Science 8: Course Glossary

absorption:
the process of taking in incident radiant energy and transforming this energy into another form
abyssal plain:
the deep, flat regions of the ocean between the ocean trenches and the ocean ridges

accommodation:
an automatic adjustment of the lens in the eye to bring images of objects from various distances into focus on the retina
adaptation:
a change in structure, form, or habit that increases an organism’s chances of surviving and reproducing

agitation:
stirring or shaking with rapid action
algae:
an aquatic unicellular organism or a simple, multicellular organism capable of producing its own food through photosynthesis

algal bloom:
an explosion in the population of algae (generally due to a large influx of plant nutrients). Algal blooms are often followed by periods of severe oxygen depletion when the algae die and are decomposed by bacteria.

alive:
having all the characteristics of living things
alveoli:
tiny air sacs in the lungs; the area of gaseous exchange
aneroid barometer:
a type of barometer that contains no liquid
angle of incidence (i):
the angle between the incident or incoming ray and the normal
angle of reflection (r):
the angle between the reflected or outgoing ray and the normal
angle of refraction:
the angle between the refracted ray and the normal
aperture:
the opening in a camera that lets light in
aqueous solutions:
a solution that has water as the solvent
aquifer:
a water-bearing, underground layer of porous rock. The top of the water in the aquifer forms the water table.

Archimedes’ principle:
the principle that the buoyant force on an object is equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by the object
arête:
a knife-edged ridge carved between two or more cirques or glaciers

artificial light source:
a human-made light energy source, such as fluorescent light tubes
average density:
the total mass of an object divided by its total volume
barometer:
a device used to measure atmospheric pressure
bioindicator:
a sensitive organism that can be used to determine and monitor water quality or the state of other ecosystems

bioluminescence:
the emission of visible light by living organisms
biomagnification (bioaccumulation):
an increase in the concentration of toxins as they move up the levels of a food chain

biosphere:
the zones of air, land, and water where life exists

breaker:
a wave that collapses in shallow water or on shore

buoyancy:
the tendency of an object or substance to float in a fluid
buoyant force:
the upward force exerted on an object or substance by a fluid
calve:
to break away an iceberg from the “parent” glacier

capillaries:
tiny, one-cell thick blood vessels; the area of material exchange between the blood and the cells
cell membrane:
the thin, selectively permeable structure that encloses a cell or organelle
cell wall:
a rigid, cellulose structure located outside the cell membrane in most plants and fungi; supports and protects the cell
cell:
the smallest unit that can perform all the functions of life
cellulose:
a tough, insoluble carbohydrate produced by plant and fungi cells that make up a large part of the cell walls
chemiluminescence:
the giving off of visible light from a chemical reaction without an apparent change in temperature
chemosynthesis:
a process that some bacteria use to produce food and oxygen from chemicals

chloroplasts:
organelles containing chlorophyl that enable plants and algae to produce carbohydrates through the process of photosynthesis
circulatory system:
the system that circulates blood throughout the body. It includes the heart, blood, and blood vessels.
cirque:
a bowl-shaped basin carved into the side of a mountain by a glacier

clarity:
a measure of how clear water is based on the quantity of suspended solids (particulates)

climate:
the seasonal patterns of weather conditions at a particular location over several years

closed system:
a self-contained system; a system separated from the surroundings by a barrier
coherent light:
light consisting of waves all lined up and of the same wavelength
colloid:
a heterogeneous mixture in which small, solid particles do not settle but are larger than dissolved particles.Laser light is coherent light
compound pulley:
a combination of two or more pulleys (fixed and movable) working together
compressible:
capable of being squeezed into a smaller size or volume
compressors:
mechanical devices used to compress gases
concave lens:
a lens that is thinner in the middle than at the edges causing refracted rays to spread out or diverge
concave:
curving inward like a cave
concentration:
the mass of solute dissolved in a certain amount of solvent (g/100 mL or g/mL)
conclusion:
an inference or deduction drawn from observations, measurements, or facts
contamination:
undesirable substances placed in the environment

Continental Divide:
a long ridge of mountains in western North America that divides the continent’s watersheds into east and west

continental glacier:
a glacial ice sheet covering all or a large portion of a continent

continental shelf:
a shallow, submerged region of the continent between the coast and the ocean basin. Continental shelves are very rich in sea life.

