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Glossary
Key to Phonetic Spellings
Sound symbol Key word(s) Phonetic spelling Sound symbol Key word(s) Phonetic spelling
a map MAP uhr paper PAY puhr
fern FUHRN
ay face FAYS yoo yule YOOL
day DAY globule GLAHB yool
ah father FAH thuhr yu cure KYUR
cot KAHT
aw caught KAWT y yes YES
law LAW
ee eat EET g get GET
ski SKEE
e wet WET j jig JIG
rare RER
oy boy BOY k card KARD
foil FOYL kite KIET
ow out OWT s cell SEL
now NOW kiss KIS
oo shoot SHOOT ch chin CHIN
suit SOOT
u book BUK sh shell SHEL
put PUT
uh sun SUHN th thin THIN
cut KUHT
i lip LIP zh azure AZH uhr

ie tide TIED ng bring BRING

sigh SIE
oh over OH vuhr nj change CHAYNJ
coat KOHT
overcoat OH vuhr KOHT z is IZ

CAPS = primary stress; SMALL CAPS = secondary stress; lowercase = unstressed

A acid (AS id) a substance that donates protons, H+,

to form hydronium ions, H3O+, when dissolved
absolute zero (AB suh LOOT ZIR oh) the tempera- in water (199)
ture at which an object’s energy is minimal (327) acid rain (AS id RAYN) any precipitation that has
acceleration (ak SEL uhr AY shuhn) the change in an unusually high concentration of sulfuric or
velocity divided by the time interval in which the nitric acids resulting from chemical pollution of
change occurred (259) the air (585)
accuracy (AK yur uh see) the extent to which a air mass (ER MAS) a large body of air with
measurement approaches the true value (25) uniform temperature and moisture content (613)

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Glossary
alkali metals (AL kuh LIE MET uhls) the highly re-
active metallic elements located in Group 1 of
B
the periodic table (87) background radiation (BAK grownd RAY dee AY
alkaline-earth metals (AL kuh LIN UHRTH MET shuhn) the nuclear radiation that arises natu-
uhls) the reactive metallic elements located in rally from cosmic rays and from radioactive iso-
Group 2 of the periodic table (88) topes in the soil and air (235)
alpha particle (AL fuh PAHRT i kuhl) a positively balanced forces (BAL uhnst FOHR sez) the forces
charged particle, emitted by some radioactive acting on an object that combine to produce a
nuclei, that consists of two protons and two neu- net force that is equal to zero (263)
trons (221) barometric pressure (BAR uh ME trik PRESH uhr)
alternating current (AWL tuhr NAYT ing KUHR the pressure due to the weight of the atmos-
uhnt) an electric current that changes direction phere; also called air pressure or atmospheric
at regular intervals; also called AC (476) pressure (609)
amino acid (uh MEE noh AS id) any one of 20 dif- base (BAYS) a substance that either contains hy-
ferent naturally occurring organic molecules that droxide ions, OH–, or reacts with water to form
combine to form proteins (134) hydroxide ions (201)
amplitude (AM pluh TOOD) the greatest distance beta particle (BAYT uh PAHRT i kuhl) an electron
that particles in a medium move from their nor- emitted during the radioactive decay of a neu-
mal position when a wave passes by (366) tron in an unstable nucleus (221)
analog signal (AN uh LAWG SIG nuhl) a signal cor- big bang theory (BIG BANG THEE uh ree) a sci-
responding to a quantity whose values can entific theory that states that the universe began
change continuously (491) 10 billion to 20 billion years ago in an enormous
anion (AN IE ahn) an ion with a negative charge explosion (532)
(81) biochemical compound (BIE oh KEM i kuhl
antacid (ANT AS id) a weak base that neutralizes KAHM pownd) any organic compound that has
excess stomach acid (210) an important role in living things (134)
asteroid (AS tuhr OYD) a small rocky object that black hole (BLAK HOHL) an object so massive
orbits the sun, usually in a band between the or- and dense that not even light can escape its grav-
bits of Mars and Jupiter (545) ity (541)
asthenosphere (as THEN uh SFIR) the zone of the bleach (BLEECH) a basic solution that can either
mantle beneath the lithosphere that consists of be used as a disinfectant or to remove colors and
slowly flowing solid rock (561) stains (209)
atmospheric transmission (AT muhs FIR ik trans boiling point (BOYL ing POYNT) the temperature
MISH uhn) the transmission of a signal using at which a liquid becomes a gas below the sur-
electromagnetic waves (498) face (54)
atom (AT uhm) the smallest particle that has the bond angle (BAHND AYN guhl) the angle formed
properties of an element (39) by two bonds to the same atom (110)
atomic mass unit (amu) (uh TAHM ik MAS YOON bond length (BAHND LENGKTH) the average
it) a quantity equal to one-twelfth the mass of a distance between the nuclei of two bonded
carbon-12 atom (84) atoms (110)
atomic number (uh TAHM ik NUHM buhr) the buoyancy (BOY uhn see) the force with which a
number of protons in the nucleus of an atom more dense fluid pushes a less dense substance
(82) upward (57)
average atomic mass (AV uhr ij uh TAHM ik MAS)
the weighted average of the masses of all natu-
rally occurring isotopes of an element (84) C
Avogadro’s constant (AH voh GAH drohz KAHN carbohydrate (CAHR boh HIE drayt) any organic
stuhnt) the number of particles in 1 mol; equals compound that is made of carbon, hydrogen,
6.022
1023/mol (96) and oxygen and that provides nutrients to the
cells of living things (134)

