Physics Experimentation Vocabulary

noun a determination or estimation of dimensions, capacity, or quantity

verb to ascertain the size, amount, or degree of something by using an instrument or device

adjective calculated or done with precision

• The scientist carefully measured the volume of the liquid in the beaker.
• I measured the distance to the store before deciding to walk or drive.
• I measured how much I could eat before feeling sick.
• His success was measured by the number of lives he touched.

noun a device used to induce and control a nuclear reaction

• The nuclear reactor was shut down for maintenance.
• They had to fix the reactor before it caused any problems.
• The reactor was acting up so they had to call in the experts.
• His mind was like a reactor, constantly processing new information.

noun A noun is a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea. In this case, 'absolute error' is a noun phrase that refers to the total amount of error without regard to its direction.

adjective An adjective is a word that describes or modifies a noun. In this case, 'absolute' is an adjective that emphasizes the error without considering its direction.

• The absolute error of the measurement was calculated to be 0.5 units.
• The absolute error in our estimate was only half a unit.
• We were off by like, just a smidge, the absolute error was barely noticeable.
• The absolute error in his judgment was glaringly obvious to everyone except himself.