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Glossary
A glossary of science-related words.
Glossary terms A–Z definitions
- water column
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The vertical section of water between the ocean floor and the surface.
- water cycle
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The continuous movement of water on, above and below the surface of the Earth (also known as the hydrological cycle).
- water vapour
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The gas phase of water.
- watt
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Unit of power, equal to one joule of energy per second.
- wavelength
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The distance between one peak or crest of a wave of light, heat, or other energy and the next peak or crest.
- weight
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Gravitational force on an object.
- wetland
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An area of land that is saturated with water, often referred to as a swamp or bog. Wetlands may be seasonally or permanently water-logged with vegetation adapted for life under those soil conditions.
- whakapapa
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Lineage or ancestory.
- whānau
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Extended family.
- white dwarf
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A small, hot star – once like our Sun – now near the end of its life. A white dwarf has a similar mass to our Sun, but is about the size of Earth.
- wildfire
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An uncontrolled, raging, rapidly spreading fire. It occurs in vegetation, bush, forest or peat.
- wood chemist
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A person that studies the chemical components of wood. Wood chemists look for new ways to use these chemicals and improve existing uses.
