Introduction
Science is a vast field with many different areas of study. As such, it has a vast vocabulary composed of words related to various concepts and phenomena. This article takes a look at the alphabetical listing of science words, from A to Z. Each letter of the alphabet is represented by a science word, along with its definition and description. Additionally, there are quizzes and puzzles to test readers’ knowledge of science words.
Alphabetical Listing
Here is an A to Z list of science words:
- A – Atom
- B – Bacteria
- C – Cell
- D – DNA
- E – Electron
- F – Fission
- G – Galaxy
- H – Helium
- I – Isotope
- J – Joule
- K – Kinetic Energy
- L – Light
- M – Molecule
- N – Nuclear Fusion
- O – Oxygen
- P – Photosynthesis
- Q – Quantum Mechanics
- R – Radioactivity
- S – Solar System
- T – Temperature
- U – Universe
- V – Virus
- W – Wave
- X – X-ray
- Y – Yeast
- Z – Zoology
Atom: Atoms are the basic building blocks of matter. They are made up of protons, neutrons, and electrons. They are the smallest particles that retain the properties of an element.
Bacteria: Bacteria are single-celled microorganisms. They can be found in almost all environments and have a wide range of shapes and sizes. Some bacteria are beneficial, while others can cause diseases.
Cell: Cells are the basic unit of life. They are composed of a nucleus and organelles, which carry out specific functions. All living organisms are made up of cells.
DNA: DNA is a molecule that contains the genetic instructions for the development and functioning of living organisms. It is made up of four chemical bases – adenine, thymine, guanine, and cytosine.
Electron: Electrons are subatomic particles with a negative charge. They orbit the nucleus of an atom and are responsible for the chemical properties of atoms.
Fission: Fission is the process by which an atom is split into two or more smaller atoms. It is a type of nuclear reaction and is used as an energy source in nuclear power plants.
Galaxy: A galaxy is a large collection of stars, gas, and dust. Our own galaxy, the Milky Way, contains hundreds of billions of stars.
Helium: Helium is a noble gas that is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. It is the second most abundant element in the universe and is used in many applications, including medical imaging and rocket propulsion.
Isotope: An isotope is an atom with the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons. They are often used to date objects and measure radiation levels.
Joule: The joule (J) is a unit of energy. It is equal to the work done when 1 newton of force is applied to an object over a distance of 1 meter.
Kinetic Energy: Kinetic energy is the energy of motion. It is equal to one-half the mass of an object times the square of its velocity.
Light: Light is a form of electromagnetic radiation. It travels in waves and is visible to the human eye. It is also used in many scientific applications, such as microscopes and telescopes.
Molecule: A molecule is the smallest particle of a substance that retains the properties of that substance. Molecules are made up of atoms that are held together by chemical bonds.
Nuclear Fusion: Nuclear fusion is a nuclear reaction in which two or more atomic nuclei join to form a larger nucleus. It is the process that powers stars, and it is being studied as a potential energy source on Earth.
Oxygen: Oxygen is a colorless and odorless gas. It is the most abundant element in the Earth’s atmosphere and is essential for the survival of most forms of life.
Photosynthesis: Photosynthesis is the process by which plants use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into food. This food is then used for growth and energy.
Quantum Mechanics: Quantum mechanics is a branch of physics that deals with the behavior of matter and light on the atomic and subatomic scale. It is based on the principles of quantum theory.
Radioactivity: Radioactivity is the emission of energy in the form of particles or waves. It is caused by the decay of unstable atomic nuclei and is used in many applications, such as medical imaging and radiotherapy.
Solar System: The solar system is the collection of planets and other celestial bodies that orbit the Sun. It consists of eight planets, five dwarf planets, and numerous asteroids and comets.
Temperature: Temperature is a measure of how hot or cold something is. It is measured in degrees Celsius or Fahrenheit.
Universe: The universe is the entirety of space and time, including all galaxies, stars, and planets. It is estimated to be around 13.8 billion years old.
Virus: A virus is a small infectious agent that can replicate only inside the cells of other organisms. It can cause a variety of diseases, from the common cold to more serious illnesses.
