experiment scientific word

Science and the scientific method: Definitions and examples

Here's a look at the foundation of doing science — the scientific method.

The scientific method

Hypothesis, theory and law, a brief history of science, additional resources, bibliography.

Science is a systematic and logical approach to discovering how things in the universe work. It is also the body of knowledge accumulated through the discoveries about all the things in the universe. 

The word "science" is derived from the Latin word "scientia," which means knowledge based on demonstrable and reproducible data, according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary . True to this definition, science aims for measurable results through testing and analysis, a process known as the scientific method. Science is based on fact, not opinion or preferences. The process of science is designed to challenge ideas through research. One important aspect of the scientific process is that it focuses only on the natural world, according to the University of California, Berkeley . Anything that is considered supernatural, or beyond physical reality, does not fit into the definition of science.

When conducting research, scientists use the scientific method to collect measurable, empirical evidence in an experiment related to a hypothesis (often in the form of an if/then statement) that is designed to support or contradict a scientific theory .

"As a field biologist, my favorite part of the scientific method is being in the field collecting the data," Jaime Tanner, a professor of biology at Marlboro College, told Live Science. "But what really makes that fun is knowing that you are trying to answer an interesting question. So the first step in identifying questions and generating possible answers (hypotheses) is also very important and is a creative process. Then once you collect the data you analyze it to see if your hypothesis is supported or not."

The steps of the scientific method go something like this, according to Highline College :

• Make an observation or observations.
• Form a hypothesis — a tentative description of what's been observed, and make predictions based on that hypothesis.
• Test the hypothesis and predictions in an experiment that can be reproduced.
• Analyze the data and draw conclusions; accept or reject the hypothesis or modify the hypothesis if necessary.
• Reproduce the experiment until there are no discrepancies between observations and theory. "Replication of methods and results is my favorite step in the scientific method," Moshe Pritsker, a former post-doctoral researcher at Harvard Medical School and CEO of JoVE, told Live Science. "The reproducibility of published experiments is the foundation of science. No reproducibility — no science."

Some key underpinnings to the scientific method:

• The hypothesis must be testable and falsifiable, according to North Carolina State University . Falsifiable means that there must be a possible negative answer to the hypothesis.
• Research must involve deductive reasoning and inductive reasoning . Deductive reasoning is the process of using true premises to reach a logical true conclusion while inductive reasoning uses observations to infer an explanation for those observations.
• An experiment should include a dependent variable (which does not change) and an independent variable (which does change), according to the University of California, Santa Barbara .
• An experiment should include an experimental group and a control group. The control group is what the experimental group is compared against, according to Britannica .

The process of generating and testing a hypothesis forms the backbone of the scientific method. When an idea has been confirmed over many experiments, it can be called a scientific theory. While a theory provides an explanation for a phenomenon, a scientific law provides a description of a phenomenon, according to The University of Waikato . One example would be the law of conservation of energy, which is the first law of thermodynamics that says that energy can neither be created nor destroyed. 

A law describes an observed phenomenon, but it doesn't explain why the phenomenon exists or what causes it. "In science, laws are a starting place," said Peter Coppinger, an associate professor of biology and biomedical engineering at the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. "From there, scientists can then ask the questions, 'Why and how?'"

Laws are generally considered to be without exception, though some laws have been modified over time after further testing found discrepancies. For instance, Newton's laws of motion describe everything we've observed in the macroscopic world, but they break down at the subatomic level.

This does not mean theories are not meaningful. For a hypothesis to become a theory, scientists must conduct rigorous testing, typically across multiple disciplines by separate groups of scientists. Saying something is "just a theory" confuses the scientific definition of "theory" with the layperson's definition. To most people a theory is a hunch. In science, a theory is the framework for observations and facts, Tanner told Live Science.

The earliest evidence of science can be found as far back as records exist. Early tablets contain numerals and information about the solar system , which were derived by using careful observation, prediction and testing of those predictions. Science became decidedly more "scientific" over time, however.

1200s: Robert Grosseteste developed the framework for the proper methods of modern scientific experimentation, according to the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. His works included the principle that an inquiry must be based on measurable evidence that is confirmed through testing.

1400s: Leonardo da Vinci began his notebooks in pursuit of evidence that the human body is microcosmic. The artist, scientist and mathematician also gathered information about optics and hydrodynamics.

1500s: Nicolaus Copernicus advanced the understanding of the solar system with his discovery of heliocentrism. This is a model in which Earth and the other planets revolve around the sun, which is the center of the solar system.

1600s: Johannes Kepler built upon those observations with his laws of planetary motion. Galileo Galilei improved on a new invention, the telescope, and used it to study the sun and planets. The 1600s also saw advancements in the study of physics as Isaac Newton developed his laws of motion.

1700s: Benjamin Franklin discovered that lightning is electrical. He also contributed to the study of oceanography and meteorology. The understanding of chemistry also evolved during this century as Antoine Lavoisier, dubbed the father of modern chemistry , developed the law of conservation of mass.

1800s: Milestones included Alessandro Volta's discoveries regarding electrochemical series, which led to the invention of the battery. John Dalton also introduced atomic theory, which stated that all matter is composed of atoms that combine to form molecules. The basis of modern study of genetics advanced as Gregor Mendel unveiled his laws of inheritance. Later in the century, Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen discovered X-rays , while George Ohm's law provided the basis for understanding how to harness electrical charges.

1900s: The discoveries of Albert Einstein , who is best known for his theory of relativity, dominated the beginning of the 20th century. Einstein's theory of relativity is actually two separate theories. His special theory of relativity, which he outlined in a 1905 paper, " The Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies ," concluded that time must change according to the speed of a moving object relative to the frame of reference of an observer. His second theory of general relativity, which he published as " The Foundation of the General Theory of Relativity ," advanced the idea that matter causes space to curve.

In 1952, Jonas Salk developed the polio vaccine , which reduced the incidence of polio in the United States by nearly 90%, according to Britannica . The following year, James D. Watson and Francis Crick discovered the structure of DNA , which is a double helix formed by base pairs attached to a sugar-phosphate backbone, according to the National Human Genome Research Institute .

2000s: The 21st century saw the first draft of the human genome completed, leading to a greater understanding of DNA. This advanced the study of genetics, its role in human biology and its use as a predictor of diseases and other disorders, according to the National Human Genome Research Institute .

• This video from City University of New York delves into the basics of what defines science.
• Learn about what makes science science in this book excerpt from Washington State University .
• This resource from the University of Michigan — Flint explains how to design your own scientific study.

Merriam-Webster Dictionary, Scientia. 2022. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scientia

University of California, Berkeley, "Understanding Science: An Overview." 2022. ​​ https://undsci.berkeley.edu/article/0_0_0/intro_01  

Highline College, "Scientific method." July 12, 2015. https://people.highline.edu/iglozman/classes/astronotes/scimeth.htm  

North Carolina State University, "Science Scripts." https://projects.ncsu.edu/project/bio183de/Black/science/science_scripts.html  

University of California, Santa Barbara. "What is an Independent variable?" October 31,2017. http://scienceline.ucsb.edu/getkey.php?key=6045  

Encyclopedia Britannica, "Control group." May 14, 2020. https://www.britannica.com/science/control-group  

The University of Waikato, "Scientific Hypothesis, Theories and Laws." https://sci.waikato.ac.nz/evolution/Theories.shtml  

Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Robert Grosseteste. May 3, 2019. https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/grosseteste/  

Encyclopedia Britannica, "Jonas Salk." October 21, 2021. https://www.britannica.com/ biography /Jonas-Salk

National Human Genome Research Institute, "​Phosphate Backbone." https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Phosphate-Backbone  

National Human Genome Research Institute, "What is the Human Genome Project?" https://www.genome.gov/human-genome-project/What  

‌ Live Science contributor Ashley Hamer updated this article on Jan. 16, 2022.

Sign up for the Live Science daily newsletter now

Get the world’s most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox.

Yarlung Tsangpo: The deepest canyon on land hides a tree taller than the Statue of Liberty

Physicists solve nuclear fusion mystery with mayonnaise

Double mastectomies don't increase cancer survival, study suggests

Most Popular

• 2 No, NASA hasn't warned of an impending asteroid strike in 2038. Here's what really happened.
• 3 Milky Way's black hole 'exhaust vent' discovered in eerie X-ray observations
• 4 NASA offers SpaceX $843 million to destroy the International Space Station
• 5 Which continent has the most animal species?
• 2 Tasselled wobbegong: The master of disguise that can eat a shark almost as big as itself
• 3 Newly discovered asteroid larger than the Great Pyramid of Giza will zoom between Earth and the moon on Saturday
• 4 2,000 years ago, a bridge in Switzerland collapsed on top of Celtic sacrifice victims, new study suggests
• 5 What causes you to get a 'stitch in your side'?

