Module 1 : working as a physicist Flashcards Preview

A Level Physics Edexcel > Module 1 : working as a physicist > Flashcards

Flashcards in Module 1 : working as a physicist Deck (10)
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1
Q

What is accuracy?

A

How close a measurement is to its true value, influenced by the systematic and random errors of that measurement.

2
Q

What is precision?

A

How close a set of repeated measurements are to one another but not the true value, influenced by the random errors of those measurements.

3
Q

What are base units?

A

The set of seven basic measures from which all other SI units can be derived.

4
Q

What is estimation?

A

Making a reasonable approximation of a value in order to check a calculation or make a quick comparison to another value.

5
Q

What is random error?

A

The unpredictable variation in a measurement. These can be reduced by taking many repeated measurements and calculating their mean.

6
Q

What is repeatability?

A

An experiment is said to be repeatable if the same person with the same equipment obtains the same result when doing the same experiment a number of times, over a short time period.

7
Q

What is reproducibility?

A

An experiment is said to be reproducible if different people with different equipment, measuring the same quantity, get a similar result.

8
Q

What is resolution?

A

The smallest interval that a given measuring device can measure.

9
Q

What is systematic error?

A

A consistent shift in readings causing a deviation from the true value. This shift is due to the equipment or method being used and cannot be reduced by repeated measurements.

10
Q

What is uncertainty?

A

The range of values that could reasonably contain the true value of a measurement, based on the confidence an experimenter has about their result.