Chemical Properties
These are characteristics of a substance seen when it interacts with other substances.
Compound
A material made up of two or more elements that are chemically united.
Conclusion
Using the results of an experiment along with accepted theories to explain experimental observations.
Element
Matter in which the atoms are the same kind.
Gas
A phase of matter without a definite volume or shape.
Heterogeneous
A combination of two or more materials that can be easily separated by physical means and visually appears to be made of different materials.
Homogeneous
A combination of two or more materials that can be easily separated by physical means but visually appears to be made of only one material.
Inquiry
A way of seeking information through questioning.
Investigation
The search for information or solutions to problems by means of discovery.
Liquid
Matter with a definite volume but a shape that can change.
Matter
Anything that takes up space and has mass.
Mixture
A combination of two or more substances that can be easily separated by physical means.
Observation
Using one or more of your five senses to gather information.
Physical Properties
Characteristics we use to distinguish between different types of matter by using differences in appearance.
Prediction
A guess you are making about a result based on past experience.
Question
An expression of inquiry that asks for a reply.
Solid
Matter that has a definite shape and volume.
Pure Substance
Either an element or a compound that cannot be physically separated.
Summary
A review of the predictions, procedures and observations made during an experiment.
Accuracy
How close a reading or measurement comes to the actual value of the quantity being measured.
Conversion Factors
A ratio that allows you to convert from one unit of measurement to another.
Deductive Reasoning
A method of proof in which each step is a known fact, as it is based on previously known facts.
Dependant Variable
The factor or condition that is being tested.
Dimension
The qualitative nature of a physical quantity (length, mass, time). It tells us the units associated with a number.
Empirical
An approach to understanding that is based on observations.
Forensic Science
The application of science knowledge to questions of civil and criminal law.
Hypothesis
A tentative explanation for a set of facts which can be tested by further investigation.
Independant Variable
A factor or condition that changes naturally or is intentionally manipulated to observe an effect.
Inductive Reasoning
The process of reasoning from specific examples to general cases.
Inverse Relationship
A relationship in which one variable gets larger as the other gets smaller.
Least Count
The size of the smallest scale division on the instrument.
Linear Relationship
A relationship in which a change in the independent variable causes a proportionally equal change in the dependent variable. Graphs of linear relationships are always straight lines.
Magnitude
A number representing the amount of a measured or calculated quantity.
Precision
A measure of how consistently a result is determined by repeated evaluations.
Qualitative
A description done solely in words.
Quantitative
A description given in numbers.
Scientific Method
The formal procedure scientists use to gain knowledge about the physical universe.
Scientific Notation
A method of expressing a number as the product of a power of 10 and a number between 1 and 10.
SI
Le Système International d'Unités (International System of Units).
Signifigant Figures
Measured digits that are known with certainty plus one estimated digit.
Units
Tells what you used to make a measurement, such as feet or pounds.