Anglo-Chinese Junior College

Tutorial: Measurement
1

(a)

Example:

Tutorial Solutions
H2 (9749) & H1 (8866)

Plane angle.
Associated unit: degree or radian.

Note: The question is Explain what is meant by Ans includes a defn and
the need to show an understanding possibly with an example.

(b)

It is a unit for a derived quantity that is obtained from the defining equation of that
quantity via the product and quotient of the S.I. base units.
Example (using context given in question):
Force = ma (defining equation, special case of N2L)
Unit of force = unit of mass x unit of acceleration

kg m
s2

This derived unit is given a special name

e.g. Unit of force is kg m s-1 (in SI base units)
This is given the special name Newton (N)
2

(a)
(b)

3.2 10 3 10 3 km 3600 0.012km

x
=
= 0.012 km h-1
h
3600
s
6
-3
5240kg
5.24 10 kg 10
5.24 g cm-3 =
x 6 =
= 5240 kg m
3
3
m
10
cm

3.2 mm s-1 =

Unit of F = Unit of a x Unit of r x Unit of v

N = Unit of (a x m x m s-1)
Unit of a

N
m2 s 1

N m2 s

Unit of velocity
ms 1

kg 1m4s 1
Unit of density kgm 3

Unit of k

Since homogenous, Unit of C = Unit of (T) = Unit of T3

Unit of C = Unit of (T)
Unit of C J K 1 kg m2 s 2 K 1
Unit of

kg m2 s 2 K 2
Unit of T
K
K
Carry out the same working to find unit of

I / mA
0.2
..
0.8

(a) 0.1 x 10-2 A = 0.1 x 10-3 x101 = 1 x 10-3 = 1 mA

(b) ) 0.3 x 10-7 A = 0.3 x 10-6 x10-1 = 0.03 x 10-6 = 0.03 m

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Anglo-Chinese Junior College

Tutorial: Measurement
8

Tutorial Solutions
H2 (9749) & H1 (8866)

Cruising speed of MRT ~80 km h-1. Amount of time to accelerate ~ 5 s.

Therefore, average acceleration is

80 km h-1
a

5s
4 m s-1 (1sf)
9

80 1000

1
3600

Use any reasonable method to estimate

e.g. one ream of paper = 500 sheets which is about 2 kg
each paper has a mass of 4 g
Answer is 1 g = 1 x 100 g

10(a)
Random error

Systematic error

1.

Has no fixed sign and magnitude.

1.

Has a fixed sign and magnitude.

2.

Cannot be completely eliminated

even if source of error is known.

2.

Can be eliminated if source of error

is known.

3.

Can be reduced by taking the

average of several measurements.

3.

Cannot be reduced by taking

average of several measurements.

4.

Can be revealed by repeated

measurements.

4.

Cannot be revealed by repeated

measurements.

5.

Usually caused by the inability to

repeat the experiment under
identical conditions.

5.

Usually caused by faulty apparatus

or by observer persistently carrying
out a faulty procedure or poor
experimental technique.

10(b) & (c)

Systematic Error
Ruler

Part of the zero end is chipped off.

Take readings not from '0' mark of

ruler.

Micrometer Zero error is not taken into

consideration.
Systematic error can be eliminated
by subtracting the zero error from
each raw reading.

Stopwatch

JC1 2016

Human reaction time, which may be

consistent across readings.Or timing
is started always before or after.

Random Error
Eye is placed at different positions
above the scale marking when
taking readings.
Take readings consistently
perpendicular to point where
readings is to be taken.
Ratchet-knob is tightened at
different pressures or objects do not
have uniform diameter
Random error can be reduced by
averaging over a large number of
observation taken at different points
of object.
Human reaction time, which may
vary from reading to reading. Or
timing is started sometimes before
and sometimes after.

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Tutorial: Measurement

Weighing
Balance

This systematic error can be

revealed from the graph. E.g. there
is a y-intercept when actually there
is none.
Therefore, from line of best fit, read
off intercept if possible to account
for the systematic error.
Did not reset the balance reading.
Make sure to re-zero (Tare button)
the balance before taking the
readings.

Tutorial Solutions
H2 (9749) & H1 (8866)

Random error can be reduced by

averaging over a large number of
observation.

Readings taken before steady

readings obtained or objects not
placed at the same position on pan
when repeating readings.
Random error can be reduced by
averaging over a large number of
observation taken.

10(d) Systematic error is more misleading as it cannot be revealed by repeated measurements but
for random errors, it is easily revealed by the fluctuations of the points about a certain mean.
But if the systematic error is known, then random error can be more misleading as it
cannot be completely eliminated whereas we could eliminate the systematic erro
11

B
Not A because the speedometer measurement will just be lower or higher.
Not C because this is a systematic error (zero error).
Not D because this is also a systematic error (error has a consistent pattern).

12

From the eqn, y-intercept should be at p but it is not.

Values of y across values of x are consistently less (same sign and magnitude) than what is
should be.

13(a) (i) The data points are spread out on both sides of the line of best fit. This indicates the
presence of random error.
(ii) The graph did not pass through the origin. This indicates the presence of
systematic error as in this case the plot of t2 vs s should pass through the origin.
Equation of graph is
t2 = k s
where k is a constant (gradient).

