Science is filled with complex and fascinating terms, many of which start with the letter “I.” This article introduces science words that start with ‘I’ providing their meanings and practical examples to enhance your understanding. Whether you’re studying biology, physics, chemistry, or another scientific field, these terms are essential to mastering the scientific lexicon.
From fundamental concepts like inertia and insulin to more advanced ideas such as ionization and isomerization, each word contributes to your knowledge of scientific discourse. These words not only broaden your vocabulary but also improve your ability to communicate effectively in academic and professional settings.
Let’s explore this comprehensive list and uncover the significance behind each term
Read More:120 Science Words That Start With D
1. Iatrogenic
Definition: Harm caused unintentionally by medical treatment.
Example: “The doctor was careful to avoid iatrogenic effects during the procedure.”
2. Ice Age
Definition: A long period of reduced global temperatures and glacial expansion.
Example: “Scientists study the Ice Age to understand past climate changes.”
3. Immune System
Definition: The body’s defense against infections and illnesses.
Example: “The immune system protects the body from harmful pathogens.”
4. Incidence
Definition: The occurrence rate of a disease or event in a population.
Example: “The incidence of flu cases increased this winter.”
5. Induction
Definition: The process of causing or initiating something.
Example: “The induction of new genes can improve resistance in crops.”
6. Inertia
Definition: The tendency of an object to resist changes in its state of motion.
Example: “Due to inertia, the car continued moving even after the brakes were applied.”
7. Infrared
Definition: A type of electromagnetic radiation that is invisible to the human eye.
Example: “The infrared camera detected heat from the building.”
8. Ionization
Definition: The process of converting atoms or molecules into ions by gaining or losing electrons.
Example: “The ionization of gases occurs in the upper atmosphere.”
9. Isotope
Definition: Variants of a chemical element with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.
Example: “Carbon-14 is a radioactive isotope used in dating ancient artifacts.”
10. Irradiation
Definition: The exposure of an object to radiation.
Example: “The food underwent irradiation to kill bacteria.”
11. Intracellular
Definition: Located or occurring within a cell. Example: “The drug targets intracellular bacteria in the body.”
12. Inoculation
Definition: Introducing a vaccine into the body to protect against disease.
Example: “Widespread inoculation helped eliminate smallpox.”
13. Intensity
Definition: The measurable amount of force, brightness, or energy.
Example: “The intensity of the earthquake was recorded at 6.5 on the Richter scale.”
14. Ionic Bond
Definition: A type of chemical bond formed between two ions with opposite charges.
Example: “Sodium chloride forms an ionic bond between sodium and chlorine atoms.”
15. Invertebrate
Definition: An animal without a backbone.
Example: “Jellyfish are a type of invertebrate that live in the ocean.”
16. Ionosphere
Definition: The part of Earth’s atmosphere that contains a high concentration of ions.
Example: “The ionosphere reflects radio waves, enabling long-distance communication.”
17. Immunotherapy
Definition: Treatment that uses the body’s own immune system to fight diseases like cancer.
Example: “Recent advances in immunotherapy have shown promising results in cancer treatment.”
18. Inference
Definition: The act of drawing conclusions based on evidence and reasoning.
Example: “From the data, we can make an inference about the effects of the treatment.”
19. Incubation
Definition: The process of keeping something under controlled conditions to develop.
Example: “The bacteria grew rapidly during the incubation period.”
20. Impedance
Definition: The resistance of a circuit to the flow of alternating current.
Example: “The impedance in the electrical circuit caused a delay in transmission.”
21. Incineration
Definition: The process of burning waste material to reduce it to ash.
Example: “Hazardous waste disposal often involves incineration to minimize environmental impact.”
22. Infiltration
Definition: The process of passing a substance through a barrier or into a space.
Example: “Water infiltration into the soil affects groundwater levels.”
23. Inflammation
Definition: The body’s reaction to injury or infection, causing redness, swelling, and pain.
Example: “The patient showed signs of inflammation after the surgery.”
24. Intermolecular
Definition: Referring to forces or interactions between molecules.
Example: “The intermolecular forces in water create surface tension.”
25. Insulin
Definition: A hormone that regulates blood sugar levels in the body.
Example: “People with diabetes may need insulin injections to manage their condition.”
26. Inversion
Definition: A reversal of normal conditions, often in weather or physics.
Example: “A temperature inversion can trap pollution close to the ground.”
27. Isomer
Definition: Compounds with the same molecular formula but different structures.
Example: “Glucose and fructose are isomers of each other.”
28. Invasive Species
Definition: Non-native species that spread and harm local ecosystems.
