Physics Experimental Design and Kinematics Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering experimental variables, measurement properties, precision, accuracy, and foundational 1D kinematics concepts from the physics lecture notes.

Independent Variable

The variable in a cause-effect relationship that the experimenter controls, decides the values for, and plots on the x-axis.

Dependent Variable

The variable representing the effect in an experiment that is measured, recorded, and plotted on the y-axis.

Control Variables

Variables that are kept the exact same throughout an experiment to ensure a fair test and trustworthy results.

Hypothesis

A testable statement structured in the format: "If [independent changes] then [dependent changes] because [explanation]."

Exact Numbers

Numbers obtained by counting objects or using defined unit relationships (such as $1\,\text{ft} = 12\,\text{in}$) that carry no measurement error.

Measured Numbers

Numbers obtained by using a measuring tool, which inherently possess a degree of experimental uncertainty or error.

Precision

The degree of certainty or reproducibility indicated on a measuring tool, where measurements are limited to the device's capability ($\pm 1$ estimated digit).

Accuracy

The closeness of a measurement or set of experimental hits to the true value or trendline.

Kinematics

The study of motion without considering its causes.

Fundamental Quantities

Basic physical quantities, such as distance and time, that cannot be defined in terms of other physical quantities and form a foundation for measurements.

Derived Quantity

A physical quantity, such as speed, that is defined and calculated in terms of fundamental quantities (e.g., $\text{Speed} = \frac{\text{distance}}{\text{time}}$).

Distance

A scalar measurement of the total path length traveled; it has magnitude only, no direction, and can only be positive.

Displacement

A directional measurement representing the straight-line change in position from start to end, calculated as $\Delta x = x_f - x_0$ or $\Delta y = y_f - y_0$.

Delta ($\Delta$)

The Greek letter used to denote a change in a physical quantity, such as horizontal displacement ($\Delta x$) or vertical displacement ($\Delta y$).

Trendline

A line drawn on a scatterplot to show the general trend of the data, positioned such that roughly half the points lie above it and half below it.