continental slope:
the steep, descending region
control:
a sample that is not experimented on. The control acts as a standard against which all the experimental samples will be compared.
controlled variable:
a variable that is not allowed to change
convergence:
coming together. Concave mirrors and convex lenses bend rays inward. These rays converge at the focal point.
convex lens:
a lens that is thicker in the middle than at the edges causing refracted rays to bend toward each other or converge
convex:
curving outward
cosmology:
the study of the overall structure of the physical universe
crankshaft:
a shaft that turns or is turned by a crank. Pistons turn a car's crankshaft, which then turns the wheels.
crevasse:
a large crack in glacial ice

current:
the continuous movement of water in another, larger body of water

cytoplasm:
a gel-like substance in the cell which contains and supports the organelles
DDT:
a colourless and odourless water-insoluble insecticide that is toxic to humans and animals

dead:
once alive; retains cells and the special make-up of living things
decompose:
to break down or decay

density:
the amount of mass in a certain unit volume of a substance
deposition:
the laying down of eroded materials—sediment

detritus:
decaying plant and animal material

diaphragm:
the camera component that changes the size of the aperture and, therefore, the amount of light entering the camera
diffuse reflection:
the type of reflection that occurs off a rough surface The reflection of light is in all directions from a rough surface.
diffusion:
the movement of particles within a fluid from higher to lower concentrations
digestive system:
the system that breaks food down into small, soluble particles and eliminates solid waste. It includes the stomach and intestines.
dispersion:
the spreading of white light into the full spectrum of colours
dissolved solids:
salts, minerals, and organic residues that have been dissolved in water

dissolving:
the complete intermingling of solute and solvent particles due to strong attractions between the particles
divergence:
spreading out Convex mirrors and concave lenses make light rays diverge.
diversity:
variation; differences

dormant:
alive but not active or growing. Seeds, eggs, and bulbs may stay dormant in harsh conditions.
driven gear (follower):
the gear moved by the driving gear
driving gear (driver):
the gear to which the effort force is applied
drumlin:
a teardrop-shaped hill of glacial till formed when an advancing glacier moves over previously deposited moraines. Drumlins point in the direction of the glacier’s advance.

efficiency:
the ratio of output work of a machine to input work usually expressed as a percentage. Note: An easy way to remember the formula is "Oh," "I" remember the formula for efficiency.

effluent:
waste water discharged into the environment

effort arm:
the part of a lever that extends from the fulcrum to the point at which the effort force is applied
effort force (FE):
the force applied to a device or system to move a mass; the force required to do work
emit:
to give off
emulsion:
a mixture in which droplets of fat are prevented from joining together by an emulsifying agent
endocrine system:
the group of glands that produces hormonal secretions distributed in the body via the bloodstream
energy:
the ability to do work. Energy exists in several forms, such as chemical, kinetic, radiant, and thermal energy.
energy:
the ability of a substance or a system to do work. Energy exists in several forms (chemical, kinetic, mechanical, thermal, and so on).
erect image:
an upright image
ergonomics:
the science of designing machines, tools, and work areas to best suit the human body
erosion:
the carrying away of weathered rock or soil materials by water, wind, or ice

esker:
a long snake-shaped ridge of sand and gravel deposited under a glacier by a meltwater stream

exhaust valve:
a movable part that releases spent (used, waste) gases
eyepiece lens:
the magnifying lens or lenses of a microscope or telescope
far point:
the greatest distance at which an object is in focus
far-sighted:
unable to focus the image of a nearby object on the retina because the eyeball is too short
fixed pulley:
a stationary pulley attached to a rigid support
flood plain:
a flat area bordering a river that is naturally subject to flooding; often created by soil deposited during floods

fluorescence:
the emission of visible radiation by particles of a substance after having absorbed high-energy radiation, such as invisible ultraviolet radiation
focal point:
the point at which parallel rays reflected by a mirror or refracted by a lens meet or appear to meet
focus:
to bring light to a point; to bring rays of light together to produce a clear image
force advantage (FA):
the advantage provided by a machine that makes the required effort force less than the load force. A machine that has a mechanical advantage greater than 1 provides a force advantage.
force:
a push or pull
fresh water:
water from sources such as lakes, rivers, and rain that is low in salt content