• Science Notes Posts
• Contact Science Notes
• Todd Helmenstine Biography
• Anne Helmenstine Biography
• Free Printable Periodic Tables (PDF and PNG)
• Periodic Table Wallpapers
• Interactive Periodic Table
• Periodic Table Posters
• Science Experiments for Kids
• How to Grow Crystals
• Chemistry Projects
• Fire and Flames Projects
• Holiday Science
• Chemistry Problems With Answers
• Physics Problems
• Unit Conversion Example Problems
• Chemistry Worksheets
• Biology Worksheets
• Periodic Table Worksheets
• Physical Science Worksheets
• Science Lab Worksheets
• My Amazon Books

Experiment Definition in Science – What Is a Science Experiment?

In science, an experiment is simply a test of a hypothesis in the scientific method . It is a controlled examination of cause and effect. Here is a look at what a science experiment is (and is not), the key factors in an experiment, examples, and types of experiments.

Experiment Definition in Science

By definition, an experiment is a procedure that tests a hypothesis. A hypothesis, in turn, is a prediction of cause and effect or the predicted outcome of changing one factor of a situation. Both the hypothesis and experiment are components of the scientific method. The steps of the scientific method are:

• Make observations.
• Ask a question or identify a problem.
• State a hypothesis.
• Perform an experiment that tests the hypothesis.
• Based on the results of the experiment, either accept or reject the hypothesis.
• Draw conclusions and report the outcome of the experiment.

Key Parts of an Experiment

The two key parts of an experiment are the independent and dependent variables. The independent variable is the one factor that you control or change in an experiment. The dependent variable is the factor that you measure that responds to the independent variable. An experiment often includes other types of variables , but at its heart, it’s all about the relationship between the independent and dependent variable.

Examples of Experiments

Fertilizer and plant size.

For example, you think a certain fertilizer helps plants grow better. You’ve watched your plants grow and they seem to do better when they have the fertilizer compared to when they don’t. But, observations are only the beginning of science. So, you state a hypothesis: Adding fertilizer increases plant size. Note, you could have stated the hypothesis in different ways. Maybe you think the fertilizer increases plant mass or fruit production, for example. However you state the hypothesis, it includes both the independent and dependent variables. In this case, the independent variable is the presence or absence of fertilizer. The dependent variable is the response to the independent variable, which is the size of the plants.

Now that you have a hypothesis, the next step is designing an experiment that tests it. Experimental design is very important because the way you conduct an experiment influences its outcome. For example, if you use too small of an amount of fertilizer you may see no effect from the treatment. Or, if you dump an entire container of fertilizer on a plant you could kill it! So, recording the steps of the experiment help you judge the outcome of the experiment and aid others who come after you and examine your work. Other factors that might influence your results might include the species of plant and duration of the treatment. Record any conditions that might affect the outcome. Ideally, you want the only difference between your two groups of plants to be whether or not they receive fertilizer. Then, measure the height of the plants and see if there is a difference between the two groups.

Salt and Cookies

You don’t need a lab for an experiment. For example, consider a baking experiment. Let’s say you like the flavor of salt in your cookies, but you’re pretty sure the batch you made using extra salt fell a bit flat. If you double the amount of salt in a recipe, will it affect their size? Here, the independent variable is the amount of salt in the recipe and the dependent variable is cookie size.

Test this hypothesis with an experiment. Bake cookies using the normal recipe (your control group ) and bake some using twice the salt (the experimental group). Make sure it’s the exact same recipe. Bake the cookies at the same temperature and for the same time. Only change the amount of salt in the recipe. Then measure the height or diameter of the cookies and decide whether to accept or reject the hypothesis.

Examples of Things That Are Not Experiments

Based on the examples of experiments, you should see what is not an experiment:

• Making observations does not constitute an experiment. Initial observations often lead to an experiment, but are not a substitute for one.
• Making a model is not an experiment.
• Neither is making a poster.
• Just trying something to see what happens is not an experiment. You need a hypothesis or prediction about the outcome.
• Changing a lot of things at once isn’t an experiment. You only have one independent and one dependent variable. However, in an experiment, you might suspect the independent variable has an effect on a separate. So, you design a new experiment to test this.

Types of Experiments

There are three main types of experiments: controlled experiments, natural experiments, and field experiments,

• Controlled experiment : A controlled experiment compares two groups of samples that differ only in independent variable. For example, a drug trial compares the effect of a group taking a placebo (control group) against those getting the drug (the treatment group). Experiments in a lab or home generally are controlled experiments
• Natural experiment : Another name for a natural experiment is a quasi-experiment. In this type of experiment, the researcher does not directly control the independent variable, plus there may be other variables at play. Here, the goal is establishing a correlation between the independent and dependent variable. For example, in the formation of new elements a scientist hypothesizes that a certain collision between particles creates a new atom. But, other outcomes may be possible. Or, perhaps only decay products are observed that indicate the element, and not the new atom itself. Many fields of science rely on natural experiments, since controlled experiments aren’t always possible.
• Field experiment : While a controlled experiments takes place in a lab or other controlled setting, a field experiment occurs in a natural setting. Some phenomena cannot be readily studied in a lab or else the setting exerts an influence that affects the results. So, a field experiment may have higher validity. However, since the setting is not controlled, it is also subject to external factors and potential contamination. For example, if you study whether a certain plumage color affects bird mate selection, a field experiment in a natural environment eliminates the stressors of an artificial environment. Yet, other factors that could be controlled in a lab may influence results. For example, nutrition and health are controlled in a lab, but not in the field.
• Bailey, R.A. (2008). Design of Comparative Experiments . Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9780521683579.
• di Francia, G. Toraldo (1981). The Investigation of the Physical World . Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-29925-X.
• Hinkelmann, Klaus; Kempthorne, Oscar (2008). Design and Analysis of Experiments. Volume I: Introduction to Experimental Design (2nd ed.). Wiley. ISBN 978-0-471-72756-9.
• Holland, Paul W. (December 1986). “Statistics and Causal Inference”.  Journal of the American Statistical Association . 81 (396): 945–960. doi: 10.2307/2289064
• Stohr-Hunt, Patricia (1996). “An Analysis of Frequency of Hands-on Experience and Science Achievement”. Journal of Research in Science Teaching . 33 (1): 101–109. doi: 10.1002/(SICI)1098-2736(199601)33:1<101::AID-TEA6>3.0.CO;2-Z

Related Posts

• Daily Crossword
• Word Puzzle
• Word Finder
• Word of the Day
• Synonym of the Day
• Word of the Year
• Language stories
• All featured
• Gender and sexuality
• All pop culture
• Writing hub
• Grammar essentials
• Commonly confused
• All writing tips
• Pop culture
• Writing tips

Advertisement

noun as in investigation, test

Strongest matches

analysis , attempt , enterprise , examination , exercise , experimentation , measure , observation , operation , practice , probe , procedure , research , search , study , trial , undertaking , venture

Strong matches

agreement , assay , check , dissection , essay , fling , proof , quiz , rehearsal , scrutiny , speculation , try , try-on , tryout , verification

Weak matches

dry run , R and D , research and development , trial and error , trial run

verb as in investigate, test

analyze , examine , explore

assay , diagnose , probe , prove , research , sample , scrutinize , search , speculate , study , try , venture , verify , weigh

fool with , futz around , mess around , play around with , practice with , put to the test , shake down , try on , try on for size , try out

Biology archive

Course: biology archive   >   unit 1, the scientific method.

• Controlled experiments
• The scientific method and experimental design

Introduction

• Make an observation.
• Ask a question.
• Form a hypothesis , or testable explanation.
• Make a prediction based on the hypothesis.
• Test the prediction.
• Iterate: use the results to make new hypotheses or predictions.

Scientific method example: Failure to toast

1. make an observation., 2. ask a question., 3. propose a hypothesis., 4. make predictions., 5. test the predictions..

• If the toaster does toast, then the hypothesis is supported—likely correct.
• If the toaster doesn't toast, then the hypothesis is not supported—likely wrong.

Logical possibility

Practical possibility, building a body of evidence, 6. iterate..

• If the hypothesis was supported, we might do additional tests to confirm it, or revise it to be more specific. For instance, we might investigate why the outlet is broken.
• If the hypothesis was not supported, we would come up with a new hypothesis. For instance, the next hypothesis might be that there's a broken wire in the toaster.

Want to join the conversation?

