Visionlearning Glossary

English statesman and philosopher born in London (1561-1626). In 1620, Bacon published the Novum Organum, in which he argued for a method of scientific inquiry based on inductive reasoning in which the only way to discover the truth was to gather evidence from the real world. He is often referred to as the catalyst for the Scientific Revolution. In 1618, Bacon was appointed Lord Chancellor, and in 1621, he was made viscount St. Albans. For further information see Francis Bacon

Used in the following modules: Research Methods: The Practice of Science, Scientific Institutions and Societies

A dark, fine-grained igneous rock formed by cooling of iron- and magnesium-rich lava above the surface of the earth. Basalt is the main component of the oceanic crust of the earth.

Used in the following modules: Earth Structure, Minerals I, The Rock Cycle

Generally, a substance that reacts with acids to form a salt, several different definitions of bases have been proposed by different scientists (listed in parentheses). 1) (Arrhenius) a compound that releases hydroxide ions (OH-) in solution; 2) (Brønsted-Lowry) a molecule or ion that accepts hydrogen ions from solution; 3) (Lewis) a molecule or ion that donates an electron pair to an acid.

Used in the following modules: Acids and Bases, DNA I, DNA II, Earth Structure, Scientific Communication: Utilizing the Scientific Literature

An abbreviation for Before the Common Era, which is a designation for the period of time prior to year 1 of the Gregorian calendar. BCE is an alternative to the abbreviation BC, and the numbering of years is identical to the Before Christ system. Compare with CE.

Used in the following modules: Research Methods: Description, Research Methods: Experimentation, Research Methods: The Practice of Science, Scientific Communication: Understanding Scientific Journals and Articles, Scientific Communication: Utilizing the Scientific Literature

French physicist, born in Paris (1852-1908). Becquerel’s most famous work is his study of uranium salts, which he discovered produced rays that caused gas to ionize. This type of radiation was termed Becquerel radiation. In 1903 he was awarded half a Nobel Prize for his discovery of radiation; the other half was awarded to Pierre and Marie Curie for their work on Becquerel radiation. For further information see Henri Becquerel.

Used in the following modules: Nuclear Chemistry

Swiss medical doctor and mathematician born in Groningen (1700-1782). His work Hydrodynamica contains the first correct analysis of the dynamics of water flowing through a hole, based on the principle of the conservation of energy. He was a prolific researcher and won the Grand Prize of the Paris Academy 4 times, for topics in astronomy and nautical topics. For further information see Daniel Bernoulli.

Used in the following modules: Matter

Swedish chemist and medical doctor born in Väversunda, Ostergötland (1779-1848). While studying for his medical degree, he experimented with the use of electric shock to treat patients with various diseases. He is most famous for a series of experiments that proved that elements in inorganic compounds are bound together in definite proportions. In studying compounds, he discovered cerium, selenium, and thorium. With his experimental results, he was able to determine the atomic weights of nearly all elements then known. For more information, see Jöns Jakob Berzelius.

Used in the following modules: Minerals III

A formal two word name given to each species, based on the combination of a genus name and a species name.

Used in the following modules: Taxonomy II: Nomenclature

The variety and abundance of life and its ecological context, including the different kinds of organisms, the numbers of species, the variations in their genes, and the complexity of their ecological conditions.

Used in the following modules: Charles Darwin III, Taxonomy I, Taxonomy II: Nomenclature

of or relating to the partitioning and cycling of chemical elements and compounds between the living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem

Used in the following modules: Earth's Atmosphere, The Carbon Cycle, The Nitrogen Cycle

The combined mass of living or once-living organisms in a given area.

Used in the following modules: The Nitrogen Cycle

The part of the world in which life can exist.

Used in the following modules: Scientific Communication: Utilizing the Scientific Literature, The Carbon Cycle, The Nitrogen Cycle

Norwegian mathematician, physicist and meteorologist born in Christiana, Norway (now Oslo) (1862-1951). Bjerknes proposed the concept of numerical weather prediction, developed by later scientists as a means of weather forecasting through the use of mathematical modeling. Bjerknes also made fundamental contributions to our understanding of air masses, fronts, and circulation in the atmosphere. He received many honors during his life, and posthumously was honored by a stamp with his image. For further information see Vilhelm Bjerknes

Used in the following modules: Research Methods: Modeling

Danish physicist born in Copenhagen (1885-1962). Bohr’s research was mainly theoretical in nature, including an investigation into the absorption of alpha rays and the structure of atoms. He combined Rutherford’s atomic model with concepts from the Quantum Theory, developing the model of the atom that is still used today. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1922 for his work on atomic structure. For further information, see Niels Bohr.

Used in the following modules: Atomic Theory II

Indian Bengali mathematician born in Calcutta (1894-1974). Bose developed an interest in physics and mathematics in high school. He later worked on quantum theory, particularly Planck’s law of black body radiation. His 1924 paper Planck’s Law and the Hypothesis of Light Quanta was strongly endorsed by Einstein, and helped to form the foundation for Bose-Einstein statistics and the theory of Bose-Einstein condensates. The boson, a sub-atomic particle with integer spin, is named in his honor. For more information see Satyendra Nath Bose.

Used in the following modules: Matter: States of Matter

English chemist and theologian, born at Lismore Castle, Munster, Ireland (1627-1691). Boyle published on a broad array of topics, including chemistry, physics, medicine, and theology. He is best known for Boyle’s Law, from which the ideal gas law is derived. In 1661, Boyle published The Sceptical Schymist or Chymico-Physical Doubts and paradoxes, which is considered a conerstone in the field of modern chemistry. Boyle was also one of the founding members of the Royal Society of London. For further information see Robert Boyle

Used in the following modules: Acids and Bases, Matter, Scientific Institutions and Societies, Waves and Wave Motion

Danish astronomer, born in Knutstorp Castle (1546-1601). He is famous for his geocentric theory of the solar system, as well as for his meticulous astronomical observations concerning the positions of planets. He made his observations over 20 years, from the island of Hven. He later was appointed Imperial Mathematician to the Holy Roman Emperor, Rudolph II, in Prague. For further information see Tycho Brahe.

Used in the following modules: Gravity

Danish physical chemist born in Varde (1879-1947). In 1906, Brønsted published his first paper on electron affinity. In 1923, he suggested the protonic theory of acid-base reactions, and later became an authority on catalysis by acids and bases. The Brønsted catalysis equation is named for him. He also developed the theory of proton donors during ionization. For further information see Johannes Brønsted.

Used in the following modules: Acids and Bases

A substance that when added to solution compensates for any change in hydrogen ion concentration following the addition of an acid or a base, and thus maintains a relatively constant pH. Buffers can react with and neutralize small amounts of either acids or bases.

The upward pressure exerted on an object by a fluid in which the object rests.  

Used in the following modules: Density

American scientist and statesman, born in Everett, Massachusetts (1890-1974). Bush did seminal work in analog computing, and founded the American Appliance Company, later renamed Raytheon. In 1939 he was appointed chairman of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics and began advocating for the establishment of a federal agency to coordinate scientific research, especially as related to military and defense needs. The effort would eventually lead to the creation of the National Science Foundation in 1950. For further information see: Vannevar Bush.

Used in the following modules: Scientific Communication: Utilizing the Scientific Literature, Scientific Institutions and Societies