General Science Skills Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
1
Q

Define an independent variable

A

The one variable that you change

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Define a dependant variable

A

The variable that you measure

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Define a control variable

A

Any variable you keep the same to make it a fair test

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Define directly proportional

A

If one variable increases the other variable increases at the same rate. eg if x doubles then y must double

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

How would you describe a line graph that does not pass through the origin?

A

A linear graph

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Define an anomalous result

A

An result which does not fit the pattern of trend (don’t include this when calculating a mean)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Define interval

A

The spacing between measurements eg 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 cm would have an interval of 10

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Define range

A

The maximum and minimum values eg 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 would have a range of 50 - 0 cm

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Define resolution

A

The smallest change that can be measured with a particular piece of equipment

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

When should you draw a line graph

A

When both variables are continuous

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

When should you draw a bar graph

A

If one of the variables is discrete or categoric

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Define a continuous variable

A

Can be recored as any number eg time, mass, volume

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Define a catergoric variable

A

Is recored in words instead of numbers eg colours or types of metal

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What does repeatable mean?

A

Measurements are repeatable when repetition, under the same conditions by the same investigator, gives similar results.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What does reproducible mean?

A

Measurements are reproducible if similar results are obtained by different investigators with different equipment.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is meant by random error?

A

Measurements are affected by random error due to results varying in unpredictable ways; these errors can be reduced by making more measurements and reporting a mean value.

17
Q

What is meant by systematic error?

A

Systematic error is due to measurement results differing from the true value by a consistent amount each time.

18
Q

What prefix does k represent?

A

kilo - x 1,000

19
Q

What prefix does lowercase m represent?

A

milli - divide by 1,000

20
Q

What does accurate mean?

A

An accurate measurement is one that is close to the true value.

21
Q

What does precision mean?

A

Measurements are precise if they cluster closely.