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Tutorial: Measurement

Tutorial Solutions
H2 (9749) & H1 (8866)

(b)

Starting point of ball is at 10 cm mark instead of zero.

(c)

(i) gradient = 2.11 x 10-3 s cm-1

(ii) g = 9.48 m s-2 ( gradient = 2/g)

(d)

(i) s against t or log s against log t

(ii) From kinematic eqn: s = a t, taking sq root on both sides of eqn,
s = ( a) x t
or log s = log (1/2 a) + 2 log t

14

Answer: B
There is zero error, hence it is a systematic error leading to a result that is far from true
value. Hence reading is inaccurate.
Reading has high number of significant figures due to fine graduation scale hence reading is
precise.

15(a) Precision how close the experimental values are to each other.
Accuracy how close the experimental values are to the true value of the physical
quantity.
(b)

Student D
Acceleration due to free fall value is 9.81 m s-2.
Student A average of 9.82 with range of 0.05 (Accurate and precise)
Student B average of 9.69 with range of 1.18 (Accurate but not precise)
Student C average of 9.10 with range of 0.69 (Not accurate and not precise)
Student D average of 8.46 with range of 0.09 (Not accurate but precise)

16(a) 0.01 cm
(b)

Fractional uncertainty = (0.01 / 5.64)

= 0.0018

(c)

Percentage uncertainty = (0.00177 x 100)

= 0.18 %

17

18

P
V R
100% ( 2

) 100%
P
V
R
P

100% ( 2x3% 2%) =8%

P

X = k
X

Answer is C because
And when = 0 oC
0

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Tutorial: Measurement

T 2

19

Tutorial Solutions
H2 (9749) & H1 (8866)

l
l
T 2 4 2
g
g
g

4 2l
4 2 (1.15)

9.731 ms-2
2
2
T
(2.16)

g/g = (l / l + 2 T/T)
= (0.005 / 1.150 + 2 (0.01/3.16))
= 1.361 x 10-2
g = 1.361 x 10-2 (9.73)
= 0.132
= 0.2 m s-2 (to 1 sf)

g g (9.7 0.2) ms2

20

density

mass
length breadth height

m l b h
(

m
l
b
h

01
.
0.01 0.01 0.01
(

)
2.50
25.0 5.00 2.00 1.00

= 0.0525 g cm-3
Usually, we will always round up (it is better to be conservative with uncertainty)
However, best (and closest) answer would be C.
21(a) R1 = - 0.02 mm (Zero error)
(b)

R2 = (13.50 + 0.12) mm
= 13.62 mm

(c)

d = R2 R1
= 13.62 (- 0.02)
= 13.64 mm
d = (R2 + R1)
= (0.01 + 0.01)
= 0.02 mm
Diameter d d = (13.64 0.02) mm

4
4 d
21(d) V r 3
3
3 2
d3

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Anglo-Chinese Junior College

Tutorial: Measurement

Tutorial Solutions
H2 (9749) & H1 (8866)

V/V = 3 d/d
= 3 (0.02/13.64)
= 0.00439

d3
6

(13.64)3 1328.7 1329 mm3

V = 0.00439 (V)
= 0.0044 (1328.75)
= 5.85 mm3
= 6 mm3

V V (1329 6) mm3
22(a)

m
m
2
V r h
m
m
4m

2
2
d 2h
d
d
h h
2
4

4m
4(0.0513)

9.072 103 kg m-3

2
2
d h (0.02) (0.018)

/ = (m / m + 2 d/d + h/h)
= (0.1/ 51.3 + 2 (1/20) + (1/18))
= 0.158

/ % = 16 %
= 0.158 (9.072 x 103)
= 2000 kg m-3 (to 1 s.f.)
(b)

The balance used to measure the mass is suitable as the percentage uncertainty in
the measurement of mass is only:

m
0.1
100%
100% 0.2%
m
51.3

Fractional uncertainties in length measurements contribute more significantly to the

uncertainty in density as the percentage uncertainties in the measurements of diameter and
height are 10 % and 5.6 % respectively.
To measure the diameter and height of the cylinder, a more suitable apparatus to
use would be vernier calipers which can read to at least 0.1 mm. This would
reduce the percentage uncertainties in the measurements of diameter and height to
1 % and 0.56 % respectively.

The student should have presented his results as follows:

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Anglo-Chinese Junior College

Tutorial: Measurement

Tutorial Solutions
H2 (9749) & H1 (8866)

diameter of cylinder = (20 1) mm

height of cylinder = (18 1) mm
mass of cylinder = (51.3 0.1) g
density of cylinder = (9 2) 103 kg m-3
23

Draw the vector diagram of P Q

Answer: C
24

Answer: C
The magnitude of resultant vector is longer than the resultant vector of the other options.

25

(a)

vi

v f 25 m s-1

30 m s-1

v v f v i v f v i

(b)

Change in speed = 30 25 = 5 m s-1

(c)

Change in velocity = 25 30 = 39.1 m s-1 (to 3 s.f.)

Direction of change in velocity = tan-1 (30/25) = 50.2 west of south

JC1 2016

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