Practical Skills Flashcards
What’s the independent variable?
The variable that is changed
What’s the dependent variable
The variable that is measured
What is the control variable
The variable that is kept constant
What is a systematic error?
An error that effects all the results in the same way
How can systematic errors be reduced?
Ensure the equipment is callibrated properly
What is meant by a random error?
An error that effects the results in unpredictable ways
How can random errors be reduced?
Take repeat readings
What is the absolute uncertainty in a measurement made with a meter ruler?
+ or - 1mm
How is percentage uncertainty calculated?
Absolute uncertainty/ measurement x100
What are the 2 strategies to reduce percentage uncertainty?
1- reduce the absolute uncertainty (measure with equipment with a higher resolution)
2- increase measurement size
When quantities add, what happens to their absolute uncertainty?
They add
When quantities are subtracted, what happens to their absolute uncertainty?
They add
When a quantity is multiplied by n, what happens to the absolute uncertainty?
It multiplies by n
When a quantity id divided by n, what happens to the absolute uncertainty?
It divides by n
When quantities are multiplied, what happens to the percentage uncertainties?
They add
