Chiba Entrance Science key terms

A measure of how fast a function's output changes when its input changes slightly, equal to the slope of the tangent line to the graph at that point.

The accumulated total of a function over an interval, interpreted as signed area under a curve; it is the reverse operation of differentiation under the fundamental theorem of calculus.

The value a function's output approaches as the input approaches some point, even if the function is undefined there; the foundation for defining derivatives and integrals.

A list of numbers in which each term after the first is obtained by adding a fixed constant, called the common difference, to the previous term.

A list of numbers in which each term after the first is obtained by multiplying the previous term by a fixed nonzero constant called the common ratio.

The process of adding the terms of a sequence, often written with sigma notation, to obtain a single total value for a finite or infinite number of terms.

A quantity possessing both magnitude and direction, represented by an arrow and often written as components; vectors add by the parallelogram rule rather than by simple arithmetic.

A physical quantity fully described by a single number with units and no direction, such as mass, temperature, or speed, as opposed to a vector quantity.

The principle that the net force on an object equals its mass multiplied by its acceleration, so acceleration points in the direction of the net force.

The single force that produces the same effect as all individual forces acting on an object combined; found by vector addition of the individual forces.

The product of an object's mass and velocity, a vector quantity that is conserved in any isolated system during collisions and explosions.

The energy an object possesses because of its motion, equal to one half the mass multiplied by the square of the speed.

The principle that energy cannot be created or destroyed but only transformed between forms or transferred between objects, so the total in an isolated system stays constant.

The amount of substance containing exactly 6.02 times 10 to the 23rd power elementary entities, used to connect masses of substances to numbers of particles.

The number of elementary entities in one mole of a substance, approximately 6.02 times 10 to the 23rd power per mole.

The mass of one mole of a substance in grams, numerically equal to its relative molecular mass; used to convert between mass and moles.

A process in which a substance loses electrons, or its oxidation number increases; it occurs simultaneously with reduction in a redox reaction.

A process in which a substance gains electrons, or its oxidation number decreases; it always accompanies oxidation in a redox reaction.

A chemical reaction involving transfer of electrons from one species to another, producing changes in oxidation numbers through simultaneous oxidation and reduction.

A logarithmic scale from roughly 0 to 14 expressing the acidity of an aqueous solution, defined as the negative base-ten logarithm of the hydrogen ion concentration.

The reaction between an acid and a base that produces water and a salt, typically releasing heat and bringing the solution closer to neutral pH.

A solution that resists large changes in pH when small amounts of acid or base are added, usually containing a weak acid with its conjugate base.

A type of cell division producing two genetically identical daughter cells, used for growth and repair in which chromosome number is maintained.

A two-stage cell division that halves the chromosome number and produces gametes with genetic variation through crossing over and independent assortment.

One of two or more alternative versions of a gene occupying the same position on homologous chromosomes, which may produce different observable traits.

The particular combination of alleles an organism carries for a gene or set of genes, which together with the environment determines observable traits.

The observable characteristics of an organism, resulting from the interaction between its genotype and the environment in which it develops.

A threadlike structure of DNA and protein found in the nucleus, carrying genes in a linear order; humans normally have 46 in each body cell.

The process by which individuals with inherited traits better suited to their environment tend to survive and reproduce more, changing allele frequencies over generations.

The theory that Earth's rigid outer shell is divided into plates that move over the underlying mantle, causing earthquakes, volcanoes, and mountain building at their boundaries.

The process in which one lithospheric plate descends beneath another at a convergent boundary, generating deep ocean trenches and volcanic arcs.

An elastic wave generated by an earthquake or explosion that travels through Earth; P waves and S waves differ in speed and in the materials they can pass through.

The warming of a planet's surface because certain atmospheric gases absorb outgoing infrared radiation and re-emit part of it back toward the surface.

The apparent deflection of moving air or water caused by Earth's rotation, to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere.

The fraction of incoming solar radiation reflected by a surface, high for snow and ice and low for dark oceans or forests.

A conclusion drawn from evidence and reasoning rather than stated directly, such as inferring a character's feelings from described actions.

The central point a passage conveys about its topic, usually stated or implied in a topic sentence and supported by the remaining details.

Information in surrounding words, sentences, or the overall passage that helps a reader deduce the meaning of an unfamiliar word or phrase.

To restate the meaning of a text in one's own words while keeping the original sense, often changing structure and vocabulary without adding interpretation.