CIE AS-LEVEL PHYSICS//9702

1. General Tips  Random error:

 If range given e.g. 0 to 20, try to get a measurement o Random fluctuations or scatter about a true value
from a large spread of the range. o Can be reduced by repeating and averaging
 Record all measurements needed to obtain final value o When random error small, measurement precise
including intermediary steps o Precision: refers to the degree of agreement of
repeated measurements of the same quantity
 For example, if a length is derived from
(regardless of whether it is correct or not)
then and should appear in the table.
 Column labelled with the name of symbol and units 4. Uncertainties
For a quantity 2.0 0.1
2. Micrometre Screw Gauge
 Absolute uncertainty ∆ 0.1
∆
 Fractional uncertainty 0.05
∆
 Percentage uncertainty 100% 5%
 Combining errors:
o When values added or subtracted, add absolute error
∆ ∆
Measures objects up to 0.01 If or , then ∆
 Place object between anvil & spindle o When values multiplied or divided, add % errors
 Rotate thimble until object firmly held by jaws o When values are powered (e.g. squared), multiply
 Add together value from the main scale and rotating percentage error with power
scale If 2 or , then
∆ ∆ ∆

3. Vernier Scale Instrument Uncertainty

Measures objects up to 0.1 Ruler 0.1
Protractor 2
 Place object on the rule
Stop watch Max - Min
 Push the slide scale to the edge of
Ammeter 2
object.
 The sliding scale is 0.9 long & is 5. Treatment of Significant Figures
divided into 10 equal divisions.  Actual error: recorded to only 1 significant figure
 Check which line division on sliding scale  Number of decimal places for a calculated quantity is
matches with a line division on the rule equal to the number of decimal places in the actual error
 Subtract the value from the sliding scale (0.09 Quantity Justification
by the value from the rule. s.f. of the calculated To s.f. of measure value
quantity
4. Systematic and Random Errors s.f. of measure value To the precision of the
 Systematic error: instrument
o Constant error in one direction; too big or too small  Always give calculated quantity s.f. equal or one less
o Cannot be eliminated by repeating or averaging than the measured value
o If systematic error small, measurement accurate
o Accuracy: refers to the degree of agreement between
the result of a measurement and the true value of
quantity.

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 CIE AS-LEVEL PHYSICS//9702
6. Errors in Experiments Force experiment
Error Improvement Reach max force suddenly Force sensor w/data logger
Water-related experiment Fix cotton loop to rule e.g.
Weights move off the path
Hard to see surface due to tape, glue
Use coloured liquid Pulley experiment
refraction/meniscus effect
Labels get wet/ink runs Use waterproof labels/ink Masses hit each other Use larger pulley
Ball related experiment Friction at pulley Lubricate pulley
Locating the centre of the Mark the centre of the ball Clamp / electromagnetic
Uncertain starting position
ball when reading the rule with a marker with steel
Inconsistent bounce Use a flat surface Moment experiment
Fast-moving object experiment Project cylinder over bench
Rule hits bench
Difficult to judge when the / elevate apparatus
Use sensor or record with Ruler slips on support Glue support to block
ball is at e.g. max
camera frame by frame Magnetism experiment
displacement
Hard to see when an object Use a pressure sensor to Use various materials to
Effect of surrounding e.g.
strikes the floor stop the timer separate magnets & test if
glass/magnetic materials
Difficult to judge end point Mark distance with lines material affects results
Move by increments/hold Bench/ Ramp (Surface) related experiment
Difficulty in deciding the Ensure the same section of
with newton-meter Some parts of board
toppling point the board used in each
and tilt until 0 rougher / surface uneven
Releasing object from rest experiment expt.
Difficulty in releasing Use a remote-controlled Board slips/unstable Clamp/fix to bench with
object due to e.g. force clamp/electromagnet /supporting block topples tape/blue-tack
Keep rod vertical/use use (long) piece of string to
Rod falls sideways Difficult in pulling in line
guide connect the newton-meter
with the board
Oscillation experiment to the block
Time object at max disp. Heat loss experiment
Time taken too short with motion sensor/video Heat lost through sides Lag/insulate/polystyrene
or large uncertainty in & playback in slow motion and /or Bottom container
/time more oscillations Use a larger volume of
Object doesn’t swing Thermometer bulb not water /use
Make hole bigger/bush or completely immersed thermocouple/small
freely/ friction between
bearing idea temperature sensor
pivot and object
Turn off the fan (light Resistor gives heat when
Non-uniform oscillation Wait until temp. reaches
object) switched off/temp. rises
max before reading
Oscillations die out quickly Increase object thickness even after switching off
Difficult to judge end/start/ Terminal velocity experiment
Use a fiducial marker May not have reached Time over three markers
complete swing
Retort stand moves Add weights/clamp terminal velocity constant
Electricity experiment Light dependent experiment
Resistance/current External light affects
Clean contacts Conduct expt. in dark room
fluctuating LDR
Length of tube changes
Voltmeter scale not Make pre-slots in the tube
Use digital voltmeter when paper added
sensitive enough
Cylinders not aligned Align on desk/rule
Tape to ruler/hang weights
Wires not straight Difficult to hold together Tape/clamp together
off end/clamp wire

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 CIE AS-LEVEL PHYSICS//9702
7. Errors in Apparatus
Error Improvement
Meter rule
Put coloured paper behind/
eye-level perpendicular
Parallax error
/extend mark to wood
/shadow projection
Difficult to hold rule still Mount ruler in stand
Difficult to measure, since Clamp rule / ensure the
the ruler moves rule is vertical using a set
square
Newton meter
Difficult to pull Newton Ensure force parallel to
meter parallel to ruler/ ruler e.g. use a long
bench string/pulley and weights
Difficult to judge reading Use Newton meter with a
on meter when detached: ‘max hold’ facility/video &
ruler moves suddenly/ playback or freeze frame/
Force 0 after use force sensor & logger
detachment
Use system of pulley &
Difficult to zero Newton-
weights/use force sensor
meter when horizontal
with data-logger
Objects with an unfixed diameter (Circular objects)
Difficult to measure Use Vernier callipers or
diameter since the object is micrometre screw gauge
flexible/not circular to measure average
diameter
Difficult to form perfect Method to make uniform
sphere/diameter varied spheres/discs e.g. moulds
Protractor
Protractor “wobbles” / Use protractor with
difficult to measure; horizontal line level to
container curved at the table top/freestanding or
bottom/difficult to line up clamped protractor
Parallax error in Use mirror scale
 General:
o Error: two readings not enough
o Improvement: take several readings and plot a graph

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