BIO102/103 Laboratory – Scientific Measurements

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to scientific measurements in the metric system, significant figures, conversions, and more.

Metric System

A system of measurement that includes units such as meter, gram, and liter, based on multiples of ten.

SI

Abbreviation for Système International, the international system of units used in science.

Base Unit

A fundamental unit of measurement in the metric system, such as meter (m), gram (g), and liter (L).

Significant Figures

The digits in a measurement that carry meaning contributing to its precision, including all non-zero digits, any zeros between significant digits, and trailing zeros in the decimal portion.

Conversion

The process of changing a measurement from one unit to another, often involving multiplication or division by factors of ten in the metric system.

Volume Displacement

A method used to determine the volume of an irregular object by measuring the change in volume of a liquid when the object is submerged.

Precision

The degree to which repeated measurements produce the same result, regardless of whether the result is accurate.

Accuracy

The degree to which a measurement reflects the true value of the quantity being measured.

Scientific Notation

A way to express very large or very small numbers using a coefficient between 1 and 10 multiplied by a power of ten.

Density

The mass of a substance divided by its volume, often expressed in grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm³) or kilograms per liter (kg/L).