TSA Tech Bowl Study Guide

A collection of key terms and definitions from science and technology, useful for review.

Hypothesis

A testable prediction about something.

Theory

A well-supported explanation of nature.

Scientific Law

A consistent rule of nature.

Experiment

A controlled test of ideas.

Data

Information gathered from observations.

Quantitative Data

Data measured in numbers.

Qualitative Data

Data described in words.

Scientific Method

Steps to investigate scientifically.

International System of Units (SI)

Standard metric units worldwide.

Metric System

Units based on tens.

Imperial Unit System

Old British measurement system.

Mole

6.022 x 10²³ particles.

Gram

Metric unit for mass.

Liter

Metric unit for volume.

Meter

Metric unit for length.

Second

Metric unit for time.

Joule

Metric unit for energy.

Watt

Metric unit for power.

Calorie

Unit for heat energy.

Newton

Metric unit for force.

Volt

Metric unit for voltage.

Ampere

Metric unit for current.

Ohm

Metric unit for resistance.

Pascal

Metric unit for pressure.

Torr

Pressure unit like mmHg.

Atmosphere

Pressure unit at sea level.

Degree Kelvin

Absolute temperature unit.

Degree Celsius

Temperature unit from water.

Nano

10⁻⁹ scale factor.

Micro

10⁻⁶ scale factor.

Milli

10⁻³ scale factor.

Centi

10⁻² scale factor.

Deci

10⁻¹ scale factor.

Deca

10¹ scale factor.

Hecto

10² scale factor.

Kilo

10³ scale factor.

Mega

10⁶ scale factor.

Giga

10⁹ scale factor.

Foot

12 inches in length.

Yard

3 feet in length.

Mile

5,280 feet in length.

Nautical Mile

1,852 meters for navigation.

Pound

Imperial unit for weight.

Gallon

Imperial unit for volume.

Four Fundamental Forces

Gravity, electromagnetism, strong, weak.

Gravity

Force pulling objects together.

Richter Scale

Measures earthquake strength.

Earthquake

Ground shaking from faults.

Bomb Cyclone

Fast-strengthening storm system.

Cumulus Cloud

Puffy white cloud type.

Lightning

Electric flash in sky.

Erosion

Wearing away of land.

Igneous Rocks

Rocks from cooled magma.

Sedimentary Rocks

Rocks from layered sediment.

Metamorphic Rocks

Rocks changed by heat.

Crystals

Solids with ordered atoms.

Minerals

Natural inorganic solids.

Canyons

Deep valleys from erosion.

Oceans

Huge saltwater bodies.

Geysers

Hot water eruptions.

Volcanoes

Mountains with magma vents.

Mountains

High, steep landforms.

Pacific Ring of Fire

Volcanic zone around Pacific.

Fault Lines

Cracks causing earthquakes.

Tectonic Plates

Earth’s moving crust pieces.

Atom

Smallest unit of element.

Element

Pure substance, one atom type.

Molecule

Atoms bonded together.

Species

Specific chemical entity type.

Ion

Atom with a charge.

Cation

Ion with positive charge.

Anion

Ion with negative charge.

Noble Gas

Unreactive gas like helium.

Metal

Shiny, conductive element type.

Salt

Compound from acid-base reaction.

Ionic Bonds

Bonds from electron transfer.

Covalent Bonds

Bonds sharing electron pairs.

Metallic Bonds

Bonds with shared electrons.

Dipole-Dipole Bonds

Attractions between polar molecules.

Intermolecular Forces

Forces between different molecules.

Intramolecular Forces

Forces within one molecule.

London Dispersion Forces

Weak attractions between molecules.

Dipole

Molecule with charge separation.

Induced Dipole

Temporary dipole from charges.

Polar Molecule

Molecule with uneven charges.

Non-Polar Molecule

Molecule with even charges.

Combustion

Fast reaction with oxygen.

Redox Reaction

Reaction with electron transfer.

Precipitation Reaction

Reaction forming solid product.

Acid-Base Reaction

Reaction transferring protons.

Acid

Substance donating protons.

Base

Substance accepting protons.

Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)

Molecule with genetic info.

Ribonucleic Acid (RNA)

Molecule for protein synthesis.

Nucleus of a Cell

Organelle holding DNA.

Cell

Basic unit of life.

Cytoplasm

Fluid inside a cell.

Organelles

Structures inside cells.

Bacteria

Single-celled tiny organisms.

Mitochondria

Organelles making cell energy.