Scientists Say

A weekly word defined, in a sentence and in context.

  1. Earth

    Scientists Say: Altitude

    Altitude is used to describe heights in geography, astronomy and math.

    By
  2. Space

    Scientists Say: Accretion Disk

    Cosmic swirls of gas, dust and plasma, accretion disks reveal the shadowy silhouettes of black holes and more.

    By
  3. Physics

    Scientists Say: Magnetism

    Magnetism is an aspect of one of the four fundamental forces of nature: electromagnetism.

    By
  4. Computing

    Scientists Say: Hardware and Software

    Hardware includes all the physical parts of a device you can hold. Software includes all the coded instructions to make that hardware work.

    By
  5. Health & Medicine

    Scientists Say: Kidney

    The kidneys remove waste and excess water from the blood, forming urine.

    By
  6. Brain

    Scientists Say: Anxiety

    Some nervousness, or anxiety, is normal. Too much can be harmful.

    By
  7. Earth

    Scientists Say: Equinox and Solstice

    Equinoxes and solstices mark the maximums, minimums and mediums of hours spent in daylight.

    By
  8. Math

    Scientists Say: Calculus

    Calculus is math that deals with curves, from their changing slopes to the areas they enclose.

    By
  9. Computing

    Scientists Say: Code

    Writing code allows people to tell computers and other smart devices what to do.

    By
  10. Chemistry

    Scientists Say: Rubisco

    Rubisco is a key protein in the process of photosynthesis, which feeds plants — and, in turn, us.

    By
  11. Earth

    Scientists Say: Seismology

    Seismology is the branch of science focused on seismic waves — vibrations that run through or around Earth.

    By
  12. Materials Science

    Scientists Say: Hydrogel

    Tangled polymer chains help hydrogels hold their shape despite being full of water.

    By