fulcrum:
the pivot point that supports a lever
function:
a job, an activity, or a role
gear train:
two or more meshing gears used to transfer motion and force
gear:
a wheel with cogs or teeth around its rim
glacier:
a large, moving mass of compressed snow and ice found year-round in high-altitude mountains or polar regions

ground water:
water that is found beneath Earth’s surface in the pores and cavities of rock and soil

hard water:
fresh water that contains a large amount of minerals, such as calcium and magnesium

headwaters:
the source or upstream areas of a watershed

heat capacity:
the measure of how much energy 1 kg of a substance must gain or lose to change its temperature 1°C

horn:
a sharp mountain peak carved out by a glacial erosion in three or more surrounding cirques

hydraulic lift:
a closed mechanical system that uses a liquid under pressure to multiply force
hydraulic system:
a system in which a confined liquid is used to transmit movement or force
hydraulics:
the study of pressure in liquids
hydrogen fuel cell:
a cell in which hydrogen fuel and oxygen from the atmosphere combine to produce electricity
ice age:
any one of the several periods when glaciers covered much of Earth

ice cap:
a glacier that flows outward from its centre to cover a large area of land

iceberg:
a large chunk of glacial ice floating in the ocean

icefall:
a distinctive glacial formation created when glacial ice flows over a steep area and breaks up

icefield:
a glacial area that feeds two or more glaciers

impermeable:
a barrier that does not allow matter to pass through

impermeable:
allowing nothing through
incandescence:
the emission or giving off of visible radiation - light - by a hot object
incident ray:
any ray of light travelling toward a reflecting surface; an incoming ray
inclined plane:
a sloped surface that reduces the effort force needed to raise an object to a new level (lower force over a greater distance)
innovation:
the introduction of a new thing or a new way of doing something
input work:
the work done on a machine to move a load
integumentary system:
the part of an organism that protects it from the external environment Skin is part of the human integumentary system.
intensity:
the brightness of light
internal combustion engine:
an engine that burns fuel within the engine rather than in an external furnace like a steam engine
inverted image:
an upside-down image
iris reflex:
the automatic change in the pupil's size in response to varying light conditions
iris:
the band of muscle in the eye that controls the pupil's size
joule (J):
a unit of work or energy equal to the work done by a force of one newton acting through a distance of one metre. One joule is equivalent to one< newton-metre. That is, 1 J = 1 Nïm.
kilopascal:
a unit of pressure equal to 1000 Pa
kinetic energy:
the energy an object or system has due to its motion
lake:
generally a large, standing body of water that has deep areas where sunlight cannot reach the bottom. Lakes usually have a stream inlet and outlet that aids water circulation and exchange.

laser:
a narrow, high-energy coherent beam of light that will travel long distances without spreading out Laser is the acronym for light amplification by the stimulated emission of radiation.
law of reflection:
the law stating that the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection, and that the incident ray, the reflected ray, and the normal lie in the same plane
lens:
a curved piece of glass, plastic, or other transparent material used to make light rays converge or diverge
levels of organization:
the arrangement of structures from simple to complex
lever:
a simple machine consisting of a rigid bar that pivots on a fulcrum
lift:
the upward force created by a flow of air over and around a surface
light:
a form of radiant energy that stimulates vision
linkage:
a device that transfers energy from one object to another within a system (for example, a belt, chain, gear, lever, or rope)
load arm:
the part of a lever that extends from the fulcrum to the point at which the load is applied
load force (FL):
the force applied to a device or system by the mass that is being moved
load:
the mass to be moved
longshore current:
water movement that shapes a shoreline through erosion and deposition due to long waves colliding with the shore at a slight angle

machine:
a mechanical device that allows you to do mechanical work more easily or more conveniently
macrocosm:
the universe
magnification:
the amount an object has been enlarged
magnifying:
making an object appear larger
marine:
having to do with salt water or the oceans

mass production:
the large-scale manufacturing of standardized products
mass:
the quantity of matter in an object
mechanical advantage (MA):
the ratio of the load force to the applied force in using a machine

