Physical Quantities & Units

Akhtar Mahmood (0333-4281759)

M.Sc.(Physics), MCS, MBA-IT, B.Ed.

Physical Quantities and Units MIS, DCE, D AS/400e(IBM), OCP(PITB)

akhtar@salt.org.pk

1. Which of the following is not an SI base unit 9. When a beam of light is incident on a surface, it

(Systeme International Units)? delivers energy to the surface. The intensity of

A Kelvin (K) B coulomb (C) the beam is defined as the energy delivered per

C second (s) D Ampere (A) unit area per unit time.

What is the unit of intensity, expressed in SI base

2. Which of the following quantities do not carry units?

any units? A kg m 2 s 1 B kg m2 s 3 C kg s 2 D kg s 3

Refractive

A Impulse
Index 10. Which of the following definitions is correct and

Electric Electric field uses only quantities rather than units?

B
potential strength A Density is mass per cubic metre.

Power / B Potential difference is energy per unit current.
C Strain C Pressure is force per unit area.

Energy

Refractive D Speed is distance travelled per second.
D Strain

Index

11. Which of the following statements is false?

3. What is the special name given to the unit of A A homogeneous equation is a physical correct

equation.
electromotive force of a battery, and what are the

B The principle of homogeneity of an equation
base units of electromotive force?

2 -3 -1
A V, kg m s A cannot determine the value of a unitless constant

B N, kg m s -2 in an equation.

2 -3 -1 C For an equation to be physically correct, it must

C N, kg m s A

D V, kg m s -2 have dimensional consistency.

D The principle of homogeneity of an equation of

4. The electrical power, P dissipated in a resistor of an equation cannot discriminate between two

resistance R when a current I passes through the quantities having the same units(e.g. length of

2
resistor is given by P=I R. How may R be pendulum string, radius of pendulum bob).
expressed in base units?

12. Which of the following has different SI units from
A A2 kg-1 m-2 s3 B kg m2 s-2 A-2

2 -3 -2
C kg m s A DWA -2 the other.

A stress x strain B stress / strain

5. Which of the following pairs of quantities are C potential energy per unit volume

both scalars?
A speed, velocity
C pressure, force
D electric potential, work
D Moment of a force
B current, charge
13. The unit of strain are
A mass / (length x time2) B (length)-1
C length D no units

6. E is given by

14. What is the SI base unit of pressure?

A kg m s-2 B kg m2 s-2
E = (F / A) / (e / l)

Where C kg m s-1 -2
D kg m-2 s-2

F = force exerted on cross-sectional area A of the

material. 15. r V

e = deformation produced (an extension or under steamline conditions in a viscous fluid

compression) experiences a retarding force, given by F = KrV ,

l = original length of the material. K K
2 -1

E possesses a unit similar to A kg m s B kg s-1 m-1
-2 -2
A work B power C kg m s D kg m s-2

C energy D pressure

16. which one of the following pairs of electrical units

7. Which is a pair of SI base units? are the units not equivalent?

A J s-1; W B J C-1; V
A ampere joule

B coulomb second C A s-1; C D N c-1; V m-1

C kilogram kelvin

D metre newton 17. What is the ratio 1µm / 1 Gm ?

A 10-3 B 10-9 C 10-12 D 10-15

8. If p is the momentum of an object of mass m,

then the expression p2 / m has the same units as Note

A acceleration B energy For formulae see back side of this work sheet

C force D impulse

Akhtar Mahmood (0333-4281759)

M.Sc.(Physics), MCS, MBA-IT, B.Ed.

