Petroleum Vocabulary

Atom.

• A particle that serves as the basic building block of matter, the smallest piece of a pure element that you can get--any more cutting and it will no longer have the same physical properties.

• A type of molecule that can exist independently and is made up of two or more atoms bonded together.

• A subatomic particle that carries a positive charge and is found in the nucleus of an atom.

• A chemical reaction that involves the rearrangement of atoms to form new substances.

Boiling point

• The temperature at which a liquid changes to a gas.

• The temperature at which a solid melts into a liquid.

• The temperature at which a gas condenses into a liquid.

• The temperature at which a liquid freezes into a solid.

Nonrenewable Natural Resource

• A resource that can be replenished naturally over time.

• A natural resource that has a fixed amount that exists on the planet.

• A resource that is abundant and widely available.

• A resource that is derived from renewable sources.

Rethink

• To reconsider options and think about the impact on the environment before doing anything

• To ignore the consequences of actions

• To make decisions without considering alternatives

• To act impulsively without planning

Recycle

• The process of converting trash or unwanted things into materials that can be used again

• The act of throwing away waste without any consideration

• A method of creating new products from raw materials

• The practice of collecting and storing items for future use

Public service announcement (PSA)

• A message to help raise awareness about a social issue.

• A type of advertisement for a product.

• A government report on public health.

• A notification about a public event.

Combustion

• A process of freezing materials

• A chemical reaction where a material reacts with oxygen and gives off light and heat.

• A method of cooking food without heat

• A reaction that absorbs energy and does not produce light.

Fossil fuels

• Energy resources formed from renewable sources

• Energy resources that form when dead plants and animals heat and change over millions of years

• Energy resources that are always available

• Energy resources that do not contribute to pollution

Cradle to Cradle

• A method of designing and manufacturing products that mimics nature's cycles of matter; using natural, non-toxic, and reusable materials.

• A process of recycling waste materials into new products without any environmental impact.

• A strategy for reducing carbon emissions in manufacturing processes.

• A design philosophy that focuses solely on aesthetic appeal without considering sustainability.

Cross-link

• A bond that links one polymer chain to another

• A type of chemical reaction

• A method of polymerization

• A process of breaking down polymers