5th Grade Science Vocabulary Glossary 2013-2014 School Year Science Terms, Definitions and Pictures

A
Accurate Correct; true. Adaptation An inherited trait or learned behavior that helps an organism survive in its surroundings.

Analyze Look at closely and carefully.

Aquarium A plastic or glass container filled with water, fish, and other aquatic animals.

Atom What all matter is made of.

Adult A fully grown organism that can reproduce.

Axis A line, real or imaginary, around which something spins.

Air Pressure A force applied by the weight of air.

B
Beach Erosion The removal of beach materials into the sea or lakes by the action of waves, tides, or wind. Beaker Cylinder shaped glass container used to mix or heat liquids.

Alternative Energy Resource Energy generated by natural processes that is renewable.

5th Grade Science Vocabulary Glossary Biofuel Fuel made from plants, animal wastes, and decomposing plant and animal tissue. Camouflage Characteristics that blend in with the surrounding environment and increase chances of survival.

Birth The beginning of life.

Canyon A deep gorge in the surface of Earth formed by the erosion of moving water and sand.

Boiling Point The temperature at which a substance changes states from a liquid to a gas (the boiling point of water is 100 Celsius).

Carbon Cycle The movement of carbon on Earth by the processes of respiration and photosynthesis.

Bubble Gas or air in a liquid.

Buoyancy The upward force placed on an object by a liquid.

Carbon Dioxide A gas produced by animals during respiration that plants use to make food, water and oxygen.

C
Calculator A device that performs math problems with numbers entered by hand.

Career Occupation requiring special skills or training.

Carnivore An animal that gets energy by eating only other animals.

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5th Grade Science Vocabulary Glossary Carrying Capacity The population size an environment can feed and support. Classify Group together based on similar traits.

Celsius A temperature scale that sets the freezing point of water at 0 and the boiling point at 100.

Clay Thick, heavy, and sticky soil made of tiny pieces of minerals.

Change To make or become different.

Climate Average weather conditions of a region year after year.

Change of State To change from a solid, liquid, or gas to another state, such as an ice cube melting.

Closed Circuit A pathway that allows an electric current to flow freely.

Cold Front - The location where a cold air mass is replacing a warm air mass. Characteristic - A trait or feature that cannot be changed.

Combine To mix together. Chart A picture that uses symbols to represent data. Community A group of living things sharing an environment. Chemist A person who uses scientific methods to study matter.

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5th Grade Science Vocabulary Glossary Compass An instrument that uses a small magnet to shows the directions North (N), South (S), East (E), and West (W). Conservation The wise use and protection of natural resources. To protect and avoid wasteful and destructive use.

Complete Metamorphosis A type of development consisting of four distinct stages egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Compost Plant remains that decay and are recycled as fertilizer.

Constant Not changing; the same.

Consumer An organism that gets energy by eating other organisms.

Concentration The amount of substance in a liquid.

Craters Bowl-shaped indents or cavities on the surface of a planet, moon, or asteroid that are caused by a collision with another object, such as a meteorite.

Conclusion An explanation based on your observation or measurement.

Condensation Physical change in matter from a gas to a liquid.

Critical Thinking Looking very closely at all parts before drawing a conclusion.

Conductor Material that allows electric current or heat energy to flow through easily.

Critique Identify the problems and successes with an investigation and suggest solutions for improvement.

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5th Grade Science Vocabulary Glossary Deposition The build up of land by depositing sediment and soil in a new location.

D
Data Information collected during an experiment. Day The time during rotation when Earth faces the Sun, and it is lighted; this rotation gives the false appearance that the Sun travels from East to West across the sky.

Direct Evidence Evidence that comes from your measurements, tests, or observations.

Direction The line or course along which something is moving.

Discovery Something new that is learned. Decay To rot and break down into small parts.

Disperse Scatter or send in several different directions. Decomposer An organism that gets energy by eating dead organisms, nonliving materials or waste. Disposal Getting rid of; throwing away.

Delta A triangle-shaped (deposit) landform at the mouth of a river as it empties into another body of water. Density The mass of an object in liquid.

Dissect Cut open to observe.

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5th Grade Science Vocabulary Glossary Dissolve Melt, make a solution out of, or turn into a liquid. Egg The first stage in the life cycle of many organisms, including birds, amphibians, reptiles, fish, and insects. Electric Circuit The pathway through which electrical current flows. Diverse Having a variety of many different types. Electric Current The flow of electricity around a circuit.

E
Earth A planet in the Solar System that supports life. Earths Crust Outer layer of Earths surface that is made of rock and is several miles deep.

Electrical Circuit The pathway through which electrical current flows.

