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Science - grade 9 - vocabulary

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Term
Definition
variations   differences in characteristics of organisms caused by genetic and environmental factors  
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biological diversity   the number and variety of organisms in an area  
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species   a group of organisms that share similar genetic and physical characteristics; these organisms can inter breed and produce fertile offspring  
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specation   the evolution of different species from a single ancester  
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structural adaptation   an inherited physical characteristic that helps an organism in it's environment  
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behavioral adaption   an inherited characteristic behavior that helps an organism survive in it's environment  
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diversity index   a measure of the biological diversity in an area, calculated by dividing the number of runs in a walk-through of an area by the total number of specimens  
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environment   the area or conditions in which an organism lives; sometimes used to refer exclusively to natural areas on Earth  
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competition   the struggle among individual organisms for access to a limited resource, such as food or territory  
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niche   a habitat supplying the factors necessary for the existence of an organism or species; the conditions that are optimal for survival  
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broad niche   an organism that has adapted to an extensive range of environmental conditions for survival; can live in various different conditions  
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narrow niche   an organism that must have a very specific environmental conditions to survive and only plays a limited role in its habitat  
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generalist   an organism with generalized requirements and adaptations that allow it to survive in variable conditions and depend on a variety of food sources  
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specialist   an organism that is adapted to a very specific environment and having a narrow niche  
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specialization   adaptations for surviving in very specific environment  
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symbiotic   an interaction between organisms of different species living in close proximity to each other in a relationship that lasts over time  
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heritable   a genetic characteristic; one that can be passed on from parent to offspring  
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reproductive strategy   a method an organism uses to reproduce  
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asexual reproduction   the formation of a new individual from a single organism  
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binary fision   the splitting of a single celled organism into two new organisms approximately equal in size; ex: bacteria reproduce through this process  
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spores   a single celled reproductive structure from which an individual offspring develops; plants, algae, fungi, and some protozoa produce spores  
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zoospores   an asexual spore of some algae and fungi that moves by means of flagella  
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meristem   an area of cell division of unspeciallized cells in the tips of roots and shoots that produce new growth in plants  
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clones   an identical copy of a molecules, gene, cell, or entire organism  
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budding   an asexual reproduction process in which a bud forms on an organism, grows, and eventually breaks away away to become a new organism independent of the parent  
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sexual reproduction   reproductive process involving two sexes or mating types, resulting in offspring with genes from both parents  
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zygospore   a single celled reproductive structure formed in sexual reproduction by some fungi  
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bacterial conjugation   direct transfer of DNA from one bacterial cell to another bacterial cell through direct contact  
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zygote   the new cell formed by the process of fertilization  
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pistil   the seed producing, or female, part of a flower  
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stamen   the pollen-bearing organ of a flower, consisting of the filament and the anther; the male fertilizing organ of a flower  
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ovule   the female reproductive structure that develops into a seed-bearing plant  
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pollen tube   in a plant, a tube that grows from a germinating pollen grain and enters the embryo sac in an ovule  
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embryo   the part of a seed that develops into a plant  
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cotyledons   is part of the embryo within the seed of a plant; the first leaves of the seedling; contains the stored food reserves from the seed  
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genetics   the study of genes or inheritable traits  
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continuous variation   is the combined effect of many genes and is often significantly affected by environmental influences  
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discrete variation   inherited traits that have a limited number of variations, such as the ability or inability to role one's tongue  
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dominant trait   an inherited trait that shows up in an offspring  
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recessive trait   an inherited trait that shows up in the offspring only if both parents pass on the genes for this trait  
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mutation   a change in the genetic information, or DNA, of an organism  
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mutagen   an agent that can cause changes in the genetic information of an organism  
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DNA   a molecule that stores genetic information for heritable traits and directs the structure and functions of cells  
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chromosomes   in a cell, tightly packed strands of DNA visible under light microscope during cell division  
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gene   a section of DNA on a chromosome that codes for a specific protein and function  
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somatic cells   one of the cells that take part in the formation of the body; any cell other than a reproductive cell  
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genetic engineering   the artificial introduction of genes from one organism into the genetic material of another organism  
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biotechnologies   using or modifying living organisms to make marketable products; sometimes involves genetic engineering  
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aquaculture   fish farming  
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domestic   an animal that is no longer wild, but has been bred or tamed by humans to perform various functions  
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artificial selection   technique in which individual plants or animals with desirable traits are bred together to develop plants or animals with specific traits  
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selective breeding   technique in which individual plants or animals with desirable traits are bred together to develop plants or animals with specific traits  
