Science Basics: Matter, Elements, Motion, and Cells

Study Notes

Matter: anything that has mass and occupies space
States of matter: solid, liquid, gas
Characteristics of matter:
- Solid: fixed shape and volume, particles are close together
- Liquid: takes shape of container, fixed volume, particles are close together
- Gas: takes shape and volume of container, particles are widely spaced

Element: a substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances
Compound: a substance made up of two or more elements
Mixture: a combination of two or more substances that are not chemically combined

Types of motion:
- Linear motion: movement in a straight line
- Circular motion: movement in a circular path
Forces:
- Contact force: force exerted by an object in physical contact with another object
- Non-contact force: force exerted by an object without physical contact with another object
Newton's First Law of Motion: an object at rest will remain at rest, and an object in motion will continue to move with a constant velocity, unless acted upon by an external force

Cell: the basic structural and functional unit of living organisms
Cell components:
- Cell membrane: outermost layer of the cell
- Cytoplasm: jelly-like substance inside the cell membrane
- Nucleus: control center of the cell
Cell functions:
- Growth and development
- Reproduction
- Response to stimuli

Photosynthesis: the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy
Steps of photosynthesis:
1. Light absorption
2. Water absorption
3. Carbon dioxide absorption
4. Release of oxygen and glucose