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Glossary
carrier (CAR ee uhr) a continuous wave that can be combustion reaction (kuhm BUHST shuhn ree AK
modulated to send a signal (500) shuhn) a reaction in which a compound and oxy-
catalyst (CAT uh list) a substance that changes the gen burn (155)
rate of chemical reactions without being con- community (kuh MYOO nuh tee) all of the animals
sumed (171) and plants living in one area in an ecosystem (631)
cathode ray tube (CATH OHD RAY TOOB) a tube compound (KAHM pownd) a substance made of
that uses an electron beam to create a display on atoms of more than one element bound together
a phosphorescent screen (502) (39)
cation (CAT IE ahn) an ion with a positive charge (81) compound machine (KAHM pownd muh SHEEN)
cell (SEL) a device that is a source of electric cur- a machine made of more than one simple ma-
rent because of a potential difference, or voltage, chine (296)
between the terminals (438) computer (kum PYOOT uhr) an electronic device
chemical bond (KEM i kuhl BAHND) the attrac- that can accept data and instructions, follow the
tive force that holds atoms or ions together (109) instructions, and output the results (506)
chemical change (KEM i kuhl CHAYNJ) a change concentration (KAHN suhn TRAY shuhn) the quan-
that occurs when a substance changes composition tity of solute dissolved in a given quantity of solu-
by forming one or more new substances (58) tion (196)
chemical energy (KEM i kuhl EN uhr jee) the en- condensation (KAHN duhn SAY shuhn) the change
ergy stored within atoms and molecules that can of a substance from a gas to a liquid (49)
be released when a substance reacts (151) conduction (kuhn DUK shuhn) the transfer of
chemical equation (KEM i kuhl ee KWAY zhuhn) energy as heat between particles as they collide
an equation that uses chemical formulas and within a substance or between two objects in con-
symbols to show the reactants and products in a tact (332)
chemical reaction (161) conductor (kuhn DUK tuhr) a material through
chemical formula (KEM i kuhl FOHR myoo luh) which energy can be easily transferred as heat
the chemical symbols and numbers indicating the (334); a material that transfers charge easily (432)
atoms contained in the basic unit of a substance constellation (KAHN stuh LAY shuhn) a group of
(41) stars appearing in a pattern as seen from Earth
chemical property (KEM i kuhl PRAHP uhr tee) (535)
the way a substance reacts with others to form constructive interference (kuhn STRUHK tiv IN
new substances with different properties (53) tuhr FIR uhns) any interference in which waves
chemical structure (KEM i kuhl STRUHK chuhr) combine so that the resulting wave is bigger than
the arrangement of bonded atoms or ions within the original waves (377)
a substance (110) convection (kuhn VEK shuhn) the transfer of en-
chemistry (KEM is tree) the study of matter and ergy by the movement of fluids with different
how it changes (38) temperatures (332)
circuit breaker (SUHR kit BRAYK uhr) a device that convection current (kuhn VEK shuhn KUHR uhnt)
protects a circuit from current overloads (452) the flow of a fluid due to heated expansion fol-
climate (KLIE muht) the general weather condi- lowed by cooling and contraction (333)
tions over many years (617) conversion factor (kuhn VUHR zhuhn FAK tuhr) a
cluster (KLUHS tuhr) a group of galaxies bound by ratio equal to one that expresses the same quan-
gravity (530) tity in two different ways (97)
code (KOHD) a set of rules used to interpret sig- cooling system (KOOL ing SIS tuhm) a device that
nals that convey information (489) transfers energy as heat out of an object to lower
colloid (KAHL OYD) a mixture of very tiny particles its temperature (343)
of pure substances that are dispersed in another core (KOHR) the center of a planetary body, such
substance but do not settle out of the substance as Earth (559)
(187) Coriolis effect (KOHR ee OH lis e FEKT) the
change in the direction of an object’s path due to
Earth’s rotation (611)

