Foundations of Physics Flashcards
What is the value of pico (p)?
1 x 10^-12
What is the value of nano (n)?
1 x 10^-9
What is the value of micro (μ)?
1 x 10^-6
What is the value of milli (m)?
1 x10^-3
What is the value of centi (c)?
1 x 10^-2
What is the value of deci (d)?
1 x 10^-1
What is the value of kilo (k)?
1 x 10^3
What is the value of mega (M)?
1 x 10^6
What is the value of giga (G)?
1 x 10^9
What is the value of tera (T)?
1 x 10^12
What are the 4 rules of graphs?
1) Headings/labels with units
2) All values same SF
3) Label axes
4) Must cover 75% of space
Define error:
difference between the result obtained and the true value of the quantity
Define true value:
value that would be obtained in an ideal measurement
What are random errors?
measurement errors where the results vary unpredictably due to the environmental conditions and equipment
How are random errors mitigated?
repeats
What are systematic errors?
measurement differs from the true value by a consistent amount each time caused by equipment or way measurements are taken
Define accuracy:
how close measurement is to the true value
Define precision:
how close repeated measurements are to each other
Define uncertainty:
interval in which the true value should lie
How do you calculate absolute uncertainty?
+/-(range of measurements/2)
How do you calculate percentage uncertainty?
(absolute uncertainty/actual value) x 100
Overall uncertainty when adding quantities:
+ absolute uncertainties
Overall uncertainty when multiplying or dividing:
+ percentage uncertainties
Overall uncertainty when raising by power n:
percentage uncertainty x n
What do error bars in a graph show?
absolute uncertainty
How do you calculate uncertainty gradient?
line of worst fit passing though all error bars
How do you calculate percentage uncertainty from a graph?
((grad lofbf - grad lowf)/(grad lofbf)) x 100
What does a scalar show?
magnitude not direction
What does a vector show?
magnitude and direction
What is a resultant vector?
vector that represents many vectors