meltwater:
run-off from melting snow or ice

membrane:
a thin, soft, pliable, porous layer of solid material especially of animal or plant origin
microscope:
an instrument used to magnify structures not visible to the naked eye
millwell:
a rounded hole in the ice formed as meltwater streams down through a glacier

moraine:
piles of unsorted glacial debris that has been pushed up at the sides, within, or ahead of a glacier

movable pulley:
a pulley suspended on a rope or cable that moves with the load
multicellular:
composed of more than one cell
neap tide:
the lowest tidal range; created when the Moon and Sun are at right angles to each other in relation to Earth

near point:
the shortest distance at which an object is in focus
near-sighted:
unable to focus the image of a distant object on the retina because the eyeball is too long
nervous system:
a network of nerve cells that senses internal and external changes and controls and co-ordinates a vast array of body activities
neutral buoyancy:
the condition of a submerged object in which the object’s weight equals the buoyant force on the object
non-aqueous solution:
a solution that has a substance other than water as the solvent
non-luminous:
matter that does not give off light; its image is formed from reflected light only
non-point source:
a large area that releases one or more pollutants

normal:
a reference line drawn perpendicular to a reflecting surface at the point where an incident ray strikes the surface
nucleus:
the organelle containing genetic material that controls cellular activities
objective lens:
the convex, light-gathering lens in a refracting telescope or microscope that forms a real, inverted image of the object near the eyepiece lens or lenses
objective mirror:
the mirror that gathers and focuses light in a reflecting telescope
ocean ridge:
a long, narrow, undersea mountain range created by the sea floor spreading (diverging plates) and/or volcanic activity

ocean trench:
a very deep, underwater canyon created by tectonic plates colliding. These plates cause the lighter oceanic plate to bend deeply down under the heavier continental plate.

opaque:
not capable of transmitting rays of light The human eye cannot see objects through an opaque material.
ophthalmology:
the study of the eye and its diseases
optics:
a branch of science concerned with the nature and origin of light
organ system:
an organ and its associated structures that work together to perform a specific function
organ:
a group of tissues that work together to perform a specific function
organelles:
structures in the cell that perform a specific function. These are similar to an organ in a complex organism.
organisms:
living things
osmosis:
the diffusion of a solventóusually wateróthrough a selectively permeable membrane
outflow:
water that flows out of a watershed

output work:
the work done by a machine on a load
outwash:
rock material deposited by the meltwater of a glacier

pack ice:
small sheets of ice formed from freezing seawater

particulate:
a small particle of solid or liquid matter

pascal (Pa):
a unit of pressure; newtons per square metre (N/m2)
pascal (Pa):
a unit of pressure equal to the pressure of 1 N of force applied over an area of 1 m2. >One pascal is equivalent to one newton per square metre. That is, 1 Pa = 1 N/m2.
Pascal's law:
a law that states pressure applied to one part of a confined fluid is transmitted equally in all directions throughout the fluid
permeable:
capable of allowing matter to pass through

permeable:
allowing materials through
phases:
distinctly different parts of a mechanical mixture
phloem tissue:
vascular plant tissue that transports foodósugars and starchesóthroughout the plant
phosphorescence:
the persistent sending out of visible light after exposure to - and the removal of - a source of radiation
phytoplankton:
microscopic (usually), photosynthesizing organisms (producers) that drift in fresh water and salt water

piston:
a movable disc that fits snugly inside a cylinder
plane mirror:
a flat mirror
plankton:
microscopic (usually) organisms that float in fresh water and salt water

pneumatic system:
a system in which a gas, such as air, transmits a force exerted on the gas in an enclosed space
pneumatic system:
a system in which a confined gas is used to transmit movement or force
pneumatics:
the study of pressure in gases
pneumatics:
the study of pressure in gases
point source:
a small, defined area that releases one or more pollutants

