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GCSE Physics · key term
The sum of a set of results divided by the number of results.
Used by Edexcel and OCR
Specification 2.27 · Paper 1
Revise: Human Reaction TimesA short fall distance means that the ruler was caught quickly; a long fall distance means that the reaction took longer. The release must be unexpected, because a countdown could allow the person to anticipate the stimulus rather than react to it.
Specification P8.1d · Paper 2 (Foundation), Paper 4 (Higher)
The sum of a set of measurements divided by the number of measurements.
Repeating the test and calculating a mean reduces the effect of random variation. Do not claim that repetition removes systematic error.
For a ruler-drop test, a shorter falling distance means a shorter reaction time and therefore a faster response.
Do not claim that repeats improve accuracy automatically. Repeats help reveal anomalous results and make a mean less affected by random variation.
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A quicker response allows less time for the ruler to fall, so a smaller distance means a shorter reaction time.
Paper 1, Paper 2
The sum of the values divided by the number of values; an estimate of a typical value.
Revise: Graphing and Statistical AnalysisHere that means the distance increases by about half a metre each second. A steeper line has a greater magnitude of gradient; a downward-sloping line has a negative gradient. If a graph curves, its gradient changes: the gradient of a tangent estimates it at a particular point.