Hi, my name is Lorry. I'm currently in Natural Sciences at Ahuntsic and I made this glossary about some familiar words or expressions we frequently use in my program. This glossary includes a mix of terms from different subjects such as chemistry, physics, and biology. I gathered around 30 terms and provided definitions, example sentences, and French translations to support comprehension. Most of the definitions are from class notes, textbooks, and online academic resources. I hope this glossary will be a helpful study tool for other students in Natural Sciences, now or in the future.
acid
noun
A substance that releases hydrogen ions in solution.
Example: Lemon juice is an example of a natural acid.
fr: acide
atom
noun
A basic unit of matter consisting of protons, neutrons, and electrons.
Example: Everything around us is made of atoms.
fr: atome
base
noun
A substance that accepts hydrogen ions or releases hydroxide ions.
Example: Soap is a common base used in cleaning.
fr: base
catalyst
Noun
A substance that speeds up a chemical reaction.
Example: Enzymes act as biological catalysts.
fr: catalyseur
cell
noun
The smallest unit of life that can function independently.
Example: The human body is made of trillions of cells.
fr: cellule
conductor
noun
A material that allows electricity or heat to flow easily.
Example: Copper is a good conductor of electricity.
fr: conducteur
current
noun
The flow of electric charge in a circuit.
Example: The electric current powers the light club.
fr: courant électrique
density
Noun
Mass per unit of a substance.
Example: Oil floats on water because it has a lower density.
fr: densité
diffusion
Noun
The movement of particles from high to low concentration.
Example: Oxygen enters the blood through diffusion in the lungs.
fr: diffusion
energy
noun
The capacity to do work or cause change.
Example: We need energy to move, grow , and stay warm.
fr: énergie
enzyme
noun
A protein that speeds up chemical reactions in the body.
Example: Enzymes help digest food more efficiently.
fr: enzyme
experiment
noun
A procedure to test a hypothesis or demonstrate a fact.
Example: We conducted an experiment to see how plants grow in the dark.
fr: expérience
friction
noun
A force that opposes motion between surfaces.
Example: Friction between your shoes and the ground helps you walk.
fr: friction
homeostasis
Noun
The process by which the body maintains a stable internal environment.
Example: Sweating helps the body maintain homeostasis.
fr: homéostasie
hypothesis
noun
A proposed explanation based on limited evidence, used as a starting point for investigation.
Example: The scientist tested her hypothesis with an experiment.
fr: hypothèse
insulator
noun
A material that resists the flow of electricity or heat.
Example: Plastic is used as an insulator in wires.
fr: isolant
isotope
noun
Atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons.
Example: Carbon-14 is a radioactive isotope used in dating fossils.
fr: isotope
magnetism
noun
A force caused by moving electrics charges
Example: Magnetism is used in electric motors and generators.
fr: magnétisme
mitosis
noun
Cell division resulting in two identical daughter cells.
Example: Mitosis helps organisms grow and repair damaged tissues
fr: mitose
momentum
noun
The product of an object's mass and velocity.
Example: The truck had more momentum than the car due to its mass.
fr: quantité de mouvement
neuron
noun
A nerve cell that transmits electrical signals.
Example: Neurons carry messages between the brain and the body.
fr: neurone
osmosis
Noun
The movement of water across a semipermeable membrane.
Example: Osmosis allows cells to absorb water.
fr: osmose
oxidation
Noun
A reaction where a substance loses electrons.
Example: Rust forms when iron undergoes oxydation.
fr: oxydation
pH
noun
A scale used to measure how acidic or basic a solution is.
Example: A pH of 7 is neutral, like pure water.
fr: pH
photosynthesis
noun
The process by which plants convert sunlight into chemical energy
Example: Plants use photosynthesis to produce glucose and oxygen.
fr: photosynthèse
pressure
noun
The force exerted per unit area.
Example: Air pressure decreases with altitude.
fr: pression
refraction
Noun
The bending of light as it passes through different materials.
Example: A straw looks bent in water due to refraction.
fr: réfraction
scalar
noun
A quantity that has only magnitude.
Example: Temperature is a scalar quantity.
fr: scalaire
solution
noun
A homogeneous mixture of two or more substances.
Example: Saltwater is a solution of salt and water.
fr: solution
wavelength
noun
The distance between two peaks of a wave.
Example: Red light has a longer wavelength than blue light.
