Learning Materials
Features
Discover
To measure is to compare the magnitude of a physical property of an object or a system against a pattern or standard that can tell us its value. Measurements in everyday life include:
Millions of flashcards designed to help you ace your studies
Sign up for freeWhat do we measure in an object?
What is the advantage of using units when measuring?
How can we graphically represent measurements?
State the three steps for taking correct measurements.
What is a plot?
What are the two ways you can measure things?
How are measurements, units, and physical quantities related?
When you make a measurement, what are you doing?
When you track the speed of a car, what property are you measuring, and which units do you use?
When you check the weather, what property are you measuring, and which units do you use?
Usually, in a plot, what is the name given to ‘y’?
What do we measure in an object?
What is the advantage of using units when measuring?
How can we graphically represent measurements?
State the three steps for taking correct measurements.
What is a plot?
What are the two ways you can measure things?
How are measurements, units, and physical quantities related?
When you make a measurement, what are you doing?
When you track the speed of a car, what property are you measuring, and which units do you use?
When you check the weather, what property are you measuring, and which units do you use?
Usually, in a plot, what is the name given to ‘y’?
Achieve better grades quicker with Premium
Geld-zurück-Garantie, wenn du durch die Prüfung fällst
Did you know that StudySmarter supports you beyond learning?
Review generated flashcards
Start learning or create your own AI flashcards
Team Measurements Teachers
Figure 1. The physical property 'length' is measured and then translated into units using a standard.
Units tell us the value of the physical quantity we are measuring.
The activity of measuring is done to an object to learn its properties (or physical quantity) and then compared against an accepted norm to obtain a value (the unit). See the example below:
You want to know the weight of a parcel. The weight is the physical quantity of the parcel. You need to compare this against a unit of measurement to know its value. The unit varies depending on the unit system you are using.
There are several different unit systems. The most universally accepted unit system is the International System of Units (SI). Other unit systems are the United States Customary System and the Imperial system.
Measurements using different systems can deliver different values, as they measure the same physical quantities using different units. An example of this is the definition of temperature for the Imperial system, which uses Fahrenheit.
The freezing temperature of water is 273.15 Kelvin in the SI and 32 F in the Imperial system.
Generally speaking, there are two methods for measurements: one is by reference, while the other uses formal units.
The principle is simple: you take an object, and you use that object as a reference to measure a quantity.
An everyday example is using a spoon to measure sugar for your coffee. However, you can see the problem with this – spoons come in different sizes, and you could also be adding more sugar depending on how much you fill the spoon.
This method involves using a standard so you can reproduce the measurement every time you need it.
Let’s say that you need 10 grams of sugar. You will need a scale, but now you can measure exactly 10 grams of sugar every time. You can add and remove sugar to get the correct measurement and reproduce this whenever you want a coffee.
The ability to reproduce values using an instrument as a reference is why unit systems are important in measurement.
Accuracy is important when taking measurements. To achieve it, you should follow these instructions:
Figure 2. When using instruments with marks, ensure your eyes are directly over the mark to avoid parallax errors.When you measure the time it takes for a pendulum to make a complete oscillation, if you use a timer, the time measured will depend on your reaction time. In this case, several measurements are necessary so you can calculate a more precise average value.
To graphically represent your measurements in real life, you can use a plot. Plots are drawings that use ‘x’ and ‘y’ variables to relate the change of one value to another. To put it simply, a plot is the graphical relationship of two or more variables. Usually, x is named as the independent variable, and y is the dependent variable.
See the example of a plot below, representing how a pendulum's movement decays over time.
Figure 3. Simple plot showing the time it takes for a pendulum to swing. The time shortens with each measurement..
The variable ‘x’ represents the measurement. The first point is the first measurement, where it takes 2 seconds for the pendulum to come and go. After the first measured value x1, you take a second measurement x2, then x3, x4 and so on.
The second point is the second measurement x2. The pendulum moves less until it slowly comes to a stop. The marks on the plot show the values decaying over time.
Sign up for free to gain access to all our flashcards.
What is a measurement?
Measurements are the values obtained after comparing a physical property to a pattern or standard that can tell us their value.
What is the definition of measurement?
To measure something means to compare the magnitude or value of a physical quantity against a pattern or unit of measurement.
How can we measure things?
We can measure by reference, compare to other objects, or measure by using formal units.
What are units in measurements?
Units are an agreed standard, a value used as a reference to measure. An example of such standards are the SI units kilogram, metre, second, candela, etc.
At StudySmarter, we have created a learning platform that serves millions of students. Meet the people who work hard to deliver fact based content as well as making sure it is verified.
Lily Hulatt is a Digital Content Specialist with over three years of experience in content strategy and curriculum design. She gained her PhD in English Literature from Durham University in 2022, taught in Durham University’s English Studies Department, and has contributed to a number of publications. Lily specialises in English Literature, English Language, History, and Philosophy.
Get to know Lily
Gabriel Freitas is an AI Engineer with a solid experience in software development, machine learning algorithms, and generative AI, including large language models’ (LLMs) applications. Graduated in Electrical Engineering at the University of São Paulo, he is currently pursuing an MSc in Computer Engineering at the University of Campinas, specializing in machine learning topics. Gabriel has a strong background in software engineering and has worked on projects involving computer vision, embedded AI, and LLM applications.
Get to know Gabriel
Vaia is a globally recognized educational technology company, offering a holistic learning platform designed for students of all ages and educational levels. Our platform provides learning support for a wide range of subjects, including STEM, Social Sciences, and Languages and also helps students to successfully master various tests and exams worldwide, such as GCSE, A Level, SAT, ACT, Abitur, and more. We offer an extensive library of learning materials, including interactive flashcards, comprehensive textbook solutions, and detailed explanations. The cutting-edge technology and tools we provide help students create their own learning materials. StudySmarter’s content is not only expert-verified but also regularly updated to ensure accuracy and relevance.
Learn moreSave explanations to your personalised space and access them anytime, anywhere!
Sign up with Email Sign up with AppleBy signing up, you agree to the Terms and Conditions and the Privacy Policy of Vaia.
Already have an account? Log in
Sign up to highlight and take notes. It’s 100% free.
Explanations 
Textbooks 
Exams 
GCSE 
IGCSE 
AS 
A Level 
International A Level 
University Admissions Tests 
Flashcards 
Vaia AI 
Notes 
Study Plans 
Study Sets 
Find a job 
Find a degree 
Student Deals 
Magazine 
Mobile App 
