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Physical Science
All Physical Science Vocabulary Words
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Spring Scale | Measures the weight of an object. |
Triple Beam Balance | Measures the mass of an object. |
Bunsen Burner | Uses a flame to heat objects. |
Graduated Cylinder | Used to measure liquids and their volume. |
Meter Stick | Used to measure length in centimeters or millimeters. |
Eyedropper | Used to measure one droplet at a time. |
Beaker | Used to measure liquids and powders. |
Strainer/Sieve | Separates bigger materials from smaller ones. |
Filter | Cloth like material used to separate liquids from larger particles. |
Waft | Fan the air to get the scent of smell. |
Dispose | To throw away or to get rid of. |
Procedure | Steps followed during an experiment. |
Variable | The part of an experiment that either changes or is controlled. |
Observation | Noticing something about the world around you. |
Inference | Using clues to find the answer. |
Classify | To put into groups. |
Mass | How much matter is in something |
Volume | How much space something takes up. Measured in liters or milliliters. A graduated cylinder can be used to measure volume. |
Matter | Anything that takes up space. |
Thermometer | Measures temperature. We use Celsius in science. |
Buoyancy | Able to float because of its shape. Ex. A ball of aluminum foil will sink, shape it like a boat and it floats. |
Density | The amount of molecules in matter that allows it to sink or float. Example |
Weight | The measure of the pull of gravity on an object. |
Gravity | A force that pulls towards the center of another object. |
Physical properties | A characteristic of a substance that can be measured or observed. Use your five senses. |
Phases of Matter/States of Matter | Solid, liquid and gas. |
Solid | Has a definite shape and volume, tightly packed together, does not flow easily and cannot be poured from one container to another. |
Liquid | Does not have a definite shape but does have a definite volume. Changes to the shape of its container, flows easily can be poured filling the bottom of the container first. Particles are more tightly packed than gases but less tightly packed than solids. |
Gas | Does not have a definite shape or volume, flows easily from one place to another, particles of gases are less tightly packed than liquids and solids and expands freely to fill any space available. |
Evaporation | Liquid changing to a gas. |
Condensation | Gas changing back to a liquid. Examples |
Magnetism | A force that can attract (pull closer) or repel (push away) magnetic materials. The magnetic metals are iron, nickel, cobalt, and steel. |
Conductor | A material that allows electricity or heat to pass through it easily. Usually metals and even water. Ex. Aluminum, silver, platinum, iron, |
Insulator | A material that does NOT allow electricity or heat to pass through it easily (paper, plastic, cloth, rubber, wood, Styrofoam, cardboard, glass, porcelain) |
Attract | A force that causes objects to pull together. |
Repel | A force that causes objects to push back or away from one another. |
Mixture | Two or more substances that keep their own physical properties and tend to be easier to separate. Ex. Fruit salad or trail mix |
Solution | A type of mixture in which one substance dissolves in another and tends to be more difficult to separate. Physical properties of the ingredients will change. Ex. Lemonade or salt water |
Soluble | Able to dissolve in liquid. |
Dissolve | To form a solution with another substance. Becomes so small you can no longer see it but it’s still there. |
Texture | How an object feels to the touch. |
Friction | The force in which two objects rub against each other (It causes them to heat up and slow down). |
Force | A push or a pull. |
Pressure | To apply a force on the surface of an object. |
Energy | The ability to do work or cause change |
Mechanical Energy | Energy of motion. A combination of the kinetic and potential energy of an object. |
Thermal Energy | Energy of heat. |
Solar Energy | Energy produced by the Sun. |
Light Energy | Energy in the form of waves that can travel through an empty space. |
Sound Energy | Energy caused by vibrations. |
Electrical Energy | Energy of moving electrons or electric charges. |
Source/Cell/Battery | Power source of a circuit. |
Switch | Turns a circuit on and off. Not necessary to have in a working circuit. |
Series Circuit | An electric circuit in which electricity has only one path to take. If one light goes out or is removed, they all go out |
Parallel Circuit | A circuit where the electricity has more than one path to take. If one light is removed the other lights may still work and may even get brighter. |
Complete/Closed Circuit | A circuit that has a complete path for electrons to flow. The circuit will work. |
Incomplete/Open Circuit | A circuit that does not have a complete path for electrons to flow. The circuit will not work. |
Reflection/Reflect | The bouncing back of light waves off a surface. Ex. mirror/shiny metal, still water. |
Refraction/Refract | The bending of light waves as they move through one medium into another. Ex. prism, looking at something through water. |
Prism | A glass or transparent object that bends light and separates white light into the visible spectrum of colors, ROYGBIV. |
ROYGBIV | Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. The colors of the visible light spectrum. |