Measurement, Units, and Dimensional Analysis

Flashcards covering key concepts from the lecture on measurement, units, and dimensional analysis.

Energy

The capacity to do work or transfer heat.

Work

Energy transferred when a force on an object causes displacement.

Heat

Energy used to increase the temperature of an object.

Kinetic Energy

The energy of motion, dependent on mass and velocity.

Potential Energy

Stored energy that depends on an object's position in relation to other objects.

SI Units

Système International d’Unités, the International System of Units for measurements.

Kelvin (K)

The SI unit of temperature, based on gas properties, with no negative values.

Significant Figures

The digits in a measured quantity, including uncertain ones, that indicate precision.

Precision

Measure of how closely individual measurements agree with each other.

Accuracy

How closely individual measurements agree with the correct or true value.

Dimensional Analysis

A method used to change units by applying conversion factors.

Density

A physical property defined as mass per unit volume, typically expressed in g/mL or g/cm³.

Exact Numbers

Quantities that are counted or defined exactly, such as 12 eggs in a dozen.

Inexact Numbers

Measured quantities that depend on measurement device accuracy and human error.

Celsius Scale

Temperature scale based on water properties, with 0°C as freezing and 100°C as boiling point.

Fahrenheit Scale

Temperature scale often used in weather reporting, less common in science.

Conversion Factor

A ratio used to convert from one unit to another, such as 1 inch = 2.54 centimeters.

Mean Temperature

A measure of hotness or coldness indicating direction of heat flow.

Metric System Prefixes

Terms like kilo, mega, and milli that denote powers of ten in the metric system.

Sample Exercise

Practical examples provided to apply learned concepts related to unit conversions.

Common Units of Volume

Volume is measured in liters (L) and milliliters (mL), which are derived from length.