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Glossary
covalent bond (KOH VAY luhnt BAHND) a bond double-displacement reaction (DUHB uhl dis
formed when atoms share one or more pairs of PLAYS muhnt ree AK shuhn) a reaction in
electrons (119) which a gas, a solid precipitate, or a molecular
crest (KREST) the highest point of a transverse compound is formed from the apparent ex-
wave (366) change of ions between two compounds (158)
critical mass (KRIT i kuhl MAS) the minimum
mass of a fissionable isotope in which a nuclear
chain reaction can occur (233) E
critical thinking (KRIT i kuhl THINGK ing) the eclipse (i KLIPS) an event that occurs when one ob-
application of logic and reason to observations ject passes into the shadow of another object (549)
and conclusions (12) ecosystem (EK oh SIS tuhm) all of the living and
crust (KRUHST) the outermost and thinnest layer nonliving elements in a particular place (630)
of Earth (558) efficiency (e FISH uhn see) a quantity, usually ex-
current (KUHR uhnt) the rate that electric charges pressed as a percentage, that measures the ratio
move through a conductor (439) of useful work output to work input (312)
electric charge (ee LEK trik chahrj) an electrical
property of matter that creates a force between
D objects (430)
electric circuit (ee LEK trik SUHR kit) an electrical
decomposition reaction (DEE kahm puh ZISH uhn device connected so that it provides one or more
ree AK shuhn) a reaction in which one com- complete paths for the movement of charges (446)
pound breaks into at least two products (155) electric field (ee LEK trik FEELD) the region
density (DEN suh tee) the mass per unit volume of around a charged object in which other charged
a substance (55) objects experience an electric force (435)
deposition (DE puh ZISH uhn) the process in electric force (ee LEK trik FOHRS) the force of
which sediment is laid down (586) attraction or repulsion between objects due to
destructive interference (di STRUK tiv IN tuhr FIR charge (434)
uhns) any interference in which waves combine electric motor (ee LEK trik MOHT uhr) a device
so that the resulting wave is smaller than the that converts electrical energy to mechanical
largest of the original waves (377) energy (472)
detergent (dee TUHR jent) a nonsoap water-solu- electrical energy (ee LEK tri kuhl EN uhr jee) the
ble cleaner that can emulsify dirt and oil (208) energy associated with electrical charges,
dew point (DOO POYNT) the temperature at whether moving or at rest (450)
which water vapor molecules start to form liquid electrical potential energy (ee LEK tri kuhl poh
water (608) TEN shuhl EN uhr jee) the potential energy of
diffraction (di FRAK shuhn) the bending of a wave a charged object due to its position in an electric
as it passes an edge or an opening (375) field (437)
digital signal (DIJ i tuhl SIG nuhl) a signal that electrolysis (EE lek TRAHL i sis) the decomposi-
can be represented as a sequence of discrete tion of a compound by an electric current (155)
values (491) electromagnet (ee LEK troh MAG nit) a strong
disinfectant (DIS in FEK tuhnt) a substance that magnet created when an iron core is inserted into
kills harmful bacteria or viruses (209) the center of a current-carrying solenoid (470)
dispersion (di SPUHR zhuhn) an effect in which electromagnetic induction (ee LEK troh mag NET ik
white light separates into component colors (417) in DUHK shuhn) the production of a current in a
domain (doh MAYN) a microscopic magnetic region circuit by a change in the strength, position, or
composed of a group of atoms whose magnetic orientation of an external magnetic field (474)
fields are aligned in a common direction (471) electromagnetic wave (ee LEK troh mag NET ik
Doppler effect (DAHP luhr e FEKT) an observed WAYV) a wave that is caused by a disturbance in
change in the frequency of a wave when the electric and magnetic fields and that does not re-
source or observer is moving (373) quire a medium; also called a light wave (357)

