General Physics - Making Measurements

These flashcards cover key concepts from the lecture on making measurements in general physics, including important definitions, units of measurement, methods, and distinctions.

What are the base units of length, mass, and time in the SI system?

Length is measured in meters (m), mass in kilograms (kg), and time in seconds (s).

What is the power of ten for the prefix 'Kilo'?

Kilo corresponds to a power of ten of $10^3$.

What type of error occurs when your eyes are not directly over the mark on a ruler?

Parallax error occurs when your eyes are not directly over the mark.

How do you find the volume of an irregularly shaped solid using a measuring cylinder?

By using the displacement method; lower the object into the liquid and measure the liquid level rise.

What is the formula for calculating density?

Density is calculated using the formula ext{Density} = rac{ ext{mass} \, (m)}{ ext{volume} \, (v)} .

What should you look for when taking a volume measurement of a liquid?

Read at the bottom of the meniscus and ensure the line of sight is perpendicular to the scale to avoid errors.

What distinguishes weight from mass?

Weight is the gravitational force on an object, measured in Newtons, and varies with gravity; mass is measured in kilograms and is constant.

How can one measure time accurately for a pendulum?

By recording the period of a large number of oscillations and then dividing that time by the number of oscillations.

What is the significance of 1 g/cm³ in terms of kg/m³?

1 g/cm³ is equivalent to 1000 kg/m³.

What happens to an object’s buoyancy based on density?

An object sinks in a liquid of lower density and floats in a liquid of higher density.