Vocabulary List

Here is a list of all of the vocabulary from class this year. Students have complete vocabulary flash cards for many of these words, however, there are a few units that they do not have. Vocabulary words are also listed on the post for each objective. :)

5th Grade Science Master Vocabulary List

5.1A/5.4B: Safety

Safety: Prevention against hurt, injury or loss

Emergency: An event that needs immediate action or assistance

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

Goggles: An accessory that protects eyes from chemical or biological splatters and spills

Protective Gloves: An accessory that protects hands from heat, chemical or biological splatters and spills

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

Safety Shower: Structure that rinses contaminants from the body

Fire Blanket: A blanket made of specially-treated fabric that is used if clothing catches fire

Fire Extinguisher: A piece of equipment that sprays chemicals to put out uncontrollable fires

5.1B Conservation of Resources

Conservation: The wise use and protection of natural resources

Environment: The living and nonliving things that are around an organism

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

Renewable Resource: Resources that nature replenished as they are being used

Nonrenewable Resource: Resources that nature cannot replace as fast as they are used

Waste: Without any use or benefit

Recycle: To change waste into a new and usable product

Reduce: Lowering the amount of waste produced by an individual or whole society

Reuse: Using a product more than once

Landfill: A location for the disposal of waste

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

Pollution: The presence of harmful substances in the environment

Energy Efficient: Use less energy to produce results

Green: Friendly to the environment

Disposal: Getting rid of; throwing away

5.2ABCDEF: Experimental Design

Investigation: The search for an answer to a question

Prediction: An idea about what the outcome of an investigation will be

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

Data: Information that can be collected during an experiment

Conclusion: An explanation based on your observation or measurement

Inference: An explanation based on what you already know or what you have seen

Direct Evidence: Evidence that comes from you measurements, tests, or observations

Indirect Evidence: Evidence based on an inference

Variable: A factor that can change in an experiment

Procedure: A planned set of steps

Trial: A repeat of an observation or test

5.2G Tables, Graphs, and Charts

Graph: A drawing that shows how two or more types of data are related

Table: Data represented in rows and columns

Chart: A picture that uses symbols to represent data

Map: A visual representation of an area

Illustrate: Make clear or draw a picture of

5.3AB: Scientific Reasoning

Evidence: Figures, numbers, data and logic

Explanation: A reason, a cause or an answer

Evaluate: To compare the actual outcome of the experiment (results) with your predicted outcome (hypothesis)

Logical: Expected to happen

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

Analyze: Look at closely and carefully

5.3C: Models

Model: A limited representation of an object used to help us understand its structure or how it works

Represent: Stand in for, or symbolize

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

Problem Solving: Finding an answer or solution

Limitation: When a model cannot be an exact representation of the object’s size or detail

Accurate: Correct; true

System: Organized parts that form a unified whole

Phenomenon: Something that happens or is sensed

5.3D: Science Careers

Career: Occupation that requires special skills or training

Scientist: A person who uses scientific methods to study an object

Chemist: A person who uses scientific methods to study matter

Discovery: Something new that is learned

Time Line: List of important events and the date they happened

5.4A: Science Tools

Tool: An object that helps you do work

Terrarium: A glass or plastic container in which plants grow

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

Microscope: An instrument that uses a lens to make tiny things look larger

Beaker: Cylinder shaped glass container used to mix or heat liquids

Graduated Cylinder: A container used to measure the volume of liquid

Pan Balance: A two-sided instrument that measures the mass of a solid substance

Triple Beam Balance: A tool used to measures mass that features three beams with sliding masses

Thermometer: A tool that measures temperature

Measurement: The process of using tools to observe an object's physical properties like mass, volume, temperature, etc.

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

Spring Scale: An instrument that measures Earth's gravitational pull on an object

Compass: An instrument that shows direction North (N), South (S), East (E), and West (W)

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

5.5A: Classifying Matter

Matter: Anything that has mass and takes up space

Mass: The amount of matter in an object

Properties: Appearances of an object including: mass, magnetism, physical state, relative density, solubility, and the ability to insulate or conduct heat or electricity

Magnetism: The property of attraction to a magnet

Physical State: The classification of matter as a solid, a liquid or a gas

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

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

Thermal Energy: Energy that causes a change in temperature between materials

Electrical Energy: Energy produced by the movement of electrons

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

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

Classify: Group together based on similar traits

5.5B: Properties of Water

Constant: Not changing; stays the same

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

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

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

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

Evaporation: Physical change in matter from a liquid to a gas

Physical State: The classification of matter as a solid, a liquid or a gas

5.5CD: Mixtures and Solutions

Ingredient: A single part of a mixture or solution

Mixture: A combination of two or more substances where each keep their own properties and can be easily separated

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

Solution: A mixture of one substance dissolved evenly in another.

