Modules 1 & 2: Practical Skills & Foundations of Physics

absolute uncertainties

the interval that a value is said to lie within, with a given level of confidence

accuracy

a measure of how close a measurement is to the true value

analogue apparatus

measuring apparatus such as rulers, beakers and thermometers that rely on the experimenter reading off a scale to determine the measurement

anomalies

data points that don't fit the pattern of the data; you should determine why an anomalous result has occurred before removing it, repeat readings help remove anomalies

control variables

variables that must remain the same throughout an experiment so as to not affect the results

dependent variables

the variable being measured in an experiment; it is dependent on the independent variable; the dependent variable should be plotted on the y-axis of a graph

digital apparatus

measuring apparatus such as ammeters, voltmeters and digital calipers that digitally measure and display a measurement

fiducial marker

a thin marker, such as a splint, that is used to ensure readings are taken from the same place each time; they are used to improve the accuracy of measurements

gradient

the change in the y-axis value over the change in the x-axis value between two points; if the graph is curved, a tangent can be drawn to calculate the gradient at a specific point

independent variables

the variable that is changed by the experimenter in an experiment; the independent variable should be plotted on the x-axis of a graph

line of best fit

a line drawn on a graph to demonstrate the pattern in the plotted data points

percentage uncertainties

the uncertainty of a measurement, expressed as a percentage of the recorded value