click below
click below
Normal Size Small Size show me how
NYS E.S. Topic 1
Introducing Earth's Climate Change
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Scientific instrument | a human made device that allows us to make observations that would otherwise be impossible or highly inaccurate |
inference | an interpretation of an observation (an educated guess) |
classification | grouping similar observations together |
measurement | a means of expressing an observation with greater accuracy, using the proper scientific instrument |
mass | the amount of matter in an object |
volume | the amount of space an object occupies (length x width x height or using water displacement) |
Percent deviation (percent error) | a calculation to determine the amount of error in a measurement |
density | mass / volume. How tightly packed together particles are. |
Relative densities | comparison of how objects float or sink when mixed together |
Gas density changes | Hot gas becomes less dense and rises. Cold gas is more dense and sinks. |
Rate of change | how much something changes, divided by time |
Cyclic change | orderly, repeating change |
prediction | an inference about how change will occur in the future |
Dynamic equilibrium | occurs when opposing forces balance out (for example, the water level in a lake remains constant even though water goes in and out of the lake every day. |
Natural resources | the materials and energy sources found in the environment that we use every day |
pollution | occurs when a level of a substance reaches a point where it adversely affects organisms or property |