Matter: Anything that occupies space and has mass Mass: a measure of the amount of matter an object contains

Weight: the force that results from the action of gravity on somethings mass 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 componentscan occur as solids (gold), liquids (bromine), or gases (helium) Molecules: particles containing more than one atomthose containing more than one element are called compounds Radioactive: Unstable isotopes are radioactive Radioactive Decay: the spontaneous release of material from the nucleus undergone by radioactive isotopes Half-life: The time it takes for one-half of the original radioactive parent atoms to decay Surface Tension: results from the cohesion of water molecules at the surface of a body of water Capillary Action: occurs when adhesion of water molecules to a surface is stronger than cohesion between the moleculesex: absorption of water by a paper towel or sponge Acid: a substance that contributes hydrogen ions to a solution Base: a substance that contributes hydroxide ions to a solution pH: (using the scale) a way to indicate the strength of acids and bases 0-6.9 Acidic; 7 Neutral; 7.1-14 Basic Chemical Reaction: when atoms separate from the molecules they are a part of or recombine with other molecules Law of Conservation of Matter: states that matter cannot be created or destroyed; it can only change form Inorganic Compounds: compounds that either (a) do not contain the element carbon, or (b) do not contain carbon, but only carbon bound to elements other than hydrogen Ex: ammonia (NH3), sodium chloride (NaCl), water (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2) Organic Compounds: compounds that have carbon-carbon and carbon-hydrogen bonds Ex: glucose (C6H12O6), fossil fuels (natural gas CH4) Macromolecules: the biological molecules carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acid, lipids Carbohydrates: compounds composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atomsprovide quick energy Proteins: long chains of nitrogen-containing organic molecules called amino acidsprovide structural support, energy storage, internal transport, defense against foreign substances

Nucleic Acids: organic compounds found in all living cells DNA: genetic material organisms pass on to offspring which contains the code for reproducing the components of the next generation RNS: translates the code stored in the DNA and allows for the synthesis of proteins Lipids: smaller biological molecules that do not mix with waterfats, waxes, steroids; form major part of membranes that surround cells __ Energy: the ability to do work, or transfer heat Power: the rate at which work is done Potential Energy: energy that is stored but has not yet been released Chemical Energy: potential energy stored in chemical bonds Kinetic Energy: the energy of motion Temperature: the measure of the average kinetic energy of a substance First Law of Thermodynamics: Just as matter can neither be created nor destroyed, energy is neither created nor destroyed; it simply changes form Second Law of Thermodynamics: 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 that is done to the total amount of energy that is introduced into the system in the first place Energy Quality: the ease with which an energy source can be used for work Entropy: all systems move toward randomness (entropy) rather than order [from the 2nd law of thermodynamics] -Entropy is always increasing in a system, unless new energy from outside the system is added to create order __ Open System: exchanges of matter/energy occur across system boundariessuch as the ocean Closed System: matter and energy exchanges across system boundaries do not occur such as an underground cave system Inputs: additions to a given system Outputs: losses from a given system System Analysis: determines inputs, outputs, and changed in the system under various conditions Steady State: when inputs=outputs, so that the system is not changing over time

Negative Feedback Loop: when a system responds to a change by returning to its original state, or at least by decreasing the rate at which the change is occurring Example: Lake Mono Lake level dropsReduced surface areaLess evaporationLevel Risesback to beginning Positive Feedback Loop: when a system responds to a change by amplifying or continuing on the same rate of change Example: Population increasemore birthspopulation increasemore births and so on