Use LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to navigate between flashcards;
Use UP and DOWN arrow keys to flip the card;
H to show hint;
A reads text to speech;
74 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
accuracy.
|
The closeness of a measurement to the actual value.
|
|
accurate.
|
low systematic error.
|
|
base (fundamental) unit.
|
A unit that defines the standard for one of the seven physical quantities in the International System of Units (SI).
|
|
calibration.
|
The process of correcting for systematic error of a measuring device by comparing it to a known standard.
|
|
Celsius scale.
|
(formerly centigrade scale) A temperature scale in which the freezing and boiling points of water are defined as 0°C and 100°C, respectively.
|
|
chemical change (also chemical reaction).
|
A change in which a substance is converted into a substance with different composition and properties.
|
|
chemical property.
|
A characteristic of a substance that appears as it interacts with, or transforms into, other substances. e.g.; combustion.
|
|
classification process.
|
Matter can be classified in a decision tree that starts by deciding if we have a pure substance (compounds and elements) or a mixture (heterogeneous or homogeneous).
|
|
controlled experiment.
|
An experiment that measures the effect of one variable at a time by keeping other variables constant.
|
|
composition.
|
The types and amounts of simpler substances that make up a sample of matter.
|
|
compound.
|
A substance composed of two or more elements that are chemically combined in fixed proportions. >= 2 atom types (CHO=Glucose).
|
|
conversion factor.
|
A ratio of equivalent quantities that is equal to 1 and used to convert the units of a quantity.
|
|
cubic meter (m^3).
|
The SI derived unit of volume.
|
|
data.
|
Pieces of quantitative information obtained by observation.
|
|
density (d).
|
An intensive physical property of a substance at a given temperature and pressure, defined as the ratio of the mass to the volume: d = m/V.
|
|
dimensional analysis.
|
(also factor-label method) A calculation method in which arithmetic steps are accompanied by the appropriate canceling of units.
|
|
digit term.
|
1.30 in 1.30 x 10^3.
|
|
derived unit.
|
Any of various combinations of the seven SI base units.
|
|
distributions of values.
|
can be described by a mean (average) and standard deviation.
|
|
element.
|
The simplest type of substance with unique physical and chemical properties. An element consists of only one kind of atom, so it cannot be broken down into simpler substances.
|
|
energy.
|
The capacity to do work, that is. to move matter. [See also kinetic energy (Ek) and potential energy (Ep).].
|
|
errors.
|
Can be random or systematic.
|
|
exact number (exact values).
|
A quantity, usually obtained by counting or based on a unit definition, that has no uncertainty associated with it and; therefore, contains as many significant figures as a calculation requires.
|
|
experiment.
|
A clear set of procedural steps that tests a hypothesis.
|
|
exponent term.
|
10^3 in 1.30 x 10^3.
|
|
extensive property.
|
A property, such as mass, that depends on the quantity of substance present.
|
|
gas.
|
One of the three states of matter. A gas fills its container regardless of the shape. Fills volume of container; particles are far apart and disorganized.
|
|
heat (a).
|
The energy transferred between objects because of differences in their temperatures only; thermal energy.
|
|
heterogeneous mixture.
|
A mixture that has one or more visible boundaries among its components.
|
|
homogeneous mixture (also solution).
|
A mixture that has no visible boundaries among its components.; has a uniform composition because the components (elements and/or compounds) are mixed as individual atoms, ions or molecules (compounds distributed at random).
|
|
hypothesis.
|
A testable proposal made to explain an observation. If inconsistent with experimental results, a hypothesis is revised or discarded.
|
|
Intensive property.
|
A property, such as temperature and density, that does not depend on the quantity of substance present.
|
|
kelvin (absolute) scale.
|
The preferred temperature scale in scientific work, which has absolute zero (0 K, or -273.15°C) as the lowest temperature. See also kelvin (K).
|
|
kelvin (K).
|
The SI base unit of temperature. The kelvin is the same size as the Celsius degree.
|
|
kilogram (kg).
|
The SI base unit of mass.
|
|
kinetic energy (Ek).
|
The energy an object has because of its motion.
|
|
liquid.
|
One of the three states of matter. A liquid fills a container to the extent of its own volume and thus forms a surface (macroscopic properties); particles are close together, but less organized than a solid, but more ogranized than a gas (microscopic properties)
|
|
liter (L).
|
A non-Si unit of volume equivalent to 1 cubic decimeter (0.001 cubic meters).
|
|
macroscopic properties.
