Glossary: Terms Starting with R
88 definitions in Science with links to the lessons that teach each word.
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radiation
ScienceFrom Grade 5
energy travelling as waves
Learn it in: Energy transfer (Grade 5), Heat transfer (Grade 6)
rain gauge
ScienceFrom Grade 2
a tool that collects rain to measure it
Learn it in: Rainfall (Grade 2), Weather instruments (Grade 2), Rainfall measurement (Grade 3)
rainfall
ScienceFrom Grade 2
how much rain falls
Learn it in: Rainfall (Grade 2), Rainfall measurement (Grade 3)
rainy season
ScienceFrom Grade 1
a time of year with much rain
Learn it in: Weather changes (Grade 1), Seasonal changes (Grade 2)
ramp
ScienceFrom Grade 2
a sloping surface that links a low place to a high place
Learn it in: Sloping surfaces (Grade 2), Inclined planes (Grade 4)
range
ScienceFrom Grade 5
the difference between highest and lowest
Learn it in: Evidence analysis (Grade 5), Data analysis (Grade 6), Analysing performance (Grade 6)
raw material
ScienceFrom Grade 6
a natural material used to make goods
Learn it in: Natural resources (Grade 6)
ray
ScienceFrom Grade 4
a line showing the path of light
Learn it in: Light travelling in straight lines (Grade 4)
react
ScienceFrom Grade 1
to do something when something happens
Learn it in: Characteristics of living things (Grade 1)
reactant
ScienceFrom Grade 6
a substance that reacts
Learn it in: Physical and chemical changes introduction (Grade 6)
reason
ScienceFrom Grade 1
what we say to explain why
Learn it in: Living and non-living things (Grade 1), Making simple predictions (Grade 2), Predictions (Grade 3)
reasoning
ScienceFrom Grade 5
the science that links evidence to the claim
Learn it in: Scientific explanations (Grade 5), Hypotheses and predictions (Grade 6), Scientific reasoning (Grade 6)
record
ScienceFrom Grade 1
to keep what we find out by drawing or writing
Learn it in: Recording observations using pictures (Grade 1), What is weather (Grade 1), Recording observations (Grade 2)
recycle
ScienceFrom Grade 1
to make something new from old materials
Learn it in: Plastic (Grade 1), Proper waste disposal (Grade 1), Environmental cleanliness (Grade 2)
redesign
ScienceFrom Grade 5
to design again with changes
Learn it in: Engineering improvements (Grade 5), Improving designs (Grade 6)
reduce
ScienceFrom Grade 2
to use less
Learn it in: Environmental cleanliness (Grade 2), Noise pollution (Grade 4)
reflect
ScienceFrom Grade 1
to bounce light back
Learn it in: Light and darkness (Grade 1), Keeping our school clean (Grade 1), Sources of light (Grade 2)
reflected ray
ScienceFrom Grade 4
light bouncing away
Learn it in: Reflection (Grade 4), Reflection (Grade 6)
reflection
ScienceFrom Grade 4
light bouncing off a surface
Learn it in: Reflection (Grade 4), Light energy (Grade 5), Reflection (Grade 6)
reflex
ScienceFrom Grade 3
a quick action without thinking
Learn it in: The brain (Grade 3), Nervous system introduction (Grade 5), The nervous system (Grade 6)
reforestation
ScienceFrom Grade 4
planting trees where forests have been cut
Learn it in: Earth conservation (Grade 4), Conservation (Grade 6)
refraction
ScienceFrom Grade 5
light bending as it passes between materials
Learn it in: Light energy (Grade 5), Refraction introduction (Grade 6)
relax
ScienceFrom Grade 4
to go back to a loose state
Learn it in: Muscles (Grade 4), Muscular system (Grade 5)
reliable
ScienceFrom Grade 4
giving similar results when repeated
Learn it in: Fair testing (Grade 4), Investigation evaluation (Grade 5), Testing designs (Grade 5)
renewable
ScienceFrom Grade 2
able to be used again and again, like sunshine
Learn it in: Energy conservation (Grade 2), Electrical energy sources (Grade 4), Natural resources (Grade 4)
repeat
ScienceFrom Grade 3
to do again
Learn it in: Introduction to fair tests (Grade 3), Testing designs (Grade 3), Planning investigations (Grade 4)
repel
ScienceFrom Grade 3
to push apart
Learn it in: Attraction and repulsion (Grade 3), Non-contact forces (Grade 5), Magnets (Grade 6)
report
ScienceFrom Grade 2
to tell an adult
Learn it in: Science safety (Grade 2), Communicating findings (Grade 3), Building and testing models (Grade 4)
reproduce
ScienceFrom Grade 2
to make new living things like itself
Learn it in: Mature plants (Grade 2), Life cycles (Grade 2), Living and non-living components (Grade 3)
reproduction
