SCIENCE CAPT Strand 2

Terms	Definitions
Acid	Any compound that forms H+ ions in solution and has a pH lower than 7. (0-6 on pH scale, lemons have a pH 3)
Atom	The smallest unit of an element. Made up of protons and neutrons in the nucleus that is surrounded by electrons.
Atomic Structure	This structure of an atom has a central positively charged nucleus consisting of protons and neutrons surrounded by a number of electrons.
Base	A sometimes slippery or bitter substance that has a pH higher than 7 and has hydroxide ions (OH-)
Biopolymer	A group of polymers found in or produced by living organisms. (Starch, sugar, cellulose) (DNA & RNA found in the body)
Chemical Bond	The force that holds atoms or ions together as a unit.
Branched	Carbon atoms can form straight chains, rings, and ______. Carbons arranged in this manner have spaces that provide a flexible property.
By-product	Something produced unintentionally while trying to make something else
Carbohydrate	Biopolymer made up of repeating units of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms; major source of energy for the human body that we get from food.
Carbon	The element that is the chemical basis for all life on earth. This element has 4 valence electrons and forms covalent bonds.
Charged	An object becomes ________ when the atom in the object gains or loses electrons. An atom would become an ion.
Chemical reaction	Breaking of chemical bonds between elements and formation of new chemical bonds that result in new substances
Chemical Change	(Chemistry) Any process determined by the atomic and molecular composition and structure of the substances involved.
Combustion	A process in which a substance reacts with oxygen to give heat and light = the process of burning!
Compound	A substance made up of atoms of two or more different elements joined by chemical bonds.
Electron Configuration	The arrangement of electrons in the orbitals, or electron shells, of an atom
Cross-linked	Bonding that links one polymer chain to another. This bonding results in changes in the physical properties of a substance - synthetic rubber is an example.
Element	A negatively charged substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances.
Hydrocarbon	An organic compound composed of carbon and hydrogen atoms - petroleum is an example.
Incineration	_____ is the process of burning solid waste, and can result in the release of air pollutants.
Ionic bond	A chemical bond in which one atom loses an electron to form a positive ion and the other atom gains an electron to form a negative ion. Opposite charges attract to form this bond.
Landfill	A permanent waste diposal facility where wastes are put into the ground and covered with a layer of soil, plastic, or both.
Metal	A type of element that is a good conductor of heat and electricity.
Mixture	A __________ consists of two or more substances mixed together (not in fixed proportions and not with chemical bonding).
Molecule	Two or more atoms held together by covalent bonds.
Monomer	This is one part of a polymer; A simple compound whose molecules can join together to form polymers.
Negative charge	This charge results from having an excess of electrons.
Neutralization	When you mix an acid and a base, a ______________ reaction occurs and forms a salt and water.
Neutron	A subatomic particle with no charge, located in the nucleus
Nucleus	The positively charged center of an atom (protons and neutrons)
Organic	Compounds that are carbon based, usually referring to living or once living things, are called...
Periodic Table	A table that shows the elements, their atomic number, symbol, and average atomic mass; elements with similar chemical properties are grouped together in "families"
Polyethylene (plastic)	Polymer formed from a chain containing many ethylene units. Also known as plastics!
Polymer	Large compound formed from combinations of many monomers.
Positive	Having more protons that electrons.
Proton	Positively charged particle, located in the nucleus.
Chemical Reaction	(Chemistry) A process in which one or more substances are changed into others.
Soluble	Capable of being dissolved in some solvent (usually water)
Solution	A mixture in which one substance is dissolved in another
Structure (chemical structure)	The arrangement of atoms in a substance.
Synthetic	A man-made compound made artificially by chemical reactions.
Technology	The application of science; the ways in which people apply knowledge, tools, and inventions to meet their needs
Vulcanized (rubber)	Strengthened rubber by adding chemicals and heat (creates sulfur cross-links).
Waste	Any materials unused and rejected as worthless or unwanted.
Covalent Bond	This type of bond forms when atoms share electrons.