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vocabulary collected through out the year

Quiz yourself by thinking what should be in each of the black spaces below before clicking on it to display the answer.
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Question
Answer
Accuracy   The difference between a measurement and its accepted value  
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Conclusion   The explanation of the results of an experiment as it applies to the hypothesis being tested  
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Control   The variable that you would be testing for in a controlled experiment  
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Controlled experiment   doing the experiment almost the same, but without the variable that you're testing for, so you can compare the results  
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Dependent variable   In an experiment, the factor that changes in response to a change in the independent variable, also called the responding variable  
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Extrapolation   The process of extending the values or terms of a series on either side of the known values, thus increasing the range of values  
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Hypothesis   A testable proposal used to explain an observation or to predict the outcome of an experiment; often expressed in the form of “if…, then…”  
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Independent variable   In an experiment, the factor that is selected or adjusted to see what effect the change will have on the dependent variable, also called the manipulated variable  
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Interpolation   Forming an estimate of a value with reference to known values either side of it  
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Observation   consists of receiving knowledge of the outside world through our senses, or recording information using scientific tools and instruments  
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Precision   the practice in most experimental science, the framework pays attention to the number of digits in a floating point number. Comparisons of expected and actual results are made to a tolerance implied by the number of digits.  
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Prediction   A forecast about what you expect to observe when you do an investigation  
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Principle   explain the 'why' and 'how' of various phenomena  
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Procedure   The steps in which you do an experiment  
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Scale   A way of measuring quantities and values  
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Scientific Literacy   one of several types of literacy: # written, # numerical and # digital  
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Slope   The direction of a line on a graph, either horizontal (zero), or slanting up (positive), or slanting down (negative). Is calculated by determining the ratio of rise/run.  
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Uncertainty   When scientists make a scientific prediction about a phenomenon, an impact or an outcome in nature, our bodies etc  
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Validity   the extent to which a concept, conclusion or measurement is well-founded and corresponds accurately to the real world  
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Variable   A factor that can influence the outcome of an experiment  
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Venn Diagram   A chart used to compare the similarities and differences between things  
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abiotic   relating to non living parts of an environment such as sunlight, soil, moisture, and temperature  
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acid precipitation/rain   Precipitation abnormally high in sulfuric and nitric acid content that is caused by atmospheric pollutants  
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adaptation   characteristics that enable organisms to better survive and reproduce  
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adaptive radiation   the development of a number of new species from a common ancestor; the new species are adapted to inhabit different niches  
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algae   Any of various chiefly aquatic, eukaryotic, photosynthetic organisms  
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annual precipitation   the average amount of precipitation collected over a year  
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annual temperature   he average temperature collected over a year  
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aquatic   Of or relating to water  
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bacteria   A member of a large group of unicellular microorganisms lacking organelles and an organized nucleus, including some that can cause disease  
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bioaccumulation   the gradual build-up of synthetic and organic chemicals in living organisms  
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biodegradation   the breaking down of dead organic matter by living organisms such as bacteria  
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biodiversity   the variety of all living species of plants, animals, and microorganisms on earth  
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biomagnification   the process in which chemicals not only accumulate but become more concentrated at each trophic level in a food pyramid  
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biome   the largest division of the biosphere, which includes large regions with similar biotic components and similar abiotic components  
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biosphere   the thin layer of air, land, and water, on or near earth's surface in which all living things on earth exist  
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biotic   relating to living organisms such as plants, animals, fungi, and bacteria  
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carbon exchange   the system whereby different countries exchange carbon credits  
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carbon sink   a body or process (example plants, oceans, and soil) that removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and stores it  
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carbon store   where carbon is accumalated and stored  
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carbonate   a combination of carbon and oxygen that is dissolved in ocean water  
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carnivore   secondary consumer that eats primary consumers and often other secondary consumers. They are often at the tertiary level of a food chain; also know as top carnivores  
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cellular respiration   the process in which both plants and animals release carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere by converting carbohydrates and oxygen into carbon dioxide and water  
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climate   the average conditions of the atmosphere (example precipitation, temperature, and humidity) in a large region over 30 years or more  
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climatograph   a graph of climate data for a specific region; the data are usually obtained over 30 years from local weather observation stations  
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climax community   a mature community, such as a boreal forest, tropical rainforest, grassland, or desert, that continues to change over time  
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commensalism   a symbiotic relationship in which one species benefits and the other species is neither helped nor harmed  