|
properties which are visible to naked eye, or smell or touch or taste.
|
|
matter.
|
Anything that possesses mass and occupies volume.
|
|
mass (kg).
|
The quantity of matter an object contains. Balances are designed to measure mass.
|
|
measurements.
|
have some uncertainty.
|
|
meter (m).
|
The SI base unit of length. The distance light travels in a vacuum in 1/299,792,458 second.
|
|
microscopic properties.
|
properties which require a the use of a microscope to see.
|
|
milliliter (mL).
|
A volume (0.001 L) equivalent to 1 cubic centimeter.
|
|
mixture.
|
A group of two or more elements and/or compounds that are physically intermingled.
|
|
mixtures .
|
can be separated into their components by physical means.
|
|
model (theory).
|
A simplified conceptual picture based on experiment that explains how an aspect of nature occurs.
|
|
natural law.
|
(also law) A summary, form, of a universal observation.
|
|
observation.
|
A fact obtained with the senses, often with the aid of instruments. Quantitative observations provide data that can be compared objectively.
|
|
significant figures (number of digits in a number).
|
The digits obtained in a measurement. The greater the number of significant figures, the greater the certainty of the measurement. 1. Zeroes preceding the first nonzero digit are not significant (place-holding function only) 2. Zeroes beyond the decimal point at the end of the number are significant (indicate additional precision).
|
|
physical change.
|
A change in which the physical form (or state) of a substance, but not its composition, is altered. e.g.; melting point, boiling pt (requires energy)
|
|
physical property (or characteristics).
|
A characteristic shown by a substance itself, without interacting with or changing into other substances. e.g.; color, odor, conductivity, density. Does not depend on size.
|
|
potential energy.
|
(Ep) The energy an object has as a result of its position relative to other objects or because of its composition.
|
|
precision (also reproducibility).
|
The closeness of a measurement to other measurements of the same phenomenon in a series of experiments. Refers to how close one measurement is to another. Higher precision = Lower # of random errors.
|
|
property.
|
A characteristic that gives a substance its unique identity.
|
|
random error.
|
Human error that occurs in all measurements and results in values both higher and lower than the actual value.
|
|
round off.
|
The process of removing digits based on a series of rules to obtain an answer with the proper number of significant figures (or decimal places).
|
|
scientific knowledge.
|
1. Testable, 2. Reproducible, 3. Explanatory, 4. Predictive, 5. Tentative.
|
|
scientific method.
|
A process of creative thinking and testing aimed at objective, verifiable discoveries of the causes of natural events. 1. Observation, 2. Hypothesis, 3. Experiment, 4. Model Development, 5. Further Experiment.
|
|
scientific thinking.
|
involves making observations and gathering data to develop hypotheses. Controlled experiments then test hypotheses until enough results are obtained to create a model (theory) that explains the observed phenomena. A sound theory can predict events but must be changed if new experimental results conflict with it. The Scientific Method involves five steps in specific order.
|
|
seconds (s).
|
The SI base unit of time.
|
|
SI units.
|
A unit composed of one or more of the base units of the Systeme International d'Unites, a revised metric system.
|
|
significant figures (number of digits in a number).
|
The digits obtained in a measurement. The greater the number of significant figures, the greater the certainty of the measurement. 1. Zeroes preceding the first nonzero digit are not significant (place-holding function only) 2. Zeroes beyond the decimal point at the end of the number are significant (indicate additional precision).
|
|
solid.
|
One of the three states of matter. A solid has a fixed shape that does not conform to the container shape. fixed shape = macroscopic property (can see with eyes); particles are close together and organized = microscopic properties.
|
|
state of matter.
|
One of the three physical forms of matter: solid, liquid, or gas.
|
|
substance.
|
A type of matter, either an element or a compound, that has a fixed composition. I.e.; cannot be separated by physical means.
|
|
systematic error.
|
A type of error producing values that are all either higher or lower than the actual value, often caused by faulty equipment or a consistent fault in technique.
|
|
tempurature (T).
|
A measure of how hot or cold a substance is relative to another substance.
|
|
thermometer.
|
A device for measuring temperature that contains a fluid that expands or contracts within a graduated tube.
|
|
uncertainty.
|
A characteristic of every measurement that results from the inexactness of the measuring device and the necessity of estimating when taking a reading.
|
|
variable.
|
A quantity that can have more than a single value. See also controlled experiment.
|
|
volume (V).
|
The space occupied by a sample of matter.
|
|
weight.
|
weight The force exerted by a gravitational field on an object.
|