Science Assessment & General Evaluation (SAGE)

All terms for the AP General Science Exam

Ecosystem

The relationship between living species and non-living factors.

Biodiversity

The variety of life in an environment.

Photosynthesis

The process by which plants convert sunlight into energy.

Chlorophyll

The green pigment in plants that absorbs sunlight for photosynthesis.

Chloroplast

The organelle in plant cells where photosynthesis takes place.

Cellular Respiration

How cells generate energy from glucose.

Glucose

A simple sugar that serves as the primary energy source for cells.

Genetics

The study of heredity and DNA.

Mutation

A change in DNA that can lead to variation in traits.

Atom

The smallest unit of matter.

Molecule

A group of atoms bonded together.

Diffusion

The movement of molecules from high to low concentration.

Osmosis

The diffusion of water across a membrane.

Chemical Reaction

A process where substances change into new substances.

Catalyst

A substance that speeds up chemical reactions.

pH Scale

Measures acidity or alkalinity.

Periodic Table

A chart organizing elements by their properties.

Electromagnetic Spectrum

The range of all types of electromagnetic radiation.

Matter

Anything that has mass and takes up space.

States of Matter

Solid, liquid, gas, and plasma.

Density

How much mass is in a given volume.

Force

A push or pull acting on an object.

Velocity

Speed in a specific direction.

Acceleration

The rate at which velocity changes.

Newton’s Laws

Principles explaining motion and forces.

Newtons First Law

Objects stay at rest or in motion unless acted on by a force.

Newtons Second Law

Force equals mass times acceleration (F = ma).

Newtons Third Law

Every action has an equal and opposite reaction.

Energy

The ability to do work.

Thermodynamics

The study of heat, energy, and work.

Friction

The force that resists motion between two surfaces.

Refraction

The bending of light as it passes through different materials.

Circuit

A path that allows electric current to flow.

Plate Tectonics

The movement of Earth's crustal plates.

Erosion

The movement of soil and rock by wind or water.

Weathering

The breakdown of rocks over time.

Climate

Long-term atmospheric conditions.

Fossil Fuels

Natural fuels formed from ancient organisms.

Gravity

The force that keeps planets, stars, and galaxies in motion.

Nebula

A cloud of gas and dust in space where stars are born.

Supernova

The explosive death of a massive star, creating cosmic fireworks.

Black Hole

A region of space where gravity is so strong that nothing—not even light—can escape.

Hypothesis

A testable explanation for an observation.

Observation

The act of noticing and recording details.

Experiment

A controlled test to study a hypothesis.

Conclusion

The final analysis based on experimental results.