6th Grade Science Review Flashcards

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from 6th Grade Science Study Guide notes, units 1-7.

Independent Variable

The thing you change in an experiment.

Dependent Variable

The thing you measure in an experiment.

Constant

Factors that are kept the same in an experiment.

Control

Things that are not experimented on in an experiment.

Qualitative Data

Descriptions.

Quantitative Data

Numbers.

Matter

Anything that has mass and takes up space.

Atom

Smallest particle of an element that keeps its properties.

Element

A pure substance that cannot be broken down into another substance.

Molecule

Contains 2 or more atoms of the same or different elements.

Solids

Atoms are tightly packed together and vibrate in place.

Liquids

Atoms are free flowing.

Gasses

Atoms move around quickly and randomly.

Melting

Add heat, Solid → Liquid.

Freezing

Remove heat, Liquid → Solid.

Vaporization

Add heat, Liquid → Gas.

Condensation

Remove heat, Gas → Liquid.

Sublimation

Add heat, Solid → Gas.

Deposition

Remove heat, Gas → Solid.

Density

How compact the atoms are in a substance; mass/volume.

Radiation

Heat transfer through space.

Conduction

Heat transfer through touch.

Convection

Heat transfer through currents (typically gas or liquid).

Conductors

Transfer heat quickly.

Insulators

Transfer heat slowly.

Series Circuit

Electricity has one path to follow.

Parallel Circuit

Electricity has multiple paths to follow.

Open Circuit

An open path that does not allow electrons to flow.

Closed Circuit

A closed path that allows electrons to flow.

Wave

Disturbance/vibration of a medium that moves through a medium.

Energy

Ability to cause change in matter.

Electromagnetic Waves

Can travel without atoms/a medium.

Mechanical Waves

Must have atoms/a medium to travel.

Transverse Waves

Travel perpendicular to the disturbance.

Longitudinal Waves

Travel parallel to the disturbance.

Sound Wave

Travels fastest through solids and slowest through air; mechanical & longitudinal.

Pitch

Frequency (waves per second).

Volume

Amplitude (energy of the wave).

Reflection

Bounce.

Refraction

Bend.

Inner Core

Solid metal, under a lot of pressure, most dense layer.

Outer Core

Liquid metal.

Mantle

Thickest layer, molten rock.

Crust

Solid rock, thinnest layer, least dense.

Pangea

The name of the supercontinent that was proposed by Alfred Wegener.

Lithosphere

Crust + rigid upper mantle.

Asthenosphere

Molten mantle.

Divergent Boundary

Move apart ← →; cause rift valleys, mid ocean ridges, earthquakes.

Convergent Boundaries

Collide → ←; cause mountains, subduction zones, volcanoes, earthquakes.

Transform Boundaries

Slide/scrape sideways past each other; cause earthquakes.

Sedimentary Rocks

Sediments are made from weathering & erosion; sediments become compacted & cemented together; has flat layers of sediment & may contain fossils.

Metamorphic Rocks

Formed from intense heat and pressure; has wavy bands.

Igneous Rocks

Extrusive: Cools quickly & looks glassy. Intrusive: cools slowly & makes large crystals.

Humus

Organic material that makes soil fertile and dark in color.

Pistil

Stigma, Style, Ovary, Ovules.

Stamen

Anther, Filament, Pollen.

Pollination

Pollen reaches the stigma.

Fertilization

Pollen reaches the ovules.

Photosynthesis

Water + Carbon Dioxide + Sunlight = Glucose + Oxygen

Respiration

Glucose + Oxygen = Water + Carbon Dioxide + ATP Energy

Transpiration

Water travels up the xylem tissue and evaporates from the stomatal openings on the leaves.

Tropism

A plant’s response to stimulus (can be positive or negative).

Abiotic

Non-living things.

Biotic

Living things.

Rotation

Earth spinning on its tilted axis, creating day & night.

Revolution

Earth orbiting the Sun, creating seasons.

Solstice

When the Earth’s tilt is directly towards the Sun & we receive direct light, or it is tilted away from the Sun and we receive indirect light.

Equinox

When the Earth is not tilting towards or away from the Sun, and all of Earth is receiving moderate amounts of light (about 12 hours).

Waxing

Light increases each night (moon phases).

Waning

Light decreases each night (moon phases).

Spring Tides

Occur during Full and New Moon phases. These are “extreme” tides.

Neap Tides

Occur during Quarter Moon phases. These are “moderate” tides.

Solar Eclipse

Occurs during a New Moon phase.

Lunar Eclipse

Occurs during a Full Moon phase.

Goldilocks Zone

The section of our solar system that is not too hot or too cold for life to exist