accelerate: A change in velocity divided by time. (a = ∆v/t) How fast the velocity of an object is changing. (Note: Acceleration is a vector quantity and must be described with both size and direction.)
amplitude: The distance between the rest position and the crest or trough of a transverse wave (or how compressed a longitudinal wave is). The amplitude of a wave is determined by how much energy is used to create the wave.
celestial bodies: Naturally occurring objects in space - planet, stars, comets, asteroids, meteors, natural satellites, etc.
astronomical measurement: The measurement of distances of celestial objects from earth using such methods as stellar parallax and Cepheid variables. Most distances are given in light years or parsecs.
conductor:
A substance that easily transmits heat and electricity.
conserved: Maintained at a constant overall total.
compound: A pure substance that contains only one particle, but the particle is made up of more than one type of atom.
condensation: The state change where a gas is changed into a liquid. Energy is always released during this process (exothermic).
convection:
The transfer of heat in liquid or gasses by means of convection
currents.
covalent bond: Chemical bond where
the valence electrons are shared so that each atom obtains its stable
octet. Covalent bonds are formed between two none metals.
drag: The friction between a solid object and a liquid or gas.
electromagnetic spectrum: The range of wavelengths or frequencies over which electromagnetic radiation extends. Electromagnetic wave are produced by the motion of electrically charged particles. These waves are also called "electromagnetic radiation" because they radiate from the electrically charged particles. They travel through empty space as well as through air and other substances.
elements: Pure substances that contain only one type of atom. All known elements are listed in the Periodic Table.
energy: The
ability to do work or to cause change. Several different types are
listed and define below:
evaporation: The state change where a liquid changes into a gas. Energy is always absorbed (endothermic).
density: A physical property of matter that is defined as the ratio of an object's mass to its volume. A measure of the compactness of a substance given by the mass per unit volume (d = m/v). Common units of density include g/ml, g/cm3, and kg/L. Density can sometimes be confused in our minds with weight because the denser of two, equal-volume objects will be heavier. Remember, though, that it is the relationship between mass and volume that determines density and not volume or mass alone.
diffraction: The bending of waves as they travel through an opening or around a corner.
elliptical
motion: Moving in a oval path
magnitude: Size or amount
isotope: Two or more forms of the same element that contain equal numbers of protons but different numbers of neutrons in their nuclei, and hence differ in relative atomic mass but not in chemical properties.
frequency: How often something occurs in a given amount of time. In the study of wave frequency is often expressed in hertz (Hz) or numbers of waves that passes a specific point per second.
friction: The force that opposes the
motion of two objects or substances that are touching.
noble gases: Group 18 in the
periodic table. The substances in this group are mostly unreactive
because they have 8 electrons in their outer energy level and are
stable.
heat: The transfer of energy between objects at different temperatures. Heat always flows from warm to cooler substances.
calcium: Element in Group 2 of the
periodic table. Its symbol is Ca. It is a metal and has two electrons
in its outer energy level. It easily loses these electrons to form a +2
ion.
potassium: Element in Group 1 of the periodic table. Its symbol is K. It is a metal and has one electron in its outer energy level. It easily loses this electron to form a +1 ion.
inertia: The resistance of an object
to a change in its motion. (Directly related to the mass of the
object.)
ionic bond: A chemical bond where
electrons are transferred from one atom to another to form ions to
obtain their stable octet. The bond is actually an electrical
attraction between the ions. Ionic bonds are formed between metals and
nonmetals.
light year: The distance that light
travels in a year. (1
light
year
=
9.4605284
×
1015 meters = 5,878,630,000,000
miles)
limiting factor: The
substance that runs out first in a chemical reaction and stops the
reaction.
mass: The amount of matter in an object.
matter: Anything that has mass and takes up space
Newtons: Units used in the SI system to measure force. 1 Newton = 1kg m/s2
oxidation: Combine or become combined chemically with oxygen.
property: A quality or trait that can be used to identify a substance.
radiation: The transfer of particles, heat, or energy over a distance.
joules: Unit used in the SI system to measure energy. 1 Joule = 1 N m = 1kg m2/s2
model: A description of nature that can predict things about many similar situations.
satellite: A celestial body orbiting the earth or another planet.
stable: Not likely to undergo chemical change, radioactive decay, or other physical change.
static: Unchanging, stationary
thermal energy: The total kinetic
and potential energy of the particles of a substance.
temperature: The average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance.
theory: A well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena.
velocity: A change in displacement
divided by time. (v=∆d/t) How fast an object is moving in a given
direction. (Note: Velocity is a vector quantity and must be described
with both size and direction. Speed is velocity without a direction.)
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