Question | Answer |
Parallel circuit: | Electrical circuit arranged so that current passes through more than one pathway simultaneously. |
Parasite: | A symbiotic relationship between two organisms in which one (the parasite) benefits to the detriment of the other (host). |
Pathogen: | An agent (usually a microorganism) that causes a disease. |
Pattern: | Repeated sequences of natural occurrences. A configuration of shapes or other objects arranged in such a way as to demonstrate a specific repeat in design. |
Periodic table: | A chart where all elements are organized into periods and groups according to their properties. |
Petrified: | Fossilized remains that have been turned into stone. |
pH scale: | Scale ranging from 0-14, used to describe how acidic (0) or basic (14) a substance is. The pH is the measure of the hydrogen ion concentration in a solution. |
Phases (lunar): | The regularly occurring cycle of changes in the appearance of the moon. |
Photosynthesis: | The process by which green plants use water and carbon dioxide and light from the sun to make food. |
Physical change: | A change that occurs in the physical property/properties of a substance without altering its composition. |
Physical properties: | Any property of matter that can be observed by your senses. |
Pitch: | How high or low sound frequencies appear to be. |
Planet: | A major body (not a comet or asteroid) orbiting around a star. |
Plate tectonics: | Large crustal plates moving on the Earth's surface and resulting in changes in the Earth's surface. |
Pollution: | Human and natural contamination of the environment by chemicals or heat energy to the extent that existing habitats are threatened or populations of organisms are endangered. |
Population: | A group of organisms of the same species that live in the same area at the same time. |
Potential energy: | The stored energy of a body because of its position. |
Precipitation: | Process by which water falls to Earth from the atmosphere in the form of rain, snow, sleet, or hail. |
Predator: | An organism that kills and consumes another organism (prey); includes animals eating other animals, and animals eating plants. |
Prediction: | A broad statement (based on an observation, experience, or scientific reason) of what will happen (the effect) in a given circumstance or situation. |
Prey: | An organism that is killed and eaten by another organism. |
Producer: | An organism that makes its own food. |
Proton: | Positively charged particles in the nucleus of an atom. |
Psychrometer: | An instrument used to measure relative humidity |
Qualitative: | Data that is related to the quality of observations. |
Radiation: | Energy traveling through empty space or through a transparent material without heating the empty space or transparent material. |
Reactant: | Compound or element that changes during a chemical reaction. |
Reactivity: | Ability of an element to gain or lose electrons which are used for bonding. |
Refraction: | The change in velocity and apparent bending of the beam of light or other wave-form as it passes from one medium into another. |
Relative age: | The age of a rock (older or younger) in comparison with the age of other rocks. |
Renewable resource: | Resources that can be replenished, such as trees and plants. |
Revolution: | The movement of a celestial body in an orbit around another celestial body. |
River: | A natural stream of water with a large volume. |
Rock slide: | A mass of rock sliding down a hill or mountainside. |
Rotation: | The spinning motion of a planet or other object on its axis. |