Measurements and Their Errors Flashcards

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1
Q

Accurate

A

A measurement that is obtained, using accurately-calibrated instruments correctly, is said to be accurate.

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2
Q

Base units

A

The units that define the SI system (e.g. the metre, the kilogram, the second, the ampere).

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3
Q

Error bar

A

Representation of an uncertainty on a graph.

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4
Q

Error of measurement

A

Difference between a measured value and the true value. Errors can include systematic (including zero error) and random.

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5
Q

Linear

A

Two quantities are said to have a linear relationship if the change of one quantity is proportional to the change of the other.

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6
Q

Precision of a measurement

A

Precise measurements are ones in which there is very little spread about the mean value. Precision depends only on the extent of random error and it gives no indication of how close the results are to the true value.

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7
Q

Precision of an instrument

A

The smallest non-zero reading that can be measured, also sometimes referred to as the instrument sensitivity or resolution.

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8
Q

Probable Error

A

Estimate of the uncertainty of a measurement

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9
Q

Random error

A

Error of measurement due to results varying in an unpredictable way from one measurement to the next. They are present when any measurement is made, and cannot be corrected. The effect of random errors can be reduced by making more measurements and calculating a new mean.

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10
Q

Range of a set of a reading

A

The range of a set of readings of the same measurement is the difference between the minimum and the maximum reading.

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11
Q

Range of an instrument

A

The difference between the minimum and the maximum reading that can be obtained using the instrument.

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12
Q

Sensitivity of an instrument

A

The output reading per unit input quantity.

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13
Q

SI System

A

The scientific system of units.

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14
Q

Systematic errors

A

Causes readings the differ from the true value by a consistent amount each time a measurement is made. Sources of systematic errors can include the environment, methods of observation or instruments used.

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15
Q

Uncertainty

A

The interval within which which the true value can be expected to lie, with a given level of confidence or probability.

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16
Q

Zero error

A

Any indication that a measuring system gives a false reading when the true value of a measured quantity is zero. A zero error may result in a systematic uncertainty.