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community   all the populations of the different species that interact in a specific area or ecosystem  
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competition   a harmful interaction between two or more organisms that can occur when organisms compete for the same resource in the same location at the same time  
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consumer   an organism that eats other organisms (primary, secondary, tertiary)  
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DDT (dichlorodiphenyl trichloroethane)   an insecticide and well-known persistent organic pollutant, now banned in many countries  
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decomposers   organisms that break down wastes and dead organisms and change them into usable nutrients available to other organisms  
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deforestation   the clearing or loafing of forests without replanting  
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denitrification   the process in which nitrogen is returned to the atmosphere  
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detrivore   a consumer that feed at every trophic level, obtaining their energy and nutrients by eating dead organic matter  
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ecological hierarchy   the order of biotic interactions and relationships in an ecosystem: organism, population, community, ecosystem  
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ecological pyramid   a food pyramid. three types: pyramid of biomass, pyramid of numbers, and pyramid of energy  
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ecological succession (primary, secondary)   changes that take place over time in the types of organisms that live in an area  
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ecology   the scientific study of the relations that living organisms have with respect to each other and their natural environment  
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ecosystem   a part of a biome in which abiotic components interact with biotic components  
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elevation   the height of a land mass above sea level  
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estuary   a partly enclosed coastal body of water with one or more rivers or streams flowing into it, and with a free connection to the open sea  
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extinction   the dying out of a species aka species number is reduced to zero  
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food chain   a model that shows the flow of energy from plant to animal and from animal to animal  
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food pyramids   a model that shows the loss of energy from one trophic level to another; often called an ecological pyramid  
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food web   a model of the feeding relationships within an ecosystem; formed from interconnected food chains  
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foreign species   introduced species  
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fossil fuel   A natural fuel such as coal or gas, formed in the geological past from the remains of living organisms  
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grazing   Grassland suitable for pasturage  
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habitat   the place in which an organism lives  
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heavy metals   metallic elements with a high density that are toxic to organisms at low concentrations  
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herbivores   primary consumers that eat plants  
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host   An animal or plant on or in which a parasite or commensal organism lives  
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keystone species   species that can greatly affect population numbers and the health of an ecosystem  
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latitude   the distance measured in degrees north or south from the equator  
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legumes   A leguminous plant, esp. one grown as a crop  
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lichen   A simple slow-growing plant that typically forms a low crustlike, leaflike, or branching growth on rocks, walls, and trees  
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lightning   The occurrence of a natural electrical discharge of very short duration and high voltage between a cloud and the ground or within a cloud, accompanied by a bright flash and typically also thunder  
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mutualism   a symbiotic relationship between two organisms in which both organisms benefit  
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native species   plants and animals that naturally inhabit an area  
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natural selection   the process in which, over time, the best-adapted members of a species will survive and reproduce. This process makes change in living things possible  
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niche   the special role an organism plays in an ecosystem  
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nitrification   the process in which ammonium is converted to nitrate  
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nutrients   substances such as the chemicals nitrogen and phosphorus that are required by plants and animals for energy, growth, development, repair, or maintenance  
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omnivore   consumer that eats both plants and animals  
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parasitism   a symbiotic relationship in which one species benefits and another is harmed  
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PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls)   synthetic chemicals containing chlorine that are used in the manufacture of plastics and other industrial products, become stored in the tissue of animals, and also persist in the environment  
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pesticides   a general term for chemicals that are used to eliminate pests, such as insecticides that kill insects and herbicides that kill weeds  
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pH   how acidic or basic a solution is  
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phosphorus cycle   the nutrient cycle in which phosphorus is moved through the biosphere  
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photosynthesis   a process in which carbon dioxide enters the leaves of plants and reacts with water in the presence of sunlight to produce carbohydrates and oxygen  
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phytoplankton   Plankton consisting of microscopic plants  
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pioneer species   organisms such as lichens and other plants that are the first to survive and reproduce in an area  
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predation   predator-prey interactions in which one organism eats all or part of another organism  
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producers   organisms that produce food in the form of carbohydrates during photosynthesis  
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proliferation   Rapid reproduction of a cell, part, or organism  
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soil degradation   damage to soil  
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stability   The state of being stable  
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symbiosis   the interaction between members of two different species that live together in a close association  
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terrestrial   relating to the land  
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top consumer/predator/carnivore   one at the top of the food chain  
