Science Vocabulary

Science Vocabulary September 14th, 2026

Quantitative observation

Numerical measurements or data collected during an investigation.

Qualitative observation

Information gathered using the five senses.

Evidence

Facts or observations that support or refute an idea.

Controlled experiment

A scientific test in which only ONE variable is changed.

Controlled variables

Factors kept the same or constant for all experimental groups.

CONTROL

A group that provides a "baseline" to compare your experimental groups

EXPERIMENTAL GROUPS

Receive a different amount or type of the variable you are changing

INDEPENDENT VARIABLE

The factor you change or manipulate in the experiment

DEPENDENT VARIABLE

The factor you measure in the experiment

DIRECT RELATIONSHIP

A change in the independent variable causes the same change in the dependent variable

INDIRECT RELATIONSHIP

A change in the independent variables causes the opposite change in the dependent variable

EXPONENTIAL RELATIONSHIP

A change in the independent variable causes the dependent variable to change at a faster rate

CER

A structure for writing an argument or explanation that consists of a claim, evidence and reasoning; it describes how evidence supports a claim.

CLAIM

A clear, concise and specific statement that answers a question or problem

REASONING

Explains how and why evidence and science concepts supports a claim to help make a strong argument

VOLUME

the amount of three-dimensional space occupied by an object or substance

MASS

the amount of matter in an object

SCIENTIFIC NOTATION

a shorthand way of writing very large or very small numbers by multiplying a number by a power of 10

BEAKER

Used to hold, heat, mix, or measure approximate volume of liquids

GRADUATED CYLINDER

Used to measure precise volumes

MENISCUS

Curved upper surface of a liquid inside a tube; reading is taken from the middle of the curve

FLASK

Wide body and narrow neck; used to hold, mix, heat, or measure liquids and gases