APES (Chapter 2 Vocab)
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55 terms
Terms | Definitions |
|---|---|
 matter | Anything that occupies space and has mass. |
| mass | A measurement of the amount of matter an object contains. |
| atom | The smallest particle that can contain the chemical properties of an element. |
| element | A substance composed of atoms that cannot be broken down into smaller, simpler components. |
| periodic table | A chart of all chemical elements currently known, organized by their properties. |
| molecule | A particle containing more than one atom. |
| compound | A molecule containing more than one element. |
| atomic number | The number of protons in the nucleus of a particular element. |
| mass number | A measurement of the total number of protons and neutrons in an element. |
| radioactive decay | The spontaneous release of material from the nucleus of radioactive isotopes. |
| half-life | The time it takes for one-half of an original radioactive parent atom to decay. |
| covalent bond | The bond formed when elements share electrons. |
| ionic bond | A chemical bond between two oppositely charged ions. |
| hydrogen bond | A weak chemical bond that forms when hydrogen atoms that are covalently bonded to one atom are attracted to another atom on another molecule. |
| polar molecule | A molecule in which one side is more positive and the other side is more negative. |
| surface tension | A property of water that results from the cohesion of water molecules at the surface of a body of water and creates a sort of skin on the water's surface. |
| capillary action | A property of water that occurs when adhesion of water molecules to a surface is stronger than cohesion between the molecules. |
| acid | A substance that contributes hydrogen ions to a solution. |
| base | A substance that contributes hydroxide ions to a solution. |
| pH | The number indicating the strength of acids and bases on a scale of 0 to 14, where 7 is neutral, a value below 7 is acidic, and a value above 7 is basic (alkaline). |
| chemical reaction | A reaction that occurs when atoms separate from molecules or recombine with other molecules. |
| law of conservation of matter | A law of nature stating that matter cannot be created or destroyed. |
| inorganic compound | A compound that does not contain the element carbon or contains carbon bound to elements other than hydrogen. |
| organic compound | A compound that contains carbon-carbon and carbon-hydrogen bonds. |
| carbohydrate | A compound composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms. |
| protein | A long chain of nitrogen-containing organic molecules known as amino acids, critical to living organisms for structural support, energy storage, internal transport, and defense against foreign substances. |
| nucleic acids | Organic compounds found in all living cells, which form in long chains to make DNA and RNA. |
| DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) | A nucleic acid, the genetic material that contains the code for reproducing the components of the next generation, and which organisms pass on to their offspring. |
| RNA (ribonucleic acid) | A nucleic acid that translates the code stored in DNA and allows for the synthesis of proteins. |
| lipids | Smaller organic biological molecules that do not mix with water. |
| cell | A highly organized living entity that consists of the four types of macromolecules and other substances in a watery solution, surrounded by a membrane. |
| energy | The ability to do work or transfer heat. |
| electromagnetic radiation | A form of energy emitted by the Sun that includes, but is not limited to, visible light, ultraviolet light, and infrared energy. |
| photon | A massless packet of energy that carries electromagnetic radiation at the speed of light. |
| joule | The amount of energy used when a one-watt electrical device is turned on for one second. |
| power | The rate at which work is done. |
| potential energy | Stored energy that has not been released. |
| kinetic energy | The energy of motion. |
| chemical energy | Potential energy stored in chemical bonds. |
| temperature | The measure of the average kinetic energy of a substance. |
| first law of thermodynamics | A law of nature stating that energy can neither be created nor destroyed. |
| second law of thermodynamics | The law stating that when energy is transformed, the quantity of energy remains the same, but its ability to do work diminishes. |
| energy efficiency | The ratio of the amount of work done to the total amount of energy introduced to the system. |
| energy quality | The ease with which an energy source can be used for work. |
| entropy | Randomness in a system. |
| open system | A system in which exchanges of matter or energy occur across system boundaries. |
| closed system | A system in which matter and energy exchanges do not occur across boundaries. |
| input | An addition to a system. |
| output | A loss from a system. |
| systems analysis | An analysis to determine inputs, outputs, and changes in a system under various conditions. |
| steady state | A state in which inputs equal outputs, so that the system is not changing over time. |
| feedback | An adjustment in input or output rates caused by changes to a system. |
| negative feedback loop | A feedback loop in which a system responds to a change by returning to its original state, or by decreasing the rate at which the change is occurring. |
| positive feedback loop | A feedback loop in which change in a system is amplified. |
| adaptive management plan | A plan that provides flexibility so that managers can modify it as changes occur. |
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