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Glossary
electron (ee LEK trahn) a tiny negatively charged force (FOHRS) the cause of an acceleration, or
subatomic particle moving around outside the change in an object’s velocity (262)
nucleus of an atom (72) fossil fuels (FAHS uhl FYOO uhlz) any fuels
element (EL uh muhnt) a substance that cannot formed from the remains of ancient plant and
be broken down into simpler substances (39) animal life (639)
empirical formula (em PIR i kuhl FOHR myoo fossils (FAHS uhlz) the traces or remains of a plant
luh) the simplest chemical formula of a com- or an animal found in sedimentary rock (578)
pound that tells the smallest whole-number ratio free fall (FREE FAWL) the motion of a body when
of atoms in the compound (126) only the force of gravity is acting on it (271)
emulsion (ee MUHL shuhn) any mixture of immis- frequency (FREE kwuhn see) the number of vibra-
cible liquids in which the liquids are spread tions that occur in a 1 s time interval (367)
throughout one another (188) friction (FRIK shuhn) the force between two ob-
endothermic reaction (EN doh THUHR mik ree AK jects in contact that opposes the motion of either
shuhn) a reaction in which energy is transferred object (265)
to the reactants from the surroundings usually as front (FRUHNT) the boundary between air masses
heat (151) of different densities (613)
energy (EN uhr jee) the ability to change or move fuse (FYOOZ) an electrical device containing a
matter (48) metal strip that melts when current in the circuit
energy level (EN uhr jee LEV uhl) any of the possi- becomes too great (452)
ble energies an electron may have in an atom (73) fusion (FYOO zhuhn) the process in which light
enzyme (EN ZIEM) a protein that speeds up a spe- nuclei combine at extremely high temperatures,
cific biochemical reaction (171) forming heavier nuclei and releasing energy (234)
epicenter (EP i SEN tuhr) the point on Earth’s sur-
face directly above the focus of an earthquake
(568)
equilibrium (EE kwi LIB ree uhm) the state in
G
which a chemical reaction and its reverse occur galaxy (GAL uhk see) a collection of millions or
at the same time and at the same rate (174) billions of stars bound together by gravity (527)
erosion (ee ROH zhuhn) the process by which galvanometer (GAL vuh NAH muht uhr) an instru-
rock and/or the products of weathering are ment that measures the amount of current in a
removed (586) circuit (471)
eutrophication (yoo TRAHF i KAY shuhn) an in- gamma ray (GAM uh RAY) the high-energy elec-
crease in the amount of nutrients, such as ni- tromagnetic radiation emitted by a nucleus dur-
trates, in an environment (652) ing radioactive decay (222)
evaporation (ee VAP uh RAY shuhn) the change of generator (JEN uhr AYT uhr) a device that uses
a substance from a liquid to a gas (49) electromagnetic induction to convert mechanical
exothermic reaction (EK soh THUHR mik ree AK energy to electrical energy (476)
shuhn) a reaction that transfers energy from the geothermal energy (JEE oh THUHR muhl EN uhr
reactants to the surroundings usually as heat (151) jee) the energy drawn from heated water within
Earth’s crust (642)
global warming (GLOH buhl WAHRM ing) an in-
F crease in Earth’s temperature due to an increase
in greenhouse gases (650)
fault (FAWLT) a crack in Earth created when rocks gravity (GRAV i tee) the attraction between two
on either side of a break move (564) particles of matter due to their mass (266)
fission (FISH uhn) the process by which a nucleus greenhouse effect (GREEN HOWS e FEKT) the
splits into two or more smaller fragments, releas- process by which the atmosphere traps some of
ing neutrons and energy (231) the energy from the sun in the troposphere (604)
focus (FOH kuhs) the area along a fault at which group (GROOP) a vertical column of elements in
slippage first occurs, initiating an earthquake (568) the periodic table; also called a family (80)

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Glossary
H ion (IE ahn) an atom or group of atoms that has
lost or gained one or more electrons and there-
half-life (HAF LIEF) the time required for half a fore has a net electric charge (81)
sample of radioactive nuclei to decay (225) ionic bond (ie AHN ik BAHND) a bond formed by
halogens (HAL oh juhnz) the highly reactive the attraction between oppositely charged ions
elements located in Group 17 of the periodic (116)
table (92) ionization (IE uhn i ZAY shuhn) the process of
hardware (HAHRD WER) the equipment that adding electrons to or removing electrons from
makes up a computer system (510) an atom or group of atoms (81)
heat (HEET) the transfer of energy from the parti- isobar (IE soh BAHR) a line drawn on a weather
cles of one object to those of another object due map connecting points of equal barometric or at-
to a temperature difference (330) mospheric pressure (617)
heating system (HEET ing SIS tuhm) a device that isotopes (IE suh TOHPS) any atoms having the
transfers energy as heat to a substance to raise same number of protons but different numbers
the temperature of the substance (340) of neutrons (83)
humidity (hyoo MID uh tee) the quantity of water
vapor in the atmosphere (607)
hydroelectric power (HIE DROH ee LEK trik POW K
uhr) the energy of moving water converted to
electricity (636) kinetic energy (ki NET ik EN uhr jee) the energy
of a moving object due to its motion (300)

I L
igneous rock (IG nee uhs RAHK) any rock formed
from cooled and hardened magma or lava (577) length (LENGTH) the straight-line distance be-
tween any two points (18)
immiscible (im MIS uh buhl) describes two or
more liquids that do not mix into each other (42) lens (LENZ) a transparent object that refracts
light rays, causing them to converge or diverge
indicator (IN di KAYT uhr) a compound that can re-
to create an image (415)
versibly change color in a solution, depending on
the concentration of H3O+ ions (199) light ray (LIET RAY) a model of light that repre-
sents light traveling through space in an imagi-
inertia (in UHR shuh) the tendency of an object
nary straight line (406)
to remain at rest or in motion with a constant
velocity (269) light-year (LIET YIR) a unit of distance equal
to the distance light travels in one year;
infrasound (IN fruh sownd) any sound consisting
1 ly
9.5  1015 m (527)
of waves with frequencies lower than 20 Hz (393)
lithosphere (LITH oh SFIR) the thin outer shell of
insulator (IN suh LAYT uhr) a material that is a
Earth, consisting of the crust and the rigid upper
poor energy conductor (335); a material that
mantle (560)
does not transfer charge easily (432)
longitudinal wave (LAHN juh TOOD uhn uhl
intensity (in TEN suh tee) the rate at which light
WAYV) a wave that causes the particles of the
or any other form of energy flows through a
medium to vibrate parallel to the direction the
given area of space (402)
wave travels (363)
interference (IN tuhr FIR uhns) the combination of
two or more waves that exist in the same place at
the same time (376)
Internet (IN tuhr NET) a large computer network
M
that connects many local and smaller networks magma (MAG muh) the molten rock within Earth
(513) (562)
interstellar matter (IN tuhr STEL uhr MA tuhr) the magnetic field (mag NET ik FEELD) a region
gas and dust between the stars in a galaxy (528) where a magnetic force can be detected (465)

