Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education Science Exam Review

Vocabulary flashcards to study key science concepts for the Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education exam.

Micrometer scale screw gauge

An instrument used to measure small thicknesses with high precision.

Newtons

The SI unit of force, defined as the amount of force required to accelerate a one-kilogram mass by one meter per second squared.

Electromagnetic wave spectrum

The range of all types of electromagnetic radiation.

Insulator

A material that does not easily allow the flow of electricity or heat.

Alkane

A hydrocarbon containing only single bonds, following the formula CnH2n+2.

Isotopes

Atoms of the same element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.

Ionic equation

An equation that shows the particles that are directly involved in the chemical change.

Photosynthesis

The process by which green plants use sunlight to synthesize foods with carbon dioxide and water.

Transpiration

The process through which plants lose water vapor from their leaves into the atmosphere.

Urea

A waste product formed from the breakdown of proteins, removed from the blood by the kidneys.

Catalytic converters

Devices used in vehicles to reduce harmful emissions from the engine.

Molar gas volume

The volume occupied by one mole of any gas at room temperature and pressure, which is 24 dm³.

Current

The flow of electric charge, measured in amperes.

Fuse rating

The current rating of a fuse, indicating the maximum current that can pass through it before it blows.

Budding

A form of asexual reproduction in which new individuals develop from an outgrowth or bud.

Respiration

The biochemical process where cells convert glucose and oxygen into energy, producing carbon dioxide and water.

Hydration reaction

A reaction in which water is added to a substance, often leading to a change in its structure or composition.

Cracking

A chemical process that breaks down large hydrocarbon molecules into smaller ones, such as gasoline or diesel.

Kinetic energy

The energy possessed by an object due to its motion, calculated as (E_k = \frac{1}{2}mv^2).