Science Vocabulary

1 stereotype placing a particular group into one pattern
2 botanist a scientist who studies plants
3 biologist a scientist who studies living things
4 chemist a scientist who studies chemicals
5 meteorologist a scientist who studies weather
6 graduated cylinder a cylinder with lines to measure capacity (liquid) (milliliters)
7 triple beam balance a tool with three moveable parts used to measure weight
8 meter stick a tool used to measure length (centimeters)

9 communication to convey a message or idea
10 measurement to determine the amount (length, weight, capacity)
11 data table a chart used to record information in an experiment
12 observation to gather information by using ones senses
13 qualitative observations observations obtained by looking, smelling, tasting, touching or listening
14 quantitative observations observations that require the use of numbers
15 classifying placing into groups
16 venn diagram a classifying tool that uses overlapping circles

17 dichotomus key classifying device that divides into groups of two until individual is reached
18 models a representation of something
19 variables a part of the experiment that changes
20 independent variable The manipulated variable
21 manipulated variable The independent variable.

The part of the experiment that is changed by the scientist.

22 dependent variable The responding variable.

The part of the experiment that usually changes because the independent

variable changes

23 responding variable The dependent variable.

The part of the experiment that usually changes because the independent

variable changes

24 control variable The part of the experiment that must remain the same. (Is not manipulated)


25 hypothesis guess made before conducting an experiment. If---- happens then — will happen

26 graph a picture using lines and symbols to show the results of an experiment

27 conclusion The results found after experimenting

28 inference Giving a reason WHY something may have happened in an experiment

29 prediction guess made after the experiment that uses the data collected from the results

30 matter anything that has mass and takes up space

31 weather daily conditions in the earths atmosphere

32 nitrogen 78% of the air is made of this gas

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33 oxygen 21% of the air is made of this gas. Animals breathe it to live.

34 carbon dioxide less than 1% of the air is made of this gas. We breathe it out.

35 troposphere lowest layer of the atmosphere, closest to the earth, where earth’s weather occurs

36 stratosphere atmosphere layer above the troposphere, contains ozone

37 ozone made of 3 oxygens, found in the stratosphere, absorbs and protects the earth from ultraviolet (UV) radiation

38 ozone depletion the break down of ozone molecules due to chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s)

39 mesosphere atmosphere layer above stratosphere, burns meteoroids as they fall toward earth.

40 thermosphere top layer of the atmosphere, extends into outer space, transmits radio waves

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41 conduction Heat transfer when molecules bump into each other (solid material)

42 convection Heat transfer when warm rises and cool sinks (liquids and gases)

43 radiation Heat transfer using rays or waves (gases)

44 infrared light energy that is HEAT

45 greenhouse effect gases in the atmosphere that hold heat on the earth

46 global warming when gases hold too much heat on the earth

47 climate zones Tropical (warm) , temperate (variable), polar (cold)

48 global winds Winds that blow high in the atmosphere

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49 trade winds blow from east to west in the tropical region moving warm air

50 prevailing westerly blow from west to east in the temperate region (United States)

51 polar winds blow from northeast to west moving cold air

52 jet stream Fast moving ribbon of air that moves around the globe (blows west to east)

53 local winds Winds that blow low in the atmosphere (close to the ground)

54 land breeze Movement of air from the land toward the water (night)

55 sea breeze Movement of air from the water toward the land (day)

56 anemometer instrument used to measure wind speed

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57 barometer instrument used to measure air pressure

58 thermometer instrument used to measure temperature

59 humidity moisture in the air

60 psychrometer instrument used to measure relative humidity

61 cumulus Puffy white clouds (picnic clouds) (Fair weather)

62 stratus layers of clouds (bring rain)

63 cirrus high, thin, white, feathery clouds, ice crystals (approaching storms)

64 cumulonimbus Big, dark clouds (Thunderstorms)

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65 evaporation water enters the atmosphere as water vapor

66 transpiration water enters the atmosphere as water vapor from plants

67 condensation collection of water vapor and water droplets in the atmosphere forming clouds

68 precipitation water droplets fall from the sky in various forms

69 surface run-off groundwater flow, precipitation attempts to move back toward sea level

70 rain gauge Weather instrument that measures the amount of precipitation

71 hurricane storm that forms from a low pressure system over the ocean

72 tornado storm that forms in a cumulonimbus cloud, over land

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73 isotherms lines on a weather map that connects areas with the same temperature

74 isobars lines on a weather map that connect areas with the same air pressure