MIS, DCE, D AS/400e(IBM), OCP(PITB)

akhtar@salt.org.pk

Formulae

1. Refractive index: Refractive index = speed of light in vacuum or air ; n=c/v

speed of light in any medium

2. Impulse: Impulse = (Force)(time) = Change of momentum ; u)

3. Electric Potential: Electric Potential = Work done / charge ; V=W/Q

4. Electric field strength: Electric field strength = Force / charge = P.d/ distance ; E=F / Q = V /d

5. Strain: Strain = extension / original length =e/l

6. Stress: Stress = force / cross-sectional Area ; A

7. Moment of a force: Torque = (force)(perpendicular distance) ;

8. Momentum: Momentum = (mass)(velocity) ; P = mv

Answer grid:

Q.No. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17.

Answer

Paper 2 (Structured theory) :

1. For each of the four concepts listed in the left hand column, place a tick by the correct example

of that concept in the appropriate box. [4]

Concept
A base quantity mole length kilogram

A base unit coulomb ampere volt

A scalar quantity torque velocity kinetic energy

A vector quantity mass weight density

2. Complete following table to show each quantity and its unit. [4]

quantity unit

speed

m s-1

density

s-1

electric field strength

.......................................

kg m s-1

3. (a)

............................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................... [2]

(b) Explain why an equation must be homogeneous with respect to the units if it is to be correct.

[1]

(c) Write down an equation which is homogeneous, but still incorrect.

[1]


Akhtar Mahmood (0333-4281759)

CIE Questions on Physical Quantities and Units

M.Sc.(Physics), MCS, MBA-IT, B.Ed.
MIS, DCE, D AS/400e(IBM), OCP(PITB)

akhtar@salt.org.pk

1. A 9. Which of the following could be measured in the

moves a distance L in time T. The equation relating same units as force?

these quantities is A energy / distance B energy x distance

C energy / time D momentum x distance

{Q.2/June.2004/9702-1}

Where a is the internal radius of the tube and P and Q
10. The notation µs is used as an abbreviation for a

certain unit of time.

are constants.
What is the name and value of this unit?

Which line gives the correct units for P and Q?

P Q name value

A m 2
m2s-2
6
B m 2
ms-2 A microsecond 10 s

2
C m m3s-2

D m3 ms-2
B microsecond 10 3
s

{Q.4/Nov. 2011/9702/11} C millisecond 10 6
s

2. Which pair of units are both SI base units? D millisecond 10 3

s

A ampere, degree Celsius B ampere, Kelvin {Q.3/June.2004/9702-1}
C coulomb, degree Celsius D coulomb. Kelvin

{Q.1/Nov.2005,June 2002/9702-1} 11. A student measures a current as 0.5 A. Which of the

3. following correctly expresses this result?

-2
Which line in the A 50mA B 50MA C 500mA D 500MA

table correctly indicates the prefixes micro, nano and {Q.1/Nov.2003/9702-1}

pico? 12.
x 10 -12
x 10 -9
x 10 -6 The momentum of an object of mass m is p. Which

quantity has tehsame base units as p2/m?

A nano Micro pico A enrgy B force C power D velocity

{Q.3/Nov.2000/9702-1}

B nano Pico micro

The unit of work, the joule, may be defined as the

13. work done when the point of application of a force
C pico Nano micro

of 1 newton is moved a distance of 1 metre in the
D pico Micro nano direction of the force.

{Q.2/Nov.2005, Nov 2002/9702-1} Express the joule in terms of the base units of mass,

length and time, the kg, m and s.

Which quantity is measured in electronvolts (eV)? A kg m 1 s2 B kg m2 s 2

4. A electric charge B electric potential C kg m s2 1
C kg s 2

C energy D power {Q.2/June.2003/9702-1}

{Q.1/Nov. 2011/9702/12}
14. Which formula could be correct for the speed v of

Which group of quantities contains only vectors? ocean waves in terms of the density of sea water,

5. the acceleration of free fall g, the depth h of the

A acceleration, displacement, speed

B acceleration, work, electric field strength ocean and the wave length
C displacement, force, velocity A B

C D
D power, electric field strength, force

{Q.3/June.2002/9702-1}
{Q.1/Nov. 2011/9702/13}

6. 15. Which of the following is a base quantity with its

To check calculations, the units are put into the correct S.I. unit?