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toxin   An antigenic poison or venom of plant or animal origin  
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trophic levels   steps in a food chain that show feeding and niche relationships among organisms  
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zooplankton   Plankton consisting of small animals and the immature stages of larger animals  
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acidic   Having the properties of an acid, or containing acid; having a pH below 7  
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acids   compounds containing hydrogen that produce a solution of a pH with less then 7 when they dissolve in water and that produce a salt and water when that react with ionic compounds containing hydroxide ions  
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alpha particle   a positively charged atomic particle that is much more massive than either a beta particle or game radiation and is relatively slow moving; has same combination of particles as the nucleus of a helium atom  
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atomic mass   The mass of an atom of a chemical element expressed in atomic mass units  
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atomic number   the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom, which identifies the element to which the atom belongs  
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atom   the smallest particle of any element that retains the properties of the element  
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bases   chemical compounds containing hydroxide that produce a solution with a pH of more then 7 when they dissolve in water, and produce a salt and water when they react with ionic compounds containing positive hydrogen ions  
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basic   Having the properties of a base, or containing a base; having a pH greater than 7  
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beta particle   a high speed electron that is emitted by a radioactive nucleus in beta decay  
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bohr diagrams   a diagram that shows the arrangement of an elements subatomic particles and the number of electrons in each shell surrounding the nucleus of an atom  
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bonding pair   a pair of electrons involved in a covalent bond  
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bromothymol blue   an acid-base indicator named after its color change from yellow to blue over a pH range of 6.0 to 7.6  
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catalyst   a substance that speeds up the rate of a chemical reaction without being changed or used up itself  
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chemical family/group   A group of elements in the Periodic Table, or more commonly, compounds that share certain physical and chemical characteristics and a common name  
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combustion   the rapid reaction of a compound or element with oxygen to form an oxide and to produce heat  
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compounds   a pure substance that is composed of two or more atoms chemically combined in a specific way  
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concentration   the amount of substance dissolved in a given volume of solution  
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conservation of mass   the preservation of mass in a chemical reaction: the total mass of the products is always equal to the total mass of the reactants  
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covalent bonding   the formation of a chemical bond between atoms through the sharing of one or more pairs of electrons  
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daughter product/isotope   the stable product of radioactive decay  
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decay curve   a curved line on a graph that shows the rate at which radioisotopes decay  
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decay product   An isotope that results from the decay of an unstable atom  
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decomposition   a chemical reaction in which a compound is broken down into two or more elements or simpler compounds  
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diatomic element   composed only of two atoms, of either the same or different chemical elements  
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electron   subatomic particles that have a 1- electric charge  
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fission   a nuclear reaction in which a large nucleus breaks apart, producing two or more smaller nuclei, subatomic particles, and energy  
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fusion   a process in which two low mass nuclei join together to make a more massive nucleus  
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gamma decay   a process in which an isotope falls from a high energy state to a lower energy state, giving off a high energy gamma ray  
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half-life   the time required for half the nuclei in a sample of a radioactive isotope to decay, which is a constant for any radioactive isotope  
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hydrocarbon   an organic compound that contains only the elements carbon and hydrogen  
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indigo carmine   an acid-base indicator named after its color change from blue to yellow over a pH range of 11.2-13.0  
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inorganic   refers to compound that generally do not contain carbon  
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ionic bonding   the bond that forms as a result of the attraction between positively and negatively charged ions  
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ions   electrically charged particles created when atoms gain or los electrons  
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isotope   different atoms of a particular element that have the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons  
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lewis diagrams   a diagram that illustrates chemical bonding by showing only an atom's valence electrons and it's chemical symbol  
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litmus   a compound extracted from various lichens  
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lone pair   a pair of electrons in an atom's valence shell that is not used in bonding  
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mass number   the total number of protons and neutrons found in the nucleus of an atom  
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metal oxide   a compound containing a metal chemically combined with oxygen  
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methyl orange   an acid-base indicator named after its color shane from red to yellow over a pH range of 3.2-4.4  
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methyl red   an acid-base indicator named after its color shane from red to yellow over a pH range of 4.8-6.0  
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molecule   a group of atoms in which the atoms are bound together by sharing one or more pairs of electrons  
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neutral   neither acidic nor basic, has a pH of 7  
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neutralization (acid-base)   the chemical reaction that occurs when an acid and a base react to form a salt and water  
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neutrons   subatomic particles that do not have an electric charge  
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non-metal oxide   a chemical compound that contains a non-metal chemically combined with oxygen  