Wave: A wave is a disturbance that travels through space and carries energy from one place to another. Examples include sound waves, light waves, and water waves.
X-ray: X-rays are a form of high-energy electromagnetic radiation. They are used in many applications, such as medical imaging and security screening.
Yeast: Yeast is a type of single-celled fungus. It is used in baking to make bread rise, in brewing to make beer, and in winemaking to ferment grapes.
Zoology: Zoology is the study of animals. It examines their anatomy, physiology, behavior, ecology, evolution, and classification.
Science Word Quiz
Test your knowledge of science words with this quiz:
- What is the smallest particle of an element?
- A. Atom
- B. Molecule
- C. Electron
- D. Proton
- What is the process by which a star produces energy?
- A. Photosynthesis
- B. Nuclear Fusion
- C. Nuclear Fission
- D. Combustion
- What is the unit of energy?
- A. Watt
- B. Volt
- C. Joule
- D. Ampere
- What is the study of animals called?
- A. Astronomy
- B. Botany
- C. Zoology
- D. Ecology
Science Vocabulary Word Search
Test your knowledge of science words with this fun word search puzzle:
Science Word Puzzle
Test your knowledge of science words with this crossword puzzle:
Science Concepts Explained
For a deeper understanding of some of these science words, here are detailed explanations of a selection of them:
- Atom: An atom is the smallest particle of an element that retains the properties of that element. It consists of a nucleus, which contains protons and neutrons, and electrons, which orbit the nucleus.
- DNA: DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid. It is a molecule that contains the genetic instructions for the development and functioning of living organisms. It is composed of four chemical bases – adenine, thymine, guanine, and cytosine.
- Electron: Electrons are subatomic particles with a negative charge. They orbit the nucleus of an atom and are responsible for the chemical properties of atoms.
- Fission: Fission is the process by which an atom is split into two or more smaller atoms. It is a type of nuclear reaction and is used as an energy source in nuclear power plants.
- Photosynthesis: Photosynthesis is the process by which plants use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into food. This food is then used for growth and energy.
- Quantum Mechanics: Quantum mechanics is a branch of physics that deals with the behavior of matter and light on the atomic and subatomic scale. It is based on the principles of quantum theory.
- Radioactivity: Radioactivity is the emission of energy in the form of particles or waves. It is caused by the decay of unstable atomic nuclei and is used in many applications, such as medical imaging and radiotherapy.
- Virus: A virus is a small infectious agent that can replicate only inside the cells of other organisms. It can cause a variety of diseases, from the common cold to more serious illnesses.
Science Words Through History
The language of science has changed over time. Here is a look at the origins of some of these science words:
- Atom: The word “atom” comes from the Greek word “atomos,” which means “uncuttable.” It was first used by the ancient Greek philosopher Democritus to describe the smallest particles of matter.
- DNA: The term “DNA” was coined by American biochemist Erwin Chargaff in 1951. It stands for deoxyribonucleic acid.
- Electron: The word “electron” was first used by British physicist George Johnstone Stoney in 1891. It comes from the Greek word “elektron,” which means “amber.”
- Fission: The term “fission” was first used by German physicist Lise Meitner in 1938. It comes from the Latin word “fissio,” which means “to split.”
- Photosynthesis: The term “photosynthesis” was first used by French biologist Jean-Baptiste Lamarck in 1802. It comes from the Greek words “photo,” which means “light,” and “synthesis,” which means “putting together.”
- Quantum Mechanics: The term “quantum mechanics” was first used by German physicist Max Planck in 1900. It comes from the Latin word “quantus,” which means “how much.”
- Radioactivity: The term “radioactivity” was first used by French chemist Henri Becquerel in 1896. It comes from the Latin word “radius,” which means “ray.”
- Virus: The word “virus” was first used by Dutch scientist Martinus Beijerinck in 1898. It comes from the Latin word “virus,” which means “poison.”
Science Word Origins
Many science words come from Latin and Greek roots.
(Note: Is this article not meeting your expectations? Do you have knowledge or insights to share? Unlock new opportunities and expand your reach by joining our authors team. Click Registration to join us and share your expertise with our readers.)