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Cause, effect and drivers of change

Key ideas • General

Key concepts

What you'll likely be quizzed about

  • A cause is a change in a physical quantity or condition that results in an observable effect.
  • The effect is the system's response to that cause and is influenced by properties of the system.
  • Clearly stating the causal factor and the measured effect allows for prediction and quantitative calculation in applicable cases.
  • Limiting factors like friction, mass, concentration, or temperature may modify the straightforward cause-effect relationship.

Flashcards

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What defines a cause in a scientific cause→effect relationship?

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A cause is a change in a physical quantity or condition that produces a measurable response in a system.

Key notes

Important points to keep in mind

State the specific cause and effect in relationships.

Identify limiting factors modifying cause→effect links.

Net force produces acceleration; include all external forces when applying F = ma.

Radioactive decay links specific nuclear changes to emissions.

Gradients act as drivers for flow or transfer.

Rates depend on the magnitude of driving differences and system resistance.

Single-event behaviours are inherently probabilistic; larger samples show statistical patterns.

Activation energy and catalysts control reaction rates.

Specify direction of the difference (e.g., high→low) when describing transfer.

Ensure correct units and scales when applying causal laws.

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