Working as a physicist Flashcards
terra
(T) x10^12 (a thousand billion)
Giga
(G) x10^9 (a billion)
Mega
(M) x10^6 (a million)
Kilo
(k) x10^3 (a thousand)
milli
(m) x10^-3 (a thousandth)
micro
(u) x10^-6 (a millionth)
nano
(n) x10^-9 (a billionth)
pico
(p) x10^-12 ( a thousand billionth)
femto
(f) x10^-15
Area of rectangle
base x height (m^2)
area of square
base x height
circle
pi x radius^2
Volume of a cuboid
base x height x depth (m^3)
volume of cylinder
height x (pi x radius^2)
volume of a sphere
4/3 x pi x radius^3
definition of resolution
the smallest measuring interval and the source of uncertainty in a single reading
uncertainty in measurements?
- physical quantities cannot be measured exactly with any instrument
-there is always an uncertainty in the reading
-this is quoted as a plus or minus reading
_
+1mm on a meter ruler
_
+ 20mv on a digital voltmeter
what are the two types of uncertainty
systematic error
random error
what is systematic error?
a fault with the equipment
these errors are usually in one direction and can be compensated for
what is random error?
usually due to human error in taking readings
these are always given as plus or minus uncertainties
definition of uncertainty
the interval within the true value can be considered to lie with a given level of confidence or probability. All measurements will have some uncertainty about the result , this will come from the variation in the data obtained and be subject to systematic or random effects. This can be estimated by considering the instruments and the method.
definition of error
the difference between the measurement result and the true value if a true value is thought to exist. This is not a mistake in the measurement. the error can be due to both systematic and random effects and an error of unknown size is a source of uncertainty.
what is the absolute uncertainty
the absolute value for an uncertainty has to be estimated
- metre ruler has an absolute uncertainty of +- 0.5mm
- use half of the resolution
how to calculate absolute uncertainty
- half the resolution
- if there’s more than one result then you get the range of the results and half of it for the uncertainty and use mean for reading
what is the percentage uncertainty
the uncertainty of a reading as a percentage of the actual reading taken
percentage uncertainty= +- absolute uncertainty/actual reading x 100