Grade 8 General Science Exam Topics

Flashcards for Grade 8 General Science Exam Topics

Atoms & Elements

Elements are composed of atoms.

Periodic Table

A chart of the chemical elements arranged by atomic number and chemical properties.

Atomic Number

Number of protons in the nucleus of an atom.

Mass Number

Total number of protons and neutrons in an atom's nucleus.

Electrons

Negatively charged particles that orbit the nucleus.

Protons

Positively charged particles located in the nucleus.

Neutrons

Neutral particles located in the nucleus.

Electronic Configuration

Arrangement of electrons in the shells or energy levels of an atom.

Trophic Level

Feeding positions in a food chain or web (e.g., producers, primary consumers).

Producers

Organisms that produce their own food (e.g., plants).

Primary Consumers

Organisms that consume producers (herbivores).

Secondary Consumers

Organisms that consume primary consumers (carnivores or omnivores).

Tertiary Consumers

Organisms that consume secondary consumers.

Herbivores

Animals that eat only plants.

Carnivores

Animals that eat only meat.

Omnivores

Animals that eat both plants and meat.

Photosynthesis

Process by which plants convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen.

Respiration

Process by which organisms convert glucose and oxygen into energy, releasing carbon dioxide and water.

Combustion

Burning of substances, releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Decomposition

Breakdown of organic matter by decomposers, releasing carbon into the environment.

Fossil Fuel

Fuels formed from the remains of dead organisms over millions of years.

Evaporation

Separation of a liquid from a solid by vaporizing the liquid.

Filtration

Separation of solid particles from a liquid using a filter.

Chromatography

Separation of substances based on their different rates of movement through a medium.

Distillation

Separation of liquids with different boiling points by boiling and then condensing the vapors.

Solvent

The substance that dissolves a solute.

Solute

The substance that is dissolved in a solvent.

Solution

A homogeneous mixture of a solute dissolved in a solvent.