Responding to Patterns of Change

A

B

benefits

The positive effects of a decision. Benefits are similar to “pros,” or advantages.

C

combustion

The process in which something ignites or bursts into flame.

condensation

The process that occurs when a gas loses energy (is cooled) and becomes a liquid.

convection

The motion of a gas or a liquid in which the warmer portion rises and the colder portion sinks. This creates a circular motion.

Coriolis effect

This effect is seen when something moving in a straight line appears to curve because it is moving above a spinning surface. The motion will appear differently depending on whether it is observed from a stationary viewpoint or a rotating viewpoint. For example, someone who is still will see the object moving in a straight line. Someone who is on a rotating surface will see the object moving on a curved path.

costs

The harmful or negative effects of a decision. Costs are similar to “cons,” or disadvantages.

D

density

The mass of an object divided by its volume.

drought

A time when no rain or snow falls in an area that needs water. A drought may last for months or years.

E

engineer

A person who uses the process of technology to help people solve problems. Engineers develop tools and other objects to extend human limits. There are many types of engineers.

engineering

A branch of science and technology that is concerned with designing and building objects to help people solve problems.

evaporation

The process that occurs when matter changes from a liquid into a gas.

F

flood

An overflow of water onto land that is not usually under water.

floodplain

A flat area next to a river. This area is the first place to be flooded when a river overflows its banks.

fuel

Material, such as coal, wood, or gas, that is used to produce heat or power. Fuel is one of the elements needed for a fire to continue burning.

G

H

heat

The change in energy that is related to the change in temperature of a system. Heat is one of the elements needed for a fire to continue burning.

hurricane

A large storm that may form over warm oceans. The winds are greater than 75 miles per hour. When a hurricane moves onto land, it may cause a great deal of damage from wind and water.

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

oxygen

A colorless, odorless gas that makes up about one fifth of the air in the atmosphere. Oxygen is one of the elements needed for a fire to continue burning.

P

pendulum

A pendulum is a system made of a mass attached to a supporting string. The mass is free to swing as it is affected by gravity.

probability

Statements of probability indicate how likely it is that an event will occur. They do not indicate whether the event will actually happen.

Q

R

risks

The potential costs of making a decision.

S

semiarid

An area that does not receive much rainfall each year.

T

technology

The process that helps people solve problems. Technologies extend human limits to help people solve problems.

tornado

A violent storm that forms over a relatively small area of land. Tornadoes are the result of unstable atmospheric conditions. The winds of a tornado rotate in a funnel-cloud form and may blow hundreds of miles an hour. Tornadoes usually occur during severe thunderstorms.

U

V

W

water cycle

The pattern of water movement on Earth. In the water cycle, water particles move from liquid to vapor and back to liquid again. The cycle occurs as water moves from lakes or oceans into the clouds. The water falls as rain or snow, and moves through the ground into creeks and rivers. It then travels back to lakes and oceans.

X

Y

Z