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Glossary
A glossary of science-related words.
Glossary terms A–Z definitions
- kaolin
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A white clay mainly made up of the mineral kaolinite. It is used extensively in the production of ceramics.
- kaolinite
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A clay mineral derived from the chemical weathering of feldspar minerals found in rocks such as granite.
- Kelvin
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1. Kelvin temperature scale - An SI (international system of units) temperature scale used by scientists. It goes up in the same steps as the Celsius scale, but starts at absolute zero (-273.15°C). 2. kelvin - A unit of temperature named after William Thomson (1824–1907), known as Lord Kelvin. It is equivalent in size to a degree Celsius and forms the basis of the Kelvin temperature scale. The starting point of this scale, absolute zero, is the lowest temperature that can be achieved.
- kerogen
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A mixture of solid organic chemical compounds found in sedimentary rocks, when heated it forms the base for the formation of oil and gas.
- keystone species
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A species that has a greater impact on the community of organisms in an ecosystem than you would expect in relation to its abundance. The removal of a keystone species often has a dramatic effect on the ecosystem.
- kinematics
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The study of motion.
- kinetic
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Relating to motion or movement.
- kinetic energy
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The extra energy of an object that it possesses due to its motion.
- kingdom
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A division used in the Linnean system of classification or taxonomy.
- kiore
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A type of rat introduced to New Zealand by the Polynesians settlers.
- kōkopu
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A type of native fish. There are three known species in New Zealand – giant, banded and shortjaw.
- krill
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Small marine crustaceans that are found in all the world's oceans.
