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Definitions

This document defines key terms used in A-level Physics practical skills including: accuracy, absolute uncertainty, calibration, control variable, dependent variable, fair test, gradient, independent variable, micrometer screw gauge, percentage uncertainty, precision, random error, range of an instrument, resolution, sensitivity, SI units, significant figures, systematic error, uncertainty, variable, and vernier calipers. It provides brief descriptions of each term and concepts related to measurement and scientific experiments.

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21 views2 pages

Definitions

This document defines key terms used in A-level Physics practical skills including: accuracy, absolute uncertainty, calibration, control variable, dependent variable, fair test, gradient, independent variable, micrometer screw gauge, percentage uncertainty, precision, random error, range of an instrument, resolution, sensitivity, SI units, significant figures, systematic error, uncertainty, variable, and vernier calipers. It provides brief descriptions of each term and concepts related to measurement and scientific experiments.

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brokenfilament60
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Definitions and Concepts for Edexcel (IAL) Physics A-level

Unit 6: Practical Skills in Physics II

Accuracy: ​A measure of how close a measurement is to the true value.

Absolute Uncertainty: ​Uncertainty given as a fixed quantity e.g. 7 ±0.6 V.

Calibration: ​Comparing the reading of one instrument with another of known accuracy.
Making sure that a scale reads zero before measurements are made is also an example of
calibration.

Control Variable:​ ​Any factor that is held constant (or controlled) in a scientific experiment.

Dependent Variable:​ ​The variable that is being measured or tested in an experiment.

Fair Test: ​One in which only the independent variable has been allowed to affect the
dependent variable.

Gradient: ​The change in the y-axis value over the change in the x-axis value between two
points. If the graph is curved, a tangent can be drawn to calculate the gradient at a specific
point.

Independent Variable:​ The variable that is altered in a scientific experiment in order to affect
the dependent variable.

Micrometer Screw Gauge: ​A tool used for very accurate measurements of distance. They
have a resolution of 0.01mm, and a range of 25mm.

Percentage Uncertainty: ​Uncertainty as a percentage of the measurement e.g. 7 ±8.6% V.

Precision:​ A measure of how close a measurement is to the mean value. It only gives an
indication of the magnitude of random errors, not how close data is to the true value.

Random Error: ​The unpredictable variation in a measurement. These can be reduced by


taking many repeated measurements and calculating their mean.

Range of an Instrument: ​The range of values that a tool can measure with its specified
resolution.

Resolution: ​The smallest change in a quantity that causes a visible change in the reading
that a measuring instrument records.

Sensitivity:​ The smallest change of input that can be detected by an instrument.


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SI Units: ​The standard units used in equations. They are: metres, kilograms, seconds, amps,
Kelvin and moles.

Significant Figures: ​A measure of a measurement’s resolution. All numbers except zero are
counted as a significant figure. When zeros are found immediately after a decimal place, they
too are counted.

Systematic Error: ​Causes all readings to differ from the true value by a fixed amount.
Systematic error cannot be corrected by repeat readings, instead a different technique or
apparatus should be used.

Uncertainty: ​The bounds in which the accurate value can be expected to lie e.g. for 20°C ±
2°C, the true value could be within 18-22°C.

Variable: ​Any factors that can change or be changed.

Vernier Calipers: ​A tool used for accurate measurements of distance. They have a
resolution of 0.1mm, and a range of 300mm.

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