Working Scientifically Skills Flashcards
What is an Independant variable? and what axis is it always found on when graphs are shown?
The thing that i can change and it is always found on the x axis
What is a dependent variable ?and where is it usually on a graph ?
Its the thing you measure and its usually on the y axis
What is the control variable ?
The thing you keep the same
What is a way of describing the Independent and dependant variables relationship
The Independant variable is the variable that is changed and the dependant the affect
What are the three scientific errors
Random errors
Systematic errors
Zero errors
Can random errors be corrected and how can they be minimised?
No and they can be minimised by more repeats and calculating the mean
State Examples of a random errors and describe them !
Parallax errors when you read a value not level with the meniscus
And errors caused by reaction times
What do systematic errors always cause the reading to be ?
Either larger or smaller than the true value but never both
What causes a systematic error?(3causes)
They are caused by imperfectly calibrated instruments
Imperfect observation methods
The enviroment
How to overcome systematic errors ?
The results must be repeated with different apparatus/tools or a different technique
How to overcome systematic errors ?
The results must be repeated with different apparatus/tools or a different technique
What is an example of a systematic error?
-A leaking gas syringe
What is a zero error caused by and what affect does this have on the reading ?
When a measuring device is not at zero before a measurement is taken and it causes the reading to have the same numerical error
How can a zero error be corrected ?
By subtracting the value of zero error from each result
Or
By recalibrating the measuring device an repeating the measurements
State an example of a zero error!
An ammeter not returning to zero when no current is flowing in the circuit
Why do we display data
To make predictions
Why do we keep the controll variable
To make it a fair test
When is a line graph used
When the dependant and Independant are continuous
Name 3 types of data
Continuous
Discrete
Categoric
Define continuous data
Data that can take any value within range such as eg.time ,height,temperature and weight and this data can have decimal points
Define discrete data
When you count things that take specific and distinct data only having whole numbers
Name an example of descrete data
Number of students in a class
Number of cars
Ect
Define categoric data
When you classify data into categories or data in words
Name an example of categoric data (2)
(There are many others )
Colour
How objects feel smooth or rough
What are intervals on a graph
They represent Segments or ranges along the x and y axis