• Upvote Button navigates to signup page
• Downvote Button navigates to signup page
• Flag Button navigates to signup page

Scientific Method Word Search

More Puzzles for You:

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Cookie Declaration

Copyright © 2024 by Kim White Steele for Puzzles-to-Print.com

• History & Society
• Science & Tech
• Biographies
• Animals & Nature
• Geography & Travel
• Arts & Culture
• Games & Quizzes
• On This Day
• One Good Fact
• New Articles
• Lifestyles & Social Issues
• Philosophy & Religion
• Politics, Law & Government
• World History
• Health & Medicine
• Browse Biographies
• Birds, Reptiles & Other Vertebrates
• Bugs, Mollusks & Other Invertebrates
• Environment
• Fossils & Geologic Time
• Entertainment & Pop Culture
• Sports & Recreation
• Visual Arts
• Demystified
• Image Galleries
• Infographics
• Top Questions
• Britannica Kids
• Saving Earth
• Space Next 50
• Student Center

scientific method

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

• University of Nevada, Reno - College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources Extension - The Scientific Method
• World History Encyclopedia - Scientific Method
• LiveScience - What Is Science?
• Verywell Mind - Scientific Method Steps in Psychology Research
• WebMD - What is the Scientific Method?
• Chemistry LibreTexts - The Scientific Method
• National Center for Biotechnology Information - PubMed Central - Redefining the scientific method: as the use of sophisticated scientific methods that extend our mind
• Khan Academy - The scientific method
• Simply Psychology - What are the steps in the Scientific Method?
• Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy - Scientific Method

scientific method , mathematical and experimental technique employed in the sciences . More specifically, it is the technique used in the construction and testing of a scientific hypothesis .

The process of observing, asking questions, and seeking answers through tests and experiments is not unique to any one field of science. In fact, the scientific method is applied broadly in science, across many different fields. Many empirical sciences, especially the social sciences , use mathematical tools borrowed from probability theory and statistics , together with outgrowths of these, such as decision theory , game theory , utility theory, and operations research . Philosophers of science have addressed general methodological problems, such as the nature of scientific explanation and the justification of induction .

The scientific method is critical to the development of scientific theories , which explain empirical (experiential) laws in a scientifically rational manner. In a typical application of the scientific method, a researcher develops a hypothesis , tests it through various means, and then modifies the hypothesis on the basis of the outcome of the tests and experiments. The modified hypothesis is then retested, further modified, and tested again, until it becomes consistent with observed phenomena and testing outcomes. In this way, hypotheses serve as tools by which scientists gather data. From that data and the many different scientific investigations undertaken to explore hypotheses, scientists are able to develop broad general explanations, or scientific theories.

See also Mill’s methods ; hypothetico-deductive method .

• Sun. Aug 11th, 2024
• Science Glossary

Reeko’s huge glossary of interesting (and useful) science words

So you’re a little confused about what a thingamajig is? Well, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s the glossary of scientific terms used in Reeko’s Mad Scientist Lab.

If you don’t find a definition for a term you found on Reeko’s site, feel free to email Reeko your word suggestion and he’ll update this page accordingly.

And don’t forget – glossary terms are scattered throughout the site – in the games, science experiments, news articles, and under various laboratory rugs.  If you are looking for a longer, more elaborate definition of a science word, you can take a quick peek at the Reeko’s online dictionary of science words here .

Science Glossary/Terms

abiotic factor – a nonliving part of a ecosystem.

absolute zero – the lowest temperature that can possibly be reached in our Universe. Scientists have gotten very close to reaching absolute zero but it is impossible to reach it.

acid – a sour tasting, corrosive substance – the opposite of a base substance. Acidic solutions will turn a litmus red.

air pressure – the force put on a given area by the weight of the air around it.

alkali – a substance having marked basic properties (i.e. substance with properties of a base).

aluminum (Al) – element #13 on the periodic table, is a silvery-white metal. It is non-magnetic and an excellent electrical conductor. It is of low density and high ductility. Aluminum’s appearance is dulled and its reactivity is passivated by a film of aluminum oxide that naturally forms on the surface of the metal under normal conditions. The oxide film results in a material that resists corrosion. The film can be thickened using electrolysis. It shows some hints of nonmetal behavior as well as the more typical metal reaction. Pure aluminum is quite soft and lacking in strength. Aluminum used in commercial applications has small amounts of silicon and iron added, resulting in greatly improved strength and hardness.

argon (Ar) – element #18 on the periodic table, is a noble gas. It is colorless, odorless and extremely unreactive. Argon forms no stable compounds at room temperature.

atmosphere – the blanket of gases that surrounds the Earth. Used in a sentence: burr, it’s cold in here, it must be something in the atmosphere.

atoms – made up of protons and neutrons in a central nucleus surrounded by electrons. The smallest particle of a chemical element that can take part in a chemical reaction without being permanently changed.

anemometer – a device used to measure the speed of wind.

angiosperm – a seed plant that produces flowers.

antimatter – the opposite of regular matter. For every particle of ordinary matter there is an almost identical antiparticle of antimatter.

aquifer – an underground layer of loose rock, sand, or gravel that holds water in its spaces.

asexual reproduction – the production of a new organism from only one cell.

asteroid belt – region between Mars and Jupiter where most asteroids are found.

atmosphere – the blanket of air that surrounds the Earth. It is thickest near the ground and gradually fades away to nothing in outerspace.

bacteria – members of either of two kingdoms of one-celled living things that have no nucleus, or center, in their cell body.

barometer – a device used to measure the pressure of the atmosphere. The barometer unit of measure is called millibars.

base – a bitter tasting substance (and often slimy) – the opposite of a acid substance. Base solutions will turn a litmus blue.

battery – a device that produces electricity by means of chemical reaction. A battery consist of one or more units called electric cells. Each cell has all the chemicals and parts needed to produce an electric current.

bernoulli effect – described by Swiss mathematician Daniel Bernoulli in 1738. Bernoulli’s theorem (sometimes called the Venturi effect) implies that a decrease in fluid pressure is associated with an increase in the fluid’s velocity (speed). It’s the basics for aircraft wing design explaining that air flowing over the upper, curved part of the wing moves faster than the air on the underside of the wing so that the pressure underneath is greater and hence causes lift.

beryllium (Be) – element #4 on the periodic table, has the highest melting point of the light metals, melting at 1278C. On the surface of beryllium a thin layer of the hard oxide BeO forms, protecting the metal from further attack by water or air. As a result of the BeO layer, beryllium does not oxidize in air even at 600C and it resists corrosion by concentrated nitric acid. Beryllium also has high thermal conductivity and is nonmagnetic.

Big Bang – take a large hardcover book and hold it flat about the level of your eyes. On a hard, flat surface, drop the book. That’s a big bang.

biome – one of Earth’s large ecosystems, with its own kind of climate, soil, plants, and animals.

biosphere – part of the earth system located between the geospehere and the atmosphere, in which life can exists.

biotic factor – a living part of a ecosystem.

boron (B) – element #5 on the periodic table, is a metalloid, intermediate between metals and non-metals. It exists in many polymorphs (different crystal lattice structures), some more metallic than others. Metallic boron is extremely hard and has a very high melting point. Boron does not generally make ionic bonds, it forms stable covalent bonds. Boron can transmit portions of infrared light. Boron is a poor room temperature conductor of electricity but its conductivity improves markedly at higher temperatures.

buoyancy – the ability to float, or in more technical terms – the upward forces exerted by a fluid on a body in it.

boiling point – the temperature at which the vapor pressure of a liquid is one atmosphere.

calcium (Ca) – element #20 on the periodic table, is reactive and, for a metal, soft. In contact with air, calcium develops a mixed oxide and nitride coating, which protects it from further corrosion. Calcium reacts easily with water and acids and the metal burns brightly in air, forming mainly the nitride.

cambium – the layer in plants that separates the xylem from the phloem.

capacitor – a device that stores electric energy in the form of an electric charge.

carbon (C) – element #6 on the periodic table, is one of the softest substances and has the highest melting/sublimation point of all the elements and, in the form of diamond, has the highest thermal conductivity of any element. Carbon exists in several allotropes, including graphite, diamond, amorphous carbon, fullerines and nanotubes

carbon cycle – the continuous exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen moving among living things.

carbon dioxide – a heavy colorless gas that does not support combustion, dissolves in water to form carbonic acid, is formed in animal respiration and in the decay or combustion of animal and vegetable matter, and is absorbed from the air by plants in photosynthesis.

carnivore – an animal that eats another animal.

catalyst – something that triggers or increases the rate of a chemical reaction

Celsius – a unit of measurement for temperature. Water freezes at 0ºC (zero degrees Celsius) and boils at 100°C (100 degrees Celsius).

capillary action – the tendency of liquids to move into or out of tiny, hair like passages.

cell – the smallest unit of living matter.

charge – the state of an atom that has lost or gained an electron.

chlorophyll – a green chemical in plant cells that allows plants to use the Sun’s energy for making food.