Example: “The invasive species caused significant damage to local wildlife.”
29. Irrigation
Definition: The artificial application of water to land for agriculture.
Example: “Farmers rely on irrigation systems during dry seasons.”
30. Impulse
Definition: The change in momentum of an object when a force is applied over time.
Example: “The impulse delivered by the rocket’s engine accelerated it into orbit.”
31. Isotope Dating
Definition: A method of determining the age of materials using the decay rates of radioactive isotopes.
Example: “Scientists use isotope dating to determine the age of fossils.”
32. Isolation
Definition: The process of separating substances, organisms, or conditions from one another.
Example: “Bacteria were kept in isolation to prevent contamination.”
33. Inhibitor
Definition: A substance that slows down or prevents a chemical reaction.
Example: “The drug acted as an inhibitor, preventing further cell growth.”
34. Isentropic
Definition: A process in which entropy remains constant.
Example: “An isentropic process occurs in ideal gases during adiabatic expansion.”
35. Immunization
Definition: The process of making someone immune to a disease through vaccination.
Example: “Widespread immunization campaigns helped reduce the spread of polio.”
36. Ingest
Definition: To take in food, drink, or substances into the body.
Example: “Humans ingest food to gain energy and nutrients.”
37. Insoluble
Definition: A substance that cannot dissolve in a particular solvent.
Example: “Sand is insoluble in water.”
38. Incubate
Definition: To maintain favorable conditions for growth and development, especially in biological systems.
Example: “We’ll incubate the eggs for 21 days until they hatch.”
39. Ion
Definition: An atom or molecule with a net electric charge due to the loss or gain of electrons.
Example: “An ion can be either positively or negatively charged.”
40. Ideal Gas
Definition: A theoretical gas that follows the ideal gas law without deviations.
Example: “An ideal gas behaves predictably under changes in pressure and temperature.”
41. Internal Energy
Definition: The total energy contained within a system.
Example: “The internal energy of the system increased as heat was added.”
42. Impulse Response
Definition: The output of a system when subjected to an impulse input.
Example: “The impulse response of the circuit shows how quickly it reacts to sudden changes.”
43. Intravenous
Definition: Administered directly into a vein.
Example: “The patient received an intravenous injection of antibiotics.”
44. Immunogenic
Definition: Capable of inducing an immune response.
Example: “This vaccine is highly immunogenic, leading to strong immunity.”
45. Inertia Force
Definition: A force that resists changes in motion.
Example: “The car’s inertia force kept it moving even after the engine was turned off.”
46. Ionization
Definition: The process by which an atom or molecule gains or loses electrons, creating ions.
Example: “During ionization, energy is required to remove an electron from an atom.”
47. Inertia
Definition: The tendency of an object to resist changes in its motion.
Example: “A stationary object will remain still unless acted upon due to its inertia.”
48. Induction
Definition: The process by which a changing magnetic field produces an electric current.
Example: “Electromagnetic induction is the principle behind how generators work.”
49. Inverse
Definition: The opposite or reverse of a particular relationship or process.
Example: “The inverse relationship between pressure and volume is described by Boyle’s Law.”
50. Inhibitory
Definition: Something that slows down or prevents a reaction or process.
Example: “The medication has an inhibitory effect on the nervous system, reducing pain.”
51. Inversion Layer
Definition: A layer of air in which temperature increases with altitude instead of decreasing.
Example: “The inversion layer trapped pollutants near the ground, leading to poor air quality.”
52. Isomerization
Definition: The process by which one molecule is transformed into another molecule with the same atoms, but in a different arrangement.
Example: “During isomerization, the structure of the molecule changes, but its formula remains the same.”
53. Inoculation
Definition: The introduction of a vaccine or antigen into the body to induce immunity.
Example: “The doctor administered an inoculation to prevent the spread of disease.”
54. Isochronous
Definition: Occurring at equal time intervals.
Example: “The isochronous vibrations of the pendulum made the clockwork precise.”
55. Infusion
Definition: The introduction of a substance, usually fluids, into the body via a vein.
Example: “The patient received an infusion of saline to restore hydration.”
56. Isobar
Definition: A line on a weather map that connects points of equal atmospheric pressure.
Example: “The isobars on the map show a high-pressure system over the region.”
57. Inertia Tensor
Definition: A mathematical representation that describes the rotational inertia of an object.
Example: “The inertia tensor helps engineers calculate how a spacecraft will rotate in space.”
58. Isomer
Definition: Molecules with the same chemical formula but different structures.
Example: “Cis- and trans-butene are isomers that differ in molecular structure.”
