How to assemble these flashcards

Print single-sided. Cut out the cards, fold and stick so that you have the question
(left-hand-side) on one side and the answer (right-hand-side) on the other.
If you wish to laminate the cards, I recommend you print singled sided. The fold the
page in half vertically, laminate and then you can cut each of the 4 cards up per page.

How to use these flashcards effectively

As you go through the pack, any card you get wrong put in a ‘try again’ pile.
The cards on your ‘try again’ pile need to be revisited frequently. Keep testing yourself on
the cards you forget in one sitting until you can remember.
Shuffle the deck: When you use your cards, shuffle them. Your brain will start to
remember patterns, and know which card comes next. To really test your knowledge,
shuffle your cards every time to prevent this.
Flip your cards: When you shuffle your cards, turn your cards to face different ways. For
example, some will have the keyword first and you have to guess the definition. Other
cards will have the definition first, and you have to guess the keyword.

Learn the theory, key marking points and

essay links using my full set of A-level
A level notes notes!
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 1. Select the most appropriate
apparatus
2. Outline the exact techniques of

Planning a valid how to use the apparatus

3. Identify the independent,
dependent and control variables
method 4. Have a suitable control experiment
to demonstrate that only the
independent variable is causing
any change to the results

An appropriate piece of equipment

used for measuring small volumes
It is more precise and accurate than
a measuring cylinder

Syringe It has a higher resolution and will

therefore result in a lower
percentage uncertainty

To work out uncertainty you must

Uncertainty find the smallest increment of

measurement on your
measurement device and then
divide it by two

When reading the volume from a

measuring cylinder or a syringe,

Interpreting
take the value where the meniscus
is

volumes
The dashed line shows
where the meniscus is.
 How close the agreement is
between several measured values

Precision You can only determine if your

results are precise by repeating the
measurement
Reducing the effect of random
errors improves precision.

How close a reading is to the true

Accuracy
value
A value is considered accurate if it
is close to the true result

Quantitative Numerical
For example, length or time
observations

Qualitative Descriptions
For example, colours
observations
Independent The only value that should be
changed throughout an experiment
variable

Dependent This is the variable that is

measured to determine the result of
variable the experiment

Control Any values that affect the result of

your experiment should be

variable controlled or monitored

A measure of the average

Mean The sum of all the values divided by
the number of values in the data set
 A measure of the average
Median The middle value when the data is
ranked

A measure of the average

Mode The value that occurs most often in
a data set

Standard deviation measures the

Standard spread of data around the mean
value

deviation It is very useful when comparing

consistency between different
data sets

Anomaly An outlier in a set of results

 Observe
Record
Analysing results Process data
Plot suitable graph

This includes calculating the mean,

median or mode

Processing data It can also include calculating the

standard deviation and statistics
From this, the results can be
interpreted

Select the correct data for each axis

Plotting a graph Use an appropriate scale
Lable both axis and include units
Draw an accurate line of best fit
(curved or straight) if appropriate

Evaluating data This involves identifying patterns in

data that do or do not fit suggested
conclusions
 Are there any anomalies?
Does the method have limitations?
Methods of Was the practical technique precise
and accurate?

evaluating data Is there information on percentage

error or uncertainties?
Is there a standard deviation or
statistic?

Review the method and look for

changes to equipment or
Sugesting techniques that could result in
more accurate data. For example:
improvements to More repeats
A control experiment

methods More control variables

Calculating a statistic
Ensuring no bias
More accurate equipment with
greater precision

A test conducted exactly the same

Control experiment as the test experiment, but with the
factor causing the change removed
Used to compare data
Used to prove any changes are due
to the independent variable

Balance /scales (consider the

How is mass precision of the equipment you
need for your experiment)

measured?
 How is time Stop clock/ watch

measured?

Syringe, measuring cylinder, gas

How is volume
syringe

measured?

Thermometer or data logger

How is temperature
measured?

How is length Ruler or tape measure (consider the

scale to ensure a high enough
precision of the equipment for your
measured? experiment)
 Indicator paper, indicator solution,
How is pH data logger/pH metre

measured?

What could harm you?

E.g. acid
What harm could it cause you?
Risk assessment E.g. corrosive to skin and eyes
What actions could be put in place
to prevent/ treat this?
E.g. wear goggles and a lab coat

Sources must be reliable and

Research trustworthy
This is important in planning a
valid experiment that will produce
accurate results

A source that provides a thorough,

well-reasoned theory, argument or

Reliable sources discussion based on strong

evidence
To ensure a source you are using is
reliable, look at the author's
information and publication date
Trustworthy Who wrote the article? Was it a
scientist? Is there any bias? Was it
peer-reviewed? Is it a reputable
sources publisher?

When using information from other

sources, it is important to reference
them and credit them for their work
To do this, cite them by stating

Referencing their surname and publication

date (Estruch 2023) and then
include the full reference in the
reference list
Information must also be in your
own words to prevent plagiarism

Measures light absorbance (how

much light is absorbed) or light
Colorimeter transmission (how much light
passes through) a substance
Colorimetry can be used in any
enzyme-catalysed reaction that
involves colour change

A piece of apparatus designed to

Potometer measure water uptake in a leafy

shoot
This is used as a measure of
transpiration