Topic 0 - Foundations of Physics (GCSE Edexcel Combined Physics Retrieval Questions)

What is the value of the prefix G (giga)?

10⁹

What is the value of the prefix M (mega)?

10⁶

What is the value of the prefix k (kilo)?

10³

What is the value of the prefix c (centi)?

10⁻²

What is the value of the prefix m (milli)?

10⁻³

What is the value of the prefix μ (micro)?

10⁻⁶

What is the value of the prefix n (nano)?

10⁻⁹

What is a control variable?

The variables that must be kept constant to prevent it affecting the dependent variable.

What is an independent variable?

The variable that is being changed during the experiment

What is a dependent variable?

The variable being tested or measured during the experiment

How do you avoid parallax error?

Ensure eye, object and scale are all in line with each other

What is meant by the term random error?

Errors that cause the measurement to vary in unpredictable ways.

What is a systematic error?

An error that causes the measurements to differ from the true value by a consistent amount.

What is a zero error?

An error that occurs due to the measuring instrument reading a non-zero reading when the measured quantity is zero.

What is meant by the accuracy of a result?

How close a measurement is to the 'true' or accepted value

What is meant by the precision of results?

How close repeated measurements are to each other.

What is meant by the resolution of a measuring instrument?

The smallest change in quantity that can be measured.

What is the resolution of a thermometer?

± 1°C

How do you find the absolute uncertainty from repeated readings?

± ½ the range of the repeats

How do you reduce the effects of random error?

Take at least three readings, remove anomalies and take a mean.

What is used to measure mass?

Top Pan Balance

What is an anomalous result?

A result that does not fit the rest of the data

What should you do with an anomalous result on a graph?

Plot it, but do not draw the line of best fit through it

What should you do with an anomalous result when calculating a mean?

Do not include it

How many significant figures should you round to?

Whatever significant figures the numers in the question have.

How can you reduce timing errors?

Measure a longer period of time or use light gates

What are the causes of timing errors?

Human reaction time

What is meant by reliable results?

If the experiment is repeated, the same results will be obtained

How do you find the gradient of a graph?

Change in y/ change in x

What is a line of best fit?

A straight or curved line that goes roughly through the middle of all the scatter points on a graph.

What does a directly proportional graph look like?

Linear and through (0,0)

What does inversely proportional mean?

When the value of one quantity increases with respect to decrease in other or vice-versa.

What does proportional mean?

When the value of one quantity increases with respect to increase in other or vice-versa.