Measurements and their errors Flashcards
Random errors
Errors of measurements in which the measured quantities differ from the mean value with different magnitudes and directions
Systematic errors
Errors of measurements in which the measured quantities are displaced from the true value by fixed magnitude and in the same direction
Accuracy
A measure of how close the results of an experiment agree with the true value
Precision
A measure of how close the results of an experiment agree with each other
Other units for:
1J
1V
1J = 1 kgm²s⁻² 1V = 1kgm²s⁻³A⁻¹
Prefixes
T, tera: 10¹² G, giga: 10⁹ M, mega: 10⁶ k, kilo: 10³ c, centi: 10⁻² m, milli: 10⁻³ μ, micro: 10⁻⁶ n, nano: 10⁻⁹ p, pico: 10⁻¹² f, femto: 10⁻¹⁵
Repeatable
When the original experimenter repeats the investigation using the
same method and equipment and obtains the same results
Reproducible
When somebody else repeats the investigation or the
investigation is performed using different equipment or techniques and the same
results are obtained
Resolution
The smallest change in a quantity being measured that gives a
perceptible change in the reading
