Unit 1 Explorations in Physical Science

accuracy

an indication of how close a measurement is to the correct result

applied research

research that results in a product that can be sold for profit

basic research

research that expands knowledge in a particular area

chemistry

the study of the structure, properties, and interactions of materials and the changes they undergo

control

a quantity in an experiment that remains unchanged or constant

density

the mass of a substance per unit of volume

dependent variable

the experimental factor that changes in response to a change in the independent variable

empirical evidence

observational evidence

gradation

scale markings that denote equal units of measure

gram

base unit for measuring mass in the metric system

hypothesis

a proposed explanation for a scientific problem that itself can be tested by experimentation

kilogram

standard unit of mass in the metric system

independent variable

the experimental factor that is changed by the scientist

liter

standard unit for liquid volume in the metric system

mass

the amount of matter in an object

matter

anything that has mass and occupies space

meniscus

the curved top surface of a liquid column

meter

standard unit of length in the metric system

physics

the study of matter and energy and how they interact

precision

the degree to which a measurement can be replicated

science

the systematic study and analysis of facts

scientific method

a process to test a proposed solution to a problem

tare

to adjust the balance scale to read zero

volume

space occupied, measured in cubic units

weight

the force of gravity acting on the mass of an object