Basic Concepts
What is a physical experiment?
A controlled study of a physical phenomenon
What is an independent variable?
The variable that is changed by the experimenter
What is a learning experiment?
An experiment for learning concepts and skills
What is error in an experiment?
Difference between measured and true value
What happens to light intensity when distance increases?
Light becomes weaker
What is observation?
Watching a phenomenon without changing it
What is a dependent variable?
The variable that is measured
What is a demonstration experiment?
An experiment shown by a teacher
What is uncertainty?
Range in which the true value lies
How does insulation affect heat loss?
It reduces heat loss
What is measurement?
Comparing a quantity with a unit to get a number
What is a controlled variable?
The variable that is kept constant
What is a fundamental experiment?
An experiment that discovers new laws
What is precision?
How close repeated results are
How does surface type affect friction?
Rough surfaces increase friction
What is a hypothesis?
A testable idea or prediction
What is a variable?
Any factor that can change
Give an example of a fundamental experiment.
Galileo’s falling bodies / Newton’s prism / Faraday’s induction
What is accuracy?
How close a result is to the true value
Why do experiments connect physics to real life?
It makes learning meaningful and practical
What is a model?
A simple representation used to explain or predict
Why are controlled variables important?
To ensure a fair and accurate experiment
Why are demonstration experiments useful in class?
They help students understand and visualize concepts
What is calibration?
Adjusting an instrument using a standard
Why is it important to test ideas in real conditions?
To check if ideas work in real life