Physics OCR B A Level Definitions: Module 1: Practical Skills in Physics: Questions with Complete Solutions

Absolute Uncertainty The interval that a value is said to lie within, with a given level of confidence. Accuracy A measure of how close a measurement is to the true value. Analogue Apparatus Measuring apparatus such as rulers, beakers and thermometers that rely on the experimenter reading off a scale to determine the measurement. Anomalies Data points that don’t fit the pattern of the data. You should determine why an anomalous result has occurred before removing it. Repeat readings help remove anomalies. Control Variables Variables that must remain the same throughout an experiment so as to not affect the results. Digital Apparatus Measuring apparatus such as ammeters, voltmeters and digital calipers that digitally measure and display a measurement. Fiducial Marker A thin marker, such as a splint, that is used to ensure readings are taken from the same place each time. They are used to improve the accuracy of measurements. Gradient The change in the y-axis value over the change in the x-axis value between two points. If the graph is curved, a tangent can be drawn to calculate the gradient at a specific point. Line of Best Fit A line drawn on a graph to demonstrate the pattern in the plotted data points. Logarithmic Scale A scale that is based on the change of exponents (e.g. 10¹, 10², 10³,...). An exponential curve plotted with a logarithmic scale will appear as a straight line. Mean A way of expressing the average of a set of measurements by adding all the values and then dividing by the number of values (note that zero would also count as a value