Definitions Flashcards
Add CH 19 and 20 notes and all of nuclear and medical physics when done
Absolute uncertainties
The interval that a value is said to lie within, with a given level of confidence.
Accuracy
A measure of how close a measurement is to the true value
Analogue Apparatus
Measuring apparatus such as rulers, beakers and thermometers that rely on the experimenter reading off a scale to determine the measurement.
Anomalies
Data points that don’t fit the pattern of the data. You should determine
why an anomalous result has occurred before removing it. Repeat readings help remove anomalies.
Control Variables
Variables that must remain the same throughout an
experiment so as to not affect the results.
Dependent Variables
The variable being measured in an experiment. It is
dependent on the independent variable. The dependent variable should be plotted
on the y-axis of a graph.
Digital Apparatus
Measuring apparatus such as ammeters, voltmeters and
digital calipers that digitally measure and display a measurement.
Fiducial Marker
A thin marker, such as a splint, that is used to ensure readings
are taken from the same place each time. They are used to improve the accuracy
of measurements.
Gradient
The change in the y-axis value over the change in the x-axis value between two points. Ifthe graph is curved, a tangent can be drawn to calculate the gradient at a specific point.
Independent Variables
The variable that is changed by the experimenter in an
experiment. The independent variable should be plotted on the x-axis of a graph.
Line of Best Fit
A line drawn on a graph to demonstrate the pattern in the plotted
data points.
Percentage Uncertainties
The uncertainty of a measurement, expressed as a
percentage of the recorded value.
Precision
A measure of how close a measurement is to the mean value. It only
gives an indication of the magnitude of random errors, not how close data is to the
true value.
Prefixes
Added to the front of units to represent a power of ten change
Random Errors
Unpredictable variation between measurements that leads to a spread of values about the true value.
Random error can be reduced by taking repeat measurements.
Repeatable
The same experimenter can repeat a measurement using the same method and equipment and obtain the same value.
Reproducible
An experiment can be repeated by a different
experimenter using a different method and different apparatus, and
still obtain the same
results.
Resolution
The smallest change in a quantity that causes a visible change in the reading that a measuring instrument records.
Resolution of Forces
The splitting of a force into its horizontal and vertical
components.
Scalar Quantities
A quantity that only has a magnitude, without an associated
direction. Examples include speed, distance and temperature.
SI Base Units
The standard units used in equations. They are: metres, kilograms, seconds, amps, Kelvin and moles.
Significant Figures
A measure of a measurement’s resolution. All numbers
except zero are counted as a significant figure. When zeros are found immediately
after a decimal place, they too are counted.
Systematic Errors
Causes all readings to differ from the true value by a fixed amount. Systematic error cannot be corrected by repeat readings, instead a different technique or apparatus should be used.
Triangle of Forces
A method of finding the resultant force of two forces. The two forces are joined tip to tail and the result is then the vector that completes the triangle.