1.

3 Error and uncertainties

1.3 Errors and uncertainties

(a) understand and explain the effects of systematic errors (including zero errors) and random errors in
measurements
(b) understand the distinction between precision and accuracy
(c) assess the uncertainty in a derived quantity by simple addition of absolute, fractional or percentage
uncertainties

Systematic and random error

2002 Nov + 2010 Nov 11

2003 June
1.3 Error and uncertainties
2006 Nov

2011 Nov 12

2012 June

2012 Nov 11
1.3 Error and uncertainties

2012 Nov 13

2013 June 11

2015 Nov 13
1.3 Error and uncertainties
Accuracy and precision

2002 Nov

2003 June + 2005 Nov

1.3 Error and uncertainties

2004 Nov + 2008 June

2007 Nov

2010 Nov 12

2011 June 12
1.3 Error and uncertainties

2015 June 13

Uncertainties

2002 June
1.3 Error and uncertainties

2003 June

2003 Nov

2004 June

2005 June

2005 Nov
1.3 Error and uncertainties

2006 June

2006 Nov

2007 Nov

2008 June
1.3 Error and uncertainties

2008 Nov

2010 June 11

2010 Nov 12
1.3 Error and uncertainties
2011 June 11

2011 Nov 11 + 2014 June 11

1.3 Error and uncertainties

2011 Nov 12

2012 June 11

2012 Nov 11
1.3 Error and uncertainties

2012 Nov 12

2012 Nov 13

2013 June 11
1.3 Error and uncertainties

2013 Nov 11

2013 Nov 13

2014 June 11

2014 June 12
1.3 Error and uncertainties

2014 June 13
1.3 Error and uncertainties
2014 Nov 11

2014 Nov 13
1.3 Error and uncertainties
2015 June 11

2015 June 12

2015 June 13

2015 Nov 11
1.3 Error and uncertainties
2015 Nov 12

2002 June
2 A student uses a micrometer screw gauge to measure the diameter of a wire. He fails to notice that, with
the gauge fully closed, the reading is not zero.
(a) State and explain whether the omission introduces a random error or a systematic error into the
readings of the diameter. [2]
(b) Explain why the readings are precise but not accurate. [2]

2002 Nov
2 A student uses a metre rule to measure the length of an elastic band before and after stretching it.
The lengths are recorded as
length of band before stretching, L0 = 50.0 ± 0.1 cm
length of band after stretching, LS = 51.6 ± 0.1 cm.
Determine
(a) the change in length (LS − L0), quoting your answer with its uncertainty,

[1]
(b) the fractional change in length

[1]
(c) the uncertainty in your answer in (b).

[3]
1.3 Error and uncertainties
2004 Nov
1 A student takes readings to measure the mean diameter of a wire using a micrometer screw gauge.
(a) Make suggestions, one in each case, that the student may adopt in order to
(i) reduce a systematic error in the readings,
(ii) allow for a wire of varying diameter along its length,
(iii) allow for a non-circular cross-section of the wire.
[3]
(b)The mean diameter of the wire is found to be 0.50 ± 0.02 mm. Calculate the percentage uncertainty in
(i) the diameter,uncertainty = …………………………………. %
(ii) the area of cross-section of the wire.uncertainty = …………………………………. %
[2]

2007 Nov
1 (a) Distinguish between systematic errors and random errors.
[2]
(b) A cylinder of length L has a circular cross-section of radius R.
The volume V of the cylinder is given by the expression V = πR2L .
The volume and length of the cylinder are measured as V = 15.0 ± 0.5 cm3 L = 20.0 ± 0.1 cm.
Calculate the radius of the cylinder, with its uncertainty.

radius = ........................ ± ........................ cm

[5]

2009 June
1 (b) The mass of a cube of aluminium is found to be 580 g with an uncertainty in the measurement of 10 g.
Each side of the cube has a length of (6.0 ± 0.1) cm.
Calculate the density of aluminium with its uncertainty. Express your answer to an appropriate
number of significant figures.

density = ................ ± ................ g cm–3

[5]
1.3 Error and uncertainties
2009 Nov 21
1 The volume of fuel in the tank of a car is monitored using a meter as illustrated in Fig. 1.1.

The meter has an analogue scale. The meter reading for different volumes of fuel in the tank is shown.

The meter is calibrated in terms of the fraction of the tank that remains filled with fuel.
(a) The car uses 1.0 litre of fuel when travelling 14 km. The car starts a journey with a full tank of fuel.
(i) Calculate the volume of fuel remaining in the tank after a journey of 210 km.

volume = ...................................... litres [2]

(ii) Use your answer to (i) and Fig. 1.2 to determine the change in the meter reading during the 210
km journey.

from full to ............................................... [1]

(b) There is a systematic error in the meter.
(i) State the feature of Fig. 1.2 that indicates that there is a systematic error.

[1]
(ii) Suggest why, for this meter, it is an advantage to have this systematic error.

