Science Vocabulary

Elementary = basic

Sentence – According to quantum theory, elementary particles do not really exist until an intelligent observer measures them.

Combine = to (cause to) exist together, or join together to make a single thing or group

Sentence – When two or more elements combine and form a compound, a chemical change takes place.

Analyse = to study or examine something in detail, in order to discover more about it

Sentence – The purpose of evaluation is to collect and analyse information that can be used for rational decision making.

Exposure = the fact of experiencing something or being affected by it because of being in a particular situation or place

Sentence – Exposure to radiation can lead to malformation of the embryo.

Detergent = a chemical substance in the form of a powder or a liquid for removing dirt from clothes, dishes, etc

Sentence – Rivers have been polluted by chlorine, phenol and detergent, together with run-offs resulting from the over-application of pesticides on farmland.

Side effects = an unpleasant effect of a drug that happens in addition to the main effect

Sentence – Because of the side effects, this treatment programme has been used only in young, fit individuals with locally advanced disease.

Basis = the most important facts, ideas, etc. from which something is developed

Sentence – She was chosen for the job on the basis of her qualifications and ideas.

Toxic = poisonous

Sentence – Nuclear weapons plants across the country are heavily contaminated with toxic wastes.

Fertilizer = a natural or chemical substance that is spread on the land or given to plants, to make plants grow well.

Sentence – The use of natural fertilizer can bring the crops on nicer than the use of chemical fertilizer.

Contaminated = polluted

Sentence – The infection was probably caused by swimming in contaminated water/water contaminated with sewage.

Ascertain = make sure or establish

Sentence – A pathetic attempt to use proto-scientific methods to ascertain and then apprehend the transcendent.

Breakthrough = an important discovery or event that helps to improve a situation or provide an answer to a problem

Sentence – If such materials became generally available to the optics industry the payoffs from such a breakthrough would be enormous.

Release = to give freedom or free movement to someone or something

Sentence – When is the best moment to release the date of the election to the newspapers?

Accumulate = to collect a large number of things over a long period of time

Sentence – Individual petty conflicts therefore easily accumulate to add to the differences already apparent between locals and newcomers in terms of background and life-styles.

Absorb = to take something in, especially gradually

Sentence – A well-designed sports shoe should absorb the impact on the 28 bones in each foot.

Synthetic = Synthetic products are made from artificial substances, often copying a natural product

Sentence – Other synthetic polymers are chemically rather more complicated but, elastically[sentence dictionary], apparently not very widely different.