align
Definition
Align means to arrange or position something in a straight line or in a specific way. In science, this can refer to the positioning of objects, the arrangement of molecules, or the orientation of magnetic fields.
For example, in physics, aligning two magnets in the same direction will cause them to attract each other. In chemistry, aligning the molecules of a substance can change its properties. And in biology, aligning the chromosomes of a cell can help to ensure that the cell divides correctly.
How can the word be used?
The scientist aligned the magnets so that they were pointing in the same direction.
Different forms of the word
Verb: align.
Adjective: aligned.
Noun: alignment.
Synonyms: line up, arrange, organise, put in order.
Antonyms: misalign, disarrange, disorder, jumble.
Etymology
The word align comes from the Old French word a(l)igner, which means “to line up.” The Old French word comes from the Latin word ad (“to”) + linea (“line”).
Question
What does align mean? Provide another example of the word 'align' being used in science.
AQA Science Exam Question and Answer
Question:
In an experiment to measure the rate of photosynthesis, a student aligned the leaves of a plant so that they were all facing the same direction. Why was this important?
Answer:
- The student aligned the leaves of the plant so that they were all facing the same direction in order to ensure that all of the leaves were receiving the same amount of light. This is important because the rate of photosynthesis is affected by the amount of light that the leaves receive.
- If the leaves were not aligned, some of the leaves would receive more light than others, and this would skew the results of the experiment. By aligning the leaves, the student ensured that all of the leaves were receiving the same amount of light, and this allowed them to get accurate results.