Eighth Grade Science Vocabulary

The study of middle school science concepts is intriguing and challenging, yet the subject matter is vast. To succeed, students must gain a foundational understanding of the many complex science words used in the eighth grade science curriculum. Vocabulary drill and practice is the best way to master these complex science terms. Eighth grade science students can gain maximum meaning from science vocabulary when the words are coupled with sentences that engage real life context.

VocabularySpellingCity provides organized and detailed lists of the most commonly used eighth grade science words.These comprehensive lists cover all subjects typically taught in eighth grade science lesson plans. The lists and word usages provide clarity for difficult or confusing words that could be perplexing when simply looked up in a science dictionary. Whether eighth grade science students are engaged in science experiments, studying life science or earth science, or working on a science fair project, the lists below will benefit their study. Whether using the summary lists or the more in-depth lists, students can learning to use and understand the vocabulary words that are key at the middle school level as they prepare to advance to high school level science vocabulary.

Students can play science games, hear the correct pronunciation of science terms, use eighth grade science worksheets, or test their knowledge online. The options for study are numerous and varied so that students always find the activities engaging and fun!

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8th Grade Science Vocabulary
Words at a Glance

8th Grade Scientific Inquiry

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Processes: control group, controlled experiment, dependent variable, experimental group, independent variable, informed consent, protocol, prototype, qualitative, quantitative, scientific processes, variable

History: cloning, constraints, digital, ethical, genetic engineering, genome, GIS, GPS, sonar, taxonomy, ultrasound

8th Grade Matter

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The Changes in Matter: bond energy, chemical bond, chemical equation, chemical reaction, compound, endothermic reaction, ionic bond, metallic bond, precipitate, reactant, catalyst, chemical change,chemical formula, coefficient, covalent bond, exothermic reaction, polar covalent bond, product, reactive, physical change

The Properties of Matter: acid, atomic mass number, bond energy, chemical formula, covalent bond, electron, ionic bond, metallic bond, neutron, particle motion, proton, atom, specific heat, element, period, metalloid, catalyst, polar covalent bond, isotope, density, atomic number, nonmetal, coefficient, atomic mass, base, chemical bond, conservation of mass, diffusion, ion, luster, neutral, nucleus, periodic table, radio waves, subscript

8th Grade Energy

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Electromagnetism: electromagnet, electromagnetic spectrum, interference, magnetic field, polarization,, transverse wave, trough, frequency, amplitude, wavelength

Heat Energy: thermal energy, calorie, conduction, convection, joule, radiation

Kinetic Energy: horsepower, kinetic theory of matter, mechanical energy, potential energy, power, thermal energy, watt, work, kinetic energy

Light Energy: primary pigments, prism, refraction, diffuse reflection, polarization, optics, diffraction, law of reflection, fluorescence, regular reflection, bioluminescence, fiber optics, gamma rays, incandescence, infrared light, luminescence, concave, convex, focal length, focal point

Sound Energy: interference, acoustics, amplification, amplitude, decibel, resonance

8th Grade Motion

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Force: acceleration, Bernoulli's principle, centripetal force, Doppler effect, hertz, longitudinal wave, net force Pascal's principle, reference point, velocity, air resistance, buoyant force, conservation of momentum, echolocation, inertia, mechanical wave, pitch, seismic wave, vector, Newton's laws

8th Grade Space Science

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The Earth in Space: asteroids, big bang theory, constellation, eclipse, galaxy, lunar phases, revolution, solar mass, solstice, meteor, rotation, cosmology, equinox, comet, astronomical unit, planets, light year, solar system, meteoroid, moon phase

The Universe: asteroid belt, big bang theory, constellation, expansion, galaxy, gravitational force, black hole, solar system, trajectory, universe

8th Grade Earth Science

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History of the Earth: absolute age, Cenozoic Era, Cretaceous, ice age, magnetic reversal, paleobiogeography, paleontologist, pangea, plate tectonics, volcanism, Cambrian explosion, continental drift, fossil record, Jurassic, magma, Mesozoic Era, ore, paleobiology, Paleozoic Era, plate tectonics, Triassic

Structures: aftershock, convergent boundary, fault, igneous rock, liquefaction, magnetic reversal, metamorphism, ore, sediment, asthenosphere, epicenter, foliation, inner core, lithosphere, mantle, mid-ocean ridge, outer core, recrystallization, sedimentary rock, transform boundary, continental drift, extrusive igneous rock, fracture, intrusive igneous roc, magma, metamorphic rock, mineral, plate tectonics, rock cycle, subduction

The Atmosphere: air mass, air pressure, atmosphere, climate, global winds, greenhouse effect, infrared radiation, isobar, ultraviolet radiation, ozone, altitude, meteorologist, atmospheric pressure, barometer, El Niño, high-pressure system, hurricane, microclimate, jet stream, low-pressure system

The Geosphere: aquifer, Coriolis effect, deposition, geosphere, hydrothermal vent, nonrenewable resource, latitude, permeability, permeable, seismic wave

The Hydrosphere: groundwater, hydrosphere, rain shadow, relative humidity, saturation, storm surge removed, water table, aquifer, acid rain, dew point, floodplain, glacier, humidity, liquefaction, marine

8th Grade Life Science

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Anatomy - Body Systems: autonomic nervous system, central nervous system, endocrine system, gland, neuron, peripheral nervous system, hormone, brain, metabolism, growth

Anatomy - The Eye: cornea, pupil, retina, sclera, focus, focal length, lens, iris

Biodiversity: biodiversity, extinction, organism, unicellular, eukaryote, invertebrate, microorganism, phytoplankton, prokaryote, vertebrate

Cell Division: cell cycle, chromosome, cytokinesis, interphase, meiosis, mitosis, mutation, regeneration

Community Ecology: community, interaction, decomposer, evolution, niche, pioneer species, succession, biome, commensalism, mutualism

Community Interactions: opportunist, parasite, symbiotic, bacteria, spore, competitor, pathogen, biodiversity, interaction, host

Ecosystems: biomass, abiotic factor, nitrogen cycle, biosphere, biotic, carbon cycle, cycles, ecology, ecosystem

Heredity: chromosome, mutation, adaptation, allele, dominant trait, genotype, pedigree, physiological adaptation, recessive trait, variation, asexual reproduction, cleavage, DNA, fetus, gamete, heredity, phenotype, Punnett square, sexual reproduction, RNA

Natural Resource Management: aquaculture, by-catch, eutrophication, genetic engineering, natural resource, non-point source, point source pollution, septic system, sewage system, sustainable

Natural Selection: abiotic factor, parasitism, natural selection, probability, recessive, speciation, species, trait, dominance, allele, extinction, specialization, predation, biodiversity, infectious disease, mutation, stimulus, immunity, niche, sexual reproduction

Population Ecology: carrying capacity, limiting factor, emigration, population, population density, population dynamics, interaction, species, symbiosis

Taxonomic Classification: biodiversity, class, dichotomous key, domain, family, genus, kingdom, order, phylum, species

The Energy Pyramid: predation, producer, cellular,, respiration, decomposer, trophic level, consumer, digestion, energy pyramid, nutrient, photosynthesis

For a complete online Science curriculum in First Grade Science, Second Grade Science, Third Grade Science, Fourth Grade Science, Fifth Grade Science, Sixth Grade Science, or Seventh Grade Science visit Time4Learning.com.

Educational Science Games

Here are some fun Science Games from LearningGamesForKids by category: Science Songs, Science Videos, Science Experiment Videos, Space Games, Weather Games, or Science Experiment Games.

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