59. Ionization Energy
Definition: The energy required to remove an electron from an atom or ion.
Example: “Elements with high ionization energy are less likely to lose electrons.”
60. Inertia Matrix
Definition: A matrix used to calculate the rotational inertia of an object around different axes. Example: “The inertia matrix allows precise modeling of a rotating object.”
61. Infrared
Definition: A type of electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths longer than visible light but shorter than microwaves.
Example: “We use infrared cameras to detect heat signatures in the dark.”
62. Ionic Bond
Definition: A chemical bond formed between two ions with opposite charges.
Example: “In sodium chloride, a strong ionic bond holds the ions together.”
63. Inverse Proportionality
Definition: A relationship where one quantity increases as another decreases.
Example: “The speed and time taken for a journey exhibit inverse proportionality.”
64. Immunoassay
Definition: A biochemical test that detects the presence of a substance using the reaction of an antibody to its antigen.
Example: “The laboratory performed an immunoassay to test for the presence of the virus.”
65. Ionic
Definition: Pertaining to or consisting of ions.
Example: “The ionic solution conducted electricity due to the movement of charged particles.”
66. Immiscible
Definition: Liquids that do not mix to form a homogeneous solution.
Example: “Oil and water are immiscible because they don’t blend.”
67. Impulse Control
Definition: The ability to regulate immediate reactions or urges.
Example: “Good impulse control is essential for making rational decisions.”
68. Intracellular
Definition: Located or occurring within a cell.
Example: “The intracellular processes regulate how cells divide and grow.”
69. Insecticide
Definition: A substance used to kill insects.
Example: “Farmers sprayed insecticide to protect the crops from pests.”
70. Infraorbital
Definition: Located beneath the eye socket.
Example: “The surgeon carefully worked around the infraorbital nerve to avoid damage.”
71. Inert
Definition: Lacking the ability or strength to move or react chemically.
Example: “The gas remained inert, not reacting with any other chemicals in the mixture.”
72. Infarction
Definition: The obstruction of blood supply to an organ or tissue, causing tissue death.
Example: “A heart attack can occur due to infarction in the heart muscle.”
73. Insulator
Definition: A material that does not easily allow heat, electricity, or sound to pass through.
Example: “Rubber is a good insulator that protects electricians from electric shocks.”
74. Intraspecific
Definition: Occurring within a single species.
Example: “Intraspecific competition among plants for sunlight can affect growth rates.”
75. Inoculum
Definition: A small amount of bacteria, virus, or other microorganisms introduced into a culture medium.
Example: “The scientist introduced the inoculum into the growth medium to observe bacterial behavior.”
76. Isotonic
Definition: Having the same osmotic pressure as another solution, particularly in cells.
Example: “An isotonic solution prevents cells from swelling or shrinking.”
77. Incidence
Definition: The occurrence, rate, or frequency of a disease or condition.
Example: “There was a high incidence of flu cases in the region this winter.”
78. Insertion
Definition: The attachment of a muscle to the bone that it moves.
Example: “The muscle’s insertion point allows it to pull the arm upward.”
79. Inhibitor
Definition: A substance that slows down or prevents a particular chemical reaction.
Example: “Adding an inhibitor prevents the reaction from progressing too quickly.”
80. Isostasy
Definition: The equilibrium between Earth’s crust and the mantle beneath it.
Example: “The concept of isostasy explains why Earth’s crust floats at different elevations.”
81. Interphase
Definition: The resting phase between successive cell divisions.
Example: “During interphase, the cell prepares for division by replicating its DNA.”
82. Isoelectric Point
Definition: The pH at which a molecule carries no net electrical charge.
Example: “Proteins precipitate out of solution at their isoelectric point.”
83. Impedance
Definition: The total opposition that a circuit offers to the flow of alternating current.
Example: “The impedance of the circuit determines how much current flows at different frequencies.”
84. Isotope
Definition: Variants of a chemical element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.
Example: “Carbon-12 and Carbon-14 are isotopes of carbon, differing in their atomic mass.”
85. Ionic Compound
Definition: A compound made up of ions, typically formed when metals react with non-metals.
Example: “Sodium chloride is a common ionic compound formed by the transfer of electrons.”
86. Incubation
Definition: The period between exposure to an infection and the appearance of symptoms.
Example: “The incubation period for chickenpox is typically 10 to 21 days.”
87. Impulse
Definition: A change in momentum resulting from a force applied over time.
Example: “The impulse applied to the car made it accelerate faster.”
88. Immunity
Definition: The ability of an organism to resist a particular infection or toxin.
Example: “Vaccination builds immunity by exposing the body to a weakened version of the virus.”
