General Science Concepts and Practices Flashcards

Flashcards to review general science concepts and practices for an upcoming exam.

Independent Variable

Variable graphed on the x-axis.

Dependent Variable

Variable graphed on the y-axis.

Title for a Graph

The dependent variable vs the independent variable (DV vs IV).

Descriptive Investigation

Aims to describe characteristics or relationships within a population or phenomenon and seeks to answer questions like 'what is happening?'

Comparative Investigation

Aims to identify similarities and differences between two or more entities, groups, or variables and seeks to answer questions like 'how do these groups differ?'

Experimental Investigation

Aims to establish cause-and-effect relationships between variables and seeks to answer questions like 'what happens if…?'

Benefits of Scientific Models

Scale (made larger or smaller to see better) and predictive (accurately predict behaviors).

Limitations of Scientific Models

They can’t act and behave like the real thing and are often simplifications of the real thing - making predictions about the thing modeled imperfect.

Hypothesis

A proposed explanation for a phenomenon that can be tested through experimentation or observation.

Theory

A well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world that is based on a body of evidence accumulated through repeated experimentation and observation.

Law

Describes a recurring pattern or relationship observed in nature without necessarily providing an explanation for why the pattern occurs.

Cost Effectiveness

The degree to which something produces benefit compared to its cost.

Cost-Benefit Analysis

A process of comparing the predicted benefits and costs of a solution. The best solution is one that has more benefits than costs.

Constraints

Limitations put on the design of a solution and are often factors that are beyond the control of the engineers (cost, energy, space, and availability of tools and materials).

Criteria

The requirements or specifications for a solution to be successful.

Credibility

The confidence that can be placed in the truth of scientific findings.

Thermometer

Used to measure temperature (℃).

Digital Scale

Used to measure mass (g).

Meter Stick

Used to measure length (cm or m).

Graduated Cylinder

Used to measure volume (mL).

Stop Watch / Timer

Used to measure time (sec).

Atomic Number

Number of Protons = Number of Electrons (in a neutral atom).

Mass Number

Number of Protons + Number of Neutrons.

Atom

The smallest unit of an element - a small particle that is the building block of matter.

Element

A pure substance that consists of only one type of atom that cannot be broken down into simpler substances.

Compound

A substance containing atoms of two or more different elements connected together.

Molecule

Two or more atoms that are held together and that act as a unit.

Physical Changes

Change in size / shape, Change in state of matter, A substance is being dissolved, and Change in form.

Chemical Changes

Change in color, Change in smell, Formation of a gas, Formation of a precipitate, Light is produced, Sound is produced, Change in energy (taken in or given off).

How to know a chemical change occurred?

A new substance has been created.

Solution

A type of homogeneous mixture where one substance (the solute) is completely dissolved in another (the solvent). It is a physical combination (dissolving), no chemical change has occurred.

Concentrated Solution

A solution with a relatively high amount of solute dissolved in a solvent.

Dilute Solution

A solution with a relatively low amount of solute dissolved in a solvent.

Ways to increase the rate of dissolution

Increase the temperature solvent, continuously mix or stir the solution, or increase the surface area of the solute (decrease particle size).

Why does heating a solvent increase the rate of dissolution?

It increases the kinetic energy of the particles in the solution leading to more frequent and forceful collisions between them.

Solute

Any substance in a solution other than the solvent (the substance that gets dissolved in a solution).

Solvent

The substance that exists in the greatest quantity in a solution (the substance that does the dissolving - it’s what the solute dissolves into).

Unsaturated Solution

A solution that contains less solute than the maximum amount it can dissolve at a given temperature.

Saturated Solution

A solution that contains the maximum amount of solute that can dissolve in a solvent at a specific temperature, meaning no more solute can dissolve.

Supersaturated Solution

A solution that contains more solute than it can theoretically hold at a given temperature, making it unstable.

Speed

Distance / Time

Velocity

Displacement / Time

Inertia

The person will typically fly forward off the board due to inertia. The force of the curb is only applied to the skateboard so it stops, but the rider's body, still moving forward at the same speed, continues to move forward because of inertia and no direct force is being applied to them.

Convection

A sea breeze occurs when the land heats up faster than the sea. Cooler air from over the sea then rushes in to fill the space, creating a breeze from the sea to the land.

Direction of Heat Transfer

Always occurs from the warmer area to the cooler area OR from an area with higher kinetic energy to an area with less kinetic energy.

Effect of State of Matter On Kinetic Energy

Solids have the lowest kinetic energy, liquids have more, and gases have the most.

Temperature

Measures the average kinetic energy of the particles of the substance.

Constant Speed vs Constant Velocity

Velocity is a vector quantity that includes both speed and direction, while speed is a scalar quantity that only includes magnitude. Even with a constant speed, the direction of the person's motion is continuously changing.

Newton’s First Law of Motion

An object at rest stays at rest, and an object in motion stays in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.

Conduction

The transfer of thermal energy by collisions between particles of matter.

Convection

The transfer of thermal energy by the movement of particles from one part of a material to another.

Radiation

The transfer of thermal energy from one material to another by electromagnetic waves.

Speed of Particles When Temperature Changes

If the temperature of a substance increases, the particles have more kinetic energy (they move faster). If the temperature of a substance decreases, the particles have less kinetic energy (they move slower).

Gravity

A force of attraction between any two objects that have mass.

Factors Affecting Gravity

Mass and Distance. The more massive an object is and the closer the objects are to each other, the stronger the gravitational pull.

Why do man-made satellites orbit Earth?

Earth’s gravitational pull holds the satellite in orbit around Earth.

Terrestrial Planets

The four inner planets - Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars - are called terrestrial planets because they are rocky and have solid surfaces.

Asteroid

A small, rocky object that orbits the Sun.

Meteoroid

A small, rocky particle (often from an asteroid) that moves through space made up of rock and metal.

Meteor

A meteoroid that has entered Earth’s atmosphere and produces a streak of light.

Meteorite

A meteor that impacts the surface of a planet or a moon and creates an impact crater.

Comet

A small, rocky, icy object that orbits the Sun.

Asteroid Belt

The asteroid belt is a region between Mars (Planet #4) and Jupiter (Planet #5) filled with rocky objects called asteroids. Asteroids are leftovers from when the solar system formed the inner planets. It orbits the Sun in a disc shape.

Kuiper Belt

The Kuiper Belt is a region beyond Neptune (Planet #8). It is full of icy objects, dwarf planets (like Pluto), and frozen debris and orbits the Sun in a disc shape. It’s much wider and farther from the Sun than the asteroid belt.

Oort Cloud

The Oort Cloud is a huge, spherical shell that surrounds the entire solar system far beyond Neptune (Planet #8) and the Kuiper Belt. It’s filled with icy comets and debris and orbits the Sun in many directions within its spherical shape.

Basic things needed for ANY life to exist on a planet or moon

A source of energy, liquid water, nutrients, a protective atmosphere, and moderate temperature range (protective atmosphere and moderate temperature range create a stable environment).

Goldilocks Principle

The Goldilocks Principle as it relates to life on Earth means that conditions here are 'just right' - not too hot, not too cold, but perfect for life to exist.