Chapter 3: Scientific Measurement

Question 1

Accuracy

Answer 1

Measure of how close a measurement comes to the actual or true value of whatever is measured

Question 2

Precision

Answer 2

Measure of how close a series of measurements are to one another

Question 3

Accepted value

Answer 3

Correct value based on reliable references

Question 4

Experimental value

Answer 4

Value measured in the lab

Question 5

Error

Answer 5

Difference between experimental value and the accepted value

Question 6

Percent error

Answer 6

Absolute value of the error divided by the accepted value, then multiplied by 100%

Question 7

In general, a calculated answer cannot be more precise than the least precise measurement from which it was calculated

Answer 7

Q

Question 8

Mega (M)

Answer 8

1 million times larger the basic unit (10 to the 6)

Question 9

Kilo (k)

Answer 9

1,000 times larger than the basic unit (10 to the 3)

Question 10

Deci (d)

Answer 10

10 times smaller than the basic unit (10 to the -1)

Question 11

Centi (c)

Answer 11

100 times smaller than the basic unit (10 to the -2)

Question 12

Milli (m)

Answer 12

1,000 times smaller than the basic unit (10 to the -3)

Question 13

Micro (u with a vertical line on the left; resembles “p” with the top of the circle missing)

Answer 13

1 million times smaller than the basic unit (10 to the -6)

Question 14

Nano (n)

Answer 14

1,000 million times smaller than the basic unit (10 to the -9)

Question 15

Pico (p)

Answer 15

1 trillion times smaller than the basic unit (10 to the -12)

Question 16

Meter (m)

Answer 16

SI basic unit of length

Question 17

Liter (L)

Answer 17

Non-SI unit of volume; SI unit of volume is cubic meter (m to the 3)

Question 18

Kilogram (kg)

Answer 18

SI unit of mass

Question 19

Weight

Answer 19

Force that measures the pull on a given mass by gravity

Question 20

To convert Celsius to Kelvin, add 273

Answer 20

Q

Question 21

Joule

Answer 21

SI unit of energy