2nd Grade Physical Science Vocabulary
1. Matter – anything that takes up space and has mass
2. Classify – to group based on similarities
3. Compare – to describe similarities
4. Property – the characteristics of an object; how matter looks, feels, smells, tastes or
sounds (i.e. color, size, shape, texture, hardness, liquid, sold, sinking, or floating)
a. Color – a property used to describe objects and substances based on the look of
hue
b. Size – a property used to describe objects and substances based on how large
or small it looks
c. Shape – a property used to describe objects and substances based on their
figures or outlines
d. Texture – a property used to describe objects based on rough or smooth
e. Hardness – a property used to describe an object based on hard, soft, stiff or
flexible
f. Solid – a substance that keeps its own shape
g. Liquid – a substance that takes on the shape of its container
h. Sink – to descend slowly, lower and lower into a liquid
i. Float – to rest on the surface of a fluid
5. Length – the measured distance from one end to the other of an object
6. Ruler – a straight strip of material (as wood or metal) marked off in units and used for
measuring the length of solids and distances
7. Meter Stick – measuring stick one meter long that is marked off in centimeters and
used for measuring the length of solids and distances
8. Centimeter (cm) – a unit of length about as wide as your pinky finger tip, equal to 10
mm
9. Meter (m) – the basic unit of length in the metric system about as tall as a science
classroom table, equal to 100 cm
10. Volume – the amount of space something takes up
11. Liters (L) – a metric unit used to measure volume; equal to half of a pop bottle
12. Milliliters (mL) – a metric unit used to measure volume, equal to about 20 drops of
water
13. Measuring Cup – a cup for measuring amounts or volume (solid or liquid), usually
part of a set of cups of different sizes (1 cup, ½ cup, 1/3 cup, ¼ cup)
14. Measuring Spoon – a spoon for measuring amounts or volume (solid or liquid),
usually part of a set of spoons of different sizes (tablespoon, teaspoon)
15. Cup – a unit of measure used to measure the volume of liquid (equal to about 237
milliliters); larger than a tablespoon and a teaspoon
16. Tablespoon – a unit of measure used to measure the volume of liquid (equal to about
15 milliliters); smaller than a cup, larger than a teaspoon
17. Teaspoon – a unit of measure used to measure the volume of liquid (equal to about 5
milliliters); smaller than a cup and a tablespoon
18. Graduated Cylinder – a tall narrow container with a volume scale used especially for
measuring the volume of liquids
19. Beaker – a deep cup or glass with a wide mouth and a volume scale used for
measuring the volume of liquids
20. Mass – the amount of matter in an object
21. Weight – the force on an object due to gravity
22. Balance – a tool of measurement used to compare the mass of different objects
23. Single Substance – made up of only one thing (water, salt & sugar)
24. Mixture – two or more things mixed together that keep their own properties; formed
by combining single substances