Physics Lecture Notes Review

Flashcards for Physics Exam Preparation

The SI base unit for mass is ****.

This unit is the standard measure of an object's resistance to acceleration when a force is applied. It is defined by the mass of the International Prototype, a platinum-iridium cylinder.

The SI base unit for length is ****.

This unit measures distance. It is the length of the path travelled by light in a vacuum during a time interval of 1/299,792,458 of a second.

The SI base unit for time is ****.

This unit is a measure of duration. It is defined by taking the fixed numerical value of the cesium frequency \Delta\nu_{Cs}, the unperturbed ground-state hyperfine transition frequency of the cesium-133 atom, to be 9,192,631,770 when expressed in the unit Hz, which is equal to s$$^{-1}$.

The SI base unit for electric current is ****.

This unit measures the rate of flow of electric charge. It is defined by taking the fixed numerical value of the elementary charge e to be 1.602176634 × 10^{-19} when expressed in the unit C, which is equal to A⋅s.

The SI base unit for thermodynamic temperature is ****.

This unit measures the average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance. It is defined by taking the fixed numerical value of the Boltzmann constant k to be 1.380649 × 10^{-23} when expressed in the unit J⋅K^{-1}, which is equal to kg⋅m^2⋅s^{-2}⋅K$$^{-1}$.

The SI base unit for amount of substance is ****.

This unit is used to measure the quantity of a specific type of particle or entity. It contains exactly 6.02214076 × 10^{23} elementary entities, a number is the fixed numerical value of the Avogadro constant, N_A, when expressed in mol$$^{-1}$.

** errors limit precision, while errors limit accuracy.

The first type of errors are statistical fluctuations in measured data due to the precision limitations of the measurement device. The second type are reproducible inaccuracies that are consistently in the same direction.

** quantities have magnitude only, while quantities have both magnitude and direction.

The first type of quantities are fully specified by a numerical value with appropriate units alone. The second type of quantities require both a numerical value with units and a direction to be fully specified.

Prefix meaning 10^-12 is ****.

This prefix (symbol: p) represents 10^{-12}. For example, 1 picometer (pm) = 10^{-12} meters.

Prefix meaning 10^-9 is ****.

This prefix (symbol: n) represents 10^{-9}. For example, 1 nanometer (nm) = 10^{-9} meters.

Prefix meaning 10^-6 is ****.

This prefix (symbol: μ) represents 10^{-6}. For example, 1 micrometer (μm) = 10^{-6} meters.

Prefix meaning 10^-3 is ****.

This prefix (symbol: m) represents 10^{-3}. For example, 1 millimeter (mm) = 10^{-3} meters.

Prefix meaning 10^-2 is ****.

This prefix (symbol: c) represents 10^{-2}. For example, 1 centimeter (cm) = 10^{-2} meters.

Prefix meaning 10^-1 is ****.

This prefix (symbol: d) represents 10^{-1}. For example, 1 decimeter (dm) = 10^{-1} meters.

Prefix meaning 10^3 is ****.

This prefix (symbol: k) represents 10^{3}. For example, 1 kilometer (km) = 1000 meters.

Prefix meaning 10^6 is ****.

This prefix (symbol: M) represents 10^{6}. For example, 1 megameter (Mm) = 1,000,000 meters.

Prefix meaning 10^9 is ****.

This prefix (symbol: G) represents 10^{9}. For example, 1 gigameter (Gm) = 1,000,000,000 meters.

Prefix meaning 10^12 is .

This prefix

What do errors in repeatability and reproducibility indicate?

This type of error affects the reproducibility of measurements. Repeatability assesses variation when measurements are taken by the same person or instrument. Reproducibility assesses variation when different instruments or people measure the same item.

What does high agreement between a measurement and a true value indicate?

This indicates closeness to a true value. High agreement means the measurement is very close to the accepted true value.

What are some common sources of uncertainty in measurement?

These are limitations in measurement from factors like environmental conditions, equipment, and observational estimation. Identifying and minimizing these improve measurement reliability.

Why is it important to understand error analysis?

This involves understanding limitations and potential errors in measurement processes, aiding informed decisions about the reliability of measured data.

What does a small spread of data points in multiple measurements indicate?

This indicates closely clustered data points. A small spread suggests the measurements are precise and consistent.

What does proper usage of measurement instrument include?

This involves setting up and using instruments correctly for accurate measurements, including calibration, zeroing, and proper handling.

What is error analysis?

This is a systematic approach to quantifying the possible errors and uncertainties in a measurement. By analyzing the sources and magnitudes of these errors, one can estimate the overall uncertainty in the measurement result.

What is the importance of understanding the limitations of instruments?

Crucial for accurate measurement. Recognizing limitations enables informed decisions, reducing errors and enhancing result reliability.

How do environmental factors affect measurements?

Temperature, humidity, and pressure can alter readings. Controlling or accounting for these ensures accurate data.

What is the role of calibration in measurement?

Essential for ensuring accuracy. Calibration corrects systematic errors, aligning instrument readings with known standards.

What does zeroing a measurement instrument achieve?

It minimizes systematic errors. Zeroing sets the instrument to a zero value when no input is present, improving accuracy.

How does observational estimation introduce uncertainty?

Subjective judgements can lead to variability. Minimizing subjective assessments improves measurement consistency.

What is the significance of significant figures?

They indicate result precision. Using appropriate significant figures reflects measurement reliability.

What are the benefits of multiple measurements?

Enhances accuracy. Averaging multiple readings minimizes random errors, improving result reliability.

What is the importance of unit consistency?

Essential for accurate calculations. Using consistent units prevents errors in measurement equations.

How does document measurement procedures aid?

It ensures traceability and repeatability. Detailed documentation allows others to replicate measurements accurately.

Why is data validation important?

It checks for errors and inconsistencies. Validating data ensures reliability, improving decision-making confidence.

How do you describe the direction of a vector?

The direction of a vector is quantified by the angle it makes with a predetermined reference frame, indicating its orientation.

What are the accepted methods for vector addition?

Vectors can be added graphically, by aligning them head-to-tail, or analytically, by summing their corresponding components.

What characterizes the magnitude of a vector?

The magnitude of a vector is its length, a scalar value that is always non-negative, representing size or intensity.

How does scalar multiplication affect a vector?

Multiplying a vector by a scalar changes its magnitude;