Scientific Definitions for Malaysia

Form 3 Science Syllabus *short copy

Emulsion-

A colloid formed from tiny liquid droplets suspended in another,

immiscible liquid. Milk is an example of an emulsion.

Humidity-

Atmospheric water-vapor content, expressed in any of several

measures, especially relative humidity, absolute humidity, humidity

mixing ratio, and specific humidity.

Induction-

1. The generation of electromotive force in a closed circuit by a

varying magnetic flux

through the circuit.

2. The charging of an isolated conducting object by momentarily

grounding it while a

charged body is nearby.

Inertia-
The tendency of a body to stay at rest or to continue to move at the

same velocity, unless acted on by an outside force.

Ions-

An atom or molecule that has acquired a charge by either gaining or

losing electrons. An atom or molecule with missing electrons has a net

positive charge and is called a cation; one with extra electrons has a

net negative charge and is called an anion.

Momentum-

A property that measures the tendency of a moving object to keep

moving in the same direction. Increasing the speed of an object

increases its momentum, and a heavy object will have more

momentum than a lighter one moving at the same speed.

Osmosis-

Passage of solvent molecules from a dilute solution through a

semipermeable membrane* to a more concentrated solution.

Pressure-

Force applied uniformly over a surface, measured as force per unit of

area.
Refraction-

A change of direction that light undergoes when it enters a medium

with a different density from the one through which it has been

traveling.

Resonance-

The property of a compound having simultaneously the characteristics

of two or more structural forms that differ only in the distribution of

electrons. Such compounds are highly stable and cannot be properly

represented by a single structural formula.

Transformer-

A device used to transfer electrical energy from one circuit to another.

With an alternating current, a transformer will either raise or lower the

voltage as it makes the transfer.

Enzyme-

Protein or protein-based molecules that speed up chemical reactions

occurring in living things. Enzymes act as catalysts for a single

reaction, converting a specific set of reactants (called substrates) into

specific products.
Electrons-

An elementary particle with a negative charge and a very small mass.

Electrons are normally found in orbits around the nucleus of an atom.

The chemical reactions that an atom undergoes depend primarily on

the electrons in the outermost orbits (the valence electrons).

Atmosphere-

Gases enveloping the Earth at sea level consisting of approximately

78% nitrogen. 20.95% oxygen, and 0.37% carbon dioxide, and variable

amounts of water vapor.

Bernoulli Effect-

The phenomenon of internal pressure reduction with increased stream

velocity in a fluid.

Buoyancy-

The force that causes objects to float. According to the principle of

Archimedes, when a solid is placed in a fluid (a liquid or a gas), it is

subject to an upward force equal in magnitude to the weight of the

fluid it has displaced.

Capillary Action-
A phenomenon associated with surface tension and resulting in the

elevation or depression of liquids in capillaries

Charge-

A property used to explain attractions and repulsions between certain

objects. Two types of charge are possible: negative and positive.

Objects with different charge attract; objects with the same charge

repel each other.

Chemical Reaction-

A process in which atoms of the same or different elements rearrange

themselves to form a new substance. While they do so, they either

absorb heat or give it off.

Circuit-

A configuration of electrically or electromagnetically connected

components or devices.

Electrolysis-

Changing the chemical structure of a compound using electrical energy