Science Vocabulary Flashcards

About the Digital Textbook (lite)

Developed based on the 2023 Upper Secondary Science Normal (Technical) syllabus. Supports diverse learning needs of students with quick reference and conceptual roadmap. Topics covered include Energy, Electricity, Waves, Effects of Force, Sources of Food, Food Chemistry, Food Safety, Staying Healthy, Digestion, Breathing, Blood Circulation.

Topic 1: Energy

Learning Outcomes:

  • Understand various forms of energy (e.g., electrical, kinetic, thermal) and their applications in real-world scenarios.

  • Transfer of thermal energy from hot to cold regions, demonstrating the principles of thermodynamics.

  • Conservation of Energy: Energy cannot be created or destroyed but converted between forms, as illustrated by various energy transfer processes in different contexts.

Key Concepts:

  • Forms of Energy:

    • Potential Energy: Energy stored due to an object's position; includes chemical potential energy in food and fuels, gravitational potential energy from height differences, and elastic potential energy in stretched or compressed materials.

    • Kinetic Energy: Energy of a moving object, calculated using the formula KE = 0.5 × mass × velocity²; factors affecting kinetic energy include mass and speed.

    • Electrical Energy: Produced by the movement of electrons; essential in powering devices and influencing various technologies; transformers and generators are key components in harnessing electrical energy.

    • Light Energy: Energy carried by light waves; crucial for photosynthesis in plants and used in various technologies, including lasers and fiber optics.

    • Sound Energy: Produced by vibrating objects; its applications range from communication to medical imaging (ultrasound).

    • Thermal Energy: Associated with temperature; heat transfer occurs through conduction, convection, and radiation, demonstrating the laws of thermodynamics.

  • Power: Defined as the rate at which energy is used or transferred, calculated by the formula Power = Energy/Time (measured in watts).

  • Electricity Generation: Overview of how electricity is produced from various sources, including fossil fuels (coal, natural gas), renewable energy (solar, wind, hydroelectric), and nuclear power, focusing on advantages, disadvantages, and environmental impacts.

  • Transformers: Explanation of step-up and step-down transformers in electricity transmission, detailing their function in increasing or decreasing voltage levels for efficient energy distribution over long distances.

Topic 2: Electricity

Learning Outcomes:

  • Draw, label and interpret circuit diagrams accurately, identifying components and their functions in electrical systems.

  • Understand the relationship between current, voltage, and resistance in various circuit configurations (series vs. parallel), including their impact on functionality and efficiency.

  • Evaluate energy usage and identify practical ways to reduce electrical energy wastage, particularly in household settings and appliances.

Key Concepts:

  • Circuit Diagrams: Symbols representing electrical components like bulbs, resistors, batteries, and switches; conventions for circuit designs for clarity. These diagrams facilitate understanding and communication about electrical circuits.

    • Components of a Circuit:

      • Resistors: Limit current flow; protect components and control voltage in circuits.

      • Capacitors: Store and release electrical energy; used in smoothing out fluctuations in power supply.

      • Inductors: Store energy in a magnetic field; common in AC circuits.

      • Diodes: Allow current to flow in one direction only; used for rectification in power supplies.

  • Current Measurement: Measured in amperes (A) using an ammeter; represents the flow of electric charge. The flow of current can be understood as the movement of electrons through a conductor.

    • Direct Current (DC): Electric charge flows in one direction; used in batteries and electronic devices.

    • Alternating Current (AC): Electric charge changes direction periodically; used in most homes and industries due to ease of transmission over long distances.

  • Voltage Measurement: Measured in volts (V) with a voltmeter; indicates electric potential difference between two points. High voltage can cause electric shock or fires; understanding safe voltage levels is critical.

  • Power Calculation: Power calculated using P = IV (power = current × voltage); analyzing energy costs through kilowatt-hours (kWh). Practical applications include understanding home energy bills and calculating energy consumption for devices.

  • Energy Efficiency: Discussion on the significance of selecting energy-efficient appliances (such as LED vs. incandescent bulbs) to minimize energy wastage, ecological impacts, and electric bill reductions. Understanding specific ratings (e.g., ENERGY STAR) helps consumers make informed choices.

  • Safety Practices: Importance of safety measures in handling electrical devices (e.g., never mix water with electricity, use insulated tools). Awareness of electrical hazards and employing preventive measures is essential in homes and workplaces.

Topic 3: Waves

Learning Outcomes:

  • Describe the generation of waves and their capabilities in transferring energy through different mediums.

  • Understand and use terminology related to waves (amplitude, wavelength, frequency) in practical contexts.

  • Identify the applications and technologies utilizing various types of waves (radio, microwaves, X-rays), along with their impact on society and industries.

Key Concepts:

  • Wave Properties:

    • Amplitude: Height of a wave from its rest position; related to the wave's energy; greater amplitude equates to higher energy transportation.

    • Wavelength: The distance between consecutive crests of a wave, inversely related to frequency; important for determining the wave's characteristics and applications.

    • Frequency: The number of cycles or occurrences of a wave per second, measured in hertz (Hz); higher frequency waves carry more energy.

  • Uses of Waves:

    • Communication: Radio waves used for signal transmission; implications for broadcasting and telecommunications.

    • Heating: Microwaves in cooking and heating processes; examining technology and safety.

    • Medical Applications: X-rays and gamma rays used in medical imaging and cancer treatment; discussing safety considerations and advancements in imaging technology.

Topic 4: Effects of Force

Learning Outcomes:

  • Understand how forces influence the shape, motion, and turning effect of objects in motion.

  • Apply principles of speed and acceleration in various problem-solving scenarios and real-life applications.

Key Concepts:

  • Measuring Techniques: Accurate measurement techniques for length, time, and other physical variables; tools include rulers, stopwatches, and digital sensors.