Dissolve: Melt, make a solution out of, or turn into a liquid

Property: Appearances of an object including: mass, magnetism, physical state, relative density, solubility, and the ability to insulate or conduct heat or electricity

5.6A: Uses of Energy

Energy: What is needed to do work or cause change

Mechanical Energy: Energy produced by a machine or moving part

Light Energy: Radiant energy that our eyes can see from the visible part of the electromagnetic spectrum

Sound Energy: Energy produced from vibration that you can hear

Electrical Energy: Energy produced by the movement of electrons

Thermal Energy: Energy that causes a transfer of heat between materials

5.6B: Circuits and Electricity

Electrical Circuit: The pathway through which electrical current flows

Electromagnetism: Magnetism created by an electric current; examples are MRI and electric motor

Conductor: Material that allows electric current to flow through easily

Insulator: Material that slows down or stops electric current from flowing

Flow: To move or travel smooth in a certain direction

Electric Current: The flow of electricity around a circuit

Light Energy: Radiant energy that our eyes can see from the visible part of the electromagnetic spectrum

Heat Energy: Energy that causes a change in temperature between materials

Sound Energy: Energy produced from vibration that you can hear

5.6C: Light

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

Refraction: Energy waves that bend (change direction and speed) as they pass from one type of object to another type

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

Mirror: Any object that has a reflective surface

Laser: A device that gives off a very strong and directed beam of light

Illuminate: Light up

Light Spectrum: The small part of the electromagnetic spectrum that the human eye can see; violet, blue, cyan, green, yellow, orange and red

Magnify: Increase in size, power or importance

Kaleidoscope: A tube that contains 3 mirrors that reflect many different designs of light passing through a colored disk on top.

Telescope: An instrument that uses mirrors and/or lenses to gather and focus light from objects far away

5.6D: Forces

Force: A push or pull that causes an object to move, stop, or change direction

Movement: A change in position or location

Shape: The outline or form of an object

Position: Where an object is located in space

Direction: The line or course along which an object is moving

Gravity: A force that pulls objects toward the center of Earth

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

Inertia: The property of an object that resists movement by a force

Kinetic Energy: Energy in motion

Potential Energy: Energy that is stored

Spring Scale: An instrument that measures Earth's gravitational pull on an object

5.7A: Formation of Fossil Fuels

Oil: A flammable liquid produced from organic matter (remains of marine organisms) buried under layers of sediments for millions of years

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

Pressure: The action of force by one object against another (in a geyser, hot water escapes the pressure from under layers of the earth’s crust)

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

Fossil Fuel: Non-renewable flammable material (coal, oil, natural gas) made from the remains of plants and animals buried in the Earth’s crust that is used to produce heat and power

Organic Matter: The waste and remains of plants and animals

5.7B: Changes to Land

Landform: Features on the surface of the earth such as mountains, hills, dunes, oceans and rivers

Delta: A triangle-shaped (deposit) landform at the mouth of a river as it empties into another body of water

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

Sand Dune: Hills formed by the wind blowing sand

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

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

Earthquake: A sudden release of energy under the Earth’s surface that makes the ground shake or crack

Deposition: The build up of land by depositing sediment and soil in a new location

Erosion: The movement of weathered material on the Earth’s surface by wind, water or ice

5.7C: Alternative Energy Resources

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

Wind Energy: Energy that comes from changing the power of moving air into a useful form

Solar Energy: Energy that comes from the Sun

Bio Fuel: Fuel made from plants and plant or animal waste

Fossil Fuel: Non-renewable flammable material (coal, oil, natural gas) made from the remains of plants and animals buried in the Earth’s crust for millions of years, that is used to produce heat and power

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

Renewable Resource: Materials from the Earth that can be replaced by nature in a short period of time; for example, trees

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

5.7D: What Happened Before

Fossil: Preserved parts or traces of animals and plants that lived in the past

Model: A limited representation of something that can help us understand its structure or how it works.

