Page 3 - ICC Science Dictionary (spreads)

Word Definition Topic(s) Word Definition Topic(s)

abiotic Non-living elements of an B7a, B7b acid A chemical with a pH below 7 and TC3
ecosystem, such as climate, has the particle H+.
temperature, water, and soil type. Substance producing more C4, C5, C7,
absorbed When a substance is taken in by B2 hydrogen ions than hydroxide ions C8
something or moved across a when dissolved in water.
barrier such as a cell membrane, acid rain Rain that contains dissolved acidic C9
it is said to have been absorbed. gases such as nitrogen oxides and
Energy is 'taken-in' by the material P6 sulphur dioxide.
and the internal energy of the acidic Having a pH lower than 7. B4, B6, C4,
material will increase, eg infrared C7, C10
radiation from the Sun is absorbed
by the surface of the Earth. acrylic A type of transparent plastic. P6
polymer
absorption The transfer of energy into TP2
something. When something is activation The minimum amount of energy C5, C6
absorbed – often used when light energy that colliding particles must have
or other electromagnetic radiation for them to react.
is absorbed by a material. active site The part of the enzyme to which a B2

abundance If there is a lot of something, it is C1, C4 specific substrate can attach or fit
described as being abundant. on to.

a.c. Alternating current, eg the mains P7 active The transport of molecules against B2,B4
supply of electricity from a plug is transport their concentration gradient from
alternating current. a region of low concentration to a
region of high concentration.
acceleration A rate of change of speed (or TP1, P5, P8
velocity)- How much faster or activity The number of decays of a P1, P4
slower an object moves for each radioactive element per second.
second of time. Measured in Measured in Becquerels (Bq).
metres per second squared. adaptation A feature of an organism's body B3, B7a, B7b
accuracy A measurement result is Thinking which helps it to survive.
considered accurate if it is judged scientifically addition Large molecule formed in C7
to be close to the true value. polymer addition reactions between

acetate A type of transparent plastic film. P2 unsaturated monomer molecules.