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natural selection   a natural occurring process in which only those organisms with the best traits for survival in an environment will survive to reproduce  
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extripation   the extinction of a species from specific geographical areas  
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bio-indicator species   species that help indicate environmental change  
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seed bank   a collection of genetically diverse seeds  
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global treaties   international agreements between many nations world wide  
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chemistry   the study of the properties of matter and the changes it undergoes  
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caustic   an agent that burns or destroys living tissue  
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homogeneous   a mixture in which particles are uniformly scattered; has a uniform composition  
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heterogeneous   a mixture in which the particles are not uniformly scattered  
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physical change   change in form but not in chemical composition; no new substance is formed  
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chemical change   change in which one or more new chemical substances are formed  
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Law of Definite Composition   compounds are pure substances that contain two or more elements combined together in fixed proportion  
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electrolysis   the process of decomposing a chemical compound by passing an electric current through it  
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element   is a pure substance made up of one type of particle or atom  
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compound   pure substances that are made up of two or more elements chemically compound together  
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atomic nucleus   the center of the atom; contains protons and neutrons  
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proton   the positively charged particles making up the nucleus  
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neutrons   uncharged particles in the nucleus with a mass slightly greater than protons  
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element symbol   symbols for all the known elements  
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chemical family   used to describe a group of related elements that have similar properties  
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atomic mass   is the average mass of an atom of an element  
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atomic number   is the number of protons an element has in it's nucleus  
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periods   the horizontal rows of the periodic table  
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ionic compound   formed when atoms transfer electrons to or from other atoms  
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molecular compound   formed when atoms share electrons  
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chemical formula   uses symbols and numerals to represent the composition of a pure substance  
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molecule   is the smallest independent unit of a pure substance and is generally a cluster of atoms joined together  
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diatomic molecule   are molecules made of 2 atoms of the same element  
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binary compound   a compound made from 2 elements  
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ion   is a particle or group of particles with a positive or negative charge  
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conductivety   is the ability of a substance to carry an electrical current  
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chemical reaction   2 or more substances that under-go a reorganization of atoms to form other substances  
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reactants   the substances that go into a chemical reaction  
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products   substances produced by a chemical reaction  
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exothermic   chemical reactions that gives off energy  
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endothermic   chemical reactions that absorb energy  
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reaction rate   is a measure of how fast a reaction occurs  
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catalyst   is a substance that speeds up the rate of a reaction without being changed itself  
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enzyme   is a natural catalyst made by living things  
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inhibiter   a substance that slows down chemical reactions  
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corrosion   is the oxidation of metals or rocks in the presence of air and moisture  
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rust   iron oxide, a product of the chemical reaction of iron, oxygen, and moisture  
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galvinization   the process of coating metals in a thin layer of zinc  
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combustion   is the highly exothermic combination of a substance with oxygen  
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nutrients   a chemical in food, used for energy, growth, body building, or cell repair  
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carbohydrates   an organic nutrient made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen  
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proteins   an organic nutrient composed of a chain of amino acids  
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lipids   an organic nutrient that does not dissolve in water  
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vitamins   a molecule that helps enzymes function in the body  
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macronimerals   a mineral that the body requires in the amount of 100mg/day or more in order to maintain health  
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trace element   a mineral that the body requires in the amount of less than 100mg/day in order to maintain health  
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enzymes   a special protein molecule that regulates chemical reactions in living organisms  
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pesticide   a chemical used to control pests  
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herbicide   a chemical used to control weeds  
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insecticides   a chemical used to control insects  
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fungicides   a chemical used to control mold and fungi  
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biological magnification   the process where by chemicals accumulates in the tissues of organisms along the food chain  
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acidic   having a ph below 7  
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basic   having a ph higher then 7  
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acids   a chemical that producers an acidic substances, having a ph value of less than 7  
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bases   a chemical that produces a basic substances, having a ph value of more than 7  
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indicator   a chemical that changes color to indicate whether a substance is an acid or base  
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litmus   a mixture of plant compounds used as an indicator  
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ph scale   a scale that measures the ph of a substance  
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ph paper   paper saturated in a chemical to show whether a substance is an acid or base  
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acid percipitation   rain or snow containing acid compounds  
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liming   adding calcium carbonate to the environment  
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acid base neutralization   the combining of an acid and base to produce salt water  
