1.
absolute zero: The coldest temperature, 0 Kelvin, that can be reached. It is the hypothetical temperature at which all molecular motion stops. Ex: The average temperature of the universe approaches absolute zero
2.
accepted value: the correct value based on reliable references Ex: The reading of measurement from an accurate instrument
3.
accuracy: a measure of how close a measurement comes to the actual or true value of whatever is measured Ex: a dart landing far from the bulls eye
4.
calorie: unit of heat defined as the quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water by 1 degree centigrade at atmospheric pressure Ex: the cheeseburger had 450 calories
5.
Celsius scale: a temperature scale that defines the freezing point of water as 0 degrees and the boiling point of water as 100 degrees Ex: the ice was under 0 degrees Celsius
6.
conversion factor: a ratio of equivalent measurements Ex: 100 cm = 1 m
7.
density: the ratio of the mass of a substance to the volume of the substance Ex: that lead has a high density
8.
dimensional analysis: a way to analyze and solve problems using the units, or dimensions, of the measurements Ex: use to solve a problem like how many seconds are in a workday that lasts exactly 8 hours
9.
energy: the capacity to do work Ex: the gasoline has a large amount of energy
10.
error: the difference between the accepted value and the experimental value Ex: the lab had a high error value
11.
experimental value: value measured in the lab Ex: we collected the experimental data in a chart
12.
gram: 1/1000 of a kilogram Ex: the paper clip is 1 gram
13.
International System of Units (SI): revised version of the metric system Ex: the SI system is a preferred method of measurement among scientists
14.
joule: SI unit of energy Ex: the spring is 5 joules
15.
Kelvin scale: the temperature scale in which the freezing point of water is 273K and the boiling point is 373K; 0K is absolute zero Ex: the water is frozen at 273K
16.
kilogram: SI unit for mass Ex: a liter of water is approximately one kilogram
17.
liter: the metric unit for volume equal to one cubic decimeter Ex: the liter of water is approximately one kilogram
18.
measurement: a quantity that has both a number and a unit Ex: 50 cm
19.
meter: The basic SI unit of length Ex: the meter stick is one meter in length
20.
percent error: the absolute value of the error divided by the accepted value, multiplied by 100% Ex: the percent error was 1.5 %, we were pretty successful
21.
precision: a measure of how close a series of measurements are to one another Ex: the darts had a tight grouping
22.
scientific notation: a given number is written as the product of two numbers: a coefficient and 10 raised to a power Ex: 4.5*20^5
23.
significant figure: any digit in a measurement that is known with certainty plus one final digit, which is somewhat uncertain or is estimated Ex: 6.1 grams
24.
temperature: a measure of how hot or cold something is Ex: a thermometer measures temperature
25.
weight: the force of gravity acting on an object Ex: we would float if their wasn't weight