Chapter 1 - A Physics Toolkit Flashcards
What’s a scientific method?
Patterns of investigation procedure.
Define physics.
A branch of science involving the study of the physical world.
Steps of the scientific method include:
- stating the problem
- gathering info
- forming a hypothesis
- testing it
- analyzing data
- drawing conclusion
Determine ways to test a hypothesis.
- making observations
- building a model
- performing an experiment
- collecting and analyzing data
What’s a model?
A representation of an idea, event, structure, or object that helps people better understand it.
State the difference between a scientific theory and a scientific law.
A scientific theory is an explanation of thing based on knowledge from observations. (Basically a hypothesis that’s been supported many times)
A scientific law is a statement about what happens in nature and seems to be true all the time. Ex: gravity.
Define dimensional analysis.
Treating the units as algebraic quantities that can be cancelled.
Give the scientific notation for each prefix: Nano Micro Milli Centi Deci Kilo Mega
10^-9 10^-6 10^-3 10^-2 10^-1 10^3 10^6
Define significant figures.
The valid digits in a measurement.
What’s a measurement?
A comparison b/w an unknown quantity and a standard.
State the difference between precision and accuracy.
Precision: the degree of exactness of a measurement.
Accuracy: described how well the results of a measurement agree with the real value.
State the difference between independent variable and dependent variable.
Independent variable: the factor that is manipulated during an investigation.
Dependent variable: the factor that depends of the independent variable.
What’s a line of best fit?
A better model for predictions than any one point along the line.