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catalytic   a device that encourages complete oxidation during combustion  
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catalyst   a substance that speeds up chemical reactions without being used up  
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oxidation   a chemical reaction in which oxygen combines with other elements to make new ones  
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scrubbers   a device using water or a solution for purifying gases or vapors  
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sorbent   a substance that has the property of collecting molecules of another substance by absorption  
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pollutant   any material, or form of energy, that will cause harm to living organisms  
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pollution   an alteration of the environment producing a condition harmful to living things  
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toxicity   the ability of a chemical to cause harm to an organism  
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chronic toxicity   the ability of a chemical to cause harm to an organism only after multiple exposures  
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LD50   represents the individual dose required to kill 50% of a population of test animals  
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non-persistant   wastes that can been broken down into non-polluting compounds  
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persistant   wastes that accumulate in the environment  
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biological indicators   a living organism whose state indicates the health of an environment  
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macroinvertabrate   an organism visible to the naked eye with no backbone  
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point source   a specific location where pollution originates from  
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non-point source   a source of pollution with no originating point  
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N.I.M.B.Y.   Not in My Back Yard  
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ground water   water that filters down through the soil and fills space in the ground  
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aquifier   an underground reserve of water  
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biodegradable   able to be broken down by the environment  
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solvent   a substance that can be used to dissolve other substance  
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sanitary landfill   a landfill with waterproof lining and covered in dirt  
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leachate   a liquid that results when wastes decompose  
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secure landfill   a landfill that disposes of toxic or hazardous materials safely  
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bioremediation   using living organisms to break down toxic substances into non-toxic substances  
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static electricity   a charge produced by rubbing or touching objects together  
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unbalanced charges   a more correct term for static electricity, because the charges are not stationary  
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Law of Charges   - unlike charges attract - like charges repel - charged objects attract uncharged objects  
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insulators   material that does not allow charges to move freely on or through them; most non-metals are insulators; ie: rubber  
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conductors   material that allow charges to move freely; most metals are conductors  
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superconductors   material that offers little or no resistance to the flow of charges  
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discharge   electrons either enter an object to make up for a shortage, or an excess of electrons leave the object  
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neutralized   become balanced  
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grounding   connecting an object to Earth with conducting wire to safely re-balance a charge  
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circuit   provides a continuous pathway for charges to move  
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battery   is a combination of cells  
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switch   is used to open or close a circuit to control the current running through it  
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resistor   is a symbol used to represent one of many different loads  
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loads   items along a circuit that convert electricity into other forms of energy  
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amperers   an instrument used to measure large currents  
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galvonometer   an instrument used to measure very weak electric current  
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ammeter   an instrument used to measure large currents  
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potential difference   the difference in energy per unit of charge between one point in the circuit and another point in the circuit  
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voltage   the amount of potential energy between two points on a circuit; the difference in charge between the two points is called the voltage  
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volt   the standard unit for potential difference  
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voltmeter   an instrument to measure voltage  
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resistance   is a property of a substance that hinders motion of electric charge and converts electric energy into other forms of energy  
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Ohm   the standard unit for electrical resistance  
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Ohmeter   an instrument that measures electrical resistance  
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Ohm's Law   R=V/I resistance = voltage / current voltage - is the potential difference between 2 points current - current flowing through the resistance  
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parallel circuits   circuits with several current paths  
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series of circuits   circuits with only one current path  
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branch   each current path in a parallel current; a parallel circuit has a series of branches connected side by side  
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thermocouple   a loop of two wires made of different types of metals that converts heat to energy  
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thermo-electric generator   is a device based on a thermocouple that converts heat directly into electricity without moving parts  
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electro-chemical cell   is a device capable of generating electrical energy from chemical reactions  
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electrode   the 2 metal in a voltaic or electo-chemical cell  
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electrolyte   a substance that can conduct electricity  
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primary cell   a cell that cannot be recharged  
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secondary cell   a rechargeable cell that uses chemical reactions which can be reversed  
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electric generator   a device that converts mechanical energy into electric energy  
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electromagnet   a strong temporary magnet created by inserting a soft iron core into a coil of wire and then passing a current through the wire  
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alternating current   electricity produced in a generator where the current flowing from the generator changes direction regularly  