Electric Energy Energy produced by the movement of electrons. Electrical Energy Energy produced by the movement of electrons. Electromagnetism Magnetism created by an electric current; examples are MRI and electric motor.

Earthquake A sudden release of energy under Earths surface that makes the ground shake or crack.

Ecosystem A community of living and nonliving things in their natural environment.

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5th Grade Science Vocabulary Glossary Electron Tiny particles in an atom that have a negative charge. Erosion The movement of weathered material on Earths surface by wind, water, or ice.

Elodea An aquatic plant. Erupt To break open in a sudden and violent manner.

Emergency An event that requires immediate action or assistance.

Evaluate To compare the actual outcome of the experiment (results) with your predicted outcome (hypothesis). Evaporation Physical change in matter from a liquid to a gas.

Energy What is needed to do work or cause change.

Energy Efficient Uses less energy to produce results. Environment The living and nonliving things that are around an organism.

Evidence A sign of proof; figures, numbers, data, and logic.

Explanation A reason, cause, or an answer.

Environmentally Friendly Does not damage the physical, chemical, and biological factors in which a living organism or community exists.

Eye/Face Wash Station Structure that flushes the eyes and face with water to remove chemicals, debris, or irritants.

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5th Grade Science Vocabulary Glossary Fossil Preserved parts or traces of animals and plants that lived in the past.

F
Fire Blanket A blanket made of speciallytreated fabric that is used if clothing catches fire.

Fossil Fuel Nonrenewable flammable material (coal, oil, natural gas) made from the remains of plants and animals buried in Earths crust that is used to produce heat and power.

Fire Extinguisher A piece of equipment that sprays chemicals to put out uncontrollable fires. Flow To move or travel smooth in a certain direction.

Freezing Point The temperature at which a substance changes states from a liquid to a solid (freezing point of water is 0 Celsius).

Food Chain The path of food energy from one organism to another in an ecosystem.

Freshwater Water found in lakes, rivers, and streams that does not contain salt.

Food Web A connection of food chains with many food energy paths in an ecosystem. Force A push or pull that causes an object to move, stop, or change direction.

Friction A force that slows or stops motion when objects rub together.

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5th Grade Science Vocabulary Glossary Graph A drawing that shows two or more types of data are related.

G
Generalization A rule or pattern based on limited proof.

Gravity A natural force that causes two objects to pull toward each other depending on their mass and the distance between them.

Generation The lifespan of an organism. Geothermal Energy that comes from the natural heat inside the Earth.

Green Friendly to the environment.

Global Warming A rise in the average temperatures of Earths air and oceans. Goggles An accessory that protects eyes from chemical or biological splatters and spills.

H
Habitat The place or environment in which an organism naturally lives. Heat Energy Energy that causes a change in temperature between materials.

Graduated Cylinder A container used to measure volume of liquids.

Herbivore An animal that gets energy by eating only plants.

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5th Grade Science Vocabulary Glossary Heredity The passing of traits from parent to offspring during reproduction.

I
Illuminate Light up. Illustrate Make clear or draw a picture of.

Hibernation When an animal becomes still in an enclosed space and reduces bodily functions to save energy.

Humidity The amount of water vapor in the air.

Impact Direct effect or change on.

Imprint A mark or depression made by pressure. Humus Decayed plant and animal remains. Incomplete Metamorphosis A type of development consisting of three stages eggs, nymph, and adult. Hydroelectricity Electricity made from the energy of moving or falling water.

Hypothesis An educated guess about the outcome of an investigation that can be tested.

Indirect Evidence Evidence based on an inference.

Inertia The property of an object that resists movement by force.

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5th Grade Science Vocabulary Glossary Inference An explanation based on what you already know or what you have seen. Kinetic Energy Energy in motion.

Ingredient A single part of a mixture or solution.

L
Laboratory Apron A garment that protects clothing from chemical or biological splatters and spills.

Inherited Trait A characteristic that is passed from parents to offspring during reproduction.

Insulator Material that slows down or stops electric current or heat from flowing.

Landfill A location for the disposal of waste.

Investigation The search for an answer to a question.

Landform Features on the surface of Earth such as mountains, hills, dunes, oceans, and rivers.

K
Kaleidoscope A tube that contains three mirrors that reflect many different designs of light passing through a colored disk on top.

Landslide The rapid falling of Earths materials down a slope.

Larva The stage of Complete Metamorphosis during which the organism resembles a worm. Page 11

5th Grade Science Vocabulary Glossary Laser A device that gives off a very strong and directed beam of light. Lava The extremely hot, molten rock that is blown through a crack in the Earths surface when a volcano erupts. Light Spectrum The small part of the electromagnetic spectrum that the human eye can see; violet, blue, cyan, green, yellow, orange, and red.