chlorine (Cl) – element #17 on the periodic table, is a greenish-yellow, diatomic, dense gas with a sharp smell. It is not found free in nature as it combines readily with nearly all other elements. In its liquid and solid form it is a powerful bleaching, oxidizing and disinfecting agent.

chemical reaction – a process by which one substance is chemically converted to another. Chemical reactions involve the formation or destruction of bonds between atoms.

circuit – the path followed by an electric current. Electricity must flow in a circuit to do useful work.

cirrus cloud – a high-altitude cloud with a featherlike shape, made of ice crystals.

coanda effect – described by Henri Coanda, a Romanian scientist, in the 1930’s. This effect describes the tendency of moving air of fluids to follow the nearby curved or inclined surface.

commensalism – a relationship between two kids of organisms that benefits one without harming the other.

coriolis effect – the curving of the path of a moving object caused by the Earth’s rotation.

comet – a ‘dirty snowball” orbiting the Sun. It is a mixture of ices, frozen gases, rock, and dust left over from the formation of our solar system.

condensation – when a substance changes state from a gas to a liquid.

conductor – a thing that transmits heat, electricity, light, sound or other form of energy.

constellation – patterns formed by groups of stars in the sky.

control – in a science experiment, it is important to keep at least one variable constant so that the impact of the other variables can be accurately measured.

correlation – the relationship between two variables such that the value of one variable can be used to generate an expectation about another variable.

cotyledon – a tiny leaflike structure, also called a seedleaf, inside the seed of an angiosperm.

cumulus cloud – a puffy cloud that appears to rise up from a flat bottom.

current – the movement or flow of electric charges

dark matter – matter that cannot be detected by our modern day instruments but can be guessed that it does exist because of gravitational interactions that it exhibits.

doesn’t matter – well, yes, actually it does matter…

dicot – an angiosperm with two cotyledons in each seed.

decibel – a unit of measurement for sound, it measures the loudness or volume of the sound waves.

deciduous forest – a forest biome with many kinds of trees that lose their leaves each autumn.

density – the ratio of the mass of a body to its volume, usually expressed as its specific gravity.

dynamo – a device that creates electricity by turning around a magnet near a coil of wire.

ecology – the study of how living and non-living things interact with each other.

ecosystem – a isolated group of living (plants, animals, people) and non-living (rocks) things that coexist together and interact which each other to ensure each others’ survival.

electric current – see current.

electrolysis – splitting a substance into the separate chemicals that make it up, by passing an electric current through it.

electrons – a negatively charged subatomic particle. Electrons are found at varying distances from a atom’s nucleus. They make up almost the entire volume of a atom but only account for a small part of the atom’s mass. Compare to protons.

element – a basic chemical substance in which all the atoms are the same, and different from the atoms of any other substance.

embryo – the immature plant inside a seed.

emulsion – tiny droplets of one liquid floating in another liquid, such as oil droplets floating in water.

energy – the name given to the ability to do work.

epidermis – an outermost layer of such plant parts as roots and leaves. Also refers to human skin. Used in a sentence: OMG, your epidermis is showing!

evaporation – the slow changing of a liquid to a gas.

exothermic – in chemistry, exothermic refers to a reaction that releases energy, generally in the form of heat.

fact – something that is known to be true. For instance, it is a fact the Reeko is a scientific genius.

fluorine (F) – element #9 on the periodic table, is the most reactive and the most electronegative of all the elements. Fluorine is a pale yellow, diatomic, highly corrosive, flammable gas, with a pungent odor. It is the lightest halogen. It reacts violently with water to produce oxygen and the extremely corrosive hydrofluoric acid.

food chain – a chain of organisms of which each members uses the lower member as a source of food (people eat cows which eat plants). Applebees is at the top of the food chain and McDonalds is at the bottom.

food web – the overlapping food chains in an ecosystem.

freezing point – the temperature at which a liquid becomes a solid. Increased pressure usually raises the freezing point.

frond- the leaf of a fern. Used in a sentence: I like Bob – he’s my best frond in the whole wide world.

friction – the resistance that occurs when two objects rub together.

fungus – members of a kingdom that contain one-celled and many-celled living things that absorb food from their environment.

galaxy – a collection of billions of stars. Our Sun belongs to the Milky Way galaxy.

grasslands – a biome where grasses, not trees, are the main plant life. Prairies are one kind of grassland region.

gravity – the attractive central gravitational force exerted by a celestial body such as earth.

greenhouse effect – the warming of the atmosphere caused by the atmosphere allowing shortwave radiation, which heats the Earth, to pass through without a hall pass.

greenhouse gas – the gases in the atmosphere, including carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and water vapor, that contribute to the greenhouse effect.

habitat – the place where a plant or animal normally lives and grows.

herbivore – an animal that eats plants, algae, or other producers.

helium (He) – element #2 on the periodic table, is a light, odorless, colorless, inert, monatomic gas. It can form diatomic molecules, but only weakly and at temperatures close to absolute zero. Helium has the lowest melting point of any element and its boiling point is close to absolute zero. Unlike any other element, helium does not solidify but remains a liquid down to absolute zero (0 K) under ordinary pressures.

humidity – the amount of water vapor in the air.

hydrogen (H) – element #1 on the periodic table, is the simplest element of all, and the lightest. It is also by far the most common element in the Universe. Over 90 percent of the atoms in the Universe are hydrogen. In its commonest form, the hydrogen atom is made of one proton, one electron, and no neutrons. Hydrogen is the only element that can exist without neutrons.

hypothesis – this is your proposed explanation of your experiment. It is usually formed based on previous experience or your preliminary observations.

immiscible – incapable of mixing or attaining homogeneity.

induction – the process by which an object having electrical or magnetic properties produces similar properties in a nearby object, usually without direct contact.

inertia – the tendency of a moving object to keep moving in a straight line or of any object to resist a change on motion.

inner planet – a planet between the Sun and the asteroid belt (Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars).

insolation – the amount of the Sun’s energy that reaches Earth at a given time and place.

invertebrate – an animal that does not have a backbone or another name for the schoolyard bully .

inertia – the tendency of a body to remain at rest or stay in motion unless acted upon by an external force.

isobar – a line on a weather map connecting places with equal air pressure.

ions – Atoms that carry an electric charge, either positive or negative. If an atom gains an electron it takes on a negative charge. If the atom loses an electron it takes on a positive charge.

lightening – to make something lighter, clearer, or less dim.

lightning – a powerful flash of electricity between the negative electrical charges in clouds or between a cloud and the ground.

limiting factor – anything that controls the growth or survival of a population.

liquid nitrogen – the liquid state of the element nitrogen. It’s used in science experiments to cool materials. It is interesting to work with because it boils at -320 degrees.

lithium (Li) – element #3 on the periodic table, is soft and silvery white and it is the least dense of the metals. It is highly reactive and does not occur freely in nature. Freshly cut surfaces oxidize rapidly in air to form a black oxide coating. It is the only common metal that reacts with nitrogen at room temperature, forming lithium nitride. Lithium burns with a crimson flame, but when the metal burns sufficiently well, the flame becomes a brilliant white. Lithium has a high specific heat capacity and it exists as a liquid over a wide temperature range.

magnesium – element #12 on the periodic table, is a silvery-white, low density, reasonably strong metal that tarnishes in air to form a thin oxide coating. Magnesium and its alloys have very good corrosion resistance and good high temperature mechanical properties. The metal reacts with water to produce hydrogen gas. When it burns in air, magnesium produces a brilliant white light.

magnetism (Mg) – the force that electric currents exert on other electric currents.

mass – often defined as the amount of matter in an object. Note that mass and weight are not the same thing. Weight is the force on an object due to the gravitational pull of a planet or other heavenly body. Mass on the other hand, remains constant, no matter where it is.

melting point – the temperature at which the vapor pressure of the solid and the liquid are the same and the pressure totals one atmosphere.

meteor – a chunk of rock from space that burns up as it travels through the Earth’s atmosphere.

meteorite – a chunk of rock from space that strikes the surface of the Earth of the Moon.

mole – the mass of a substance, in grams, that is equal to the substances molecular weight. The number of particles in one mole of a substance is called Avogadro’s number.

molecule – one of the basic units of matter. It is the smallest particle into which a substance can be divided and still have he chemical identity of the original substance.

momentum – the speed or force of something that is moving.

monocot – an angiosperm with one cotyledon in each seed.

mutualism – a relationship between two kinds of organisms that benefits both.

neon (Ne) – element #10 on the periodic table, is a light, very inert gas. Colorless under normal conditions, its glows a reddish-orange in a vacuum discharge tube. Neon forms no known stable compounds.

