Intro, Basics and Practical

Question 1

What are the prefix names for 10^(3n) where 1 <= n <= 5?

Answer 1

Kilo, Mega, Giga, Tera, Peta.

Question 2

What are the symbols for the prefixes for 10^(3n) where 1 <= n <= 5?

Answer 2

k, M, G, T, P.

Question 3

What are the prefix names for 10^(3n) where -5 <= n <= -1?

Answer 3

Milli, Micro, Nano, Pico, Femto.

Question 4

What are the symbols for the prefixes for 10^(3n) where -5 <= n <= -1?

Answer 4

m, μ, n, p, f.

Question 5

How does standard form work in Physics?

Answer 5

Doesn’t matter if number is >= to 1 and < 10.

Needs to be a number x 10^k, often k x 10^(3n) or k x prefix.

Question 6

What are the base units?

Answer 6

Second, Ampere, Kelvin, Metre, Kilogram, Mole, Candela.

Question 7

What are the symbols of the base units?

Answer 7

s, A, K, m, kg, mol, cd.

Question 8

What do the base units measure?

Answer 8

Electrical Current, Time, Temperature, Distance, Mass, Amount of Substance, Luminous Intensity.

Question 9

What do equations need to be in respect to units?

Answer 9

Homogenous (equal on both sides).

Question 10

What do you have to consider when assessing the risk of a practical?

Answer 10

Risks or hazards
Sharp objects
Electric shocks
Heat
Heavy object
Dangerous chemicals
Trip hazards
Radiation
Batteries being more than 24V

Question 11

What do you need to do to draw a good graph and record your data well?

Answer 11

Have a table of values where there are columns for independent and dependent variables, and often 3 columns of measurements and a mean column.
Units at top of columns using a slash:
e.g. Column name is Volts / V (1)
Labelled axes with / for units, ignore anomalies when calculating mean, circle anomalies if on graph.
Mean or graph values have same sig figs as piece of data with most sig figs.

Question 12

What are the 2 main types of error?

Answer 12

Systematic - consistently wrong, equipment issue, often 0 error - imprecise.
Random - measurements around correct answer but far off - inaccurate.

Question 13

Accuracy definition

Answer 13

How close the group of results are to the actual value.

Question 14

Precision definition

Answer 14

How closely grouped the results are/how close they are to each other.

Question 15

Error definition

Answer 15

True value - measured value

Question 16

Uncertainty definition

Answer 16

Estimate for range of values actual value could be in

Question 17

Name a frequent error that is not systematic or random.

Answer 17

Parallax - getting a different value due your line of sight to the thing you’re measuring not being at 90 degrees to the scale.

Question 18

What can you do to know what a sensible difference in your measurements should be?
E.g. whether to measure voltage every 0.01A or every 1A.

Answer 18

Take the highest possible reading (or a high one) and the lowest possible (or a low one) and then think of a sensible amount to go up in.

Question 19

How should you test if components work?

Answer 19

Test as few components together as possible so you know any issues can only be to do with a select few components. Then add one by one to components you know are fine.

Question 20

How should you add components to a circuit?

Answer 20

One at a time.

Question 21

What are the rules for uncertainty when adding, subtracting, multiplying or dividing measurements?

Answer 21

If adding or subtracting measurements, add the uncertainties.
If multiplying or dividing measurements, add the percentage uncertainties.

Question 22

How should you hold a micrometre?

Answer 22

By holding it with your little and ring fingers round the c, and turning the turning part with your thumb and index finger to tighten.

Question 23

How should you read it?

Answer 23

1mm x value of line furthest to right of left measuring section that is fully visible + 0.01mm x value of line on right measuring section that’s in line with the horizontal line on the left section.

Question 24

Name the two parts of the micrometre that hold the thing being measured in place, in order of the one that stays still and then the one that doesn’t.

Answer 24

Anvil and Spindle.

Question 25

Name the two parts of the micrometre used for measuring from left to right.

Answer 25

Barrel and Thimble.