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Definitions Flashcards

1
Q

Error

A

The difference between the measured value and the true value

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2
Q

Uncertainty

A

The range/interval within which the true value lies

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3
Q

Independent variable

A

The variable for which values are changed by the experimenter

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4
Q

Dependent variable

A

The variable for which values are measured for each and every change of the independent variable

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5
Q

Control variable

A

May affect the outcome of the investigation

Must be kept constant or at least monitored

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6
Q

Random error

A

Present due to the way an instrument works, the surrounding environment changing or the way it is used

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7
Q

How is random error reduced

A

By taking repeated values and then averaging them

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8
Q

Systematic errors

A

Measurements that are consistently too large or too small by the same amount each time

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9
Q

Why might we have systematic errors

A

Not measuring zero error
Not calibrating equipment
Poor technique ( causing parallax error)
Recording the wrong unit

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10
Q

What is zero error

A

When the measuring equipment is not set on zero accurately

Should be added or subtracted from recorded values

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11
Q

How to take zero error into consideration

A

Minus or add onto recorded values

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12
Q

How can systematic error be seen on a graph

A

The line of best fit doesn’t go through zero

Doesn’t effect gradient of line of best fit but simply alters y intercept

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13
Q

Accuracy

A

A measurement close to the true value

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14
Q

Precision

A

The consistency between values obtained by repeated values

Seen to be precise if they cluster together

Really precise if all lie on line of best fit

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15
Q

Uncertainty for a single reading is at least

A

Half the resolution of the equipment

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16
Q

Uncertainty for repeated readings that are different can be taken as

A

Half the range of the readings

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17
Q

A reading is

A

A value found from a single judgement

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18
Q

A measurement

A

Requires the value to be taken from two readings or judgments

E.g.
Stopwatch
A non zero ended ruler
Extension of spring (original and extension)