nitrogen (N) – element #7 on the periodic table, a colorless, odorless, tasteless, diatomic and generally inert gas at standard temperature and pressure. At atmospheric pressure, nitrogen is liquid between 63 K and 77 K. Liquids colder than this are considerably more expensive to make than liquid nitrogen is.

nitrogen cycle – the continuous trapping of nitrogen gas into compounds in the soil and its return to the air.

omnivore – an animal that eats both plants and animals.

osmosis – the natural passage or diffusion of water (or other liquids) through a semi permeable membrane.

outer planet – one of the five planets beyond the asteroid belt (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto)

oxidize – to combine with oxygen.

oxygen (O) – element #8 on the periodic table, a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas that is the most plentiful element in the Earth’s crust. It was discovered in 1772 by Swedish chemist Carl Wilhelm Scheele.

parasitism – a relationship in which one organism lives in or on another organism and benefits from that relationship while the other organism may be harmed by it.

phloem – the tissue through which food from the leaves moves down through the rest of a plant.

phosphorus (P) – element #15 on the periodic table, is a highly reactive, waxy, white-yellow, transparent solid with acrid fumes. It emits a weak green glow (luminescence) in the presence of oxygen. It is insoluble in water. White phosphorus ignites spontaneously in air. Phosphorus exists in two other main allotropic forms: red, and black (or violet). Red phosphorus results when white phosphorus is heated or exposed to sunlight. Black phosphorus is the least reactive allotrope and has a graphite-like structure.

photosynthesis – the food-making process in green plants that uses sunlight.

planet – any of the nine major objects that travel around the Sun.

pollination – the transfer of a pollen grain to the egg-producing part of a plant.

potassium (K) – element #19 on the periodic table, is silvery-white, low melting, metal soft enough to be easily cut with a knife. It tarnishes rapidly in air, forming a dull oxide coating. Potassium burns with a lilac colored flame. It is extremely reactive, reacting violently with water.

potential – the amount of electrification of a point with reference to some standard.

pot of gold – a hidden treasure, many of which can be found in Reeko’s Mad Scientist Lab.

precipitation – any form of water particles that falls from the atmosphere and reaches the ground – rain, snow, sleet, etc.

predator – an animal that hunts other animals for food.

pressure – the application of a steady force upon another object.

protist – a member of a kingdom that contains one-celled and many-celled living things, some that make food and some that hunt for food. May also refer to the act of civil disobedience where you march around with signs protisting something that makes you mad.

protons – a positively charged subatomic particle. Protons, along with other subatomic particles called Neutrons, make up the nucleus of a atom. The number of protons in an atom is called the atomic number of the element. Compare to electrons.

quark – believed to be on of the basic building blocks of matter. It is also the sound that British ducks make.

reaction – when two or more chemicals combine to make a new chemical substance.

refraction – the bending of a wave path, as of light or sound, at the boundary between two different mediums.

relative humidity – a comparison between how much water vapor is in the air and how much the air could hold at a given temperature if it were full, or saturated.

resistance – how much an object resists or opposes any electrical current that attempts to pass through it.

resonance – when the vibrations of a substance, such as the wood of a violin, correspond to the air vibrations which make the sound.

rhizoid – one of the hairlike fibers that anchor a moss to the soil and take in water from the soil.

rhizome – the underground stem of a fern.

scandium (Sc) – element #21 on the periodic table, is a soft, light, silvery-white metal, which becomes slightly tinged with yellow or pink when exposure to air. Scandium is almost as light as aluminum but it has a much higher melting point. It is therefore of potential specialty use in aircraft – scandium will not be used generally because it is much more expensive than aluminum. Scandium reacts with many acids.

secondary battery – a battery that can be recharged.

sexual reproduction – the production of a new organism from a female sex cell and a male sex cell.

silicon (Si) – element #14 on the periodic table, is a hard, relatively inert metalloid and in crystalline form is very brittle with a marked metallic luster. Silicon occurs mainly in nature as the oxide and as silicates. The solid form of silicon does not react with oxygen, water and most acids. Silicon reacts with halogens or dilute alkalis. Silicon also has the unusual property that it expands as it freezes (like water).

sodium (Na) – element #11 on the periodic table, is a soft, silvery-white metal. Freshly cut surfaces oxidize rapidly in air to form a dull, oxide coating. Sodium burns in air with a brilliant yellow flame. Sodium floats on water, because its density is lower than water’s. It also reacts vigorously with water to produce sodium hydroxide and hydrogen gas. Explosions occur when the heat generated by the sodium-water reaction ignites the resulting hydrogen gas.

specific gravity – the ratio of the density of a body to the density of water, the latter being taken as unity.

static electricity – describes the situation where objects carry a charge.

stratus cloud – a cloud that forms in a blanket like layer.

sulfur (S) – element # 16 on the periodic table, is a soft, pale yellow, odorless, brittle solid. It is insoluble in water. It burns with a blue flame, oxidizing to sulfur dioxide. Sulfur exists in several crystalline and amorphous allotropes. The best known sulfur compound is hydrogen sulfide. This is a toxic gas that smells like rotten eggs; the smell is used in stink bombs, many of which release a small amount of hydrogen sulfide.

symbiosis – a relationship between two kinds of organisms that lasts over time.

titanium (Ti) – element #22 on the periodic table, is a light, silvery-white, hard, lustrous metal. It has excellent strength and corrosion resistance and also has a high strength to weight ratio. At high temperatures the metal will burn in air. Titanium is ductile and it is malleable when heated. It is insoluble in water, but soluble in concentrated acids.

taiga – a cool forest biome of conifers in the upper Northern Hemisphere.

transformer – a device that changes the voltage of electricity.

treasure – something that is very valuable to you. Could be your pet dog, pirate’s loot, or a pot of gold.

tropism – a response of a plant toward or away from stimulus.

troposphere – the layer of the atmosphere closet to the Earth’s surface.

tundra – large, treeless plain in the arctic regions where the ground is frozen all year.

turbine – pronounced TUR bihn or pronounced TUR byn, is a device with a rotor turned by a moving fluid, such as water, steam, gas, or wind. A turbine changes kinetic energy (energy of movement) into mechanical energy (energy in the form of mechanical power).

uranus – we just had to put this word in the glossary because, well, it sounds funny…

vascular – containing plant tissue through which water moves up and food moves down.

voltage – differences in potential (or electric state) related to the electrical forces that ‘push’ charges through a conductor. Can be thought of as the pressure which pushes electricity through a wire.

weight – the force on an object due to the gravitational pull of a planet or other heavenly body.

wock – hard, inanimate object that you throw at a wabbit.

xylem – the tissue through which water and minerals move up through a plant.

Related Post

The color wheel, crazy questions and answers, other cool science websites, leave a reply cancel reply.

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Explore Reeko’s Mad Scientist Lab (if you dare).

Biology and animals crossword puzzle, chemistry heroes crossword puzzle, wordsearch – chemical elements.

What Is an Experiment? Definition and Design

The Basics of an Experiment

• Chemical Laws
• Periodic Table
• Projects & Experiments
• Scientific Method
• Biochemistry
• Physical Chemistry
• Medical Chemistry
• Chemistry In Everyday Life
• Famous Chemists
• Activities for Kids
• Abbreviations & Acronyms
• Weather & Climate
• Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville
• B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College

Science is concerned with experiments and experimentation, but do you know what exactly an experiment is? Here's a look at what an experiment is... and isn't!

Key Takeaways: Experiments

• An experiment is a procedure designed to test a hypothesis as part of the scientific method.
• The two key variables in any experiment are the independent and dependent variables. The independent variable is controlled or changed to test its effects on the dependent variable.
• Three key types of experiments are controlled experiments, field experiments, and natural experiments.

What Is an Experiment? The Short Answer

In its simplest form, an experiment is simply the test of a hypothesis . A hypothesis, in turn, is a proposed relationship or explanation of phenomena.

Experiment Basics

The experiment is the foundation of the scientific method , which is a systematic means of exploring the world around you. Although some experiments take place in laboratories, you could perform an experiment anywhere, at any time.

Take a look at the steps of the scientific method:

• Make observations.
• Formulate a hypothesis.
• Design and conduct an experiment to test the hypothesis.
• Evaluate the results of the experiment.
• Accept or reject the hypothesis.
• If necessary, make and test a new hypothesis.

Types of Experiments

• Natural Experiments : A natural experiment also is called a quasi-experiment. A natural experiment involves making a prediction or forming a hypothesis and then gathering data by observing a system. The variables are not controlled in a natural experiment.
• Controlled Experiments : Lab experiments are controlled experiments , although you can perform a controlled experiment outside of a lab setting! In a controlled experiment, you compare an experimental group with a control group. Ideally, these two groups are identical except for one variable , the independent variable .
• Field Experiments : A field experiment may be either a natural experiment or a controlled experiment. It takes place in a real-world setting, rather than under lab conditions. For example, an experiment involving an animal in its natural habitat would be a field experiment.