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Glossary
magnetic pole (mag NET ik POHL) an area of a molar mass (MOH luhr MAS) the mass in grams
magnet where the magnetic force appears to be of 1 mol of a substance (96)
the strongest (464) molarity (moh LER i tee) a concentration unit of a
magnification (MAG nuh fi KAY shuhn) a change in solution that expresses moles of solute dissolved
the size of an image compared with the size of per liter of solution (198)
an object (415) mole (MOHL) the SI base unit that describes the
mantle (MAN tuhl) the layer of rock between amount of a substance (96)
Earth’s crust and its core (558) mole ratio (MOHL RAY shee OH) the smallest rel-
mass (MAS) a measure of the quantity of matter ative number of moles of the substances involved
in an object (18) in a reaction (168)
mass number (MAS NUHM buhr) the total num- molecular formula (moh LEK yoo luhr FOHR
ber of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an myoo luh) a chemical formula that reports the
atom (82) actual numbers of atoms in one molecule of a
matter (MAT uhr) anything that has mass and compound (128)
occupies space (38) molecule (MAHL i KYOOL) the smallest unit of a
mechanical advantage (muh KAN i kuhl ad VANT substance that exhibits all of the properties char-
ij) a quantity that measures how much a machine acteristic of that substance (40)
multiplies force or distance (289) momentum (moh MEN tuhm) a quantity defined as
mechanical energy (muh KAN i kuhl EN uhr jee) the product of an object’s mass and velocity (256)
the sum of the kinetic and potential energy of
large-scale objects in a system (302)
mechanical wave (muh KAN i kuhl WAYV) a wave
that requires a medium through which to travel
N
(357) nebular model (NEB yuh luhr MAHD uhl) a
medium (MEE dee uhm) the matter through model that describes the sun and the solar sys-
which a wave travels (357) tem forming together out of a cloud of gas and
melting point (MELT ing POYNT) the temperature dust (548)
at which a solid becomes a liquid (54) neutralization reaction (NOO truhl i ZAY shuhn ree
mesosphere (MES oh SFIR) the coldest layer of the AK shuhn) a reaction in which hydronium ions
atmosphere; located above the stratosphere (601) from an acid and hydroxide ions from a base
metallic bond (muh TAL ik BAHND) a bond react to produce water molecules (204)
formed by the attraction between positively neutron (NOO trahn) a neutral subatomic particle
charged metal ions and the electrons around in the nucleus of an atom (72)
them (118) neutron emission (NOO trahn ee MISH uhn) the
metals (MET uhls) the elements that are good release of a high-energy neutron by some neu-
conductors of heat and electricity (87) tron-rich nuclei during radioactive decay (222)
metamorphic rock (MET uh MOHR fik RAHK) any neutron star (NOO trahn STAHR) a dead star
rock formed from other rocks as a result of heat, with the density of atomic nuclei (541)
pressure, or chemical processes (579) noble gases (NOH buhl GAS iz) the unreactive
mineral (MIN uhr uhl) a natural, inorganic solid gaseous elements located in Group 18 of the pe-
with a definite chemical composition and a char- riodic table (93)
acteristic internal structure (576) nonmetals (NAHN MET uhlz) the elements that are
miscible (MIS uh buhl) describes two or more liq- usually poor conductors of heat and electricity (87)
uids that are able to dissolve into each other in nonrenewable resources (NAHN ri NOO uh buhl
various proportions (42) REE sohrs uz) any resources that are used faster
mixture (MIKS chuhr) a combination of more than they can be replaced (640)
than one pure substance (41) nuclear chain reaction (NOO klee uhr CHAYN ree
modulate (MAHJ uh LAYT) the process of changing AK shuhn) a series of fission processes in which
a wave’s amplitude or frequency in order to send the neutrons emitted by a dividing nucleus cause
a signal (500) the division of other nuclei (232)