pond:
generally a small, shallow body of standing water

potable:
safe or suitable for drinking

potential energy:
stored energy; the energy an object or system has due to its position or condition; includes gravitational and chemical potential energy
power:
the rate at which energy is converted or at which work is done; measured in watts (W)
power:
the rate of doing work or producing or consuming energy. The watt is a unit of power.
prediction:
a statement that proposes or forecasts the outcome of an investigation
pressure:
the force per unit area
pressure:
force per unit area. The pascal is a unit of pressure.
prism:
a triangular piece of glass that can be used to separate white light into the colours of the spectrum A prism is used in binoculars to reflect and invert the image.
property:
a characteristic that can be used to identify or describe a substance
pulley:
a simple machine made of a wheel with a grooved rim that guides a rope. A pulley is used to decrease effort force or change the direction of the force.
pump:
a device that applies a force to move fluid within a system
pupil:
the opening in the eye where light enters
pure substance:
matter that consists of only one kind of particle
qualitative data:
non-numerical information that relies on a comparison between objects; gathered without measurement. For example, It is warmer today than it was yesterday. The “l” in qualitative reminds you that you use “language” for the data instead of numbers.
quantitative data:
numerical information that is absolute—it doesn’t require a comparison; usually obtained through measurement or calculation. For example, It is 22° C today.
radiant energy:
energy emitted or transferred in the form of waves, such as light or infrared radiation
radiate:
to send out or emit energy in the form of waves
radiation:
radiant energy transfer
rate of dissolving:
how fast a solute dissolves in a solvent
ray diagram:
an illustration that uses straight arrows to show the path of light
ray model:
a model of light based on light travelling in straight lines
real image:
an image actually formed by rays of light It can be projected on a screen and formed using a concave mirror or convex lens with the object relatively far from the device.
reflected ray:
any ray of light that bounces off or travels away from a reflecting surface; an outgoing ray
reflecting telescope:
a telescope that uses a concave mirror to gather and focus light from a distant object
reflection:
a change in the direction of objects or energy when they strike, then bounce off a surface
refracting telescope:
a telescope that uses a convex lens to gather and focus light from a distant object and a concave lens to magnify the image
refraction:
the change in direction of a ray of light when it passes from one medium into another due to a change in the speed of the light
regular reflection:
the type of reflection that occurs off a smooth surface
residue:
the material left behind following filtration or distillation
respiratory system:
the system that moves air into and out of the body. It includes the lungs, trachea, and nasal passages.
responding variable:
the variable that changes in response to a change in the manipulated variable
retina:
the light-sensitive tissue layer at the back of the eye
river:
a larger body of flowing water

root hairs:
tubular projections from root epidermis cells. Root hairs vastly increase the absorptive surface area of the root.
run-off:
water that flows across the ground instead of soaking in or evaporating

salinity:
a measure of the quantity of salts dissolved in water

salt water:
water, such as ocean water, that is high in salt content

saturated solution:
a solution in which the maximum amount of solute has dissolved; all spaces between the solvent particles are full
screw:
an inclined plane wrapped around a cylinder or cone
sea-floor vent:
a volcanic opening (in the sea floor) that releases minerals and heat

sediment load:
rock material carried in water over a certain time

selectively permeable membrane:
a membrane that lets particles through on the basis of particle size
septic tank:
a large, underground container for storing sewage

sewage:
solid and liquid wastes generally carried in pipes from domestic, commercial, and industrial areas to sewage treatment or storage facilities

shutter:
the camera component that opens briefly to let light through the aperture
simple machine:
a basic tool or device that transfers energy to do useful work. The six simple machines include the lever, inclined plane, screw, pulley, wheel and axle, and the wedge.
soft water:
fresh water that contains few or no dissolved minerals

solid:
a state of matter having a definite shape and a definite volume, such as a brick
solubility:
the mass of a solute that can dissolve in a given amount of solvent to form a saturated solution at a given temperature
soluble:
able to be dissolved in a particular solvent
solute:
a substance that dissolves in a solvent; usually the smaller quantity in the solution
solution:
a uniform mixture of two or more substances that looks like one substance. A solution is also referred to as a homogeneous mixture.
solvent:
a substance that dissolves a solute to form a solution; usually the larger quantity in the solution
specialize:
to have a different structure or appearance to perform a particular function
speed advantage (SA):
the advantage provided by a machine that makes the load move faster than the effort force. The mechanical advantage is less than 1 for a machine providing a speed advantage.
speed ratio:
the relationship between the speed of the effort force and the speed of the load force. The speed ratio for gears is the ratio of the speed of rotation of the driven gear to the speed of rotation of the driving gear.
speed:
the rate of motion expressed as distance travelled per unit time (for example, m/s, km/h)
spring tide:
the highest tidal range; occur when the Moon, Earth, and Sun are aligned