Variables in an Experiment

Simply put, a variable is anything you can change or control in an experiment. Common examples of variables include temperature, duration of the experiment, composition of a material, amount of light, etc. There are three kinds of variables in an experiment: controlled variables, independent variables and dependent variables .

Controlled variables , sometimes called constant variables are variables that are kept constant or unchanging. For example, if you are doing an experiment measuring the fizz released from different types of soda, you might control the size of the container so that all brands of soda would be in 12-oz cans. If you are performing an experiment on the effect of spraying plants with different chemicals, you would try to maintain the same pressure and maybe the same volume when spraying your plants.

The independent variable is the one factor that you are changing. It is one factor because usually in an experiment you try to change one thing at a time. This makes measurements and interpretation of the data much easier. If you are trying to determine whether heating water allows you to dissolve more sugar in the water then your independent variable is the temperature of the water. This is the variable you are purposely controlling.

The dependent variable is the variable you observe, to see whether it is affected by your independent variable. In the example where you are heating water to see if this affects the amount of sugar you can dissolve , the mass or volume of sugar (whichever you choose to measure) would be your dependent variable.

Examples of Things That Are Not Experiments

• Making a model volcano.
• Making a poster.
• Changing a lot of factors at once, so you can't truly test the effect of the dependent variable.
• Trying something, just to see what happens. On the other hand, making observations or trying something, after making a prediction about what you expect will happen, is a type of experiment.
• Bailey, R.A. (2008). Design of Comparative Experiments . Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9780521683579.
• Beveridge, William I. B., The Art of Scientific Investigation . Heinemann, Melbourne, Australia, 1950.
• di Francia, G. Toraldo (1981). The Investigation of the Physical World . Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-29925-X.
• Hinkelmann, Klaus and Kempthorne, Oscar (2008). Design and Analysis of Experiments, Volume I: Introduction to Experimental Design (Second ed.). Wiley. ISBN 978-0-471-72756-9.
• Shadish, William R.; Cook, Thomas D.; Campbell, Donald T. (2002). Experimental and quasi-experimental designs for generalized causal inference (Nachdr. ed.). Boston: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 0-395-61556-9.
• 10 Things You Need To Know About Chemistry
• Chemistry 101 - Introduction & Index of Topics
• How to Clean Lab Glassware
• How To Design a Science Fair Experiment
• Understanding Experimental Groups
• What Is a Control Group?
• Examples of Independent and Dependent Variables
• How to Write a Lab Report
• The Difference Between Control Group and Experimental Group
• Scientific Method Lesson Plan
• Pre-Lab Prep for Chemistry Lab
• Difference Between Independent and Dependent Variables
• Which Is Faster: Melting Ice in Water or Air?
• What Is the Difference Between Hard and Soft Science?
• 5 Top Reasons Why Students Fail Chemistry
• What Is a Dependent Variable?

Synonyms of experiment

• More from M-W
• To save this word, you'll need to log in. Log In

Thesaurus Definition of experiment

Synonyms & Similar Words

• experimentation
• trial and error

Examples of experiment in a Sentence

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'experiment.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Articles Related to experiment

This is the Difference Between a...

This is the Difference Between a Hypothesis and a Theory

In scientific reasoning, they're two completely different things

Thesaurus Entries Near experiment

experiential

experimental

Cite this Entry

“Experiment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/experiment. Accessed 11 Aug. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on experiment

Nglish: Translation of experiment for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of experiment for Arabic Speakers

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the day.

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Plural and possessive names: a guide, commonly misspelled words, how to use em dashes (—), en dashes (–) , and hyphens (-), absent letters that are heard anyway, how to use accents and diacritical marks, popular in wordplay, 8 words for lesser-known musical instruments, it's a scorcher words for the summer heat, 7 shakespearean insults to make life more interesting, plant names that sound like insults, 10 words from taylor swift songs (merriam's version), games & quizzes.

Look up a word, learn it forever.

/ɛkˈspirɪmɪnt/, /ɛkˈspɛrɪmənt/.

Other forms: experiments; experimenting; experimented

If you see your science-loving neighbor headed home with a power cord, a handful of test tubes, a stopwatch, and a bag of potatoes, there’s probably no need to be alarmed. There’s a good chance he’s only conducting an experiment , a scientific test conducted under controlled conditions.

To refer to a scientific test, use the noun experiment . If you want to describe the work done in conducting such a test, experiment will do the trick as well, since it can also act as a verb, as in "scientists experiment with helium." You can also use it more generally to describe trying a new method or idea. For example, you could experiment with a new hairstyle or different routes to get to school or work.

• noun the act of conducting a controlled test or investigation synonyms: experimentation see more see less types: show 4 types... hide 4 types... testing the act of subjecting to experimental test in order to determine how well something works trial and error experimenting until a solution is found Michelson-Morley experiment a celebrated experiment conducted by Albert Michelson and Edward Morley; their failure to detect any influence of the earth's motion on the velocity of light was the starting point for Einstein's theory of relativity control experiment an experiment designed to control for variables affecting the results of another experiment type of: research project , scientific research research into questions posed by scientific theories and hypotheses
• noun the testing of an idea “it was an experiment in living” synonyms: experimentation see more see less types: show 7 types... hide 7 types... pilot experiment a preliminary experiment whose outcome can lead to a more extensive experiment test , trial , trial run , tryout trying something to find out about it field test , field trial a test of the performance of some new product under the conditions in which it will be used alpha test (computer science) a first test of an experimental product (such as computer software) carried out by the developer beta test (computer science) a second test of an experimental product (such as computer software) carried out by an outside organization road test a test to insure that a vehicle is roadworthy trial balloon a test of public opinion type of: enquiry , inquiry , research a search for knowledge
• noun a venture at something new or different “as an experiment he decided to grow a beard” see more see less type of: venture any venturesome undertaking especially one with an uncertain outcome
• verb conduct a test or investigation “We are experimenting with the new drug in order to fight this disease” synonyms: try out try something new, as in order to gain experience see more see less type of: investigate , look into investigate scientifically
• verb try something new, as in order to gain experience “The composer experimented with a new style” synonyms: try out

Vocabulary lists containing experiment

How can you perform well on the reading section of the SAT if you don’t fully understand the language being used in the directions and in the questions? Learn this list of 25 words that are based on our analysis of the words likely to appear in question stems, answer options, and test directions. Following our Roadmap to the SAT ? Head back to see what else you should be learning this week.

How can you perform well on the new reading section of the SAT if you don’t fully understand the language being used in the directions and in the questions? Learn this list of 150 words that are based on our analysis of the words likely to appear in question stems, answer options and test directions. Here are all of our word lists to help you prepare for the new SAT (debuting March of 2016): The Language of the Test , Multiple-Meaning Words , and Words to Capture Tone .

Sign up now (it’s free!)

Whether you’re a teacher or a learner, vocabulary.com can put you or your class on the path to systematic vocabulary improvement..

Get Your ALL ACCESS Shop Pass here →

Science Vocabulary

It’s never too early to introduce awesome science vocabulary words to kiddos of all ages. In fact, kids have a lot of fun learning, and even saying big words. Don’t underestimate the power of a young mind! You’re definitely going to want to incorporate these simple science terms into your next science lesson! Let’s think and talk like a scientist!

SIMPLE SCIENCE TERMS FOR KIDS

SCIENCE VOCABULARY

Experiment like a scientist, talk like a scientist and write like a scientist. No science vocabulary word is too big or too small, try them all!

You will be amazed at how quickly kiddos will pick up on and use these science terms once you start incorporating them into your science activities, demonstrations, and experiments.

ACIDS and BASES:   An acid is any substance that increases the concentration of the hydrogen (H +) ions when it dissolves in water. A base is any substance that increases the concentration of the hydroxide (OH-) ions.

Both acids and bases can be weak. Many fruit juices such as cranberry juice, apple juice, and orange juices are weak acids. Acids taste sour. Vinegar is a slightly stronger acid.

Acids and bases are strong if they release a lot of ions in water. Bases are usually slippery feeling or bitter tasting. Many vegetables have weak bases in them. A stronger base would be household ammonia.

Pure water is neither an acid or a base. Scientists measure the strength of an acid or base using a scale called pH. Distilled water has a pH of 7. Acids have a lower pH and bases have a higher pH. Learn more about the pH scale.

ATOMS :   Atoms are the smallest units of an identifiable pure substance or a substance known as an element. Everything is made up of atoms.

Imagine you kept making an iron bar smaller and smaller until it was the size of a grain of sand. Well, an atom is much smaller than that so we can’t see it even with a magnifying glass!

