Practical key words 2

Scientific key words

Range:
The maximum and minimum values of the independent or
dependent variables in a set of results.

Distance Oxygen gas The range of the

from the bubbles counted in
lamp (cm) 30 seconds independent variable is
from 5 to 20cm.
5 1
10 5 It would also be acceptable to
say that the range of the
15 11 independent variable was
20 15 15cm. This is calculated by
subtracting the lowest value
from the highest value.
20 - 5 = 15cm
 Practical key words 2

Scientific key words

Uncertainty
Whenever a measurement is made, there will always be a
level of uncertainty or doubt about the result.
Uncertainty is the interval within which we expect the
true value to lie, within a given level of confidence or
probability.
Trial Length of a wire A student measured the length of a piece of wire three
(mm) times.
1 10 The symbol ± is called ‘plus or minus’.

2 12
The interval within which the true value
3 14
of the length of the wire is expected to lie
is 12 ± 2 mm.
 Practical key words 2

Scientific key words

Resolution:
The resolution is the smallest change in the quantity being
measured by a measuring instrument which can be accurately
recorded.
The resolution of this
thermometer is:
1°C
 Practical key words 2

Scientific key words

Zero error:
A zero error happens when a piece of measuring equipment gives a
reading when nothing is being measured.

The measuring equipment needs to be set back to zero.

There is usually a button on a digital balance called a TARE to do
this.

TARE
 Practical key words 2

Scientific key words

Systematic error:
Readings differ from the true value by a consistent amount each
time a measurement is made.

Sources of systematic errors can include the environment, method

of observation or instruments used.
Repeat readings will not help improve the accuracy.

A motorist noticed that the speedometer reading in the car was

consistently 3mph faster than the figure shown on the sat nav.
The speedometer has a systematic error. It actually measures
rotations of the wheels, driveshaft or axle rather than speed.
This is often the case with car speedometers because they are
calibrated in the factory . Once the tyres or wheels change the
accuracy changes. It only takes a few mm to make a difference.
 Practical key words 2
Scientific key words
Random error:
A random error causes readings to be spread around the true value
in an unpredictable way from one reading to the next.
Random errors are possible when any measurement is made and
cannot be corrected.

The effect of random errors can be reduced by carrying out more

measurements and calculating a new mean.
Random errors often happen when the method or measurement is
not carried out in exactly the same way.
Measuring pulse rate can produce a wide variety of readings because
the method used is often inconsistent.
The person must be in the same position which can be difficult to
achieve.
The pulse should be measured at the same place.
The person taking the reading can easily lose count.
 Practical key words 2
Scientific key words
Estimate:
An estimate is an approximate value made using the information
available.
Often it takes too long to count everything e.g. The number of
daisies on a field.
A scientist would measure the number of daisies in a
sample area. (1022)
The scientist would also need to know:
• the size of the sample area (25m2)
• the size of the field (100m2)

•The scientist would then calculate how much larger

the field was compared to the sample
(100  25 = 4 times bigger)
• The estimate would be (for this example) that there
are 4 times as many daisies in the field as in the
sample (4 X 1022 = 4088)
 Practical key words 2
Scientific key words
Anomaly:
An anomaly is a result which is unusual or not expected.
It does not follow the normal pattern. It is not a systematic error.
Current (A)
Resistance
(Ω) Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Mean

10 0. 35 0.52 0.32
20 0.26 0.27 0.28
30 0.15 0.16 0.17

•Which is the anomalous result in this table? 0.52

• Give two ways in which the scientist could improve the
Omit the 0.52 result when calculating the mean.
accuracy of these results? Repeat the 10Ω experiment again.(Best idea)
• Why is this not a systematic error? All the measurements would be affected by
the same amount.
 Practical key words 2
Scientific key words
Measurement error:

The measurement error is the difference between the measured

value and the true value.

This does not always mean there has been a mistake.

It means there is a difference between the measured value and

what we know to be the true value.

This might have been caused by random error, systematic error or a

zero error occurring.
 Practical key words 2
Scientific key words
Interval:
The interval is the quantity between measurements which are being
taken.
A set of 11 readings equally spaced over a distance of 1 metre would
give an interval of 10cm. (Don’t forget to start at 0)
A student records the temperature of a beaker Time Temperature of
of water as it is heated by a Bunsen burner to (minutes) water (° C)
see how long it takes to boil. 0 22
0 to 4 minutes
1 34
•What is the range of the independent variable?
•What is the interval used in this experiment? 2 58
1 minute 3 78
•Do you think the range and interval the 4 93
student chose are suitable? Why?
No - the water has not yet boiled so the range is not wide enough.
The interval is appropriate for this level of accuracy. An interval of 5 minutes would not
have been suitable.
 Match IT
 
The smallest change in quantity which can be measured
Range accurately by an instrument.

When a piece of measuring equipment gives a reading when

Uncertainty nothing is being measured. The true value should be zero.

The highest and lowest value for the independent or

Resolution dependent variable in a set of results
Readings are unpredictable and spread out over a wide
Zero error range. Repeat readings and calculating a new mean will
help improve precision.
A result which is unusual or not expected. It does not follow
Systematic error the normal pattern.

The interval over which the expected true value is to be

Random error found.
Readings are out by a consistent amount each time a
Anomaly measurement is taken. The readings are not close to the
true value. Repeats will not improve accuracy.

Measurement error The quantity between measurements being taken

The difference between the measured value and the true

Interval value.
 Match IT Answers
 
The highest and lowest value for the independent or
Range dependent variable in a set of results

The interval over which the expected true value is to be

Uncertainty found.

The smallest change in quantity which can be measured

Resolution accurately by an instrument.
When a piece of measuring equipment gives a reading
Zero error when nothing is being measured. The true value should be
zero.
Readings are out by a consistent amount each time a
Systematic error measurement is taken. The readings are not close to the
true value. Repeats will not improve accuracy.
Readings are unpredictable and spread out over a wide
Random error range. Repeat readings and calculating a new mean will
help improve precision.
A result which is unusual or not expected. It does not follow
Anomaly the normal pattern.

The difference between the measured value and the true

Measurement error value.

Interval The quantity between measurements being taken

 Label IT
Circle the anomalous result on the graph.

What is the interval being used for the independent variable in

this experiment?
 Label IT Answers
Circle the anomalous result on the graph.

What is the interval being used for the independent variable in

this experiment? 1 cm
 Label IT
Match the label to the diagrams below:
Independent Dependent
Variable Variable
1. Anomaly 0.0 0.0
2. Systematic error 2.0 0.6
3. Random error 4.0 1.8
4. Zero error 6.0 1.8

8.0 2.4
0
 Label IT Answers
Match the label to the diagrams below:
Independent Dependent
Variable Variable
1. Anomaly 0.0 0.0
2. Systematic error 2.0 0.6
3. Random error 4.0 1.8
4. Zero error 6.0 1.8

8.0 2.4
0