Working as a physicist

• What are SI units?

  Fundamental units used in physics
• What is the SI unit for mass?

  Kilogram (kg)
• What is the SI unit for length?

  Metre (m)
• What is the SI unit for time?

  Second (s)
• What is the SI unit for current?

  Ampere (A)
• What is the SI unit for temperature?

  Kelvin (K)
• What is the SI unit for the amount of substance?

  Mole (mol)
• What is the SI unit for luminous intensity?

  Candela (cd)
• What are derived quantities?

  Quantities not included in the base SI units
• How is the SI unit of force derived?

  By multiplying mass and acceleration units
• What is the SI unit of force?

  Newton (N)
• What is the prefix for 10^12?

  Tera (T)
• What is the prefix for 10^9?

  Giga (G)
• What is the prefix for 10^6?

  Mega (M)
• What is the prefix for 10^3?

  Kilo (k)
• What is the prefix for 10^-2?

  Centi (c)
• What is the prefix for 10^-3?

  Milli (m)
• What is the prefix for 10^-6?

  Micro (µ)
• What is the prefix for 10^-9?

  Nano (n)
• What is the prefix for 10^-12?

  Pico (p)
• What is the prefix for 10^-15?

  Femto (f)
• What is the purpose of estimation in physics?

  To approximate values of physical quantities
• How can you find an estimate?

  By rounding values and calculating normally
• What do random errors affect?

  Precision of measurements
• What is an example of a random error?

  Electronic noise in instruments
• How can random errors be reduced?

  By taking multiple repeats and calculating mean
• What is a systematic error?

  Errors affecting accuracy due to apparatus faults
• What is an example of a systematic error?

  Balance not zeroed correctly
• How can systematic errors be reduced?

  By calibrating apparatus with known values
• What is uncertainty in a measurement?

  The bounds in which the accurate value lies
• What is absolute uncertainty?

  Uncertainty given as a fixed quantity
• What is percentage uncertainty?

  Uncertainty as a percentage of the measurement
• How can you reduce percentage uncertainty?

  By measuring larger quantities
• What is the uncertainty in a reading?

  ± half the smallest division
• What is the uncertainty in a measurement?

  At least ±1 smallest division
• How is uncertainty in digital readings determined?

  Assumed to be ± the last significant digit
• How can you reduce uncertainty in measurements?

  By fixing one end of a ruler
• How is uncertainty calculated for repeated data?

  Half the range of the values
• How can you find the time for one swing of a pendulum?

  By measuring time for multiple swings
• How should uncertainties be reported?

  To the same number of significant figures