[1]
1.3 Error and uncertainties
2009 Nov 22
1 A simple pendulum may be used to determine a value for the acceleration of free fall g.
Measurements are made of the length L of the pendulum and the period T of oscillation.
The values obtained, with their uncertainties, are as shown.
T = (1.93 ± 0.03) s
L = (92 ± 1) cm
(a) Calculate the percentage uncertainty in the measurement of
(i) the period T,
uncertainty = ............................................ % [1]
(ii) the length L.
uncertainty = ............................................ % [1]
(b) The relationship between T, L and g is given by

Using your answers in (a), calculate the percentage uncertainty in the value of g.

uncertainty = ............................................ % [1]

(c) The values of L and T are used to calculate a value of g as 9.751 m s–2.
(i) By reference to the measurements of L and T, suggest why it would not be correct to quote the
value of g as 9.751 m s–2.

[1]
(ii) Use your answer in (b) to determine the absolute uncertainty in g.
Hence state the value of g, with its uncertainty, to an appropriate number of significant figures.

g = .......................... ± ........................ m s–2 [2]

2011 June 23
1 (a) For each of the following, tick [✓] one box to indicate whether the experimental technique would
reduce random error, systematic error or neither. The first row has been completed as an example.
random systematic
neither
error error
keeping your eye in line with the scale and the liquid level for
✓
a single reading of a thermometer
averaging many readings of the time taken for a ball to roll
down a slope
using a linear scale on an ammeter
correcting for a non-zero reading when a micrometer screw
gauge is closed
1.3 Error and uncertainties
[2]
(b) The measurement of a particular time interval is repeated many times.
The readings are found to vary. The results are shown in Fig. 1.1.

The true value of the time interval is 10.1 s.

(i) State how the readings on Fig. 1.1 show the presence of
1. a systematic error,

[1]
2. a random error.

[1]
(ii) State the expected changes to Fig. 1.1 for experimental measurements that are
1. more accurate,

[1]
2. more precise.

[1]

2012 June 22
1 The volume V of liquid flowing in time t through a pipe of radius r is given by the equation

where P is the pressure difference between the ends of the pipe of length l, and C depends on the
frictional effects of the liquid. An experiment is performed to determine C. The measurements made are
shown in Fig. 1.1.
V/t / 10–6 m3 s–1 P / 103 N m–2 r / mm l/m
1.20 ± 0.01 2.50 ± 0.05 0.75 ± 0.01 0.250 ± 0.001
(a) Calculate the value of C.

C = ..................................... N s m–2
[2]
(b) Calculate the uncertainty in C.
1.3 Error and uncertainties
uncertainty = ..................................... N s m–2
[3]
(c) State the value of C and its uncertainty to the appropriate number of significant figures.
C = ........................................... ± ........................................... N s m–2
[1]

2013 Nov 23
2 The time T for a satellite to orbit the Earth is given by

where R is the distance of the satellite from the centre of the Earth, M is the mass of the Earth, and K is a
constant.
(a) Determine the SI base units of K.

SI base units of K ................................................

[2]
(b) Data for a particular satellite are given in Fig. 2.1.
quantity measurement uncertainty
T 8.64 × 104 s ± 0.5%
R 4.23 × 107 m ± 1%
M 6.0 × 1024 kg ± 2%
Calculate K and its actual uncertainty in SI units.

K = ....................................... ± .................................... SI units

[4]

2014 June 22
2 A coin is made in the shape of a thin cylinder, as shown in Fig. 2.1.

Fig. 2.2 shows the measurements made in order to determine the density ρ of the material used to make
the coin.
quantity measurement uncertainty
mass 9.6 g ± 0.5 g
thickness 2.00 mm ± 0.01 mm
diameter 22.1 mm ± 0.1 mm
(a) Calculate the density ρ in kg m–3.

ρ= ...............................................kg m–3
[3]
1.3 Error and uncertainties
(b) (i) Calculate the percentage uncertainty in ρ.

percentage uncertainty = ............................................

[3]
(ii) State the value of ρ with its actual uncertainty.

ρ=........................................ ± ........................................... kg m–3

[1]

2015 Nov 21
1 (a) State two SΙ base quantities other than mass, length and time.
[2]
(b) A beam is clamped at one end and an object X is attached to the other end of the beam, as shown in
Fig. 1.1.

The object X is made to oscillate vertically. The time period T of the oscillations is given by

where M is the mass of X, l is the length between the clamp and X, E is the Young modulus of the
material of the beam and K is a constant.
(i) 1. Show that the SΙ base units of the Young modulus are kg m–1 s–2.
[1]

2. Determine the SΙ base units of K.

SΙ base units of K ..........................................................

[2]
(ii) Data in SΙ units for the oscillations of X are shown in Fig. 1.2.
quantity measurement uncertainty
T 0.45 ± 2.0%
l 0.892 ± 0.2%
M 0.2068 ± 0.1%
K 1.48 × 105 ± 1.5%
Calculate E and its actual uncertainty.
1.3 Error and uncertainties

E = ..................................... ± ..................................... kg m–1 s–2

[4]