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Glossary
nuclear radiation (NOO klee uhr RAY dee AY physical property (FIZ i kuhl PRAHP uhr tee) a
shuhn) the charged particles or energy emitted characteristic of a substance that can be observed
by an unstable nucleus (220) or measured without changing the composition
nucleus (NOO klee uhs) the center of an atom; of the substance (54)
made up of protons and neutrons (72) physical transmission (FIZ i kuhl trans MISH uhn)
the transmission of a signal using wires, cables,
or optical fibers (498)
pitch (PICH) the perceived highness or lowness of
O a sound, depending on the frequency of sound
operating system (AHP uhr AYT ing SIS tuhm) the waves (392)
software that controls a computer’s activities pixel (PIKS uhl) the smallest element of a display
(510) image (503)
optical fiber (AHP ti kuhl FIE buhr) a hair-thin, planet (PLAN it) any of the nine primary bodies
transparent strand of glass or plastic that trans- orbiting the sun; a similar body orbiting another
mits signals using pulses of light (493) star (542)
orbital (OHR bit uhl) a region in an atom where plate tectonics (PLAYT tek TAHN iks) the theory
there is a high probability of finding electrons that Earth’s surface is made up of large moving
(75) plates (560)
organic compound (ohr GAN ik KAHM pownd) pollution (puh LOO shuhn) the contamination of
any covalently bonded compound that contains the air, water, or soil (647)
carbon (129) polyatomic ion (PAHL ee uh TAHM ik IE ahn) an
ozone (OH ZOHN) the form of atmospheric oxygen ion made of two or more atoms that are cova-
that has three atoms per molecule (600) lently bonded and that act like a single ion (120)
polymer (PAHL i MUHR) a large organic molecule
made of many smaller bonded units (133)
potential difference (poh TEN shuhl DIF uhr uhns)
P the change in the electrical potential energy per
unit charge (438)
P waves (PEE WAYVZ) primary waves; the longi-
tudinal waves generated by an earthquake (568) potential energy (poh TEN shuhl EN uhr jee) the
stored energy resulting from the relative positions
parallel (PAR uh LEL) describes components in a
of objects in a system (298)
circuit that are connected across common
points, providing two or more separate conduct- power (POW uhr) a quantity that measures the
ing paths (449) rate at which work is done (286)
period (PIR ee uhd) a horizontal row of elements precipitation (pree SIP uh TAY shuhn) any form of
in the periodic table (80); the time required for water that falls back to Earth’s surface from
one full wavelength to pass a certain point (367) clouds; includes rain, snow, sleet, and hail (607)
periodic law (PIR ee AHD ik LAW) the properties precision (pree SIZH uhn) the degree of exactness
of elements tend to repeat in a regular pattern of a measurement (24)
when elements are arranged in order of increas- pressure (PRESH uhr) the force exerted per unit
ing atomic number (77) area of a surface (47)
pH (pee AYCH) a measure of the hydronium ion prism (PRIZ uhm) a transparent block with a trian-
concentration in a solution (202) gular cross section (417)
phases (FAYZ iz) the different apparent shapes of product (PRAHD uhkt) a substance that is the re-
the moon or a planet due to the relative positions sult of a chemical change (149)
of the sun, Earth, and the moon or planet (549) protein (PROH teen) a biological polymer made of
photon (FOH tahn) a particle of light (400) bonded amino acids (134)
physical change (FIZ i kuhl CHAYNJ) a change proton (PROH tahn) a positively charged sub-
that occurs in the physical form or properties of atomic particle in the nucleus of an atom (72)
a substance that occurs without a change in pure substance (PYUR SUB stuhns) any matter that
composition (59) has a fixed composition and definite properties (41)