Sediment: Small pieces of rock

Decay: To rot and break down into small parts

Imprint: A mark or depression made by pressure

Weathering: The breakdown of rock into smaller particles from the effects of wind, water or ice

Evidence: A sign or proof

5.8A: Weather and Climate

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

Climate: Average weather condition of a region year after year

Precipitation: Rain, snow, sleet or hail that falls from clouds in the sky

Temperature: How hot or cold something is

Trend: The direction in which tends to move toward

Generalization: A rule or pattern based on limited proof

Data: Pieces of information

Humidity: The amount of water vapor in the air

Typical: Usual; average

5.8B: The Sun and the Water Cycle

Ocean: One of 5 large bodies of salt water that cover 75% of Earth

Beach Erosion: The removal of beach materials into the sea or lakes by the action of waves, tides, or wind

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

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

Saltwater: Water found in oceans (and a few lakes) that contains 3-4% salt

Water Cycle: The changes to water when it evaporates into the air, condenses into clouds, and then precipitates back down to the Earth’s surface

Evaporation: Physical change in matter from a liquid to a gas

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

Precipitation: Rain, snow, sleet or hail that falls from clouds in the sky

5.8C: Earth’s Rotation

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

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

Day: The time during rotation when the 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

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

Compass: Instrument that uses a small magnet to show which direction is North (N)

Sundial: Instrument that measures the time of day by using the position of the Sun

Shadow: A dark area caused when an object blocks light falling on a surface

5.8D: The Earth, the Sun, and the Moon

Moon: A natural satellite that orbits a planet. Some planets have no moons; others have over 60 moons.

Orbit: The path one object takes as it revolves around another object in space

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

Mass: The amount of matter in an object

Weight: The heaviness of an object; force of gravity on mass = weight

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

Sun: The star at the center of the Solar System that supplies heat and light to Earth; its enormous gravity keeps the solar system in orbit

Earth: A planet in the Solar System that has life on it

Surface: The outermost covering or layer

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

5.9A: Interdependency

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

Living Element: Part of an ecosystem that requires energy to survive has basic needs that must be met

Nonliving Element: Part of an ecosystem that does not require energy to survive and does not have basic needs like food and water

Organism: A living thing

Adaptation: An inherited trait or learned behavior that helps an organism survive in its surroundings

Producer: An organism that used sunlight to make its own food for energy

Consumer: An organism that gets energy from eating other organisms

Carnivore: Animal that gets its energy by eating only other animals

Herbivore: An animal that gets its energy by eating only plants

Omnivore: Animal that gets its energy by both plants and other animals

Decomposer: An organism that gets energy from eating dead organisms, nonliving materials, or waste

5.9B: Food Webs

Producer: An organism that used sunlight to make its own food for energy

Consumer: An organism that gets energy from eating other organisms

Decomposer: An organism that gets energy from eating dead organisms, nonliving materials, or waste

Energy: What is needed to do work or cause change

Sun: A typical star that is source of light and heat for plants in the solar system

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

Food Web: A connection of food chains with many food energy paths in an ecosystem

Predator: An animal that hunts and feeds on another organism

Nocturnal: Active at night

5.9C: Environmental Changes

Change: To become or make different

Environment: The living and nonliving things around an organism

Organism: A living thing

Impact: Direct effect or change on

Carrying Capacity: The population size an environment and feed and support

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

5.9D: The Carbon Dioxide and Oxygen Cycle

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

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

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

Respiration: A process by which animals use oxygen and food to make energy and carbon dioxide

Elodea: An aquatic plant

Bubble: Gas or air in a liquid

5.10A: Adaptations

Species: A group of organisms with similar characteristics that allow them to reproduce

Reproduction: The act of making something new

Adaptation: A characteristic that helps a plant or animal survive

Survive: Stay alive or stay with

Niche: A role an organism plays in its environment

Camouflage: Characteristics that blend in with the surrounding environment that increase chances of survival

Mimicry: The resemblance of an organism to another organism or to its surroundings that gives it a better chance of survival

Migration: The seasonal movement of animals from one place to another

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

Predator: An animal that hunts and feeds on another organism

Prey: An animal that is hunted as food

Habitat: A place or environment in which an organism naturally lives

5.10B: Inherited Traits and Learned Behaviors

Organism: A living thing

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

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

Offspring: New organisms that have come from parents that have reproduced

Trait: Characteristic of an organism

Heredity: Passing of traits from parents to offspring during reproduction

5.10C: Metamorphosis

Egg: The first stage in the life cycle of many organisms including birds, amphibians, reptiles, fish, and insects

Larva: The stage of Complete Metamorphosis during which the organism resembles a worm

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

Adult: A fully-grown organism that can reproduce

Nymph: The stage of Incomplete Metamorphosis during which an insect eats and grows, and resembles a smaller version of the adult

Life Cycle: The stages in an organism's life from birth to death

Complete Metamorphosis: The type of development consisting of four distinct stages-- egg, larva, pupa, and adult

Incomplete Metamorphosis: The type of development consisting of three stages-- eggs, nymph, and adult

Stage: A specific time during life or growth