89. Infrared Spectroscopy
Definition: A technique used to identify chemical substances based on their absorption of infrared light.
Example: “The chemist used infrared spectroscopy to analyze the molecular structure of the sample.”
90. Infusion Pump
Definition: A device used to deliver fluids, such as nutrients or medications, into a patient’s body in a controlled manner.
Example: “The nurse set up the infusion pump to deliver the correct dosage of medication.”
91. Isotropy
Definition: The property of being uniform in all directions.
Example: “In isotropic materials, properties such as strength or conductivity do not change with direction.”
92. Invasive Species
Definition: A non-native species that spreads rapidly in a new environment, often harming local ecosystems.
Example: “The introduction of invasive species can disrupt natural habitats and biodiversity.”
93. Immunofluorescence
Definition: A laboratory technique used to detect specific antigens in biological samples using antibodies linked to fluorescent dyes.
Example: “The scientist used immunofluorescence to visualize the presence of the virus in tissue samples.”
94. Intensity
Definition: The magnitude of force or energy in a given direction.
Example: “The intensity of the earthquake was measured at 7.0 on the Richter scale.”
95. Ion
Definition: An atom or molecule that has lost or gained one or more electrons, resulting in a net electric charge.
Example: “When sodium loses an electron, it becomes a positively charged ion.”
96. Inflammable
Definition: Easily set on fire.
Example: “Always store inflammable materials away from heat sources.”
97. Immunoglobulin
Definition: A type of protein that functions as an antibody, helping the immune system to fight infections.
Example: “Immunoglobulin levels were measured to assess the patient’s immune response.”
98. Impeller
Definition: A rotating component that transfers energy to a fluid.
Example: “The impeller in the pump increased the velocity of the water through the system.”
99. Ionization
Definition: The process by which an atom or molecule gains or loses electrons to form ions.
Example: “Radiation can cause the ionization of atoms, leading to the formation of charged particles.”
100. Ischemia
Definition: A restriction in blood supply to tissues, causing a shortage of oxygen needed for cellular metabolism.
Example: “If left untreated, ischemia can lead to permanent damage to the affected organ.”
101. Inference
Definition: A conclusion drawn from evidence and reasoning rather than from explicit statements.
Example: “The scientist made an inference about the possible causes of the observed phenomenon.”
102. Inoculation
Definition: The introduction of a vaccine or pathogen into a body to provoke an immune response.
Example: “The inoculation of the patient protected them from the flu virus.”
103. Ionic Bond
Definition: A chemical bond formed between two ions with opposite charges.
Example: “An ionic bond forms when a metal donates electrons to a non-metal.”
104. Insulin
Definition: A hormone produced in the pancreas that regulates the amount of glucose in the blood.
Example: “Diabetics require insulin injections to control their blood sugar levels.”
105. Incisor
Definition: One of the front teeth used for cutting food.
Example: “Humans have four incisors in each jaw, designed for cutting food into smaller pieces.”
106. Integumentary System
Definition: The organ system that protects the body from damage, including skin, hair, nails, and associated glands.
Example: “The integumentary system acts as a barrier to protect the body from external harm.”
107. Isomer
Definition: Compounds with the same molecular formula but different structural arrangements.
Example: “Glucose and fructose are isomers, sharing the same formula but differing in structure.”
108. Inertia
Definition: The resistance of an object to any change in its motion, including a change in direction or speed.
Example: “A moving car demonstrates inertia, continuing in motion unless acted upon by a force.”
109. Isobar
Definition: A line on a weather map connecting points of equal atmospheric pressure.
Example: “The meteorologist observed a series of isobars that indicated changing weather patterns.”
110. Induction
Definition: The process of generating an electric current from a changing magnetic field.
Example: “Electromagnetic induction is used to generate electricity in power plants.”
Read More:105 Science Words That Start With J
Conclusion
Exploring science words that start with “I” offers a deep dive into a diverse range of scientific fields. From immunology and inertia to ionization and induction, these terms enhance our understanding of complex concepts across disciplines such as biology, chemistry, physics, and medicine. By mastering this vocabulary, professionals, and students can better navigate scientific discourse and communicate more effectively within the scientific community.
Each term, accompanied by definitions and example sentences, helps bring the scientific lexicon to life. Whether you’re drafting research papers or explaining science in everyday language, these scientific terms provide a strong foundation for advancing your knowledge and improving your vocabulary.
James Smith is an experienced blogger at PhrasePick, where he shares his expertise in English grammar and figurative language. With a passion for simplifying complex topics, James creates engaging content that helps readers master the nuances of the English language.