If you break up an atom and make the pieces smaller the pieces cannot be identified as a substance or element. For example, you cannot have a piece of an Iron or Gold atom that is smaller than the atom and still call it Iron or Gold.

BUOYANCY : The ability of fluids to exert an upward force on the objects immersed in them.

CAPILLARY ACTION :  The ability of a liquid to flow in narrow spaces without the help of an outside force, like gravity. 

Capillary action happens because of several forces at work. This includes the forces of adhesion (water molecules are attracted and stick to other substances), cohesion, and surface tension (water molecules like to stay close together).

Plants and trees couldn’t survive without capillary action. Think about how large tall trees are able to move a lot of water so far up to their leaves without a pump of any kind.

CARBON DIOXIDE (CO 2 ):   A colorless gas made up of molecules of one carbon atom joined with two oxygen atoms. It occurs naturally in the Earth’s atmosphere.

Plants take in carbon dioxide from the air and use it along with energy from the sun to make food. We breathe out more carbon dioxide than we breathe in because our bodies release it when we use food for our own energy. This is called the carbon cycle .

CHEMICAL REACTION :  A chemical reaction is a process where two or more substances react together to form a new chemical substance. This might look like a gas being formed, cooking or baking, or milk souring.

Some chemical reactions take energy to get started in the form of heat while others produce heat when the substances react with each other.

Chemical reactions take place all around us. Cooking food is an example of a chemical reaction. Burning a candle is another example. Can you think of a chemical reaction you have seen? See more examples of chemical changes.

COHESION:   The “stickiness” of like molecules to one another. It is caused by the cohesive attractive force between like molecules.

Cohesion is what makes water form drops. Because the water molecules are more strongly attracted to each other than to other molecules, they form droplets on surfaces (e.g., dew drops) and form a dome when filling a container before spilling over the sides.

DATA: A collection of information that is useful for analyzing and interpreting to answer scientific questions.

DENSITY :   The compactness of stuff in space or the amount of material that is in a set size. Denser materials of the same size are heavier because there is more material in the same size space.

Density refers to the mass of a substance (the amount of matter in the substance) compared to its volume (how much space a substance takes up). For example, a block of lead will weigh much more than an equal volume of wood which means that the lead is denser than wood.

DISSOLVE :  To cause a solid or a gas (the solute) to pass into a liquid and form a solution. For example, sugar dissolves in water to form a sugar solution. Soda water is an example of a gas (carbon dioxide) dissolved in water.

When a solution forms the two substances stay the same and there is no chemical reaction. This is why if you dissolve sugar or salt in a glass of water and let the water dry out or evaporate the salt or sugar will be left behind in the glass.

EMULSIFICATION: A process by which two liquids, which can’t dissolve in each other are forced to combine in a liquid mixture (emulsion). Salad dressing is an emulsion of oil and vinegar.

EXPERIMENT: A test or investigation done under controlled conditions to find out something.

FATS:  Nutrients in food that are made up of special carbon and hydrogen and oxygen atoms. The body uses fats and they are very important to build nerve tissue (including the brain and nerves) and hormones. The body also uses fat as fuel. Extra fat that you eat can be stored the body below the skin. 

Fat has more energy in it than other foods. This is why the body uses fat to store food energy. Too much fat is bad for your health.

There are many types of fats. Oils such as olive oil and vegetable oil are fast. The fats we see on meat are made up of many different types. Some fats like oils are liquids, others such as the fat we see in meat are solid at room temperature.

FLOAT :   To rest on top of a liquid. Items that are more solid have molecules that are packed tighter together and will sink. Items that are less solid are made up of molecules that are not as tightly packed together and will float! If the object is denser than water, it will sink. If it’s less dense, it will float!

FRICTION : A force that acts when two objects are in contact with each other. It slows or stops movement when those two surfaces are sliding or trying to slide across each other. Friction can occur between all kinds of objects – solids, liquids and gases.

GAS:   One of the three states of matter , along with solid and liquid. In a gas the particles move freely from one another. You can also say they vibrate! Gas particles spread out to take the shape of the container they are put in. Steam or water vapor is an example of a gas.

GRAVITY :  A pulling force by which a planet or other body draws objects toward its center. Gravity is what keeps all the planets in orbit around the sun. The force of gravity keeps us close to the ground.

Our moon has less gravity than the Earth because it is smaller. If you went to the moon you could jump about 6 times higher than on the Earth. That means if you can jump one foot off the ground now, you could jump 6 feet high on the moon because the moon has less force pulling you down.

KINETIC ENERGY :  The energy an object has due to its motion. The faster or heavier a moving object is, the more kinetic energy it has.

A cannon ball that is moving at the same speed as a tennis ball has more kinetic energy because the cannon ball has more mass (weight).

A golf ball going 100 miles an hour has more kinetic energy than a tennis ball slowly rolling down the floor because the speed of the ball also gives it more kinetic energy. 

LEVER :   A long, sturdy body that rests on a support called a fulcrum. A lever can be used to move things. A see-saw is a lever that rests on a fulcrum in the middle.

LIQUID :  One of the three states of matter , along with solid and gas. In a liquid, the particles have some space between them with no pattern and so they are not in a fixed position. A liquid has no distinct shape of its own but will take the shape of a container that it is put into. Water is an example of a liquid.

MAGNET : A magnet is a rock or a piece of metal that can pull certain types of metal toward itself. The force of magnets, called magnetism, is a force, like electricity and gravity.

Magnetism works over a distance. This means that a magnet does not have to be touching an object to pull it. Try it out and see for yourself!

MASS :  The amount of matter in a substance. The amount of mass in a set area is called density.

MATTER:   Any object that takes up space and has mass.

MINERALS:  Solid substances that occur naturally. They do not come from animals, plants, or other living organisms.

MIXTURE:   A material made up of two or more substances mixed together. No chemical reaction takes place and you could separate the substances in the mixture. It is possible to produce a mixture of liquids, solids, or gases.

MOLECULES: The smallest unit of a substance called a compound that has all the properties of that substance. Molecules are made of at least 2 atoms joined together.

MOTION:   The act of changing location from one place to another. The opposite of motion is rest.

NITROGEN: A chemical element that makes up a significant part of the Earth’s atmosphere . It is a colorless, odorless gas and is essential for life as it is a key component of proteins, DNA, and other organic molecules.

NON-NEWTONIAN FLUID :  A fluid in which the viscosity changes with the force applied. The fluid gets thicker depending on how it moves or is pressed on. It can be picked up like a solid, but it also will flow like a liquid. Slime is an example of a non-Newtonian fluid.

OBSERVATION : Noticing what’s happening through our senses or with tools like a magnifying glass. Observation is used to collect and record data, which enables scientists to construct and then test hypotheses and theories.

POLYMER: Something made of very big molecules of the same type. Often there are many smaller molecules layered together in a repeating pattern. Many plastics are polymers. Silk and wool are also polymers.

Polymers can be hard but may be flexible. How hard or flexible they are depends upon how the molecules are arranged. The word “poly” means many.  Slime making is a great way to explore polymers.

POTENTIAL ENERGY :  The stored energy an object has because of its position or state. Objects that are sitting in one place have potential energy.

A ball up high on a shelf has potential energy because if you push it off the shelf it will fall. A falling ball has kinetic energy.

Water in a closed dam on a lake or river has potential energy because it is not moving past the dam. When the water is released the stored or potential energy can be used to power machines or even turn a machine to make electricity.

PREDICTION: A guess at what might happen in an experiment based on observation or other information.

PROTEIN:  A molecule in food . Protein is a nutrient found in food (such as meat, milk, eggs, and beans) that is made up of many smaller molecules called amino acids. These amino acids are joined together in different patterns to make many different proteins.

Protein is a necessary part of the diet and is essential for normal cell structure and function. You need protein for your muscles, bones, and teeth to grow normally.

There are many different proteins but once they are in your body they all turn back into the amino acids that are used by your body to make your body strong. Egg whites are made of a protein called albumin. Milk has a protein in it called casein.

REST : Scientists use the word “rest” to mean when something is not moving. The opposite of “rest” is motion.

SINK:  To fall below the surface of a liquid. The opposite of float.

SOLID:   One of the three states of matter , the others are liquid and gas. A solid has tightly packed particles in a specific pattern, which are not able to move about. You will notice a solid keeps its own shape. Ice or frozen water is an example of a solid.

SOLUTION :  A specific type of mixture where one substance (solute) is dissolved into another (solvent). In a solution, the ingredients mix. When a solution forms, the two substances stay the same and there is no chemical reaction.

This is why if you dissolve sugar or salt in a glass of water and let the water dry out or evaporate the salt or sugar will be left in the glass.

