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Unit 1
Physical Science, Measurement, and Scientific Method
Word | Definition |
---|---|
physical science | The study of matter and energy |
chemistry | The study of matter and its changes |
physics | The study of forces and energy and how they affect matter |
matter | Anything that occupies space and has mass |
gravity | A force of attraction of the earth for a given object, or of one mass to another |
energy | The ability to do work or cause change |
kinetic energy | Energy of motion |
potential energy | Energy an object has due to position |
Law of Conservation of Energy | Energy cannot be created or destroyed, but can change from one form to another |
weight | A measure of the force of gravity acting on an object |
spring scale | The tool used to measure force |
newton (N) | The basic metric unit of measure of force |
mass | A measure of the amount of matter in an object |
balance | The tool used to measure mass |
kilogram (kg) | The basic metric unit of measure of mass |
length | The measure of the distance from one point to another |
meter stick | A tool used to measure length |
meter | The basic metric unit of measure for length |
volume | A measure of the amount of space occupied by an object |
graduate | A tool used to measure volume |
liter (L) | The basic metric unit of measure of volume |
meniscus | The curved surface found at the top of a contained liquid |
scientific method | A process used for gathering evidence that leads to understanding |
observation | An examination of something using your senses |
hypothesis | A possible answer to a problem and a statement the can be tested |
experiment | A controlled procedure designed to test a hypothesis with measurable results |
data | Carefully documented results of an experiment used to draw a conclusion |
conclusion | A statement that proves if the data supports the hypothesis |
theory | A hypothesis that has been tested and supported many times |
control group | The group in which all variables remain the same |
experimental group | The group in which one variable has been changed |
infer | The process of drawing conclusions based on experience and prior knowledge |
variables | All factors that can influence the outcome of an experiment |
independent variable | The variable that is deliberately changed by the experimenter; the manipulated variable (x-axis) |
dependent variable | The variable being measured and observed; the outcome or responding variable (y-axis) |
constant variables | The variables that remain the same throughout the experiment; constants or controlled variables |