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organic   refers to almost all carbon-containf compounds  
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paired electrons   valence electrons that are in pairs/together  
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parent isotope   the isotope that undergoes radioactive decay  
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period   each row of elements in the periodic table  
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pH indicators   chemicals that change color depending on the pH of the solution they are placed in  
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pH scale   a number scale for measuring how acidic or basic a solution is  
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phenolphthalein   a chemical compound that is colorless in acidic or slightly basic solutions but turns pink in moderately basic to highly basic solutions  
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polyatomic ion   a molecular ion that carries a charge and is composed of more than one type of atom joined by covalent bonds  
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protons   subatomic particles that hace a 1+ (positive) electric charge  
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radiation   high-energy rays and particles emitted by radioactive sources  
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radioactive decay   the process in which the nuclei of radioactive parent isotopes emit alpha, beta, or gamma radiation to form decay products  
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salts   a class of ionic compounds that can be formed during the reaction of an acid and a base  
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shells/orbits   the place in the atom surrounding the nucleus where the electrons are located  
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single replacement   describing a chemical reaction in which a reactive element and a compound react to produce another element and another compound  
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standard atomic notation/isotope notation   represents an element by showing its mass number and atomic number. two small numbers to the left of it: number on bottom is atomic number/ number of protons, top number is the mass number which is the number of neutrons and number protons added together  
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surface area   the measure of how much area of an object is exposed  
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double replacement   describing a chemical reaction that usually involves two ionic solutions reacting to produce two other ionic compounds, either or both of which produce a precipitate  
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symbolic equations   a set of chemical symbols and formulas that identify the reactants and products in a chemical reaction  
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synthesis   a chemical reaction in with two or more reactants combine to produce a single product  
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unpaired electrons   valence electrons that are "alone"  
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valence electron   the elections in the outermost shell (valence shell) of an electron  
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acceleration (positive, zero, negative)   the rate at which an object changes its velocity  
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displacement   the straight-line  
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distance   distance and direction from one point to another  
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magnitude   a number that rates the strength (energy) of an earthquake  
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position   a vector quantity that describes a specific point relative to a reference point  
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slope   the direction off a line on a graph, either horizontal (zero), slanting up (positive), or slanting down (negative). calculated by determining rise/run  
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speed   the distance an object travels during a given time interval divided by the time interval  
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time interval   the deference between the final time and the initial time  
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uniform motion   traveling in equal displacements in equal time intervals  
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velocity   the displacement of an object during a time interval divided by the time interval  
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aerosol   A substance enclosed under pressure  
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atmospheres   layers of gases that extend above a plants surface  
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barometer   an instrument used to measure atmospheric pressure  
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climate change   changes in long-term weather patterns in certain regions  
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condensation   Water that collects as droplets on a cold surface when humid air is in contact with it  
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coriolis effect   a change in the direction of moving air, water, or objects due to earth's rotation  
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el nino southern oscillation   a system of ocean and atmosphere changes in the tropical pacific region, including el nino and la nina events  
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kinetic energy   the energy of a particle or object due to its motion  
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potential energy   the stored energy of an object or particle due to its position or state  
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energy budget   Measure of energy entering and leaving a system, such as Earth's climate system  
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evaporation   lose or cause to lose liquid by vaporization leaving a more concentrated residue  
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gradient   The degree of steepness of a graph at any point  
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greenhouse gases   gases in earths atmosphere that absorb and trap radiation as thermal energy  
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heat   the amount of thermal energy that transfers from an area or object of higher thermal energy to an area or object of lower thermal energy  
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heat budget   A listing of all the sources of heat transfers for some thermodynamic system, to account for the total heat transfers into or out of the system  
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heat flow/transfer   the movement of heat from one place to another  
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hurricanes   tropical cyclones  
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conduction   the transfer of thermal energy from one substance to another or within a solid by direct contact of particles  
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convection   the transfer of thermal energy within a fluid and with the movement of fluid from one place to another  
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radiation   high-energy rays and particles emitted by radioactive sources  
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insulator   A substance that does not readily allow the passage of heat or sound  
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kilopascal (kPa)   the SI unit that measure the vertical force of atmospheric pressure per unit area  
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Kinetic Molecular Theory   the theory that all matter is composed of particles moving constantly in random directions  
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la nina   cooler-than-normal water coming to the surface in the eastern pacific ocean due to upwelling  
