🎓 Prepared by students from Boğaziçi University

What is Scientific and Technical Vocabulary?

Scientific and technical vocabulary encompasses French words used in science, technology, and research — from atoms and molecules to energy and laboratory experiments. Learning these terms is vital for understanding scientific discourse and technical documentation in French.

Short answer

Scientific and technical vocabulary includes French terms like atome (atom), molécule (molecule), énergie (energy), and laboratoire (laboratory). These words enable communication in scientific and technical contexts.

Step-by-step worked examples

Translate: 'An atom consists of electrons, protons, and neutrons.'

Atom = un atome
Electron = un électron, Proton = un proton, Neutron = un neutron
Consists of = est composé de
French: 'Un atome est composé d'électrons, de protons et de neutrons.'

Use 'molécule' and 'réaction' in a sentence about chemistry.

Molécule = molecule, Réaction = reaction/process
Sentence: 'Les molécules réagissent rapidement dans une réaction chimique.'

What French word means 'laboratory'?

Laboratoire = laboratory
In context: 'Les scientifiques travaillent dans le laboratoire.'

Flashcards

Quick quiz

Q1.Which word means 'atom'?

Correct answer: B. Atome = atom. Molécule = molecule, électron = electron, énergie = energy.

Q2.What is a 'réaction'?

Correct answer: B. Réaction = reaction — a chemical or physical process of change.

Q3.'Laboratoire' refers to…

Correct answer: C. Laboratoire = laboratory — where scientific work happens.

Q4.Which term means 'energy'?

Correct answer: B. Énergie = energy. Force = force, pouvoir = power, charge = charge.

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Common mistakes

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Confusing 'atome' (atom) with 'anatomie' (anatomy). — Correct: Atome = atom; anatomie = anatomy — different scientific fields.

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Using 'labo' in formal scientific writing. — Correct: Labo is informal/slang; use laboratoire in formal or academic contexts.

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Thinking 'molécule' and 'atome' mean the same thing. — Correct: Atome = single unit; molécule = group of bonded atoms.

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Saying 'réaction' only for chemical reactions. — Correct: Réaction applies to any process of change — chemical, physical, nuclear.

FAQ

What is scientific vocabulary?

French words used in science, research, and technical documentation.

What does 'atome' mean?

Atom — the smallest indivisible unit of matter with properties of an element.

How are 'atome' and 'molécule' different?

Atome is a single atom; molécule is two or more atoms bonded together.

Why learn scientific vocabulary?

It enables reading scientific papers, understanding research, and technical discussions in French.