  • Force Effects:

    • Shape Changes: Forces can alter the shape of materials through compression and tension; examples include stretching rubber bands and compressing springs.

    • Motion Changes: Forces influence an object's motion by enabling it to start, stop, or change direction; Newton's laws of motion as foundational theories.

    • Rotational Effects: Describing torque in levers and its practical implications in tools and machinery design.

Topic 5: Sources of Food

Learning Outcomes:

  • Discuss the importance and innovation in food production methods in response to increasing global population and food insecurity.

  • Explore various methods of food production alongside environmental concerns related to fertilizers, pesticides, and resource sustainability.

Key Concepts:

  • Photosynthesis Requirements:

    • Essential elements for photosynthesis: air (carbon dioxide), light (sunlight), water, and soil nutrients; how each component contributes to plant growth.

  • Food Production Techniques:

    • Intensive Farming: Techniques that include high-yield crops and genetically modified organisms (GMOs); advantages, disadvantages, and ethical considerations.

    • Biological Control: Use of natural predators to manage pest populations, its effectiveness compared to chemical pesticides, and ecological impacts.

Topic 6: Food Chemistry

Learning Outcomes:

  • Execute separation techniques and explore their applications in food processing methods and industries.

  • Examine various chemical reactions occurring in everyday contexts, especially in food preparation and preservation processes.

Key Concepts:

  • Separation Techniques:

    • Filtration: Procedure for separating solids from liquids using a barrier; examples in water purification.

    • Distillation: Technique for separating components based on boiling points; applications in producing alcoholic beverages and petrochemicals.

    • Evaporation: Process of removing liquid, leaving solid components behind; significance in food preservation and concentration processes.

  • Chemical Reactions:

    • Understanding interactions between ingredients in cooking, such as caramelization and Maillard reaction; relevance to food flavor and preservation (e.g., fermentation).

Topic 7: Food Safety

Learning Outcomes:

  • Identify different types of microbes, their effects on food safety, and methods to prevent foodborne illnesses.

  • Explain techniques for preventing spoilage through various preservation methods and hygiene practices.

Key Concepts:

  • Microbial Action: Understanding bacteria and molds that can lead to food spoilage; examples of harmful organisms and their consequences on health.

  • Preservation Techniques:

    • Low pH (Pickling): Creating an acidic environment for food preservation; various pickling methods and effects on taste and longevity.

    • Reduced Oxygen (Vacuum Packing): Method to inhibit microbial growth; advantages in extending shelf life of food products.

    • High Temperature (Canning): Heating food to destroy microorganisms; processes involved in canning and its effectiveness.

Topic 8: Staying Healthy

Learning Outcomes:

  • Explore physical health maintenance strategies, focusing on balanced lifestyles, nutrition, and health education.

  • Analyze the impacts of various lifestyle choices on overall health and disease prevention.

Key Concepts:

  • Healthy Practices: Benefits of regular physical activity, balanced diets incorporating various food groups, and hygiene practices contributing to health.

  • Health Risks: Discussion of risks associated with undereating and over-exercising, along with understanding conditions such as diabetes and heart disease and their preventability.

Topic 9: Digestion

Learning Outcomes:

  • Explain the functions of the digestive system and the overall importance of efficient digestion.

  • Understand the roles of various enzymes in digestion, along with related health issues.

Key Concepts:

  • Digestive Organs: Detailed functions of each organ involved in digestion:

    • Mouth: Involvement in mechanical breakdown and enzymatic action (salivary amylase).

    • Stomach: Role in acidic digestion (gastric acid, pepsin) and initial nutrient breakdown.

    • Intestines: Functions of small and large intestines in nutrient absorption and waste excretion.

    • Liver: Production of bile and metabolic functions; its critical role in digestion and detoxification.

    • Pancreas: Producing digestive enzymes and hormones (insulin) essential for metabolic regulation.

  • Digestive Process: Detailed explanation of mechanical and chemical breakdown of food, nutrient absorption, and waste elimination; connection with overall health.

Topic 10: Breathing

Learning Outcomes:

  • Understand the role and complexity of the respiratory system in facilitating gas exchange and maintaining homeostasis.

  • Analyze the effects of smoking on respiratory health and identify methods to promote lung health.

Key Concepts:

  • Respiratory System: Components include the windpipe, bronchi, lungs, and diaphragm; their collective functions in inhalation and exhalation.

  • Breathing Process: Differences between inhaled and exhaled air composition (oxygen-rich vs. carbon dioxide-rich); the importance of oxygen for cellular respiration and metabolic processes.

  • Effects of Smoking: Discussion on both short-term and long-term impacts of smoking on lung capacity, respiratory diseases (COPD, lung cancer), and public health interventions.

Topic 11: Blood Circulation

Learning Outcomes:

  • Explain the various components of blood and their functions in maintaining circulation and overall health.

  • Identify methods for monitoring heart health and circulation efficiency.

Key Concepts:

  • Blood Components:

    • Red Blood Cells: Their role in oxygen transport and carbon dioxide removal; significance of hemoglobin.

    • White Blood Cells: Functions in immune defense and protection against disease.

    • Plasma: Liquid part of blood containing nutrients, hormones, and waste products; importance in keeping blood flowing.

    • Platelets: Role in clotting processes to prevent excessive bleeding.

  • Circulation Pathway: Explanation of how blood circulates through the heart, arteries (transporting oxygenated blood), and veins (returning deoxygenated blood); its critical role in nutrient delivery, waste removal, and defense against pathogens.

Presentation of Data and Observations

Collecting, organizing, and analyzing data through tables and graphs for easier interpretation and deriving conclusions in scientific studies and experiments; emphasizing the importance of clear data presentation in research.