Learned Behavior Animal behavior that develops from observation or instruction rather than being passed down by heredity.

Limitation When a model cannot be an exact representation of the objects size or detail. Liquid Shapeless substance that flows like water and is wet.

Lens A clear piece of curved glass or plastic that bends passing light to focus or spread the light rays.

Living Elements A part of the ecosystem like a plant or animal that requires energy to survive and has basic needs that must be met. Logical Expected to happen.

Life Cycle The stages in an organisms life from birth to death.

M
Light Energy Radiant energy that our eyes can see from the visible part of the electromagnetic spectrum. Magma Hot, melted rock that is below the Earths surface.

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5th Grade Science Vocabulary Glossary Magnetism The property of attraction to a magnet. Melt Change in matter from a solid to a liquid.

Magnify Increase in size, power, or importance.

Melting Point The temperature at which a substance changes states from a solid to a liquid.

Map A visual representation of an area.

Microscope An instrument that uses a lens to make tiny things look larger. Migration The seasonal movement of animals from one place to another.

Mass The amount of matter in an object.

Matter Anything that has mass and takes up space.

Mimicry The resemblance of an organism to another organism or to its surroundings that gives it a better chance of survival. Mirror Any object that has a reflective surface.

Measurement The process of using tools to observe an objects physical properties like mass, volume, temperature, etc. Mixture A combination of two or more substances where each keep their own properties and can be easily separated. Mechanical Energy Energy produced by a machine or moving part.

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5th Grade Science Vocabulary Glossary Model A limited representation of an object used to help us understand its structure or how it works. (Space): A copy of something that represents it so we can study it. Moon A natural satellite that orbits a planet. Some planets have no moons; others have over 60 moons. Moon Phase What the Moon looks like at different times of the month. Nocturnal Active at night. Movement A change in position or location. Niche The role an organism plays in its environment.

Night The time during its rotation when Earth faces away from the Sun, and it is dark; this rotation gives the false appearance that stars move across the sky.

N
Natural Gas A flammable material, without a definite form, produced from organic materials (remains of marine organisms) buried under layers of sediment found near oil deposits.

Nonliving Element A part of the ecosystem that is not living, such as sunlight, air (includes oxygen and carbon dioxide), water, rocks, and soil.

Nonrenewable Resource Materials from the Earth that cannot be replaced within a reasonable amount of time; for example, oil, coal, and natural gas.

Natural Resource Materials in the environment that are useful to people.

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5th Grade Science Vocabulary Glossary Nymph The stage of Incomplete Metamorphosis during which an insect eats and grows and resembles a smaller version of the adult. Orbit The path one object takes as it revolves around another object in space.

O
Ocean One of five large bodies of salt water that cover 75% of Earth. Offspring New organisms that come from parents that have reproduced.

Organic Matter The waste and remains of plants and animals. Organism A living thing.

Oxygen A gas produced by plants during photosynthesis that animals use for respiration.

Oil A flammable liquid produced from organic matter (remains of marine organisms) buried under layers of sediments for millions of years. Omnivore An animal that gets energy by eating both plants and animals.

P
Pan Balance A two-sided instrument that measures the mass of a solid substance. Pattern A design or form that is repeated.

Open Circuit A pathway that prevents electric current from flowing freely or stops the flow.

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5th Grade Science Vocabulary Glossary Planet A sphere made of rocks and gases that orbits a star.

Pendulum A weight suspended from a string that swings freely. Perish Die.

Plants A living organism that uses sunlight to make its own food. Phenomenon Something that happens or is sensed. Pollen A fine, powdery substance transferred between certain plants during reproduction. Photosynthesis The process where plants use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to produce sugar and release oxygen.

Pollution Materials introduced into an environment that cause damage, discomfort, or instability.

Physical Change Make different without changing what the material is made of, such as: cutting, folding, melting.

Population All the living things that belong to the same group and live in the same area.

Physical State The classification of matter as a solid, a liquid, or a gas. Physical States of Matter The classification of matter as a solid, liquid, or a gas. Pitch The speed of vibration.

Position Where an object is located in space.

Potential Energy Energy that is stored.

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5th Grade Science Vocabulary Glossary Precipitation Rain, snow, sleet, or hail that falls from clouds in the sky. Producer An organism that uses sunlight to make its own food for energy.

Predator An organism that hunts and feeds on another organism.

Prediction An idea about what the outcome of an investigation will be. Pressure The action of force by one object against another (in a geyser, hot water escapes from the pressure from under layers of Earths crust). Prey An animal that is hunted as food.

