Visionlearning Glossary

1. The sudden motion or slip along a fault. 2. The ground shaking that results from the release of seismic energy either by (1) or by other means, such as the movement of magma beneath the surface of the earth.

Used in the following modules: Data: Statistics, Data: Using Graphs and Visual Data, Earth Structure, Matter: States of Matter, Plate Tectonics II, The Process of Science, The Rock Cycle, Wave Mathematics, Waves and Wave Motion

A metamorphic rock that forms from mafic rocks (like basalt and gabbro) under extremely high pressure. The main minerals present are garnet and a green pyroxene, giving the rock a characteristic, mottled red and green appearance. The most common environment where ecolgites form is deep in subduction zones, where subducted oceanic crust is put under very high pressures.

Used in the following modules: The Rock Cycle

The complex of a community of organisms and its environment, functioning as a unit.

Used in the following modules: The Nitrogen Cycle

Theoretical physicist, born in Württemberg, Germany (1879-1955) who became an American citizen in 1940. While working as a patent clerk in Zurich, he developed theories on the photoelectric effect and relativity, for which he won a Nobel Prize in physics in 1921. He was also associated with the Manhattan Project, which resulted in the development of the atomic bomb. In 1999, Time magazine named Einstein “Person of the Century.” For further information see Albert Einstein

Used in the following modules: Gravity, Light I, Light II, Matter: States of Matter, Research Methods: Experimentation, Scientific Institutions and Societies

A fundamental property used to explain attraction and repulsion between certain particles. Two types of charge exist: negative charge, which is generally conveyed as an excess of electrons; and positive charge, which is generally conveyed as a lack of electrons and excess of protons. The interaction of opposite charges produces an attractive electrical force, and the interaction of like charges produces a repulsive electrical force.

Used in the following modules: Atomic Theory I, Atomic Theory II, Chemical Bonding, Chemical Reactions, Water

A fundamental force produced by the interaction of electrical charges. Sometimes called the ‘electromagnetic’ force, electrical force is several billion times stronger than gravitational force.

Used in the following modules: Light II

A substance that dissociates into 2 or more oppositely charged ions in water. Electrolytic solutions conduct electricity because the charged ions can carry electrons in water.

A series of waves that are propagated by simultaneous, periodic variations of electrical and magnetic fields. Examples of electromagnetic radiation include radio waves, light, X-rays, gamma rays and others.

Used in the following modules: Light II

A sub-atomic particle with a negative charge of 1.60 × 10^-19 coulombs and a mass of 9.11 × 10^-31 kg. Electrons are generally found around the nucleus of an atom, but may be gained or lost during ion formation. Compare to the proton.

Used in the following modules: Acids and Bases, Atomic Theory I, Atomic Theory II, Chemical Bonding, Chemical Equations, Chemical Reactions, Data: Using Graphs and Visual Data, Matter: States of Matter, Minerals III, Nuclear Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Research Methods: Modeling, Research Methods: The Practice of Science, Teaching Effectively with Multimedia, The Mole, The Periodic Table of Elements, The Process of Science, Water

The orbitals around the nucleus of an atom where electrons reside. Also called electron orbitals and energy levels.

Used in the following modules: Atomic Theory II, Chemical Bonding, Chemical Reactions, The Periodic Table of Elements

A relative measure of the affinity (or attraction) that atoms of an element have for electrons. The higher the electronegativity of an atom, the stronger will be its affinity for electrons. The type of bond formed between two atoms (ionic or covalent) can be predicted by the difference in electronegativities of the two bonding atoms.

One of less than 118 pure chemical substances. An element is a substance composed of atoms with identical atomic number.

Used in the following modules: Absorption, Distribution and Storage of Chemicals, Atomic Theory I, Atomic Theory II, Cells, Chemical Bonding, Chemical Equations, Chemical Reactions, Data: Uncertainty, Error, and Confidence, Data: Using Graphs and Visual Data, DNA I, DNA II, Educational Web Design, Matter, Matter: States of Matter, Minerals II, Minerals III, Nuclear Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Research Methods: Modeling, The Carbon Cycle, The Mole, The Nitrogen Cycle, The Periodic Table of Elements

Greek philosopher born in Acragas (490-430 BCE). He is credited (by Aristotle) with inventing rhetoric, and by the philosopher Galen with founding the science of medicine. Empedocles is remembered for his belief that all matter was composed of four elements: earth, air, fire and water. He also proved experimentally that air was a substance, rather than empty space, and deduced that light travels at a finite velocity. For more information see Empedocles.

Used in the following modules: Matter, Research Methods: Experimentation, Research Methods: The Practice of Science

The uptake by a cell of material from its environment by a process in which the cell surrounds the material and engulfs it with a vesicle formed by its plasma membrane.

Used in the following modules: Absorption, Distribution and Storage of Chemicals

A process or reaction that absorbs heat. For example, ice melting is an example of an endothermic process because it absorbs heat from its surroundings.

Used in the following modules: Chemical Reactions

An abstract property defined as the capacity to do work. The basic forms of energy include chemical, electrical, mechanical, nuclear and radiant (light).

Used in the following modules: Absorption, Distribution and Storage of Chemicals, Atomic Theory II, Carbohydrates, Cells, Chemical Equations, Chemical Reactions, Data: Using Graphs and Visual Data, Earth Structure, Earth's Atmosphere, Energy, Fats and Proteins, Light II, Matter: States of Matter, Nuclear Chemistry, Plate Tectonics II, Research Methods: Modeling, Research Methods: The Practice of Science, Scientific Ethics, Scientific Institutions and Societies, Temperature, The Carbon Cycle, The Hydrologic Cycle, The Nitrogen Cycle

Short for Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer; the first general-purpose electronic computer. It was the first high-speed, digital computer capable of being reprogrammed to solve a broad range of computing problems.

Used in the following modules: Research Methods: Modeling

A measure of disorder or randomness in a system. The 2^nd law of thermodynamics states any spontaneous change is accompanied by an overall increase in entropy overall. For example, when water evaporates molecules are dispersed over greater distances resulting in an increase in entropy.

Used in the following modules: Energy

Molecules produced by living organisms that help catalyze biochemical reactions. Enzymes are predominantly protein or protein-based molecules and are highly specific in their mechanism of action as well as the reactants that they work upon (called substrates).

Used in the following modules: Carbohydrates, DNA I, Fats and Proteins

The scientific study of epidemics and epidemic diseases, especially the patterns, causes, and control of diseases in human populations.

Used in the following modules: Data: Statistics, Research Methods: Comparison

(from the Greek episteme, ‘knowledge’, and logos, ‘theory’) the study of the nature of knowledge; a branch of philosophy investigating the origin, nature, methods, and limits of human knowledge.

The action or process of eroding: wearing away by the action of water, wind, glacial ice, etc.

Used in the following modules: The Rock Cycle

A social philosophy that advocates for the control of heritable characteristics in humans through various forms of intervention including selective breeding, sterilization, and others.

An energy state for an atom in which electrons exist above the minimum or ground state configuration. In general, excited states are unstable and will quickly relax back to ground state through the emission of a quantum of energy.

A process or reaction that releases heat. For example, wood burning in the presence of oxygen is an example of an exothermic reaction.

Used in the following modules: Chemical Reactions

A property of matter that is dependent on the amount of material present. Common extensive properties include mass, volume, length and charge.

A process by which viscous magma is emitted from below the surface of the earth to cool on the surface.

Used in the following modules: Plate Tectonics I