AQA Key Terms Flashcards

1
Q

Define accuracy

A

A measurement result is considered accurate if it is judged to be close to the true value.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Define calibration

A

Marking a scale on a measuring instrument

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Define data

A

Information, either qualitative or quantitative, that has been collected

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Define measurement error

A

The difference between a measured value and the true value

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Define anomaly

A

These are values in a set of results which are judged not to be part of the variation caused by random uncertainty

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Define random error

A

Errors that cause readings to be spread about the true value, due to results varying in an unpredictable way from one measurement to the next.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

When are random errors present?

A

Random errors are present when any measurement is made, and cannot be corrected

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

How can you reduce the effect of random errors?

A

The effect of random errors can be reduced by making repeat measurements and calculating a new mean

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Define systematic error

A

Errors that cause readings to differ from the true value by a consistent amount each time a measurement is made

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What are sources of systematic errors?

A

Sources of systematic error can include the environment, methods of observation or instruments used

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Can systematic errors be dealt with via repeats?

A

No

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What should be done if a systematic error is suspected?

A

If a systematic error is suspected, the data collection should be repeated using a different technique or a different set of equipment, and the results compared.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Define zero error

A

Any indication that a measuring system gives a false reading when the true value of a measured quantity is zero

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Define evidence

A

Data which has been shown to be valid

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Define hypothesis

A

A proposal intended to explain certain facts or observations.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Define interval

A

The quantity between readings

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Define precision

A

Precise measurements are ones in which there is very little spread about the mean value. Repeat readings should be very similar to each other

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Can precision give an indication how accurate data is?

A

No. Precision depends only on the extent of random errors – it gives no indication of how close results are to the true value.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Define prediction

A

A prediction is a statement suggesting what will happen in the future, based on observation, experience or a hypothesis.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Define range

A

The maximum and minimum values of the independent or dependent variables

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Define reproducible

A

A measurement is reproducible if the investigation is repeated by another person, or by using different equipment or techniques, and the same results are obtained.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Define repeatable

A

A measurement is repeatable if the original experimenter repeats the investigation using same method and equipment and obtains the same results.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Define resolution

A

This is the smallest change in the quantity being measured (input) of a measuring instrument that gives a perceptible change in the reading.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What is a sketch graph?

A

A line graph, not necessarily on a grid, that shows the general shape of the relationship between two variables.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

Does a sketch graph need a scale or plotted points?

A

No. It will not have any points plotted and although the axes should be labelled they may not be scaled.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

Define true value

A

This is the value that would be obtained in an ideal measurement

27
Q

Define uncertainty

A

The interval within which the true value can be expected to lie, with a given level of confidence or probability.

28
Q

Define validity

A

Suitability of the investigative procedure to answer the question being asked. Only the 1 independent variable has been changed

29
Q

Define valid conclusion

A

A conclusion supported by valid data, obtained from an appropriate experimental design and based on sound reasoning.

30
Q

Define variables

A

These are physical, chemical or biological quantities or characteristics.

31
Q

Define categoric variable

A

Categoric variables have values that are labels, eg names of plants or types of material.

32
Q

Define continuous variable

A

Continuous variables can have any numerical value

33
Q

Define control variable

A

Control variable is one which may, in addition to the independent variable, affect the outcome of the investigation and therefore has to be kept constant or at least monitored.

34
Q

Define independent variable

A

Independent variable is the variable for which values are changed or selected by the investigator.

35
Q

Define dependent variable

A

Dependent variable is the variable of which the value is measured for each and every change in the independent variable.

36
Q

What word is udes to describe a measurement close to the true value?

A

Accurate

37
Q

Placing a thermometer in melting ice to check whether it reads 0 °C is an example of ?

A

Checking calibration

38
Q

What term do we use for information that we have collected?

A

Data

39
Q

What is the term for the difference between the measured value and the true value

A

Measurement error

40
Q

What do we call values that are not close to the true value and out of the range of uncertainty?

A

Anomalies

41
Q

What type of error causes readings to differ from the true value by a consistent amount each time a measurement is made?

A

Systematic error

42
Q

If the needle of an ammeter fails to return to 0 what type of error is this?

A

Zero error

43
Q

If our data is shown to be valid what do we call it?

A

Evidence

44
Q

What do we call a proposal to explain certain facts or observations?

A

A hypothesis

45
Q

What is the word for the quantity between readings?

A

Interval

46
Q

If all of my results are very close to my mean value I can say they are what?

A

Precise

47
Q

What do I call a statement suggesting what will happen in the future, based on observation, experience or a hypothesis.

A

A prediction

48
Q

If I said my data was 0-50cm what am I giving you?

A

The range

49
Q

If you repeat an experiment with the same method/equipment and get the same results you can say your data is what?

A

Repeatable

50
Q

If someone else repeats your experiment and gets the same results you can say your data is what?

A

Reproducible

51
Q

If you repeat an experiment with different equipment or a different technique and get the same results you can say your data is what?

A

Reproducible

52
Q

What is the word for the smallest change in quantity an instument can measure?

A

Resolution

53
Q

What do we call the the value that would be obtained in an ideal measurement?

A

The true value

54
Q

An investigation to find out if the rate of a chemical reaction depended upon the concentration of one of the reactants would not be a _______ procedure if the temperature of the reactants was not controlled.

A

Valid

55
Q

What type of variable is type of plant?

A

Categoric

56
Q

What type of variable is height?

A

Continuous

57
Q

In an investigation to find out if the rate of a chemical reaction depended upon the concentration of one of the reactants, what type of variable is temperature?

A

Control

58
Q

In an investigation to find out if the rate of a chemical reaction depended upon the concentration of one of the reactants, what type of variable is concentration?

A

Independent

59
Q

In an investigation to find out if the rate of a chemical reaction depended upon the concentration of one of the reactants, what type of variable is the rate?

A

Dependent

60
Q

What is the name for the variable that the investigator changes?

A

Independent variable

61
Q

What is the name for the variable that the investigator measures?

A

Dependent variable

62
Q

What is the name for the variable that the investigator keeps the same or monitors?

A

Control variable

63
Q

How can uncertainty be calculated for repeat readings?

A

Range/2