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19
Q

Uncertainty of a reading

A

+/- 0.5 resolution

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20
Q

Uncertainty of a measurement

A

+/- 1 of the resolution

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21
Q

The uncertainty should be quoted to the same decimal places as…

A

The reading

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22
Q

Resolution

A

The smallest change in value that can be measured using the instrument

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23
Q

Resolution allows us to assess the

A

Minimum possible uncertainty

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24
Q

Tolerance

A

A percentage uncertainty quoted by the manufacturer

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25
With a digital measuring machine what is the uncertainty
Will be +/- the smallest division shown on the meter
26
Percentage uncertainty eq
Uncertainty/ value x100%
27
Combining uncertainties by adding them or subtracting them
Add the absolute uncertainties of each quantity
28
Combining the uncertainties by multiplying or dividing
Add the percentage uncertainties of each quantity
29
Combining uncertainties of a quantity is raised to a power
Multiply the percentage uncertainty by the power
30
Table heading should include
Quantity/ units | In this format
31
In a table the number of significant figures/decimal places should be....
Consistent down the column
32
How to write logarithmic headings for tables
Ln (quantity/ unit) As ln/logs don't have units of their own
33
Significant figures should always be the same as
The smallest number of significant figures
34
Good experimental design
Design to limit uncertainty number (have as few as possible)
35
Parallax
A type of error that is created when looking at the scale from an angle Makes measurement larger or smaller than true value
36
What to remember not to do w a micrometer
Use The ratchet | Not to over tighten
37
Percentage uncertainty of repeat measurements
1/2 range / mean value x100%
38
What can you do to decrease random error
Repeat
39
What does random error mean for precision
They reduce precision
40
How precise an experiment is from the graph
How much the points scatter from the line of best fit
41
Percentage difference between two values
Difference between two values / the average of the two values x100%
42
Percentage difference between an experimental value and a stated value
Difference between values/ stated value x100%
43
The use of multiple readings reduce the
Uncertainty
44
In general the percentage uncertainty of each measurement will be
The same percentage uncertainty for the whole experiment The overall uncertainty will be reduced significantly by measuring multiple measurements
45
What can be used to reduce uncertainty and help determine precise measurements with rulers
A set square
46
What piece of equipment can be used to help keep eye level on oscillating things
A plumbline
47
To measure small angles what can we use
Trigonometry
48
Why is trigonometry used to measure small angles
Because protractor would give rise to uncertainty of 10% if angle was 5* and it measured to nearest 0.5* If you measure opposite and adjacent distances then can use tan angle
49
Techniques for timing oscillations
Use a pointer to show when it passes a certain point Don't miscount oscillations Don't start timing initially Try to time at least 20 oscillations
50
Fiducial mark
A pointer
51
Techniques for timing oscillations
Use a pointer to show when it passes a certain point Don't miscount oscillations Don't start timing initially Try to time at least 20 oscillations
52
Fiducial mark
A pointer
53
3 reasons to use data loggers
Record data automatically Can record data with v small intervals Over long periods of time
54
Sample rate
Number of readings taken per second
55
Data logger can record several...
Variables simultaneously
56
Graph goes through origin it is called
Directly proportional
57
If graph doesn't quite go through origin then...
It is still a linear relationship
58
A result that doesn't fit the general pattern and lies a long way from the line of best fit
An anomaly An anomalous result
59
Gradient how to calculate
Rise over run BIG triangle!!!
60
What can the uncertainty in a measurement on a graph be shown as
Error bars
61
If there is uncertainty on both the x and y components then you need to draw an...
Error rectangle
62
If you are plotting a log graph then what happens w error bars
Calculate logs of maximum and minimum values | Determine the error bars using these values
63
To determine the uncertainty in a gradient
Three lines should be drawn on the graph Line of best fit and... The steepest line and shallowest gradient line that can be drawn using the bottoms of the error bars Then find percentage uncertainty in gradient (Highest grad-lowest grad)/gradient of line of best fit X100%
64
How to make an exponential graph linear
Take natural logs of all components Ln
65
Name as many of the 6 standard SI base quantities and units
``` Length - meter (m) Mass - kilogram (kg) Time - seconds (s) Electric current - amperes (A) Temperature - Kelvin (K) Amount of substance - mole (mol) ```
66
Centi | c
X10 -2
67
Milli m
X10 -3
68
Micro m | '. (Has a flick)
X10 -6
69
Nano | n
X10 -9
70
Pico | p
X10 -12
71
Fento f
X10 -15
72
Kilo K
X10 3
73
Mega M
X10 6
74
Giga G
X10 9
75
Tera T
X10 12
76
How to exchange indices when they are made to a power
You times the indices as if they were in a bracket
77
Significant figure number
The same as the smallest number that you are working with
78
Linear relationship equation
y= mx+c
79
Gradient is also known as
Rate of change
80
What size triangle for a gradient
LARGE triangle BIG triangle
81
To calculate an instantaneous gradient
Draw a tangent at the point Make big triangle Calculate gradient from the triangle
82
Mathematically how can gradient be found
Differentiation
83
What kind of scale to use when you want a linear graph with an exponential relationship
Logarithmic scale
84
Small angle approximation sin
Sin ° = °
85
Small angle approximation cos °
Cos ° = 1 for small values of °
86
Small angle approximation for tan °
Tan ° = °
87
Converting from degrees to radians
Pie/ 180 x degrees
88
Converting from radians to degrees
180/ pie x radians
89
Avogadro number
6.02 x10 23
90
Method for turning up a dial in an experiment to increase accuracy
Turn it up till result is found. Then go over value and then come back down to find value again Record and average
91
Surface area of a sphere
4 pie r^2
92
Surface area of a cylinder
2 pie r^2 + 2 pie r h
93
An angle in radians equation
• = arc length/ radius
94
Random error examples
Human reaction time Changes in room temperature Contact resistance of crocodile clips Too quick changing readings- hard to read off quickly
95
Vernier calliper measures to nearest
0.1 mm
96
Micrometer measures to nearest
0.01 mm

Physics Practical (1 decks)

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