Scientists Say

A weekly word defined, in a sentence and in context. Click here to find the alphabetized list.

  1. Physics

    Scientists Say: Discharge

    In physics, this release of energy can rebalance electrical charges. In biology, such a release might cool you down on a hot day.

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  2. Earth

    Scientists Say: Cave Popcorn

    This type of cave formation can occur as glossy, soaplike bubbles or as a bristly, cauliflower-like clusters.

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  3. Space

    Scientists Say: Bolide

    It starts as a flash. Then comes the sonic boom. The boldest meteors often go out with a bang.

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  4. Physics

    Scientists Say: Equilibrium

    This steady state may look like a total standstill, but it’s actually an equal opposition of forces.

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  5. Health & Medicine

    Scientists Say: Symptom

    A runny nose, fever or feeling of fatigue might clue your doctor in to the right diagnosis.

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  6. Plants

    Scientists Say: Pollination

    Plants call upon wind, water or helpful animals to carry out this crucial step of their life cycle.

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  7. Tech

    Scientists Say: Cryogenic

    This deep-frozen field of science allows conservation biologists to preserve the DNA of endangered species and more.

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  8. Space

    Scientists Say: Spacetime

    Weaving together the concepts of space and time allows scientists to understand gravity and more.

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  9. Brain

    Scientists Say: Hallucination

    Humans are not the only ones who can hallucinate. When a chatbot confidently generates a plausible but incorrect response, this error is called a hallucination.

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  10. Earth

    Scientists Say: Haboob

    Thunderstorms in the desert create downdrafts that lift desert sand into a moving, wall-like cloud.

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  11. Life

    Scientists Say: Taxonomy

    This field of study does more than just organize living things. It also reflects the history of life's evolution.

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  12. Math

    Scientists Say: Logarithm

    Think of this math function as just another way to solve equations involving exponents.

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