sprocket:
a gear that drives a chain or is driven by a chain
statistics:
the science of collecting and analyzing numerical information
stream:
a small body of flowing water

streamflow:
the measure of speed and volume of water moving in a stream

striations:
parallel scratches created as a glacier drags imbedded rocks over bedrock

structure:
anything made of parts arranged together
sublimate:
to change from a solid to a gas or from a gas to a solid without becoming a liquid
subsystem:
a system (made from two or more components) that contributes to the operation of a larger system
supersaturated solution:
a solution that contains more solute than would normally dissolve at that temperature
surface water:
water that is found above the ground, for example, in ponds, rivers, and oceans

suspension:
a heterogeneous mixture in which larger particles settle slowly after mixing
swell:
a long, smooth wave caused by winds and storms far out at sea

system:
a combination of several components or subsystems that work together to perform a specific function
theory:
a hypothesis that has been supported by a large volume of rigorously collected evidence, usually over a long period of time, and has been accepted by many scientists
tidal range:
the difference in height between high and low tides

tide:
a twice-daily rise and fall of the ocean surface level caused by the gravitational pull of the Moon and Sun

till:
unsorted rock material deposited by a glacier

tissue:
a group of cells with the same structure and function that work together
toxin:
a chemical that can cause harm to living things

trade winds:
prevailing winds that blow from the east along the equator. These winds push ocean currents toward the west.

translucent:
transmitting, but scattering, rays of light The human eye cannot clearly see objects through a translucent material.
transmission:
the process in which radiant energy, such as light, penetrates and passes through a substance
transmission:
transfer from one place to another without a change in form
transparent:
transmitting rays of light The human eye can clearly see objects through a transparent material.
transpiration:
the evaporation of water from leaves via the stomata
unicellular:
composed of one cell
unsaturated solution:
a solution into which more solute could dissolve; there is still room for solute particles between the solvent particles
U-shaped valley:
a valley that has been carved by a glacier into a smooth u-shaped cross section

vacuole:
a fluid-filled organelle for the storage of wastes, food, or other materials
valley glacier:
a river of ice in a mountain valley

valve:
a device that controls the movement (speed, direction, and/or volume) of a fluid within a system
variable:
any factor that could change during the course of an experiment
vascular tissue:
tissue made of tubes that transport fluid
villi:
tiny, finger-like projections on the inner surface of the small intestine
virtual image:
an image located where light rays only appear to originate A virtual image cannot be projected on a screen.
viscosity:
the resistance of a fluid to flow
viscous:
having a high viscosity; thick
volume:
the measurement of the amount of space occupied by a substance
water cycle:
the circulation of water—powered by the Sun—among the oceans and other bodies of water, the atmosphere, and land

water cycle:
the process in which Earth's water moves between the oceans, the land, and the atmosphere
water management:
the process of people working to create and/or maintain a safe and adequate water supply

water quality:
the degree to which water is suited to various uses based on a variety of characteristics

water quantity:
the amount of water available

water table:
the level at which all open pores and spaces in the rock and soil are filled with ground water; the top surface of the water in an aquifer

water treatment:
the process of purifying water to make it potable

watershed:
the entire area drained by a stream and its tributaries. It’s also called a drainage basin.

wave:
a large ripple set in motion by the wind. In a wave, water particles move up and down to create a pattern that moves along the water’s surface. This pattern can move great distances. The water particles remain in place.

weather:
atmospheric conditions at a particular time and place

wedge:
a single or double-sided ramp that is forced into or under an object (its most common use is cutting)
weight:
the force of gravity exerted on a mass
weight:
the force of gravity exerted on a mass
westerly winds:
prevailing winds from polar regions that push ocean currents to the east

wet mount:
a slide prepared using water and a cover slip
wetland:
a lowland area that is saturated with water, such as a swamp, bog, or marsh

wheel and axle:
a type of simple machine made up of two turning objects attached at their centres
work (W):
a transfer of energy from one object or system to another when a force is applied over a distance. The amount of work is equal to the product of the force and the distance.

W = Fd

xylem tissue:
vascular plant tissue that transports water and minerals absorbed by the roots throughout the plant
zooplankton:
microscopic animals that drift around in salt water and fresh water