For intermediate learners: core scientific concepts and terms used in secondary school biology, chemistry, and physics reading.
Free Science & Discovery vocabulary flashcards at the B1 level — all 35 words with definitions and examples. Study them with spaced repetition and recognize and use these words confidently in real conversations.
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hypothesis
a proposed explanation for something that can be tested by experiments
molecule
the smallest unit of a substance that keeps all its chemical properties
reaction
a process in which substances interact and are changed into new substances
evolution
the gradual change of living things over many generations through natural selection
atom
the smallest unit of a chemical element that keeps its properties
laboratory
a room equipped with tools and materials for scientific experiments
magnetic
having or relating to the properties of a magnet that attract or repel
radiation
energy sent out in the form of waves or particles from a source
density
the amount of mass contained in a given volume of a substance
photosynthesis
the process by which plants use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to make food
ecosystem
a community of living things and their environment working together as a system
velocity
the speed of something in a specific direction
compound
a substance formed from two or more elements chemically bonded together
particle
an extremely small piece of matter such as an atom or molecule
cell
the basic structural unit of all living organisms
nutrient
a substance that a living thing needs to grow and stay healthy
stimulus
something in the environment that causes a reaction in a living thing
accelerate
to increase in speed or rate of change
conductor
a material that allows heat or electricity to pass through it easily
insulator
a material that does not allow heat or electricity to pass through it
decompose
to break down into simpler substances by natural processes
inherited
passed from parent to offspring through genes
atmosphere
the layer of gases surrounding a planet
fermentation
a chemical process in which microorganisms break down sugars to produce alcohol or acids
variable
a factor that can be changed or controlled in an experiment
tissue
a group of similar cells in a living organism that perform the same function
inertia
the tendency of an object to stay at rest or keep moving unless acted upon
pollinate
to transfer pollen from one flower to another so that seeds can form
sediment
material such as sand or mud that settles at the bottom of a liquid
spectrum
the full range of different types of waves or colours, such as light split by a prism
clone
an exact genetic copy of a plant or animal produced without reproduction
acid
a substance with a pH below 7 that can react with and dissolve many materials
element
a pure substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means
pollution
harmful substances introduced into the environment by human activity
refraction
the bending of light as it passes from one material into another