ISAT Science Grade 5 key terms

Anything that has mass and takes up space. Matter is made of tiny particles and can exist as a solid, liquid, or gas.

The amount of matter in an object. Mass stays the same when an object changes shape or location, unlike weight, which can change with gravity.

The amount of space an object or substance takes up. Volume can be measured in liters, milliliters, or cubic centimeters.

A state of matter that has a fixed shape and a fixed volume. Its particles are packed closely together and vibrate in place.

A state of matter that has a fixed volume but no fixed shape. It flows and takes the shape of its container.

A state of matter that has no fixed shape or volume. Its particles move freely and spread out to fill a container.

The process in which a liquid changes into a gas. It happens at the surface and speeds up when the liquid gets warmer.

The process in which a gas changes into a liquid. Cooling causes the particles to slow down and come closer together.

A push or a pull that can change an object's motion, direction, or shape. Scientists measure pushes and pulls in units called newtons.

A force that resists motion when two surfaces touch. It can slow objects down and produce heat. Rough surfaces usually create more resistance.

A force that pulls objects toward each other. Earth's gravity pulls objects toward the planet's center and keeps people on the ground.

The ability to do work or cause change. Energy exists in forms such as motion, light, heat, sound, and stored chemical energy.

A complete path that electricity can flow through. A simple circuit needs a power source, wires, and something that uses the electricity.

A material that allows electricity or heat to pass through it easily. Metals such as copper and aluminum let charges move through them well.

A living thing that can grow, respond to its surroundings, and reproduce. Animals, plants, fungi, and bacteria are all organisms.

The smallest unit of life that can carry out basic life functions. Some organisms have one cell, while others have many cells.

The process plants use to make food from sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide. It releases oxygen into the air as a result.

A model that shows how energy moves from one organism to another as they eat. It usually begins with a producer.

An organism that makes its own food, usually through photosynthesis. Plants and algae make food this way and support many other living things.

An organism that gets energy by eating other organisms. Animals and fungi get energy this way, and they may eat plants or other animals.

An organism that breaks down dead plants and animals and returns nutrients to the soil. Mushrooms and many bacteria do this important job.

All the living and nonliving things in an area and the ways they interact. It includes organisms, soil, water, air, and sunlight.

A feature or behavior that helps an organism survive in its environment. Adaptations develop over many generations, such as thick fur or camouflage.

The process that breaks down rocks into smaller pieces. Water, ice, wind, and plant roots can all break rocks apart over time.

The movement of weathered rock, soil, and sediment from one place to another. Water, wind, ice, and gravity can cause erosion.

The continuous movement of water between Earth's surface and the atmosphere. It includes evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and collection. Energy from the Sun drives this movement.

The layer of gases that surrounds Earth. It contains the air we breathe and helps keep Earth's temperature suitable for life.

The condition of the atmosphere at a particular time and place. It includes temperature, precipitation, wind, and cloud cover. Weather can change from hour to hour.

The usual pattern of weather in a region over a long period. Climate is affected by location, oceans, mountains, and large air masses.

The Sun and all the objects that orbit it, including planets, moons, asteroids, and comets. Gravity keeps these objects moving around the Sun.

A large, round object that orbits a star and has cleared other objects from its orbit. Earth is a planet in our solar system.

The spinning of an object around its own axis. Earth's rotation once about every 24 hours causes day and night.

The movement of one object around another object. Earth's revolution around the Sun takes about one year and helps cause seasons.

The process of using science and mathematics to design solutions to problems. People in this field build and improve structures, machines, materials, and systems.

A series of steps engineers use to solve problems. It includes defining a problem, planning a solution, building a model, testing, and improving.

A limit or restriction on a design. Limits can include cost, time, available materials, safety rules, or size. Engineers must work within them.

A standard used to judge how well a design solves a problem. These standards help engineers compare different possible solutions before choosing one.

A first model of a design that is built to test ideas. Such models can be changed and improved before a final product is made.

A factor in an experiment or design that can change. Only one factor is usually changed at a time to see how it affects the results.

A compromise in which one benefit is given up to gain another. Engineers make these compromises when a design cannot meet every criterion perfectly.