Property (Properties) Appearances of an object including: mass, magnetism, physical state, relative density, solubility, and the ability to insulate or conduct heat or electricity Protective Gloves An accessory that protects hands from heat, chemical and biological splatters, and spills.

Prism An object made of clear plastic or glass that bends light rays.

Pupa The stage of Complete Metamorphosis during which the organism seems to be at rest, and new body parts are forming.

R
Recycle Changing waste into a new and useable product.

Problem Solving Finding an answer or solution.

Procedure A planned set of steps. Reduce Lowering the amount of waste produced by a person or whole society.

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5th Grade Science Vocabulary Glossary Respiration A process by which animals use oxygen and food to make energy and carbon dioxide.

Reflection Energy waves bouncing off the surface of an object (mirrors or echoes return energy back to their source)

Retain To hold within, as soil does with water. Refraction Energy waves that bend (change direction and speed) as they pass from one type of object to another type. Reuse Using a product more than once.

Relative Density Objects that are more dense sink in water; less dense objects float in water.

Rotation A 24-hour period, or the time it takes Earth to make one complete rotation on its axis.

Renewable Resource Materials from the Earth that can be replaced by nature within a relatively short period of time; example: trees.

S
Safety Prevention against hurt, injury, or loss. Safety Shower Structure that rinses contaminants from the body.

Represent Stand in for or symbolize.

Reproduction The act of making something new.

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5th Grade Science Vocabulary Glossary Saltwater Water found in oceans (and a few lakes) that contain 3-4% salt.

Shadow A dark area caused when an object blocks light falling on a surface. Shape The outline or form of an object.

Sand Dune Hills formed by the wind blowing sand.

Scientist A person who uses scientific methods to study an object. Season Several months during the year that have similar weather.

Sieve Tool used to separate smaller from bigger pieces in a mixture.

Soil Mixture of rock, plant, and animal remains and minerals; dirt.

Sediment Small pieces of rock. Solar Energy produced by the Sun.

Sedimentary Rock Rock made of layers of compressed organic and inorganic sediments.

Solar Energy Energy that comes from the Sun.

Separate To pick out one group of materials from another.

Solar System The Sun and the eight planets that revolve around it.

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5th Grade Science Vocabulary Glossary Solid A firm or hard substance with no holes or spaces. Stage A specific time during life or growth.

Solubility Measurement of the ability of a solid to dissolve in a liquid.

Sun The star at the center of the Solar System that provides heat and light to Earth; its enormous gravity keeps the Solar System in orbit. Sundial Instrument that measures the time of day by using the position of the Sun.

Solution A mixture of one substance dissolved evenly in another.

Surface The outermost covering or layer. Sound Energy Energy produced from vibration that you can hear. Survive Stay alive or stay with.

Species A group of organisms with similar characteristics that allow them to reproduce. Swing Move through an arc back and forth.

Sphere A three-dimensional ball.

System Organized parts that form a unified whole.

Spring Scale An instrument that measures Earths gravitational pull on an object.

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5th Grade Science Vocabulary Glossary water in the ocean that is caused by gravity.

T
Table Data presented in rows and columns. Telescope An instrument that uses mirrors and/or lenses to gather and focus light from objects far away. Temperature How hot or cold something is.

Time Line Lists important events and the date they happened.

Tool An object that helps you do work. Trait A characteristic of an organism.

Terrarium A plastic or glass container in which plants grow.

Trend The direction in which something tends to move toward.

Texture What the surface or body looks and feels like.

Trial A repeat of an observation or test.

Thermal Energy Energy that causes a change in heat/temperature between materials.

Triple Beam Balance A tool used to measure mass that features three beams with sliding masses.

Thermometer A tool that measures temperature.

Tide The rise and fall of the Page 21

5th Grade Science Vocabulary Glossary Typical Usual; average. Waste Without any use or benefit.

Water Colorless, odorless, and tasteless liquid that all living things need to survive.

V
Variable A factor that can change in an experiment. Water Cycle The changes to water when it evaporates into the air, condenses into clouds, and then precipitates back down to Earths surface.

Vibration Rapid movement back and forth.

Waves Moving ridges of water on the surface of the ocean caused by wind.

Volcano Created from the mixture of molten lava, ash, and gases from the middle of Earth that erupts through a crack in Earths surface.

Weather Describes the condition of the air outdoors, such as temperature, cloud cover, wind speed, and rainfall.

W
Warm Front The location where a warm air mass is replacing a cooler air mass.

Weathering The breakdown of rock into smaller particles from the effects of wind, water, and ice.

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5th Grade Science Vocabulary Glossary Weight The heaviness of an object; force of gravity on mass = weight. Wind Energy Energy that comes from changing the power of moving air into a useful form.

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