For upper-intermediate learners: advanced scientific vocabulary found in academic articles and university-level science study.
Free Science & Discovery vocabulary flashcards at the B2 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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catalysis
the acceleration of a chemical reaction by a substance that is not consumed in the process
entropy
a measure of disorder or randomness in a system that tends to increase over time
chromosome
a thread-like structure in a cell nucleus that carries genetic information
wavelength
the distance between successive peaks of a wave of light, sound, or other radiation
quantum
the minimum discrete amount of energy involved in an interaction
osmosis
the movement of water through a membrane from a dilute solution to a more concentrated one
electrode
a conductor through which electricity enters or leaves a substance or device
acceleration
the rate at which an object's velocity changes over time
biodegradable
able to be broken down naturally by bacteria or other living organisms
isotope
one of two or more forms of the same element that differ in the number of neutrons
combustion
the chemical process of burning in which a substance reacts rapidly with oxygen to produce heat and light
diffusion
the spreading of particles from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration
electromagnetic
relating to the interaction between electric and magnetic fields and the waves they produce
polymer
a large molecule made of many repeated smaller units bonded together in a chain
spectroscopy
the analysis of the interaction between matter and electromagnetic radiation to identify substances
mutation
a permanent change in the DNA sequence of an organism's genome
amplitude
the maximum displacement of a wave from its rest position, related to the wave's energy
homeostasis
the process by which living things maintain a stable internal environment despite external changes
allele
one of two or more versions of a gene that can produce different traits in an organism
sublimation
the transition of a substance directly from a solid to a gas without passing through the liquid state
trophic level
a position in a food chain that describes an organism's role in the transfer of energy
oxidation
a chemical reaction in which a substance loses electrons or gains oxygen
resonance
the tendency of a system to vibrate with greater amplitude at certain frequencies
coefficient
a numerical value that shows how much of a substance is present in a chemical equation
semiconductor
a material whose electrical conductivity falls between that of a conductor and an insulator
placebo
an inactive treatment given to a control group in an experiment to test the effect of a real treatment
inorganic
relating to compounds that do not contain carbon-hydrogen bonds, typically not of living origin
convection
the transfer of heat by the movement of a fluid or gas from a hotter region to a cooler one
symbiosis
a close relationship between two different species that live together, benefiting one or both
reactant
a substance that takes part in and is changed by a chemical reaction
phenotype
the observable physical traits of an organism resulting from its genes and environment
half-life
the time it takes for half the atoms of a radioactive substance to decay
buoyancy
the upward force exerted by a fluid that allows objects to float
kinetic energy
the energy an object possesses because of its motion
titration
a laboratory technique to determine the concentration of a solution by adding a measured amount of a known solution