Measurement and Error Analysis

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and definitions related to measurement and error analysis, providing students with essential concepts for their exam preparation.

SI Units

Standard units of measurements used in scientific contexts.

Mass

The measure of the amount of matter in an object, typically measured in kilograms (kg).

Length

The measurement of distance, typically measured in meters (m).

Volume

The amount of space occupied by a substance, typically measured in liters (L).

Temperature

A measure of thermal energy, measured in Kelvin (K).

Energy

The capacity to do work; measured in joules (J).

Dimensional Analysis

A technique for converting between units using conversion factors.

Conversion Factor

A numerical factor used to multiply or divide quantities when converting from one unit to another.

Significant Figures

Digits in a measurement that are known with certainty plus one final digit that is uncertain.

Absolute Error

The magnitude of the error in a measurement, expressed as a confidence interval.

Relative Error

The ratio of the absolute error to the measured value, often expressed as a percentage.

Density

The mass of an object divided by its volume, often expressed in g/mL or kg/m³.

Percentage Concentration

Expresses the amount of solute in a solution as a percentage of the total solution.

Error Analysis

The assessment of errors in measurement and how they affect experimental results.

Accuracy

How close a measured value is to the true value.

Precision

How consistently a series of measurements yield the same result.

Proportional Relationship

A relationship where a change in one quantity leads to a change in another quantity in a consistent ratio.

Conversion Examples

Specific instances illustrating how to convert units from one system to another, such as miles to kilometers.

Mass to Volume Ratio

A method of expressing concentration that indicates the mass of solute per unit volume of solution.

Dimensional Equations

Equations that express the relationship between different physical quantities in terms of their dimensions.

Volume Displacement

The method of measuring volume by the amount of liquid displaced when an object is submerged.