California Physical Science Chapter 1 Introduction to Physical Science
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homeschool3000 on September 4, 2011
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41 terms
Terms | Definitions |
|---|---|
 science | The study of the natural world. |
| observing | Using one or more senses to gather information. |
| inferring | The process of making an inference; an interpretation based on observation and prior knowledge. |
| predicting | Making a forecast of what will happen in the future based on past experience or evidence. |
| physical science | The study of matter, energy and the changes they undergo. |
| chemistry | The study of the properties of matter and how matter changes. |
| physics | The study of matter, energy, motion, forces, and how they interact. |
| scientific inquiry | The ongoing process of discovering science. |
| hypothesis | A possible answer to a science question or possible explanation for a set of observations. |
| parameter | A factor that can be measured in an experiment. |
| manipulated variable | The variable parameter that a scientist changes during an experiment. |
| responding variable | The variable parameter that changes as a result of changes to the manipulated or independent variable in an experiment. |
| controlled experiment | An experiment in which only one parameter is manipulated at a time. |
| data | The facts, figures and other evidence gathered through observations. |
| communicating | The process of sharing ideas and conclusions with others through writing or speaking. |
| scientific theory | A well-tested explanation for a wide range of observations or experimental results (atomic theory states that all substances are composed of tiny particles called atoms). |
| scientific law | A statement that describes what scientists expect to happen every time under a particular set of conditions (law of gravity). |
| SI | An expanded metric system, International Systems of Units, which allows scientists to compare data using a standard system of measurement. |
| meter | SI unit of length. |
| weight | A measure of the force of gravity on an object. |
| mass | A measure of how much matter is in an object. |
| kilogram | SI unit of mass. |
| volume | The amount of space matter occupies. |
| cubic meter | SI unit of volume. |
| meniscus | The curved upper surface of a liquid in a column of liquid. |
| density | The ratio of the mass of a substance to its volume. |
| kilogram per cubic meter | SI unit of density. |
| second | SI unit of time. |
| Kelvin scale | SI unit of temperature. |
| absolute zero | The temperature at which no more energy can be removed from matter. |
| estimate | An approximation of a number based on reasonable assumptions. |
| accuracy | How close a measurement is to the true or actual value. |
| reproducibility | How close of a group of measurements are to each other. |
| significant figures | A ll the digits in a measurement that have measured exactly, plus one digit whose value has been estimated. |
| precision | A measure of the exactness of a measurement. |
| graph | A picture of information from a data table; shows the relationship between variables. |
| line of best fit | A smooth line that reflects the general pattern in a graph. |
| linear graph | A line graph in which the data points yield a straight line. |
| slope | The steepness of a line on a graph, equal to its vertical change divided by its horizontal change. Rise/Run |
| nonlinear graph | A line graph in which the data points do not fall along a straight line. |
| Celsius scale | The temperature scale on which water freezes at 0 degrees and boils at 100 degrees |
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