A Level Physics Foundations

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What is an estimate?
An approximate calculation for the value of something (that is done without using a calculator).
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What are micrometres and Vernier calipers used for?
Measuring very small distances to a high degree of accuracy (0.01 mm).
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What is the resolution of Vernier callipers and micrometers?
0.01mm
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How is percentage difference calculated?
(Difference / Original) / 100. Original could be your estimate for example.
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What are the six SI base quantities and their units?
Metres (m - Length), Kilograms (Kg - Mass), Seconds (s - Time), Kelvin (K - Temperature), Amperes (A - Current), Moles (Amount of Substance).
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What are some derived units?
Newtons, Joules, Watts, Volts, Hertz, Pascals, Ohms
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What is the range?
The difference between the largest and smallest values.
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What is the interval?
The amount between two successive measurements.
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What is the precision of a measuring instruement?
The smallest amount that something can measure.
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How can you find the units for a value in an equation?
In the equation, convert all parts into base units and then substitute them into the equation to get the derived unit.
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What are the base units for Newtons (Force)?
[kg][m][s]^-2
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What are the base units for Joules (Energy)?
[kg][m]^2[s]^-2
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What are the base units for Watts (Power)?
[kg][m]^2[s]^-3
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What are the base units for momentum?
[kg][m][s]^-1
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What does it mean if an equation is homogeneous?
The units on both sides of the equation are the same.
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What is the point of checking homogeneity?
To test to see if an equation is correct (or to at least rule out incorrect equations).
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What are the different prefixes in ascending order?
pico (p), nano (n), micro (μ), milli (m), kilo (k), mega (M), giga (G), tera (T)
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What is the unit Pico in standard form? What about Tera?
Pico = 10^-12. Tera = 10^12.
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What is the difference between accuracy and precision of measurements?
Accuracy is how close to the expected / true value the measurements are, whereas precision is how close to each other repeated values are.
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What is resolution?
The smallest amount that a measuring instrument can measure.
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What is a zero error?
A type of systematic error where the measuring instrument is measuring more or less than zero when it is not being used. This means that it affects all measurements and means that they are incorrect by the same amount.
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What are two pieces of equipment used to measure very small distances?
Vernier Callipers, Micrometres.
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What is the difference between a reading and a measurement?
A reading is when only one judgement is made (such as reading a digital display), whereas a measurement is when two difference judgements are made (such as looking at two ends of the ruler and calculating the difference).
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What are some examples of instruments that require readings and some that require measurements?
Readings: Top pan balance, Stopwatch, Ammeter. Measurements: Ruler, Thermometer, Micrometer, Vernier Calipers.
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How is the absolute uncertainty calculated? What sign goes before the uncertainty?
Range / 2. ± uncertainty.
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How is the percentage uncertainty calculated from a single measurement?
The resolution is the uncertainty. (Uncertainty / Measurement) * 100
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How is the percentage uncertainty calculated from a set of repeated measurement?
(Uncertainty / Mean) * 100
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What is the absolute uncertainty in a single reading? What about in a measurement?
Single reading = 1/2 precision. Measurement = Precision.
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What is the uncertainty rule when adding or subtracting quantites?
Add the absolute uncertainties.
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What is the uncertainty rule when multiplying or dividing quantities?
Add the percentage uncertainties to get the percentage uncertainty. Then multiply this by the mean to get the absolute uncertainty.
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What is the uncertainty ruler when raising a quantity to a power?
y = a^b. % in y = b(% in a). Multiply the percentage uncertainty by the power to get the percentage uncertainty. Then multiply this by the mean to get the absolute uncertainty.
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What are random errors?
When the measurements are scattered randomly above and below the true value when the measurement is repeated. To address this, the mean is found.
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Why could random errors occur?
Because there is an unpredictable change during the experiment, in either the environmental conditions or changes in the instrument.
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What is an example of random errors?
Variable heating in a circuit causing variations in the current being measured. OR an unexpectedly large extension of a metal wire due to a flaw in its structure.
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What are systematic errors?
When all measurements are shifted in the same direction and by the same amount.
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Why could systematic errors occur?
When there is something wrong with the equipment or the instrument is being used incorrectly by the user.
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What is an example of a systematic error?
Zero error (instrument does not read zero at the start of the experiment).
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What is one way to improve the precision of results?
Use measuring instruments with higher resolution.
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

What are micrometres and Vernier calipers used for?

Back

Measuring very small distances to a high degree of accuracy (0.01 mm).

Card 3

Front

What is the resolution of Vernier callipers and micrometers?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

How is percentage difference calculated?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

What are the six SI base quantities and their units?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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