adsorption: (v. adsorb) The method by which a substance sticks to, or adheres, to the outer floor of one other materials. Sunscreen clings to your pores and skin due to adsorption.
aquatic: An adjective that refers to water.
chemical: A substance shaped from two or extra atoms that unite (bond) in a set proportion and construction. For instance, water is a chemical made when two hydrogen atoms bond to at least one oxygen atom. Its chemical system is H2O. Chemical additionally may be an adjective to explain properties of supplies which can be the results of numerous reactions between completely different compounds.
contaminant: Pollutant; a chemical, organic or different substance that’s undesirable or unnatural in an setting (akin to water, soil, air, the physique or meals). Some contaminants could also be dangerous within the quantities at which they happen or if they’re allowed to construct up within the physique or setting over time.
cork: The robust, however elastic bark of the evergreen cork oak (Quercus suber), a tree that may develop to twenty meters (65 ft) and reside for 2 centuries. Among the bark may be minimize and peeled off the tree each decade or so (as soon as the tree is a minimum of 25 years previous). Cork is thus a renewable useful resource. It’s typically used as a stopper for bottles (particularly wine bottles), in addition to in flooring, bulletin boards, shoe soles and extra.
ecosystem: A gaggle of interacting residing organisms — together with microorganisms, crops and animals — and their bodily setting inside a selected local weather. Examples embody tropical reefs, rainforests, alpine meadows and polar tundra. The time period may also be utilized to parts that make up some a man-made setting, akin to an organization, classroom or the web.
setting: The sum of the entire issues that exist round some organism or the method and the situation these issues create. Atmosphere could consult with the climate and ecosystem through which some animal lives, or, maybe, the temperature and humidity (and even the placement of issues within the neighborhood of an merchandise of curiosity).
hydrophobic: Repelling (or not absorbing) water.
laser: A tool that generates an intense beam of coherent mild of a single coloration. Lasers are utilized in drilling and chopping, alignment and steering, in knowledge storage and in surgical procedure.
supplies scientist: A researcher who research how the atomic and molecular construction of a cloth is said to its total properties. Supplies scientists can design new supplies or analyze present ones. Their analyses of a cloth’s total properties (akin to density, energy and melting level) can assist engineers and different researchers choose supplies which can be greatest suited to a brand new utility.
organism: Any residing factor, from elephants and crops to micro organism and different forms of single-celled life.
particle: A minute quantity of one thing.
photothermal: (adj.) A time period for the manufacturing of warmth in one thing because of its publicity to mild.
pore: A tiny gap in a floor. On the pores and skin, substances akin to oil, water and sweat move by way of these openings.
porous: The outline of a substance that accommodates tiny holes, known as pores, by way of which a liquid or fuel can move. (in biology) The minute openings within the pores and skin or within the outer layer of crops.
pristine: An adjective referring to one thing that’s in unique or near-original situation. It means one thing is considerably previous however in a seemingly “untouched” or unaltered situation.
renewable: An adjective for sources that may be endlessly changed (akin to water, inexperienced crops, daylight and wind). That is in distinction to non-renewable sources, for which there’s a finite provide — one that may basically be used up. These embody petroleum (and different fossil fuels) or comparatively uncommon parts and minerals.
threat: The possibility or mathematical chance that some unhealthy factor would possibly occur. For example, publicity to radiation poses a threat of most cancers. Or the hazard — or peril — itself. (For example: Amongst most cancers dangers that the individuals confronted had been radiation and ingesting water tainted with arsenic.)
sea: An ocean (or area that’s a part of an ocean). Not like lakes and streams, seawater — or ocean water — is salty.
taint: To infect one thing with an sudden, unnatural or unlawful substance.
poisonous: Toxic or in a position to hurt or kill cells, tissues or complete organisms. The measure of threat posed by such a poison is its toxicity.
trait: A attribute function of one thing. (in genetics) A high quality or attribute that may be inherited.
veterinary: Having to do with animal drugs or well being care.
viscous: (n. viscosity) Adjective referring to one thing that’s thick, sticky and onerous to pour. Molasses and maple syrup are two examples of viscous liquids.
