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S

scientific method

path of discovery that leads from question and observation to law or hypothesis to theory, combined with experimental verification of the hypothesis and any necessary modification of the theory


second

SI unit of time


SI Units

standards fixed by international agreement in the International System of Units (Le Système International d’Unités)


significant figures

all of the measured digits in a determination, including the uncertain last digit


solid

state of matter that is rigid, has a definite shape, and has a fairly constant volume


symbolic domain

specialized language used to represent components of the macroscopic and microscopic domains, such as chemical symbols, chemical formulas, chemical equations, graphs, drawings, and calculations