Scientific Method, Measurements, and Harmonic Motion Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards generated from the lecture notes covering the scientific method, base and derived SI quantities, measurement requirements, pendulum harmonic motion, and scientific report structure.

Scientific Method

A set of steps used to investigate a problem and find a solution or conclusion.

Observation and Asking a Question

The stage of the scientific method where one looks for information about a problem or similar problems to define what to investigate.

Formulating Hypotheses

The process of proposing ideas based on evidence about factors involved in a problem and predicting expected results.

Testing and Experimenting

Designing and conducting an experiment to examine factors one by one and take measurements to test hypotheses.

Results and Conclusions

Organizing taken measurements into tables and graphs to clearly explain results and draw conclusions.

Scientific Communication and Formulation of Laws or Theories

Providing an overview of a problem to predict outcomes in similar cases without repeating the whole process.

Quantitative Properties

Properties of an object or phenomenon that can be measured, also called quantities.

Qualitative Properties

Properties of an object or phenomenon that cannot be measured, such as beauty or flavour.

Measuring

Comparing a physical property with a defined standard of measurement for that specific property.

Unit of Measurement

A standard defined to measure a property, which must be stable, universal, and easy to understand.

Base Quantities

The seven physical quantities agreed upon by convention: length, mass, time, temperature, electric current, luminous intensity, and amount of substance.

Derived Quantities

Physical quantities defined by mathematical operations between base quantities.

Length

A base quantity with symbol $l$, measured in the SI unit metre ($m$).

Mass

A base quantity with symbol $m$, measured in the SI unit kilogram ($kg$).

Time

A base quantity with symbol $t$, measured in the SI unit second ($s$).

Temperature

A base quantity with symbol $T$, measured in the SI unit Kelvin ($K$), with a minimum possible temperature of $-273\text{ degrees}$.

Electric Current

A base quantity with symbol $I$, measured in the SI unit ampere ($A$).

Luminous Intensity

A base quantity with symbol $I$, measured in the SI unit candela ($cd$).

Amount of Substance

A base quantity with symbol $n$, measured in the SI unit mole ($mol$).

Volume

A derived quantity with symbol $V$, defined by multiplying length by length by length, measured in cubic metres ($m^3$).

Density

A derived quantity with symbol $d$, measured in kilograms per cubic metre ($kg/m^3$).

Speed

A derived quantity with symbol $v$, defined by length divided by time, measured in meters per second ($m/s$).

Force

A derived quantity with symbol $F$, measured in the SI unit newton ($N$).

Pressure

A derived quantity with symbol $P$, measured in the SI unit pascal ($Pa$).

Energy or Work

A derived quantity with symbol $E$, measured in the SI unit joule ($J$).

Harmonic Motion

The motion initiated when a pendulum mass is moved away from the vertical axis and released.

Period of Oscillation

The time it takes the pendulum to swing from its starting point to the other side and back again.

Scientific Report Cover Page

The introductory section of a scientific report containing student name, academic year, class, and a title usually $4\text{ to }12\text{ words}$ in length.