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ozone layer   the atmospheric layer that absorbs much of the ultraviolet radiation from the sun  
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permafrost   ground that remains frozen year-round  
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pressure (atmospheric, within the earth)   the amount of force per unit area  
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temperature   a measure of the average kinetic energy of all the particles in a sample of matter  
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thermal energy   the total energy of all the particles in a solid, liquid, or gas  
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thermocline   a transition zone that separates the cold, deep ocean waters from the sun-warmed surface waters  
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tornado   a violent, funnel shaped column of rotating air that touches the ground  
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winds (prevailing, surface)   the movement of air from an area of higher pressure to an area of lower pressure  
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asthenosphere   a partly molten later in earths upper mantle just below the lithosphere  
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continental drift theory   the theory that the continents have not always been in their present locations but have moved there over millions of years  
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cross section (vs. map view)   the probability that a particular interaction will take place between particles  
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crust (continental, oceanic)   earth's outermost layer  
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density   The degree of compactness of a substance  
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earthquake   a sudden, ground-shaking release of built-up energy at or under earth's surface  
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epicenter   the point on earth's surface directly above the focus where an earthquake starts  
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faults   large breaks in rock layers  
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focus   the location inside earth where an earthquake starts  
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geologic time   the time of the physical formation and development of the earth  
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hot spot   an area where molten rock rises to earth's surface  
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inner core   earth's solid center  
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lithosphere   the later of Earth made up of the crust and uppermost mantle and ranging in thickness from 65 km to 100 km  
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magnetic polarity (normal, reverse)   the state of being a north pole or south pole  
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magnetic reversal   the process in which earth's magnetic field, over thousands of years, completely reverses its direction  
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magnetometer   An instrument used for measuring magnetic forces, esp. the earth's magnetism  
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mantle   earth's thickest layer, lying just below the crust and making up 7- percent of earth's volume  
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mantle convection   a recurring current that occurs when hotter, less dense material rises, cools, and then sinks again  
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mantle plume   A mantle plume is an upwelling of abnormally hot rock within the Earth's mantle  
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mid-ocean ridge   an underwater volcanic mountain range, found at the boundaries between separating plates  
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mountain range   A line of mountains connected by high ground  
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outer core   the layer below earth's mantle  
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paleoglaciation   the extent of ancient glaciers  
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plate boundary   where two plate "meet"  
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convergent   when plates collide  
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divergent   when plates are spreading apart  
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transform   when plates slide next to eachother  
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plate tectonic theory   the theory that the lithosphere is broker up into large later that move and then rejoin  
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primary waves (P waves)   a type of seismic body wave that travels at about 6 km/s though earth's crust causing the ground to move in the direction of the wave's motion  
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ridge push   the process in which new material at a ridge or rift pushes older material aside, moving the tectonic plates away from the ridge  
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rift valley   a steep-sided valley formed on land when magma rises to earth's surface at a spreading center  
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seafloor spreading   the process in which magma rises to earth's surface at spreading ridges and, as it continues to rise, pushes older rock aside  
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secondary waves (S-waves)   a type of seismic body (underground) wave that travels at about 3.5 km/s, causing the ground to move perpendicular to the direction of the wave's motion  
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seismogram   a record of ground motion  
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seismograph   An instrument that measures and records details of earthquakes  
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seismometer   instruments that measure motions of the ground, including those of seismic waves generated by earthquakes, nuclear explosions, and other seismic sources  
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slab pull   the pulling of a tectonic plate as its edge subducts deep into the mantle  
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spreading ridge   the region where magma breaks through earth's surface, continually forcing apart old rock and forming a new sea floor  
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subduction   the action of one plate pushing underneath another  
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subduction zone   areas of subduction, which typically experience large earthquakes and volcanic eruptions  
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supercontinent (pangea)   a large landmass consisting of all the continents that was said to have existent long ago  
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surface waves (L-waves)   seismic waves that ripple along earth's surface  
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tectonic plates   the large slabs of rock that form earth's surface, moving over a layer of partly molten rock  
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transform fault   a fault that occurs at a transform plate boundary  
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trench   a deep underwater valley that is formed when an oceanic plate collides with a continental plate and is forced to slide beneath it  
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volcanic belt   a long chain of volcanoes  
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volcanic island arc   a long chain of volcanic islands  
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volcano   an opening in earth's surface that, when active, spews out gases, chunks of rock, and melted rock  
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