Matter/Mass
Anything that occupies space and has mass / 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
Isotopes
Atoms of the same element with different numbers or neutrons
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 on 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 Scale
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
Chemical Reaction
A reaction that occurs when atoms separate from molecules to recombine with other molecules
Law of Conservation of Matter
A law of nature stating that matter cannot be created or destroyed
Inorganic Compounds
A compound that does not contain the element carbon or contains carbon bound to elements other than hydrogen
Organic Compounds
A compound that contains carbon-carbon and carbon-hydrogen bonds
Carbohydrates
A compound composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms
Proteins
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
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
Photons
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 average kinetic energy of a substance
1st Law of Thermodynamics
A law of nature stating that energy cannot be created or destroyed
2nd 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
Inputs
An addition to a system
Outputs
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
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 occuring
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