The interval that a value is said to lie within, with a given level of confidence
Absolute uncertainties
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A measure of how close a measurement is to the true value
Accuracy
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Measuring apparatus such as rulers, beakers and thermometers that rely on the experimenter reading off a scale to determine the measurement
Analogue apparatus
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Data points that don't fit the pattern of the data. You should determine why an anomalous result has occurred before removing it. Repeat readings help remove anomalies.
Anomalies
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Variables that must remain the same throughout an experiment so as to not affect the results
Control variables
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The variable being measured in an experiment. It is dependant on the independent variable. The dependant variable should be plotted on the y-axis of a graph.
Dependant variables
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Measuring apparatus such as ammeters, voltmeters and digital calipers that digitally measure and display a measurement
Digital apparatus
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A thin marker, such as a splint, that is used to ensure readings are taken from the same place each time. They are used to improve the accuracy of measurements
Fiducial marker
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The change in the y-axis value over the change in the x-axis value between two points. If the graph is curved, a tangent can be drawn to calculate the gradient at a specific point.
Gradient
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The variable that is changed by the experimenter in an experiment. The independent variable should be plotted on the x-axis of a graph.
Independent variables
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A line drawn on a graph to demonstrate the pattern in the plotted data points
Line of best fit
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The uncertainty of a measurement, expressed as a percentage of the recorded value
Percentage uncertainties
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A measure of how close a measurement is to the mean value. It only gives an indication of the magnitude of random errors, not how close data is to the true value.
Precision
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Added to the front of units to represent a power of ten change.
Prefixes
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Unpredictable variation between measurements that leads to a spread of values about the true value. Random error can be reduced by taking repeat measurements
Random errors
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The same experimenter can repeat a measurement using the same method and equipment and obtain the same value
Repeatable
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An experiment can be repeated by a different experimenter using a different method and different apparatus, and still obtain the same results
Reproducible
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The smallest change in a quantity that causes a visible change in the reading that a measuring instrument records
Resolution
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The splitting of a force into its horizontal and vertical components
Resolution of forces
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A quantity that only has a magnitude, without an associated direction. Examples include speed, distance and temperature
Scalar quantities
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The standard units used in equations. They are: metres, kilograms, seconds, amps, Kelvin and moles
SI Units
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A measure of a measurement's resolution. All numbers except zero are counted as a significant figure. When zeros are found immediately after a decimal place, they too are counted.
Significant figures
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Causes all readings to differ from the true value by a fixed amount. Systematic error cannot be corrected by repeat readings, instead a different technique or apparatus should be used
Systematic errors
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A method of finding the resultant force of two forces. The two forces are joined tip to tail and the result is then the vector that completes the triangle
Triangle of forces
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A quantity that has both magnitude and an associated direction. Examples include velocity, displacement and acceleration
Vector quantities
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The type of scale used on calipers and micrometers, that involve reading from a fixed scale and a moving scale to produce accurate measurements
Vernier scales
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A form of systematic error, caused when a measuring instrument doesn't read zero at a value of zero. This results in all measurements being offset by a fixed amount
Zero errors
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Other cards in this set
Card 2
Front
A measure of how close a measurement is to the true value
Back
Accuracy
Card 3
Front
Measuring apparatus such as rulers, beakers and thermometers that rely on the experimenter reading off a scale to determine the measurement
Back
Card 4
Front
Data points that don't fit the pattern of the data. You should determine why an anomalous result has occurred before removing it. Repeat readings help remove anomalies.
Back
Card 5
Front
Variables that must remain the same throughout an experiment so as to not affect the results
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