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dynamo   a generator that produces direct current  
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commutator   a part of the dynamo generator that serves to reverse the induced current as it changes direction making the current flow in only one direction  
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rotor   the rotating core of an AC motor  
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stator   is a 2 pole electromagnet that surrounds the rotor  
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transformers   used to step-up the voltage for efficient transmission of current over long distances  
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circuit breaker   acts like a switch and safety device that can cut all power coming into the home  
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fuse   contains a metallic conductor that melts when excessive current heats it up; this opens the circuit until the fuse is replaced  
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branch circuit   supplies power to one or more wall plugs or lights connected in parallel by cables in the house walls  
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neutral wire   the white insulated live wire in each branch circuit  
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hot wire   black insulated live wire in each branch circuit  
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ground wire   is either bare copper or covered with green insulation; is the third wire in the branch circuit  
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electrical code   a set of standards for all electrical wiring  
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digital machines   machines that process numerically coded information  
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binary code   a sequence of on and off signals  
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transistors   the electronic switches in a modern digital device; solid state components that can be turned on and off by electric signals  
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renewable   can be continually replenished  
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therno-electric plants   plants that burn fossil fuels to produce electricity  
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non-renewable recources   fuels consumed faster than they can be produced by nature  
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open pit mining   mining in which the fuel, such as coal, is uncovered and dug directly from the ground  
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greenhouse gases   gases that help regulate the temperature on earth by holding in the heat from the sun in our atmosphere  
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hydro-electric plants   plants that use water pressure to generate electric energy  
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nuclear fission   the process whereby uranium is split into smaller atoms, making energy  
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thermonuclear   using the energy released in nuclear fission to generate electricity  
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nuclear fusion   the process whereby 2 smaller atoms join into a large atom, producing tremendous energy; how the sun generates energy  
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thermal pollution   releasing unwanted heat straight into lakes or streams  
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co-generation systems   electricity generating stations that produce electricity and also supply thermal energy  
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geothermal energy   thermal energy contained in the inner portions of earth  
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frame of reference   is a set of axes of any kind that is used to describe the positions or motions of things  
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celestial bodies   all objects seen in the sky; sun, stars, moon, planets  
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constellations   groupings of stars that form patterns, which appear like objects and are given names; ie: Orion the Hunter  
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planets   celestial bodies in our solar system that orbit the sun  
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azimuth   is the angle measured clockwise from north when measuring altitude-azimuth coordinates  
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altitude   is the angle measured above the horizon in degrees when measuring altitude-azimuth coordinates  
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altitude-azimuth coordinates   locate a celestial body relative to a fixed Earth (as though the celestial bodies are circling Earth)  
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astrolabe   is a devise used to measure the altitude of an object  
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compass   a device used to measure an object's azimuth  
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Earth centered model   a model of the universe that places earth at the center with the sun, moon, and planets revolving around it  
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Sun centered model   a model of the universe that places the sun at the center with the Earth, planets and moons revolving around it  
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telescope   a device used to magnify objects at great distances  
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objective lens   the large lens at the front of a telescope  
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ocular lens   the lens through which you view a magnified objects using a telescope  
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resolving power   determines the fineness of detail a telescope can produce of an object in view  
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refracting telescope   a telescope that has a lens for the objective  
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reflecting telescope   a telescope that has a mirror for its objective  
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elipse   a figure that looks like a squashed circle; planets in the solar system move in elliptical orbits around the sun  
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universal gravitation   Newton's Law states that all objects attract all other objects and provides an explanation for the planets elliptical orbits  
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spectrum   sunlight, which is white light, is made up of all colors  
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spectroscope   a device that produces a focused spectrum  
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spectral lines   dark lines or bright lines observed in the spectra of stars  
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spectrascopy   the study of spectra spectrum produced when a beam of light is passed through a prism  
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diffraction grating   a device made of thousands of closely spaced slots through which light is passed in order to produce a spectrum  
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spectral analysis   the study of spectra  
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Doppler Effect   the phenomenon that the observed frequency of a wave changes if the source of the wave and the observer are moving toward or away from one another  
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red shift   when spectral lines move toward the longer wave length part (red end) of the spectrum  
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adaptive optics   is the technology that adjusts the mirror of a telescope or adjusts the image of the telescope, to control the effects of the constant changes in earth's atmosphere  
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triangulation   is a method of measuring distance indirectly by creating an imaginary triangle between an observer and an object who's distance is to be estimated  
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astronomical unit (AU)   is the distance from earth to the sun; 150 million km  
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light year   the distance that light travels in one year; approximately 63,240 AU or about 9.5 trillion km  
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