4th Grade Science Vocabulary

gas

• a state of matter that does not have its own shape

• a solid that can change shape

• a liquid that has a fixed volume

• a form of matter that is always cold

light

• a form of energy that lets you see

• a type of sound wave

• a measure of temperature

• a unit of weight

closed path

• a complete circuit in which electrical energy can flow

• a pathway that is open and allows energy to escape

• a route that prevents electrical flow

• a connection that only allows current to flow in one direction

sink

• to go down below the surface of a liquid

• to float on the surface of a liquid

• to rise above the surface of a liquid

• to remain at the surface of a liquid

electric current

• the flow of electrical energy

• the resistance to electrical flow

• the storage of electrical charge

• the generation of electrical power

solid

• a state of matter that has a shape of its own

• a state of matter that flows easily

• a state of matter that takes the shape of its container

• a state of matter that can be compressed easily

matter

• anything that has mass and takes up space

• a substance that can be seen and touched

• a type of energy that can be converted

• a concept that describes the absence of substance

physical property

• a characteristic of matter that can be observed, measured, or tested

• a type of chemical reaction

• a measure of an object's weight

• a description of an object's color

substance

• a particular kind of matter

• a mixture of different materials

• a type of chemical reaction

• a physical state of matter

float

• to stay on or near the surface of water or another liquid

• to sink to the bottom of a liquid

• to move quickly through the air

• to be submerged in a liquid