Water on Earth

Science

A large water covered area between continents

Basin

A large water covered area between continents. Basin. In science, a basin is a depression in the Earth's surface where water collects.

A resource that is replaced by nature more quickly than it is consumed

Renewable resource

A resource that is replaced by nature more quickly than it is consumed. Renewable resource. It's a natural material or energy source that can replenish itself over time, like sunlight or wind.

A natural resource that is consumed faster than it can be created

Nonrenewable resource

A natural resource that is consumed faster than it can be created nonrenewable resource. A nonrenewable resource is something we use that cannot be quickly replaced, like oil or coal.

The removal of a fish from water at a rate that they cannot replenish

Overfishing

The removal of a fish from water at a rate that they cannot replenish. Overfishing depletes fish populations faster than they can naturally recover.

The solid form of carbon dioxide

Dry ice

The solid form of carbon dioxide. Dry ice. Dry ice is the frozen form of carbon dioxide and is used to keep things cold without leaving any liquid residue.

The change of state from a solid directly to a gas

Sublimation

The change of state from a solid directly to a gas. Sublimation. Sublimation is when a solid turns directly into a gas without becoming a liquid first.

The temperature at which a liquid changes to a solid

Freezing point

The temperature at which a liquid changes to a solid. Freezing point. The freezing point is the temperature at which a liquid becomes a solid.

The factor that can change in an experiment

Variable

The factor that can change in an experiment. Variable. In science, a variable is something you can change to see how it affects the outcome of an experiment.

The variable which is manipulated by the researcher

Independent variable

The variable which is manipulated by the researcher, independent variable. In science, the independent variable is what you change to see how it affects something else.

The factor measured at the end of an experiment

Dependent variable

The factor measured at the end of an experiment. Dependent variable. In science, the dependent variable is what you observe and measure to see how it changes in response to different conditions.

The smallest particle of an element

Atom

The smallest particle of an element. atom. An atom is the basic building block of matter, making up everything around us.

An uncharged particle in the nucleus of an atom

Neutron

An uncharged particle in the nucleus of an atom. Neutron. A neutron is a subatomic particle found in the nucleus of an atom that has no electric charge and helps hold the nucleus together.

A particle with a positive charge in an atom’s nucleus

Proton

A particle with a positive charge in an atoms nucleus. proton. A proton is a positively charged particle found in the nucleus of an atom.

A negatively charged particle outside the nucleus of an atom

Electron

A negatively charged particle outside the nucleus of an atom. Electron. An electron is a tiny particle that orbits the nucleus of an atom and carries a negative charge.

An electron in the outermost energy level of an atom, it helps form chemical bonds

Valence electron

An electron in the outermost energy level of an atom, it helps form chemical bonds. Valence electron. A valence electron is an electron that can participate in forming chemical bonds with other atoms.

An atom of the same element with a different number of neutrons

Isotope

An atom of the same element with a different number of neutrons. Isotope. An isotope is a version of an element that has the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons.

The unequal sharing of electrons in a covalent bond

Polar bond

The unequal sharing of electrons in a covalent bond. Polar bond. A polar bond is a type of covalent bond where electrons are shared unequally, causing a slight electrical charge difference across the molecule.

A graph showing the temperature and pressure at which a substance exists as a solid, liquid, and vapor

Phase diagram

A graph showing the temperature and pressure at which a substance exists as a solid, liquid, and vapor. Phase diagram. A phase diagram shows the conditions under which a substance changes states, like solid, liquid, or gas.

The top of liquid changing into a gas

Evaporation

The top of liquid changing into a gas. evaporation. Evaporation is when liquid turns into gas, usually from the surface, by gaining energy.

Energy released or absorbed by a body during a constant-temperature process

Latent heat

Energy released or absorbed by a body during a constant-temperature process. Latent heat. It is the energy required to change the state of a substance without changing its temperature.

A removal of heat, usually resulting in a lower temperature or phase change

Cooling

A removal of heat, usually resulting in a lower temperature or phase change. Cooling. Cooling is the process of decreasing heat to lower a substance's temperature.

A phase transition where a liquid turns into a solid

Freezing

A phase transition where a liquid turns into a solid. Freezing. Freezing is the process where a liquid cools down and becomes a solid as its molecules slow down and arrange into a fixed structure.

The process of a gas changing into a liquid

Condensation

The process of a gas changing into a liquid. Condensation. Condensation is when water vapor in the air cools down and becomes liquid water, like droplets on a cold glass.

The upward force fluids exert, it keeps objects afloat

Buoyancy

The upward force fluids exert, it keeps objects afloat. Buoyancy. Buoyancy is the tendency of an object to float in a fluid due to the upward force the fluid applies.

A compartment within a boat that holds water, which is used to provide stability for a vessel

Ballast water

A compartment within a boat that holds water, which is used to provide stability for a vessel. Ballast water is the water carried in tanks of ships to improve stability and balance during their voyage.

Occurs when an object's density is equal to the density of the fluid in which it is immersed

Neutral buoyancy

Occurs when an object's density is equal to the density of the fluid in which it is immersed. Neutral buoyancy. This means the object will neither sink nor float in the fluid.

Microscopic, photosynthetic organisms that float near the water’s surface, like algae

Phytoplankton

Microscopic, photosynthetic organisms that float near the waters surface, like algae. Phytoplankton are tiny plants in the ocean that produce oxygen and serve as the base of the marine food chain.

Arises as seawater freezes

Sea ice

Arises as seawater freezes. Sea ice. Sea ice is frozen ocean water that forms and floats on the sea surface.