ScienceFrom Grade 6
making new living things
Learn it in: Reproductive system introduction (Grade 6)
research
ScienceFrom Grade 5
finding out information
Learn it in: Researching solutions (Grade 5), Researching solutions (Grade 6)
reserve
ScienceFrom Grade 2
a protected area for wildlife
Learn it in: Human effects on habitats (Grade 2), Non-renewable resources (Grade 6)
reservoir
ScienceFrom Grade 2
a store of water
Learn it in: Water sources (Grade 2), Water distribution (Grade 5)
resistance
ScienceFrom Grade 3
a force that slows movement
Learn it in: Contact forces (Grade 3), Conductors (Grade 6)
resonance
ScienceFrom Grade 4
a strong sound from matching vibration
Learn it in: Musical instruments (Grade 4)
respiration
ScienceFrom Grade 5
releasing energy from food
Learn it in: Gas exchange introduction (Grade 5), Matter cycling introduction (Grade 5), Cell functions (Grade 6)
respire
ScienceFrom Grade 3
to release energy from food
Learn it in: Living and non-living components (Grade 3)
rest
ScienceFrom Grade 1
to stop and let the body recover
Learn it in: Exercise and rest (Grade 1), The heart (Grade 3), Healthy habits (Grade 3)
restoration
ScienceFrom Grade 5
repairing damaged environments
Learn it in: Human effects on Earth systems (Grade 5), Ecosystem conservation (Grade 5)
result
ScienceFrom Grade 2
what we find out
Learn it in: Making simple predictions (Grade 2), Conditions affecting plant growth (Grade 2), Predictions (Grade 3)
resultant force
ScienceFrom Grade 5
the single force that replaces all forces
Learn it in: Balanced and unbalanced forces (Grade 5), Balanced forces (Grade 6)
reuse
ScienceFrom Grade 1
to use again
Learn it in: Plastic (Grade 1), Environmental cleanliness (Grade 2)
reversible
ScienceFrom Grade 2
can change back
Learn it in: Melting (Grade 2), Melting and freezing (Grade 3), Reversible changes (Grade 4)
reversible change
ScienceFrom Grade 5
a change that can be undone
Learn it in: Reversible and irreversible changes (Grade 5)
revision
ScienceFrom Grade 6
going over work again to learn it
Learn it in: Final Grade 6 mastery assessment (Grade 6)
revolution
ScienceFrom Grade 4
one trip around the Sun
Learn it in: Earth’s rotation (Grade 4), Earth’s revolution (Grade 5), Earth’s revolution (Grade 6)
ribosome
ScienceFrom Grade 6
a tiny structure that makes proteins
Learn it in: Basic cell structures (Grade 6)
ribs
ScienceFrom Grade 5
curved bones that protect the heart and lungs
Learn it in: Skeletal system (Grade 5)
risk assessment
ScienceFrom Grade 6
checking what could go wrong
Learn it in: Planning fair tests (Grade 6), Independent science project (Grade 6)
river
ScienceFrom Grade 1
water flowing across the land
Learn it in: Natural surroundings (Grade 1), Water habitats (Grade 2)
rock
ScienceFrom Grade 3
a hard natural solid made of minerals
Learn it in: Rocks (Grade 3), Rocks and minerals (Grade 4)
roll
ScienceFrom Grade 1
to move by turning over and over
Learn it in: Moving objects (Grade 1), Wheels and axles (Grade 2)
root
ScienceFrom Grade 1
the part of a plant that holds it in the soil and takes in water
Learn it in: Plants as living organisms (Grade 1), Roots (Grade 1), Reviewing plant parts (Grade 2)
root hair
ScienceFrom Grade 3
a tiny hair on a root that takes in water
Learn it in: Root functions (Grade 3)
rotation
ScienceFrom Grade 4
spinning around an axis
Learn it in: Earth’s rotation (Grade 4), Earth’s rotation (Grade 5), Earth’s rotation (Grade 6)
rough
ScienceFrom Grade 1
not smooth
Learn it in: Functions of the senses (Grade 1), Rough and smooth materials (Grade 1), Properties of solids (Grade 2)
rover
ScienceFrom Grade 6
a vehicle that travels on a planet’s surface
Learn it in: Space exploration (Grade 6)
rubber
ScienceFrom Grade 1
a stretchy material
Learn it in: Common materials (Grade 1), Insulators (Grade 6)
rubbish
ScienceFrom Grade 1
another word for waste
Learn it in: Waste (Grade 1), Environmental cleanliness (Grade 2)
rule
ScienceFrom Grade 1
what we use to decide which group a thing goes in
Learn it in: Sorting and grouping objects (Grade 1), Science safety rules (Grade 1), Safe machine use (Grade 2)
runoff
ScienceFrom Grade 3
water flowing over the surface
Learn it in: Water movement through soil (Grade 3), Water cycle (Grade 5)
rust
ScienceFrom Grade 1
a brown coating that forms on iron when it gets wet
Learn it in: Metal (Grade 1), Everyday material changes (Grade 4)