Uncertainties, Prefixes and Significant Figures Flashcards

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1
Q

pico (p)

A

x10 -12

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2
Q

nano (n)

A

x10 -9

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3
Q

micro (µ)

A

x10 -6

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4
Q

milli (m)

A

x10 -3

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5
Q

kilo (k)

A

x10 3

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6
Q

mega (M)

A

x10 6

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7
Q

giga (G)

A

x10 9

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8
Q

tera (T)

A

x10 12

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9
Q

rule for significant figures

A

answer should have no more than 2 more or 1 less significant figure than the value in the question with the least significant figures

best to answer with same significant figures as the question

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10
Q

how to ensure you get an accurate answer to a calculation

A

keep everything in your calculator as you go and do not round until the final answer

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11
Q

scale reading uncertainty in a digital scale

A

+/- 1 of the smallest division

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12
Q

scale reading uncertainty in an analogue scale

A

+/- 0.5 of the smallest division

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13
Q

what is an absolute uncertainity?

A

written as a value, not a percentage

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14
Q

how to work out % uncertainity

A

uncertainty/value x100

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15
Q

what percentage uncertainty should be used when calculating the uncertainty for an unknown variable

A

the highest % uncertainty in the known values

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16
Q

how to work out absolute uncertainty from percentage

A

simply multiply value by % (use % button on calculator)

eg: 31 x 4.8% = 1.5

17
Q

when do random uncertainties come about

A

when we make repeated measurements of the same thing

18
Q

equation for random uncertainty

A

Rand = max-min / n

19
Q

how to make random uncertainty smaller

A

take more readings

dividing by a larger number

20
Q

why do systematic uncertainties happen?

A

problems with the set up of the experiment

eg: a meter not calibrated correctly

21
Q

graph of experiment with systematic uncertainty

A

straight line but does not go through origin