Physics General Review

Question 1

what are the two types of data?
what are their definitions?

Answer 1

• qualitative - made from observations made throughout the experiment, can include non-numerical data, eg. colour change of an acid-based indicator
• quantitative - numerical data, measurements taken during the experiment, eg. temperature, volume, pH

Question 2

on a vernier caliper, what is the first digit determined by?

Answer 2

the range of big numbers that the vernier scale starts in (where 0 starts)

Question 3

on a vernier caliper, what is the second digit determined by?

Answer 3

by how far from the big number the first value (0) on the vernier scale is

Question 4

on a vernier caliper, what is the third digit determined by?

Answer 4

by how far the first value on the vernier scale that alligns with the main scale is from the first value on the vernier scale (0)

Question 5

what is the deifinition of precision?

Answer 5

how detailed and consistent your measurements are

Question 6

what is the definition of accuracy?

Answer 6

how close your measurements are to the ‘actual’ value - the literature value

Question 7

what is a scalar quantity?

Answer 7

a quantity that has only magnitude

Question 8

what is a vector?

Answer 8

a quantity that has both direction and magnitude

Question 9

what does Hooke’s Law state?

Answer 9

that as you apply a force, it should be directly proportional to the stretch of compression of a material

Question 10

what is a wave?

Answer 10

a repeating disturbance that travels through matter or space transferring only energy - not matter

Question 11

what is wavelength (gimel)?

Answer 11

wavelength is the distance from one point on a wave to the corresponding point on the next wave

Question 12

what is amplitude?

Answer 12

the height measured from the middle to the top of the wave, or from the middle to the bottom of the wave

Question 13

what is the frequency (F)?

Answer 13

the frequency is the number of waves that pass a point per second - measured in Hertz (Hz)

Question 14

what is a period?

Answer 14

the time it takes for one full wave to pass a point

Question 15

what is:
- a transverse wave
- the properties of a transverse wave
- an example of something that uses transverse waves

Answer 15

• a wave with crests and troughs
• points on a wave vibrate perpendicular to the direction that the energy is being transferred
• light

Question 16

what is:
- a longitudinal wave
- the properties of a longitudinal wave
- an example of something that uses longitudinal waves

Answer 16

• consists of compressions and rarefractions
• points along the wave vibrate in the same direction as the energy transfer
• sound