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AS physics > Physic skills > Flashcards

Physic skills Flashcards

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1
Q

Absolute Uncertainties

A

The interval that a value is said to lie within, with a given level of confidence.

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2
Q

Accuracy

A

A measure of how close a measurement is to the true value

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3
Q

Analogue Apparatus

A

Measuring apparatus such as rulers, beakers and thermometers that rely on the experimenter reading off a scale to determine the measurement

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4
Q

Anomalies

A

Data points that don’t fit the pattern of the data. You should determine why an anomalous result has occurred before removing it. Repeat readings help remove anomalies

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5
Q

Control Variables

A

Variables that must remain the same throughout an experiment so as not to affect the results

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6
Q

Dependent Variables

A

The variable being measured in an experiment. It is dependent on the independent variable. The dependent variable should be plotted on the y-axis of a graph

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7
Q

Digital apparatus

A

Measuring apparatus such as ammeters, voltmeters and digital calipers that digitally measure and display a measurement

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8
Q

Fiducial Marker

A

A thin marker such as a splint, that is used to ensure readings are taken from the same place each time. They are used to improve the accuracy of measurements

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9
Q

Gradient

A

The change in the y-axis value over the change in the x-axis value between two points. If the graph is curved, a tangent can be drawn to calculate the gradient at a specific point

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10
Q

Independent variables

A

The variable that is changed by the experimenter in an experiment. The independent variable should be plotted on the x-axis on the graph

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11
Q

Line of Best Fit

A

A line drawn on a graph to demonstrate the pattern in the plotted data points

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12
Q

Percentage uncertainties

A

The uncertainty of a measurement, expressed as a percentage of the recorded value

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13
Q

Precision

A

A measure of how close a measurement is to the mean value. It only gives an indication of the magnitude of random errors, not how close data is to the true value

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14
Q

Random errors

A

Unpredictable variation between measurements that leads to a spread of values about the true value. Random error can be reduced by taking repeat measurements

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15
Q

Repeatable

A

The same experimenter can repeat a measurement using the same method and equipment and obtain the same results

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16
Q

Reproducible

A

An experiment can be repeated by a different experiment using a different method and different apparatus and still obtain the same results

17
Q

Resolution

A

The smallest change in a quantity that causes a visible change in the reading that a measuring instrument records

18
Q

Resolution of forces

A

The splitting of a force into its horizontal and vertical components

19
Q

Scalar quantities

A

A quantity that only has a magnitude without an associated direction

20
Q

SI units

A

The standard units used in equation - meters, kilograms, seconds, amps, Kelvin and moles

21
Q

Significant figures

A

A measure of a measurement’s resolution.

22
Q

Systematic erros

A

Causes all readings to differ from the true value by a fixed amount. Systematic errors cannot be corrected by repeat readings, instead a different technique or apparatus should be used

23
Q

Triangle of forces

A

A method of finding the resultant force of two forces. The two forces are joined tip to tail and the result is then the vector that completes the triangel

24
Q

Vector quantities

A

A quantity that has both magnitude and an associated direction

25
Q

Vernier scales

A

Type of scale used on callipers and micrometers, that involve reading from a fixed scale and a moving scale to produce accurate measurements

26
Q

Zero errors

A

A form of systematic error caused when a measuring instrument doesn’t read zero at a value of zero. This results in all measurements being offset by a fixed amount

27
Q

Pico(p)

A

x10^-12

28
Q

nano(n)

A

x10^-9

29
Q

milli(m)

A

x10^-3

30
Q

centi(c)

A

x10^-2

31
Q

kilo(k)

A

x10^3

32
Q

mega(M)

A

x10^6

33
Q

giga(G)

A

x10^9

34
Q

tera(T)

A

x10^12

35
Q

percentage uncertainty (formula)

A

(absolute uncertainty/actual value) x100

36
Q

Rules for calculating overall uncertainty when quantities have been combined

A

When quantities have been added or subtracted, add the absolute uncertainties for
each value.
When the quantities have been multiplied or divided by each other, add the
percentage uncertainty for each value
When a quantity is raised to a power n, multiply the percentage uncertainty for this
value by n.

37
Q

uncertainty from a graph

A

(gradient of best line - gradient of worst line)/gradient of best line x100

AS physics (7 decks)

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