1. Measurements & Uncertainties

Question 1

Fundamental Units

Answer 1

seven basic units of the SI measurement system: kilogram,

second, mole, meter, ampere, Kelvin, candela

Question 2

Derived Units

Answer 2

units that are combinations of fundamental units. These

combinations may or may not have a separate name. (eg. 1 kg m/s 2 = 1 N)

Question 3

Accuracy

Answer 3

An indication of how close a measurement is to the accepted value (a
measure of correctness)

Question 4

Precision

Answer 4

An indication of the agreement among a number of measurements made
in the same way (a measure of exactness)

Question 5

Random Uncertainty

Answer 5

An uncertainty produced by unknown and unpredictable
variations in the experimental situation, such as temperature fluctuations and
estimations when reading instruments

Question 6

Systematic Error

Answer 6

An error associated with a particular instrument or experimental
technique that causes the measured value to be off by the same amount each time

Question 7

Vector

Answer 7

a quantity with both a magnitude and a direction

Question 8

Scalar

Answer 8

a quantity with magnitude only