Measurements Flashcards
(8 cards)
What is Measurement?
The difference between an observation (either directly measured or calculated from measurements) and the true value
Measurement is essential in understanding the accuracy and precision of data.
Define Systematic Error.
A kind of error that occurs according to some fixed rule or pattern such that they yield a consistent over-estimation or under-estimation of the true value of the measured quantity
Systematic errors can often be identified and corrected.
What is Random Error?
A kind of error that occurs without a fixed pattern such that a set of measurements done under the same conditions have an equally likely chance of being greater or less than the true value
Random errors are usually unavoidable and can affect the reliability of measurements.
What does Accuracy refer to?
How closely a measured value agrees with the true value
Accuracy is crucial for ensuring that data reflects the true situation.
Define Precision.
How closely individual measurements agree with each other without any reference to any true value
Precision is important in determining the consistency of measurements.
What is Uncertainty in measurements?
Estimate of systematic error and/or random errors inherent in the measurement or calculation
Uncertainty indicates the level of confidence in the measurement.
What is a Scalar Quantity?
A quantity that has magnitude only
Examples include temperature, mass, and speed.
Define Vector Quantity.
A quantity that has both magnitude and direction
Examples include velocity, force, and displacement.
