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Nature of Science
Unit 1
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| empirical evidence | The observations, measurements, and other types of data that people gather and test to support and evaluate scientific explanations. |
| theory | A system of ideas that explains many related observations and is supported by a large body of evidence acquired through scientific investigation. |
| law | A descriptive statement or equation that reliably predicts events under certain conditions. |
| experiment | An organized procedure to study something under controlled conditions. |
| hypothesis | A testable idea or explanation hat leads to scientific investigation. |
| dependent variable | In a scientific investigation, the factor that changes as a result of manipulation of one or more independent variables. |
| observation | The process of obtaining information by using the senses; the information obtained by using the senses. |
| independent variable | In a scientific investigation, the factor that is deliberately manipulated. |
| data | Information gathered by observation or experimentation that can be used in calculating or reasoning. |
| model | A pattern, plan, representation, or description designed to show the structure or workings of an object, system, or concept. |
| engineering | The application of science and mathematics to solve real-life problems. |
| technology | The application of science for practical purposes; the use of tools, machines, materials, and processes to meet human needs. |
| Prototype | A test model of a product. |
| trade-off | The giving up of one thing in return for another, often applied to the engineering design process. |
| life cycle analysis | The evaluation of the materials and energy used for the manufacture, transportation, sale, use, and disposal of a technology. |
| pugh chart | A table used to compare the features of multiple items, such as technological products or solutions. |
| risk-benefit analysis | The comparison of the risks and benefits of a decision or product. |
| Earth science | |
| Geosphere | The mostly solid, rocky part of Earth; extends from the center of core to the surface of the crust. |
| hydrosphere | The portion of Earth this is water |
| cryosphere | One of earth spheres where water is in solid form, including snow cover, floating ice, glaciers, ice caps, ice sheets, and frozen ground permafrost |
| atmosphere | A mixture of gases that surround a planet, moon, or other celestial body |
| biosphere | The part of earth where life exists; includes all of living organisms on earth. |
| energy budget | The net flow of energy into and out of a system |
| air pressure | The measure of the force with which air molecules push on surface. |
| stratosphere | The layer of the atmosphere that lies between the troposphere and the mesosphere and in which temperature increases as alitude increases; contains the ozone layer. |
| troposphere | The lowest layer of the atmosphere, in which temperature drops constant rate as altitude increases; the part of the atmosphere where weather conditions exist. |
| ozone layer | The layer of the atmosphere at an altitude of 15 to 40 km in which ozone absorbs ultraviolet solar radiation |
| greenhouse effect | The warming of the surface and lower atmosphere of earth that occurs when water vapor, carbon dioxide, and other gases absorb and reradiate energy |
| temperature | A measure of how hot or cold something is; specifically, a measure of the average kinetic energy of the partials in an object. |
| thermal energy | The total kinetic energy of a substance atoms |
| thermal expansion | An increase in the size of a substance in response to an increase in the temperature of the substance |
| Heat | The energy transferred between objects that are at different temperatures |
| radiation | The transfer of energy as electromagnetic waves. |
| convection | The movement of matter due to differences in density the transfer of energy due to the movement of matter |
| conduction | The transfer of energy as heat through a material |
| wind | The movement of air caused by differences in air pressure |
| Coriolis effect | The curving of the path of a moving object from an otherwise straight path due to Earth rotation |
| global wind | The movement of air over Earth surface in patterns that are worldwide |
| jet stream | A narrow band od strong winds that blow in the upper troposphere |
| local wind | The movement of air over short distances occurs in specific areas as a result of certain geographical features |
| ocean current | The movement of ocean water that follows a regular pattern |
| surface current | A horizontal movement of ocean water that is caused by wind and that occurs at or near the ocean surface |
| deep current | A streamlike movement of ocean water far below the surface |
| convection current | Any movement of matter that results from differences in density may be vertical circular, or cyclical |
| upwelling | The movement of deep, cold, and nutrient-rich water to the surface |