SAT Natural Sciences - Physical World

Here you will learn some English words related to the physical world, such as "pulverize", "dismantle", "dingy", etc. that you will need to ace your SATs.

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SAT Natural Sciences

to remove a thin layer or small amount of something from a surface using a sharp or rough edge

Ex: They will scrape the old wallpaper off the walls before renovating the room .

to plunge or immerse entirely beneath the surface of a liquid, typically water

Ex: The heavy rock , when thrown into the lake , created ripples as it quickly submerged .
to grind [verb]

to crush something into small particles by rubbing or pressing it against a hard surface

Ex: In the kitchen , she used a mortar and pestle to grind the spices for the curry .

to crush or grind something into a fine powder or particles, often through mechanical means or forceful impact

Ex: The demolition crew used heavy equipment to pulverize the concrete structure into rubble .

to make something slightly wet or moist

Ex: He dampened his hair with water before styling it .

to completely cover something with liquid by pouring it onto it

Ex: The firefighter drenched the burning building with water to extinguish the flames .

to give someone or something food and other things which are needed in order to grow, live, and maintain health

Ex: The mother bird tirelessly searched for insects to nourish her hungry chicks .
to taint [verb]

to infect or dirty something with a disease or harmful microorganism

Ex: Flooding can taint crops with harmful bacteria from sewage .

to come into sudden and forceful contact with another object or person

Ex:
to clog [verb]

to make it so that nothing can move through something

Ex: In a preventive measure , they decided to clog the air vents during the construction work .

to move through something, typically overcoming resistance

Ex: The drill easily penetrated the hard surface , creating a hole .
to graze [verb]

to lightly touch or brush against something, often causing a slight scratch or mark

Ex: The branches of the tree grazed the roof of the house during the storm , causing minor damage .
to burst [verb]

to suddenly and violently break open or apart, particularly as a result of internal pressure

Ex:

to break physically into pieces, often suddenly or violently

Ex: The ice fractured under the weight of the hikers .

(of a pipe or similar structure) to burst or break apart suddenly

Ex:

to cut something using a sharp tool, often with precision and accuracy

Ex: To open the coconut , he cleaved it in half using a machete .

to take apart or destroy a structure or object

Ex: The construction crew was hired to dismantle the dilapidated bridge and replace it with a modern one .

to release or detach something by rotating it in a counter-clockwise direction, thereby loosening its fastening or connection

Ex: She unscrewed the light bulb from the socket to replace it with a new one .

(of a construction) to fall down suddenly, particularly due to being damaged or weak

Ex: The roof collapsed during the storm due to the heavy snow accumulation .

to completely destroy or to knock down a building or another structure

Ex: The earthquake had the power to demolish poorly constructed houses .
soot [noun]

a black powdery substance produced by burning materials like wood or coal

Ex: Heavy traffic in urban areas can contribute to elevated levels of soot in the air , affecting air quality .
exterior [noun]

the outer surface or outermost layer of an object, building, etc.

Ex: She wiped down the box ’s exterior before opening it .

the act of fully submerging something into a liquid or substance, typically for the purpose of soaking

Ex: Scientists conduct experiments under immersion in liquid nitrogen to study extreme temperature effects .
emission [noun]

the act of producing or releasing something, especially gas or radiation, into the atmosphere or environment

words, letters, or symbols that are engraved, carved, or written on a surface, often for commemorative, informational, or decorative purposes

Ex: The antique pocket watch had a personalized inscription on the back , marking it as a cherished heirloom .
particle [noun]

a tiny, discrete unit of matter or substance that can range from subatomic particles like electrons and protons to larger particles like dust or sand grains

Ex: The air quality monitor detects harmful particles such as smoke and pollutants in the atmosphere .
blaze [noun]

a strong, bright flame or fire

Ex: The campfire burned as a cheerful blaze under the stars .
slat [noun]

a narrow, flat piece of wood, metal, or plastic, typically used as a component in structures like fences, blinds, or furniture

Ex: The deck chair had flexible slats that conformed to the shape of the body for comfort .

a space or area that is closed off or surrounded by walls, fences, or barriers, often used for containment, protection, or confinement

Ex: The backyard garden was surrounded by a wooden enclosure to keep out animals and define the property boundaries .
recess [noun]

a small indented area or alcove set back into a wall or other surface

Ex: The recess in the corner of the garden was a perfect spot for a small fountain .
alcove [noun]

a recessed part of a wall that is built further back from the rest of it

Ex: The bedroom featured a window alcove , providing a sunny spot for a reading nook or small seating area .
dent [noun]

a depression or hollow in a surface, typically caused by impact or pressure

Ex: The hailstorm left dents all over the hood of the car .
rim [noun]

the outer edge or border of a circular object, often serving as a boundary or support

Ex: The rim of the plate was adorned with an intricate floral pattern .
socket [noun]

a hollow part or cavity into which something fits, typically used to connect or hold objects in place

Ex:
ridge [noun]

a long, elevated strip or crest of land, rock, or geological formation that extends prominently above its surroundings

Ex: In desert landscapes , sandstone ridges create natural barriers and distinctive formations that stand out against the flat plains .
groove [noun]

a long, narrow cut or indentation, often linear in shape, that is typically found on surfaces such as columns, moldings, or panels in architectural design

curbside [noun]

the area adjacent to the edge of a street or road where vehicles can park or where services, such as deliveries or pickups, often take place

Ex: Residents were instructed to place their trash bins at the curbside for collection .
slab [noun]

a thick and flat piece of hard material, such as a stone, metal, wood, etc. that is usually in the shape of a square or rectangle

abrasion [noun]

the process of wearing down or smoothing a surface through friction, typically caused by rubbing, scraping, or erosion

Ex: Wind-driven sand caused abrasion on the paint of the old wooden fence .
friction [noun]

the resistance or opposing force encountered when one object moves in contact with another

Ex: Brakes work by creating friction against the wheel .
trench [noun]

a deep, narrow, steep-sided depression on the ocean floor

Ex: Oceanographers study marine life in trenches .
varnish [noun]

a clear or tinted coating made from resins, oils, and solvents that is applied to wood, metal, or other surfaces to provide a protective and decorative finish

void [noun]

an empty or vacant space within a solid object or within a larger area, typically devoid of substance

Ex: The map showed a large void in the forest where no settlements were marked .
vacuum [noun]

a space that is utterly empty of all matter

Ex: The vacuum inside a cathode-ray tube allows electrons to travel from the cathode to the anode without encountering air molecules , facilitating the display of images .
airborne [adjective]

related to something that is moving or transported through the air

Ex: Military personnel conducted airborne operations to parachute into enemy territory .
dingy [adjective]

looking dark, dirty, or shabby, often because of not being taken care of or cleaned properly

Ex: After the rain , the once bright white shirt looked dingy and stained .