STRATIFICATION:  The arrangement of something into different groups. 

SURFACE TENSION :  A force that exists on the surface of water because water molecules like to stick to each other. This force is so strong that it can help things sit on top of the water instead of sinking into it.

It is the high surface tension of water that allows a paper clip, with much higher density, to float on water. It also causes drops of rain to stick to your windows and is why bubbles are round.

VARIABLE:   A factor that can be changed in a science experiment. Three types of variables are: independent, dependent, and controlled.

The independent variable is the one that is changed in the experiment and will affect the dependent variable. The dependent variable is the factor that is observed or measured in the experiment. See examples of independent and dependent variables.

The controlled variable stays constant in the experiment. Experiments are repeated a number of times to find out how a change in the independent variable affects the results.

VISCOSITY:   How thick a fluid is. A liquid with high viscosity – that is thick, like molasses- will flow very slowly. A liquid with low viscosity, or that’s thin, like water, will flow quickly.

CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR PRINTABLE VOCAB LIST

SCIENCE PRACTICES

A new approach to teaching science is called the Best Science Practices. These eight science and engineering practices are less structured and allow for a more free – flowing approach to problem-solving and finding answers to questions. These skills are critical to developing future engineers, inventors, and scientists!

SCIENCE BOOKS FOR KIDS

Sometimes the best way to introduce science vocabulary words is through a colorfully illustrated book with characters your kids can relate to! Check out this fantastic list of science books that are teacher approved and get ready to spark curiosity and exploration!

Check out our recommended book lists:

• Engineering books
• Science books

WHAT IS A SCIENTIST

Think like a scientist! Act like a scientist! Scientists, like you and me, are also curious about the world around them. Learn about the different types of scientists and what they do to increase their understanding about their specific area of interest. Read What Is A Scientist

FUN SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS TO TRY

Don’t just read about science, go ahead and enjoy one of these fantastic kids science experiments !

Printable Science Projects For Kids

If you’re looking to grab all of our printable science projects in one convenient place plus exclusive worksheets and bonuses like a STEAM Project pack, our Science Project Pack is what you need! Over 300+ Pages!

• 90+ classic science activities  with journal pages, supply lists, set up and process, and science information.  NEW! Activity-specific observation pages!
• Best science practices posters  and our original science method process folders for extra alternatives!
• Be a Collector activities pack  introduces kids to the world of making collections through the eyes of a scientist. What will they collect first?
• Know the Words Science vocabulary pack  includes flashcards, crosswords, and word searches that illuminate keywords in the experiments!
• My science journal writing prompts  explore what it means to be a scientist!!
• Bonus STEAM Project Pack:  Art meets science with doable projects!
• Bonus Quick Grab Packs for Biology, Earth Science, Chemistry, and Physics

Subscribe to receive a free 5-Day STEM Challenge Guide

~ projects to try now ~.

Translate this page

Lesson idea.

Glossary of Common Scientific Terms

Blinded study  = a study where the identity of participants and their data are kept hidden from researchers to prevent bias until after the results are known.

Box and whisker plot  = a graphical representation of a range of data points. The box represents the middle half of the values (if you were to line all the values up in order, from ¼ to ¾ of the way through), and the whiskers show the full range of the data values. Dots outside the whiskers show outliers that are unusually low or high in the data set.

Causation  = a relationship between two sets of data, when the trend in one of the sets caused the change in the other. For example, as the temperature in a heating pot with water rises, the amount of water in the pot decreases (because it evaporates). 

Computerized simulation  = an imitation of a real-life system, simplified and designed on a computer. See also “Scientific model”.

Control group  = one of the tested groups in a scientific experiment, which is NOT exposed to any experimental treatment but is tested under the same conditions as all other groups. This helps the scientists confirm that the experimental treatment actually makes a difference. It also provides a baseline to compare the results of the experiment against. Every good scientific study must have a control group if it wants to reach valid results. That is how the scientists confirm that their findings are not just a coincidence.

Correlation  = a relationship between two trends in the data, when the two change in sync with each other: as one increases, the other increases too (if it’s directly correlated) or the second one decreases (if it’s inversely correlated). Correlations are easy to demonstrate – you just need to plot the data. They do not, by themselves, prove causation.

Data  = (scientific data) any type of real-world fact or information related to a question scientists are investigating. (Note that the word “data” is the plural form!)

Database  = an organized set of data that is usually stored on a computer.

Data reconstruction  = inferring data from proxy data sources for a time period for which direct measurements are unavailable.

Distribution  = a mathematical tool that allows you to see the frequency of a given value in a large dataset.

Hypothesis  = a proposed explanation for an observed phenomenon or a prediction scientists make which can be tested and disproved. Hypotheses are usually based on observation or previous scientific knowledge. 

Index  = a number calculated based on several different variables observed in a data set.  

Median  = in a set of numbers or data points, the median is the number that falls exactly in the middle: half the numbers in a data set are higher and half are lower than the median.

Model  = a representation of an object, process, or physical system. A paper airplane is a very simple model of a Boeing 747. The simpler the model, the fewer the details it incorporates. A mathematical model represents real-world situations using a variety of mathematical structures (eg. graphs, equations, diagrams). See also “Scientific model.” 

Model organism  = a species that has been widely studied, usually because it is easy to maintain and breed in a laboratory. Scientific discoveries in model organisms can often tell us a lot about the workings of many other organisms, too. A few examples of common model organisms are fruit flies, mice, zebrafish, and the bacteria E. coli.

Non-linear relationship between two variables  = when a given increase in one variable (x, or the independent variable) does not always correspond to a constant increase in the other variable (y, or the dependent variable), for all possible values of x. The graph of this relationship will be a curve instead of a straight line (as is the case in linear relationships).

Outlier  = a data point in a set of data that is much bigger or much smaller than the rest of the set.

Parameter  = a factor we measure. A climate parameter can be the amount of rainfall, maximum or average temperature, length of drought periods, and so on.

Percentile  = given a set of numbers, the value below which a given percentage of observations fall. For example, if we had the following set of numbers {4, 7, 3, 9, 3}, the 60th percentile would be 4, because 3/5 x 100% = 60% of the set are equal to or less than 4.  

Proxy   = something that represents something else. A proxy data source is an indirect source of data that scientists use when direct measurements are not available. For example, annual tree rings are a proxy for precipitation data.

Randomized trial  = a study where participants are randomly assigned into either the intervention group or the control group. This is done to prevent bias among researchers, who may be subconsciously wishing for the study to show a particular result.

Representative sampling  = taking samples that are “typical,” so as not to get too high or too low of an estimate accidentally. For example, if we were measuring the average heights of all citizens in California, but we accidentally sampled no children, then our estimate would be too high. We would want to sample an array of ages that are typical for the state.

Review article  = a scientific article that compiles past research on one topic to analyze trends and assess the current state of knowledge on that topic.

Scientific model  = a model that uses our knowledge of natural processes to predict outcomes, make hypotheses and explain phenomena. Models can be material (like the paper airplane), conceptual, or mathematical. A scientific model is often a computer program that attempts to simulate a particular system and to predict how the system would behave in the real world. See also “Model” and “Computerized simulation.” 

Statistically significant  = describing a result that is likely, not due to chance, but rather due to a real process. Scientists define a result as “significant” if it would happen by chance less than 5% of the time (shown as p < 0.05). The more significant a result is the lower its p-value. Statistical significance is an important way for scientists to deal with uncertainty.  

Validation  = checking the accuracy of something. For example, to validate a climate model, scientists run the model to “predict” the weather patterns over the past 20 years. Then they compare the output with the actual measurements and observations we have collected for that time.

Variable  = in scientific or mathematical models, a factor whose value may vary (e.g. average air temperature, amount of solar radiation, etc.)

Variance  = a measure of how different the numbers in a set are from one another. For example, the two sets of numbers {6, 2, 3, 1} and {2, 4, 3, 3} have the same average (or mean) of 3, but the first set has a greater variance.

• January 22, 2020

Share this Lesson Idea

Check out this related lesson idea, free stem resources we love and recommend.

Latest Scientific Articles

How safe is vaping?

+ Audio version of article + Blackboard video version of article + Links to lessons and activities about the dangers of vaping

How well can apes remember their friends?

+ Blackboard video version of the article + Audio version of article + Links to activities about memory, apes, and endangered species

How do parasites affect mouse behavior?

+ Blackboard version of article + Audio version of article + Links to lesson plans on parasites

What is even more important than being right?

+ Audio version of article + Links to lessons about viruses and vaccines + Links to lessons about human thinking

We want to hear from you!

If you are a teacher and you used some of our resources in class, we want your feedback! Please fill out this Teacher Feedback survey!

Journal funding support from:

Recommended by: