Scientific Measurement, Methods, and Conversions

Vocabulary flashcards covering unit conversions, steps of the scientific method, experimental variables, data types, precision and accuracy, and significant figures.

Distance Calculation ($65\,\text{miles per hour}$ for $2.5\,\text{hours}$)

The total distance traveled by a car moving at $65\,\text{miles per hour}$ for $2.5\,\text{hours}$, which equals $260\,km$.

Water Pump Volume Calculation

The total volume of water moved by a pump operating at $2.50\,\text{gal/minute}$ over $8\,\text{hours}$, which equals $4.54 \times 10^3\,L$.

Cylinder Volume Measurement

The measured volume of the cylinder placed in the graduated cylinder apparatus, which equals $10.0\,mL$.

Independent Variable (Melting Experiment)

The factor manipulated in the experiment, which is the mass of salt ($0\,g$, $5\,g$, $10\,g$, and $15\,g$).

Dependent Variable (Melting Experiment)

The factor measured as the outcome in the experiment, which is the time required for each ice cube to completely melt.

Experimental Controls (Melting Experiment)

The explicitly specified parameters kept constant: volume of water ($100.0\,mL$), size of ice cubes, room temperature ($22.0\,^\circ\text{C}$), and time since experiment started.

Steps of the Scientific Method

The ordered sequence of steps in scientific inquiry: Observation, Question, Hypothesis, Experiment, Analysis, and Conclusion.

Time Conversion ($12.4\,\text{years}$)

The conversion of $12.4\,\text{years}$ into minutes, resulting in $6520000\,\text{minutes}$.

Quantitative Data

Data represented by numerical measurements, such as Mass ($g$), Volume ($mL$), and Temperature ($^\circ\text{C}$).

Qualitative Data

Data represented by descriptive traits or observational characteristics, such as color, hot/cold, smells like, looks like, and tastes like.

Precision vs. Accuracy (Mass Trial Example)

A situation where trial mass values ($8.21\,g$, $8.19\,g$, $8.20\,g$, $8.22\,g$, $8.18\,g$) are close to each other but far from the accepted value ($10.00\,g$), making the results precise but not accurate.

Significant Figures in $0.00450\,g$

The count of significant digits contained in the measurement $0.00450\,g$, which is $3$.

Significant Figures in $100.20\,mL$

The count of significant digits contained in the measurement $100.20\,mL$, which is $5$.