5th Grade Science Vocabulary J, L, & M

Astronomy and Planetary Science

• Jupiter: The largest gas planet, fifth from the Sun.
• Mars: A small, rocky planet; fourth from the Sun.
• Mercury: The closest and smallest planet to the Sun.
• Moon: A natural satellite that revolves around a planet.
• Lunar Cycle: Various appearances of the Moon caused by its orbit around Earth.

Water Bodies and Ecosystems

• Lake: A large water body surrounded by land.
• Marsh: An area of water-logged land.
• Marine Biology: The study of organisms in saltwater ecosystems.
• Marine Biologist: A scientist specializing in saltwater living organisms.

Earth and Environmental Science

• Landform: Any physical feature on Earth’s surface.
• Landslide: A sudden collapse of land causing rapid changes to the surface.
• Living Organism: Entities that grow, change, and reproduce.
• Limited Consumption: The practice of controlling resource usage.

Matter and Materials

• Matter: Anything that occupies space and has mass.
• Mass: The quantity of matter in an object.
• Liquid: Matter that takes the shape of its container and flows.
• Metals: Hard, shiny elements that conduct heat and electricity well.
• Mineral: A nonliving solid with a crystal structure found in nature.

Life Cycles and Biological Processes

• Life Cycle: The series of stages in an organism’s development.
• Metamorphosis: Significant changes in an organism's appearance as it grows.
• Larva: The juvenile stage in the life cycle of insects.
• Migration: Seasonal movement of animals for survival.

Physical Processes and Properties

• Lava: Molten rock that erupts during volcanic activity.
• Magma: Liquid rock beneath Earth's surface.
• Melting Point: The temperature at which a solid becomes a liquid.
• Mechanical Energy: Energy stored in an object due to its position or motion.

Scientific Tools and Measurement

• Lenses: Glass or plastic used for refracting light.
• Microscope: An instrument that enlarges small objects using lenses.
• Meter: The fundamental unit of length in the metric system.
• Liter: The basic capacity unit in metric measurement.

Behavioral Science

• Learned Behavior: Actions acquired through experience and teaching.
• Mimicry: An organism's resemblance to another for protection or predation.

Chemistry and Composition

• Mixture: A combination of substances that retain their properties.
• Loam: A nutrient-rich soil composed of a mixture of components.

Weather and Climate

• Meteorologist: A scientist studying weather and Earth's atmospheric conditions.
• Meteorology: The scientific study of weather patterns and climate.

Light and Energy

• Light: A form of energy that illuminates.
• Lighting: Electricity that moves between clouds or from clouds to ground.

Miscellaneous

• Map: A graphical depiction showing geographical features.
• Map Key: A guide explaining symbols on a map.
• Method: A systematic process for conducting an activity.