates

Such as cellulose and starch, consist of two or more monomers of simple sugars such as glucose

New cards
69

Genes

Sequences of nucleotides in DNA molecules

New cards
70

Chromosome

Thousands of genes make one of these

New cards
71

Matter quality

The usefulness of a resource to us based on its availability and concentration

New cards
72

Natural radioactive decay

Isotopes spontaneously emit fast-moving subatomic particles, high energy radiation such as gamma rays, or both

New cards
73

Nuclear fission

When hit by neutrons, the heavy nuclei of some isotopes are broken up into lighter ones

New cards
74

Nuclear fusion

Nuclear change in which two isotopes of light elements are forced together at high temperatures until they make a heavier nucleus

New cards
75

Law of conservation of matter

No atoms are generated or destroyed during a physical or chemical change

New cards
76

Kinetic energy

Moving matter/energy

New cards
77

Radiation

The emission of electromagnetic energy

New cards
78

Conduction

The transfer of kinetic energy between substances in contact with one another

New cards
79

Convection

The movement of heat within liquids and gases from warmer to cooler portions

New cards
80

Electromagnetic radiation

Another form of kinetic energy

New cards
81

Energy quality

Measure of an energy sources capacity to do useful work

New cards
82

High-quality energy

Concentrated and has a high capacity to do useful work

New cards
83

Low-quality energy

It disperses and has little capacity to do useful work

New cards
84

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

New cards
85

Energy consumption

Transferring energy across forms without causing any energy to be created or destroyed

New cards
86

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

New cards
87

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

New cards

Explore top notes

note Note
studied byStudied by 28 people
... ago
5.0(2)
note Note
studied byStudied by 75 people
... ago
5.0(1)
note Note
studied byStudied by 5 people
... ago
5.0(1)
note Note
studied byStudied by 34 people
... ago
5.0(1)
note Note
studied byStudied by 9 people
... ago
5.0(1)
note Note
studied byStudied by 23 people
... ago
5.0(2)
note Note
studied byStudied by 5044 people
... ago
4.3(14)

Explore top flashcards

flashcards Flashcard (90)
studied byStudied by 2 people
... ago
5.0(1)
flashcards Flashcard (67)
studied byStudied by 9 people
... ago
5.0(1)
flashcards Flashcard (95)
studied byStudied by 258 people
... ago
5.0(5)
flashcards Flashcard (44)
studied byStudied by 12 people
... ago
5.0(1)
flashcards Flashcard (20)
studied byStudied by 41 people
... ago
5.0(1)
flashcards Flashcard (104)
studied byStudied by 2 people
... ago
5.0(1)
flashcards Flashcard (127)
studied byStudied by 3 people
... ago
5.0(1)
flashcards Flashcard (43)
studied byStudied by 690 people
... ago
5.0(2)
robot