Fundamentals of Physics: SI Units, Measurement Accuracy, and Error Analysis

  • ISO
  • IEC
  • ASTM
Reviewed by Editorial Team
The ProProfs editorial team is comprised of experienced subject matter experts. They've collectively created over 10,000 quizzes and lessons, serving over 100 million users. Our team includes in-house content moderators and subject matter experts, as well as a global network of rigorously trained contributors. All adhere to our comprehensive editorial guidelines, ensuring the delivery of high-quality content.
Learn about Our Editorial Process
| By Thames
T
Thames
Community Contributor
Quizzes Created: 7053 | Total Attempts: 9,520,816
| Questions: 23 | Updated: Aug 4, 2025
Please wait...
Question 1 / 23
0 %
0/100
Score 0/100
1. What are the 7 fundamental SI units?

Explanation

The correct answer includes the SI units for meter (m), kilogram (kg), second (s), ampere (A), kelvin (K), mole (mol), and candela (cd). Incorrect answers include various units that are not part of the fundamental SI units.

Submit
Please wait...
About This Quiz
Error Analysis Quizzes & Trivia

Explore fundamental concepts in physics focusing on Orders of Magnitude, SI Units, and Measurements. This content enhances understanding of magnitudes, units of measure, uncertainties, and differentiates between vectors and scalars, crucial for academic and professional excellence in scientific disciplines.

2.
We’ll put your name on your report, certificate, and leaderboard.
2. Give examples of possible systematic errors.
Submit
3. Give examples of possible random errors.

Explanation

Random errors are unpredictable variations in measurements that can result from a variety of sources, including human mistakes, incorrect calculations, and misinterpretation of data.

Submit
4. What is the difference between accuracy and precision?

Explanation

Accuracy and precision are often confused but have distinct meanings in the context of measurements. Accuracy refers to how close a measurement is to the true or accepted value, while precision refers to how close measurements are to each other regardless of their accuracy.

Submit
5. State two ways to reduce random errors.
Submit
6. What is the difference between a vector and scalar?

Explanation

In mathematics, a vector is a quantity that has both direction and magnitude, whereas a scalar only has magnitude and no specific direction. This fundamental distinction between vectors and scalars is essential for understanding various mathematical and physical concepts.

Submit
7. What is a derived unit? Give an example.

Explanation

Derived units are combinations of fundamental units, such as meters, kilograms, and seconds, to create new units. They are commonly used in scientific measurements and calculations.

Submit
8. How can uncertainty be represented on a graph?

Explanation

Error bars are used to represent the uncertainty in data points on a graph, whereas the other options mentioned do not specifically address uncertainty.

Submit
9. How do you state a unit in SI format?
Submit
10. What are the prefixes for positive exponents?

Explanation

The question is referring to scientific notation where positive exponents indicate large numbers. The correct prefix for positive exponents is 'see pic' as it can vary depending on the specific number being represented.

Submit
11. What is the mathematical term for the prefixes used with negative exponents?

Explanation

In mathematics, negative exponents are commonly written using scientific notation, which is a way of writing numbers as a product of a decimal number between 1 and 10 and a power of 10.

Submit
12. What zeroes are significant in a decimal number?

Explanation

In a decimal number, zeros after the decimal point AND after a nonzero number as well as zeros between nonzero numbers are significant. This means that zeros before the decimal point or at the end of a number without any other nonzero digits are not considered significant.

Submit
13. How do you calculate the absolute uncertainty?

Explanation

When calculating the absolute uncertainty, you take half of the smallest measurable measure to determine the range of possible values around the measured quantity.

Submit
14. How is relative uncertainty calculated?

Explanation

Relative uncertainty is calculated by dividing the absolute uncertainty by the measurement.

Submit
15. If two quantities are multiplied, how do you calculate the uncertainty of the product?

Explanation

When two quantities are multiplied, the correct way to calculate the uncertainty of the product is by adding the relative uncertainties of each variable and then multiplying it by the product. This method accounts for how uncertainties propagate through multiplication.

Submit
16. If two quantities are added, how do you calculate the uncertainty of the sum?

Explanation

When adding two quantities with uncertainties, it is important to remember that uncertainties add up, hence adding all the absolute uncertainties is the correct way to calculate the uncertainty of the sum.

Submit
17. What is the largest order of magnitude for mass?

Explanation

The correct answer is 10^52 mass of universe because it represents the highest order of magnitude for mass, being the total mass of the universe. The other options provided are significantly lower in magnitude and do not accurately represent the largest possible mass value.

Submit
18. What is the smallest order of magnitude for mass?

Explanation

The correct answer is 10^-30 electron, representing the smallest order of magnitude for mass in terms of electrons.

Submit
19. What is the largest order of magnitude for length?

Explanation

The correct answer reflects the immense scale of the observable universe compared to other length measurements in cosmology.

Submit
20. What is the smallest order of magnitude for length?

Explanation

The correct answer 10^-15 meters represents the smallest order of magnitude for length, which is the diameter of a proton, the subatomic particle found in the nucleus of an atom. The incorrect answers provide examples of lengths that are larger in magnitude than the diameter of a proton, thus not being the smallest order of magnitude for length.

Submit
21. What is the largest order of magnitude for time?

Explanation

The correct answer, 10^19 age of the universe, represents the largest order of magnitude for time as it encompasses the entire age of the universe. The other options do not span such immense durations and are significantly smaller in comparison.

Submit
22. What is the smallest order of magnitude for time?

Explanation

The correct answer reflects the smallest order of magnitude for time in terms of the passage of light across a nucleus, which is significantly smaller than the other options provided.

Submit
23. Which isotope is associated with the standard measurement of time?

Explanation

Cesium-133 is used for defining the second in the International System of Units due to its stable atomic vibrations. Uranium-235, Carbon-12, and Hydrogen-1 do not play a role in the standard measurement of time.

Submit
View My Results
Cancel
  • All
    All (23)
  • Unanswered
    Unanswered ()
  • Answered
    Answered ()
What are the 7 fundamental SI units?
Give examples of possible systematic errors.
Give examples of possible random errors.
What is the difference between accuracy and precision?
State two ways to reduce random errors.
What is the difference between a vector and scalar?
What is a derived unit? Give an example.
How can uncertainty be represented on a graph?
How do you state a unit in SI format?
What are the prefixes for positive exponents?
What is the mathematical term for the prefixes used with negative...
What zeroes are significant in a decimal number?
How do you calculate the absolute uncertainty?
How is relative uncertainty calculated?
If two quantities are multiplied, how do you calculate the uncertainty...
If two quantities are added, how do you calculate the uncertainty of...
What is the largest order of magnitude for mass?
What is the smallest order of magnitude for mass?
What is the largest order of magnitude for length?
What is the smallest order of magnitude for length?
What is the largest order of magnitude for time?
What is the smallest order of magnitude for time?
Which isotope is associated with the standard measurement of time?
Alert!

Back to Top Back to top
Advertisement