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Glossary

R refrigerant (ri FRIJ uhr uhnt) a substance used in

cooling systems that transfers large amounts of
radar (RAY DAHR) a system that uses reflected energy as it changes state (344)
radio waves to determine the distance to and lo- relative humidity (REL uh tiv hyoo MID uh tee)
cation of objects (404) the ratio of the quantity of water vapor in the air
radiation (RAY dee AY shuhn) the transfer of en- to the maximum quantity of water vapor that
ergy by electromagnetic waves (333) can be present at that temperature (607)
radicals (RAD ik uhls) the fragments of molecules renewable resources (ri NOO uh buhl REE sohrs
that have at least one electron available for uhz) any resources that can be continually re-
bonding (159) placed (641)
radioactive tracer (RAY dee oh AK tiv TRAYS uhr) resistance (ri ZIS tuhns) the ratio of the voltage
a radioactive material added to a substance so across a conductor to the current it carries (441)
that the substance’s location can later be de- resonance (REZ uh nuhns) an effect in which the
tected (238) vibration of one object causes the vibration of
radioactivity (RAY dee oh ak TIV uh tee) a process another object at a natural frequency (395)
by which an unstable nucleus emits one or more Richter scale (RIK tuhr SKAYL) a scale that ex-
particles or energy (220) presses the relative magnitude of an earthquake
random-access memory (RAN duhm AK SES MEM (571)
uh ree) a storage device that allows any stored
data to be read in the same access time (509)
reactant (REE AK tuhnt) a substance that under- S
goes a chemical change (149)
reactivity (REE ak TIV i tee) the ability of a sub- S waves (ES WAYVZ) secondary waves; the trans-
stance to combine chemically with another sub- verse waves generated by an earthquake (569)
stance (54) salt (SAWLT) an ionic compound composed of
read-only memory (REED OHN lee MEM uh ree) cations bonded to anions, other than oxide or
a memory device containing data that cannot be hydroxide anions (205)
changed (510) saturated solution (SACH uh RAYT id suh LOO
real image (REEL IM ij) an image of an object shuhn) a solution that cannot dissolve any more
formed by many light rays coming together in a solute at the given conditions (196)
specific location (409) schematic diagram (skee MAT ik DIE uh GRAM) a
recycling (ree SIE kuhl ing) the process of break- graphic representation of an electric circuit or
ing down discarded material for re-use in other apparatus, with standard symbols for the electri-
products (656) cal devices (447)
red giant (RED JIE uhnt) a large, reddish star late science (SIE uhns) a system of knowledge based
in its life cycle that fuses helium into carbon or on facts or principles (6)
oxygen (540) scientific law (SIE uhn TIF ik LAW) a summary of
red shift (RED SHIFT) a shift toward the red end an observed natural event (8)
of the spectrum in the observed spectral lines of scientific method (SIE uhn TIF ik METH uhd) a
stars or galaxies (531) series of logical steps to follow in order to solve
reduction/oxidation (redox) reaction (ri DUK problems (13)
shuhn AHKS i DAY shuhn (REE DAHKS) ree AK scientific notation (SIE uhn TIF ik noh TAY shuhn)
shuhn) a reaction that occurs when electrons a value written as a simple number multiplied by
are transferred from one reactant to another a power of 10 (22)
(159) scientific theory (SIE uhn TIF ik THEE uh ree) a
reflection (ri FLEK shuhn) the bouncing back of a tested, possible explanation of a natural event (8)
wave as it meets a surface or boundary (374) sedimentary rock (SED uh MEN tuh ree RAHK)
refraction (ri FRAK shuhn) the bending of waves any rock formed from compressed or cemented
as they pass from one medium to another (376) deposits of sediment (578)

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Glossary
seismology (siez MAHL uh gee) the study of earth- standing wave (STAN ding WAYV) a wave form
quakes and related phenomena (569) caused by interference that appears not to move
semiconductors (SEM i kuhn DUHK tuhrz) the ele- along the medium and that shows some regions
ments that are intermediate conductors of heat of no vibration (nodes) and other regions of
and electricity (87) maximum vibration (antinodes) (379)
series (SIR eez) describes a circuit or portion of a star (STAHR) a huge ball of hot gas that emits
circuit that provides a single conducting path light (527)
(449) stratosphere (STRAT uh SFIR) the layer of the at-
signal (SIG nuhl) a sign that represents informa- mosphere that extends upward from the tropos-
tion, such as a command, a direction, or a phere to an altitude of 50 km; contains the ozone
warning (488) layer (600)
significant figures (sig NIF uh kuhnt FIG yurz) strong nuclear force (STRAWNG NOO klee uhr
the digits in a measurement that are known with FOHRS) the force that binds protons and neu-
certainty (24) trons together in a nucleus (230)
simple machine (SIM puhl muh SHEEN) any one subduction (suhb DUHK shuhn) the process in
of the six basic types of machines of which all which a tectonic plate dives beneath another tec-
other machines are composed (291) tonic plate and into the asthenosphere (562)
single-displacement reaction (SING guhl dis sublimation (SUHB luh MAY shuhn) the change of
PLAYS muhnt ree AK shuhn) a reaction in which a substance from a solid to a gas (50)
atoms of one element take the place of atoms of substrate (SUHB STRAYT) the specific substance af-
another element in a compound (157) fected by an enzyme (172)
soap (SOHP) a cleaner that dissolves in both succession (suhk SESH uhn) the gradual repopu-
water and oil (207) lating of a community by different species over a
software (SAWFT WER) the instructions, data, and period of time (634)
programming that enables a computer system to supergiant (SOO puhr JI uhnt) an extremely large
work (510) star that creates elements as heavy as iron (540)
solar system (SOH luhr SIS tuhm) the sun and all supernova (SOO puhr NOH vuh) a powerful
the objects that orbit around it (543) explosion that occurs when a massive star dies
solenoid (SOH luh noyd) a long, wound coil of in- (540)
sulated wire (469) supersaturated solution (SOO puhr SACH uh RAYT
solubility (SAHL yoo BIL uh tee) the greatest uhd suh LOO shuhn) a solution holding more
quantity of a solute that will dissolve in a given dissolved solute than is specified by its solubility
quantity of solvent to produce a saturated solu- at a given temperature (197)
tion (197) surface waves (SUHR fis WAYVZ) the seismic
solute (SAHL YOOT) the substance that dissolves waves that travel along Earth’s surface (569)
in a solution (190) suspension (suh SPEN shuhn) a mixture that
solution (suh LOO shuhn) a homogeneous mix- looks uniform when stirred or shaken that sepa-
ture of two or more substances uniformly spread rates into different layers when it is no longer
throughout a single phase (190) agitated (186)
solvent (SAHL vuhnt) the substance that dissolves synthesis reaction (SIN thuh sis ree AK shuhn) a
the solute to make a solution (190) reaction of at least two substances that forms a
sonar (SOH NAHR) a system that uses reflected new, more complex compound (154)
sound waves to determine the distance to, and
location of, objects (397)
specific heat (spuh SIF ik HEET) the amount of
T
energy transferred as heat that will raise the technology (tek NAHL uh gee) the application of
temperature of 1 kg of a substance by 1 K (336) science to meet human needs (7)
speed (SPEED) the distance traveled divided by telecommunication (TEL i kuh MYOO ni KAY shuhn)
the time interval during which the motion oc- a communication method using electromagnetic
curred (252) means (490)

Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. G LOSSARY 715
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Glossary
temperature (TEM puhr uh chuhr) a measure of universe (YOON uh VUHRS) the sum of all matter
the average kinetic energy of all the particles and energy that exists, that ever has existed, and
within an object (324) that ever will exist (526)
temperature inversion (TEM puhr uh chuhr in unsaturated solution (UHN SACH uh RAYT uhd suh
VUHR zhuhn) the atmospheric condition in LOO shuhn) a solution that is able to dissolve
which warm air traps cooler air near Earth’s more solute (196)
surface (599)
terminal velocity (TUHR muh nuhl vuh LAHS uh
tee) the maximum velocity reached by a falling V
object, occurring when resistance of the medium
is equal to the force due to gravity (272) valence electron (VAY luhns ee LEK trahn) an
thermometer (thuhr MAHM uht uhr) a device that electron in the outermost energy level of an atom
measures temperature (325) (76)
thermosphere (THURM oh SFIR) the atmospheric variable (VER ee uh buhl) anything that can
layer above the mesosphere (601) change in an experiment (13)
topography (tuh PAHG ruh fee) the surface fea- velocity (vuh LAHS uh tee) a quantity describing
tures of Earth (619) both speed and direction (254)
total internal reflection (TOHT uhl in TUHR nuhl vent (VENT) an opening through which molten
ri FLEK shuhn) the compete reflection of light at rock flows onto Earth’s surface (572)
the boundary between two transparent mediums virtual image (VUHR choo uhl IM ij) an image
when the angle of incidence exceeds the critical that forms at a point from which light rays ap-
angle (414) pear to come but do not actually come (408)
transformer (trans FOHRM uhr) a device that viscosity (vis KAHS uh tee) the resistance of a
can change one alternating-current voltage to fluid to flow (48)
a different alternating-current voltage (479) volume (VAHL yoom) a measure of space, such as
transition metals (tran ZISH uhn MET uhls) the the capacity of a container (18)
metallic elements located in Groups 3–12 of the
periodic table (89)
transpiration (TRAN spuh RAY shuhn) the evapora- W
tion of water through pores in a plant’s leaves
(607) water cycle (WAH tuhr SIE kuhl) the continuous
transverse wave (TRANS VUHRS WAYV) a wave movement of water from the atmosphere to
that causes the particles of the medium to vi- Earth and back (606)
brate perpendicularly to the direction the wave wave (WAYV) a disturbance that transmits energy
travels (363) through matter or space (356)
troposphere (TRO poh SFIR) the atmospheric layer wave speed (WAYV SPEED) the speed at which a
closest to Earth’s surface where nearly all wave passes through a medium (369)
weather occurs (599) wavelength (WAYV LENGTH) the distance between
trough (TRAWF) the lowest point of a transverse any two successive identical parts of a wave (366)
wave (366) weathering (WETH uhr ing) the change in the
physical form or chemical composition of rock
materials exposed at Earth’s surface (578)
U weight (WAYT) the force with which gravity pulls
on a quantity of matter (18)
ultrasound (UHL truh SOWND) any sound consist- white dwarf (HWIET DWOHRF) a small, very
ing of waves with frequencies higher than 20 000 dense star that remains after fusion in a red
Hz (393) giant stops (540)
unbalanced forces (UHN BAL uhnst FOHR sez) work (WUHRK) quantity of energy transferred by a
the forces acting on an object that combine to force when it is applied to a body and causes that
produce a net nonzero force (263) body to move in the direction of the force (284)

716 G L O S S A R Y Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.