Review of Metric System, Precision and Accuracy, and Significant Figures

This set of flashcards covers essential terminologies and concepts related to the metric system, precision, accuracy, significant figures, dimensional analysis, and unit conversions, which are critical for understanding measurements in scientific contexts.

Metric System

A system of measurement based on the meter, kilogram, and second, used as a standard in scientific contexts.

SI (System International)

The international standard of measurement used in science, based on the metric system.

Significant Figures

Digits in a number that contribute to its precision, including all non-zero digits, zeros between non-zero digits, and trailing zeros only when there is a decimal.

Precision

The reproducibility of a measurement, indicating how closely multiple measurements agree.

Accuracy

How close a measured value is to the true or accepted value.

Dimensional Analysis

A method for converting units in calculations using conversion factors.

Conversion Factor

A ratio that expresses how many of one unit are equivalent to another unit, used to convert from one unit to another.

Temperature Scales

Different scales for measuring temperature, including Celsius, Fahrenheit, and Kelvin.

Kilogram

The SI unit of mass, equivalent to 1,000 grams.

Mole

The amount of substance that contains as many elementary entities as there are atoms in 12 g of carbon-12, equal to approximately 6.02 x 10²³ entities.

Density

The ratio of mass to volume, typically expressed in g/cm³ or g/mL.

Rounding

The process of adjusting a number to a specific degree of precision, adhering to significant figure rules.

Significant Figures Rules for Addition and Subtraction

In addition and subtraction, the answer has the same number of decimal places as the quantity with the fewest decimal places.

Significant Figures Rules for Multiplication and Division

In multiplication and division, the answer has the same number of significant figures as the factor with the fewest significant figures.

Uncertainty in Measurements

The doubt that exists about the result of any measurement, due to limitations of instruments and methods used.

Counting Numbers

Numbers that have an unlimited number of significant figures, as they can be counted exactly.

Prefix Multipliers

Terms used in the metric system that change the base unit's value by a factor of ten (e.g., mega-, kilo-, centi-, milli-).