ACT Science terms (need to know)

Absolute zero

The lowest possible temperature, 0 Kelvin or approximately -273 degrees Celsius.

Abundant

Something which is plentiful or exists in large quantities.

Acceleration

Rate of change of velocity, often expressed in m/s².

Acid

A molecule capable of donating a positively-charged hydrogen ion or forming a covalent bond by donating an electron pair.

Adhere

To stick completely on a surface.

Aerobic respiration

The process of glucose breakdown in the body of an animal for supplying muscles with oxygen.

Altitude

The vertical distance between an object and the ground or sea level.

Analyze

To examine something in detail.

Anecdote

A story told based on past experiences.

Anticipate

To predict an event or a result based on current events or past experiences.

Assert

To state a fact or belief with authority and confidence.

Burgeon

For something to grow or increase rapidly.

Attribute

A feature or property regarded as a part of something or someone.

Characteristic

Something commonly a feature or a quality of a person, place, or thing.

Carbohydrate

An organic compound containing carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen at a ratio of 1:2:1.

Catalyst

A substance which speeds up a chemical reaction but does not change the outcomes.

Chlorophyll

The green pigment present in plants that captures light energy for photosynthesis.

Coherent

Logical and consistent with preceding arguments, theories, or policies.

Correspond

To agree or correlate with; to communicate by exchanging messages.

Combustion

A high-temperature reaction involving a fuel and an oxidant, commonly associated with burning.

Compose

To be a part of or to make up something.

Compressibility

A measure of how easily the volume of matter can be reduced by pressure.

Conduction

The transmission of energy like heat or electricity.

Conductivity

An attribute of a material that specifies efficiency in transferring energy.

Conductor

A material that offers minimum resistance to the flow of heat or electricity.

Contour

The outline that represents the bounding shape of an object.

Consecutive

Something followed in an unbroken or continuous sequence.

Contradict

To assert the opposite or deny the truth of a statement.

Correlate

To have a mutual relationship or connection between two or more things.

Critical

Expressing harsh or disapproving comments about something.

Decelerate

To slow down or to reduce the speed of a moving body.

Deposition

A substance that is naturally deposited somewhere.

Determine

To find the exact cause or explanation of an event or phenomenon.

Diffusion time

The amount of time for molecules or atoms to spread from high to low concentration.

Distinguish

To treat or recognize something as different.

Dissoluble

Something that can be dissolved into another liquid or solution.

Ecology

The field of science concerned with relationships between organisms and their environments.

Efficient

Able to accomplish a task without wasting resources.

Electron

A fundamental part of an atom that is negatively charged.

Emit

To discharge, typically in the context of heat, light, or radiation.

Emerge

To become obvious or more prominent.

Emulsion

A state where one liquid is suspended in another without dissolving.

Engage

To involve someone or something in an event or discussion.

Equilibrium

A state where all constituents of a system are in balance.

Erode

The process of air or water flow removing soil or rock from one location to another.

Evolve

To develop something gradually from a simpler to more complex form.

Exhibit

To make property or a skill visible or apparent.

Endothermic

A process that absorbs heat from its surroundings.

Ectothermic

A process that relies on external heat sources to regulate body temperature.

Fermentation

The chemical process of breaking down substances into simpler ones.

Friction

A force acting between two solid surfaces that resists their relative motion.

Fuse

To join two different objects together.

Gauge

To estimate or measure a property.

Given

Information that is specified or stated.

Habitat

An area where an organism naturally lives.

Herbivore

An animal that exclusively eats plants.

Humidity

The measurement of water vapor present in the air.

Hypothesis

A tentative theory that tries to explain certain facts or phenomena.

Imminent

An event close to happening.

Incendiary

Something causing conflicting arguments; designed to propagate fires.

Incremental

A quantity gradually increasing with discrete additions.

Indigenous

Something naturally existing in a certain area.

Infer

To deduce a conclusion not explicitly written.

Infrared radiation

Electromagnetic waves with wavelengths longer than visible light.

Impervious

Something immune to change from another thing.

Insoluble

Something that cannot be dissolved into another liquid.

Insulator

A substance that resists the transfer of heat or electricity.

Interval

A deterministic period between two activities or instants.

Ion

A molecule or atom with a positive or negative charge.

Kinetic energy

The energy of motion of an object.

Latter

The second of two previously stated items.

Mass

A measure of the amount of matter or energy present in a body.

Neutron

A fundamental part of an atom with no charge.

Notion

A belief, impulse, or desire about something.

Obsolete

Something no longer of use or has a viable replacement.

Organic matter

Carbon-based compounds found within natural environments.

Osmosis

The process of liquid moving through a semipermeable membrane.

Omit

To exclude information intentionally or forgetfully.

Precipitation

Phenomena of any form of water falling to the ground.

Parasite

An organism that feeds off another organism for survival.

pH

A scale that specifies the concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution.

Photosynthesis

The process used by plants to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose.

Precede

An event that occurs before another event in time.

Principle

Something forming the foundation of a system or behavior.

Proficient

Well versed and skilled in using something.

Prolong

To increase the duration or physical space of an event.

Proportionality

The relationship between two distinct quantities.

Protein

A compound made up of amino acids forming structural components of the body.

Proton

A fundamental part of the atom that is positively charged.

Radioactive decay

A process by which an atom spontaneously decays into another.

Redundant

Information no longer needed, typically because it has been previously stated.

Relevant

Information that is related or appropriate to the subject.

Residual

Remaining parts after an activity has been done.

Solution

A mixture of two or more substances that is homogeneous.

Specific gravity

The ratio of the weight of one substance to that of another.

Starch

A complex carbohydrate forming the energy supply in many vegetables.

Substrate

A substance acted upon by an enzyme.

Trial

Testing the performance or result of an experiment.

Uniform

Something showing the same form or manner without variation.

Variable

A factor meant to be changed in an experiment.