Update 2025-2026
Physics - Answers The study of forces, energy, motion
Chemistry - Answers The study of atoms and molecules, their structures, and their interactions
to form substances
Earth science - Answers The study of the Earth's structure and composition, and processes that
change Earth
essential attributes of science - Answers Studies the natural world
Uses testable ideas
Relies on data from observations/experiments
Presented for evaluation by other scientists
Leads to further questions/research
variables - Answers The changing quantities in an experiment
independent variable - Answers What you change in an experiment on purpose
dependent variable - Answers The variable that changes because of an independent variable
control variable - Answers The variable(s) you don't want to study, need to be either eliminated
or kept constant
observational study - Answers When systems are observed as they appear in nature,
researchers do not attempt to change them
physical model - Answers A model of a physical phenomenon, such as a planetary system
conceptual model - Answers A model used to visualize things that cannot be seen, such as
atoms
mathematical model - Answers A model that treats physical objects/phenomena using
mathematical methods
computer model - Answers A detailed, complex model calculated by a computer
principle of falsification - Answers Principle that only falsifiable statements can be subject to
scientific inquiry
hypothesis - Answers A testable statement about how something in nature works
law - Answers A concise statement that is supported by scientific evidence and repeated
, experiments, describes a widespread pattern in nature (what)
theory - Answers A statement that explains a wide range of observations, supported by a large
body of scientific evidence (how/why)
meter - Answers Base unit of length
kilogram - Answers Base unit of mass
second - Answers Base unit of time
kelvin - Answers Base unit of temperature
Derived units - Answers What is produced when the base units/quantities are combined
Speed - Answers The name for the distance traveled divided by an interval of time
Volume - Answers Term for the amount of space an object occupies
Liquid displacement - Answers Method of determining the volume of an object by measuring the
amount of liquid it displaces
direct relationship - Answers A relationship between two variables where increasing one
increases the other, and vice versa
inverse relationship - Answers A relationship between two variables where increasing one
decreases the other, and vice versa
Velocity - Answers A combination of speed and direction
Acceleration - Answers Term for any change in an object's speed and/or direction
Force - Answers Term for a push or a pull with direction and magnitude. You may not feel it.
Net force - Answers The sum of all forces acting on an object
balanced forces - Answers Term for forces that combine to produce a net force of 0
Newton's first law - Answers An object in motion remains in motion unless acted on by a net
force
inertia - Answers The tenancy to keep the same motion/velocity or remain at rest. Newton's first
law
Newton's second law - Answers Net force = mass x acceleration (F = ma)
Newton's third law - Answers When one object exerts a force on a second object, the second
object exerts a force of the same magnitude in the opposite direction on the first object ("For
every action, an equal and opposite reaction")