following equations together with the numbers. Quantity Unit

Which equation must be incorrect?
A force = 300 J / 6 m B power = 6000 J × 20 s A Current A

C time = 6 m / 30 m s 1 D velocity = 4 m s 2 × 30 s B Mass G

{Q.1/June 2011/9702/11}

C Temperature °C

7. Which of the following definitions is correct and uses D weight N

only quantities rather than units?
A Density is mass per cubic metre. {Q.1/ Nov. 2001/8702-1}

B Potential difference is energy per unit current. 16.
Four physical quantitiesP, Q, R and S are related by

C Pressure is force per unit area. the equation P =Q RS. Which statement must be

D Speed is distance travelled per second. correct for the equation to be homogeneous?

{Q.2/Nov.2004/9702-1} A P, Q, R and S all have the same units.

8. B P, Q, R and S are all scalar quantities.

When a beam of light is incident on a surface, it C The product RS has the same units as P and Q.

delivers energy to the surface. The intensity of D The product RS is numerically equal to (Q and P)

the beam is defined as the energy delivered per unit {Q.1/Nov. 1999/9243/1}

area per unit time. What is the unit of intensity,

expressed in SI base units? Show that Pressure = density x (speed)2 is

A kg m 2 s 1 B kg m2 s 3 C kg s 2 D kg s 3 17. homogeneous equation. {Q.1 (b)//June 01/8702-2}

{Q.3/Nov.2004/9702-1}

Akhtar Mahmood (0333-4281759)

M.Sc.(Physics), MCS, MBA-IT, B.Ed.

1(g) Estimation
MIS, DCE, D AS/400e(IBM), OCP(PITB)
teacher_786@hotmail.com

Q. 1 Give an SI unit and an estimate of the magnitude of each of the following physical quantities.

(Marks will be awarded for the correct order of magnitude of each estimate, not necessary for its
accuracy).

Physical Quantity Magnitude unit

the weight of an adult

the power of a hair drier

the energy required to bring to the boil a kettle full of

water

the resistance of a domestic lamp

the wavelength of visible light

Mass of a cricket ball

Q. 2 Make reasonable estimates of the following quantities.

(a) mass of an apple

mass = ............................................... kg [1]

(b) number of joules of energy in 1 kilowatt-hour

number = ................................................... [1]

(c) wavelength of red light in a vacuum
wavelength = ............................................m [1]

(d) pressure due to a depth of 10 m of water

pressure = .............................................. Pa [1]

{Q. 1/June 2002/9702}

Q. 3 Make estimates of the following quantities.

(a) the speed of sound in air

(b) the density of air at room temperature and pressure

(c) the mass of a protector

(d) the volume, in cm3, of the head of an adult person

{Q. 1/June 2005/9702}
Q.4 Make reasonable estimates of the following quantities.

(a) the frequency of audible sound wave

(b) the wavelength, in nm, of ultraviolet radiation

(c) the mass of a plastic 30 cm ruler

(d) the density of air at atmospheric pressure

[1] -3

{Q. 1/June 2008/9702}

Q. 5 Make estimates of the following quantities:

(a) (b)

(c) (d)

(e) (f) The diameter o

(g) (h)

(i) (j)

Akhtar Mahmood (0333-4281759)

M.Sc.(Physics), MCS, MBA-IT, B.Ed.

1(g) Estimation (Answers) MIS, DCE, D AS/400e(IBM), OCP(PITB)

teacher_786@hotmail.com

Q. 1 Give an SI unit and an estimate of the magnitude of each of the following physical quantities.
(Marks will be awarded for the correct order of magnitude of each estimate, not necessary for its

accuracy).

Physical Quantity Magnitude unit

the weight of an adult 585 to 980 N

the power of a hair drier 400 to 1000 W

the energy required to bring to the boil a kettle full of

water
7500 to 315000 J

the resistance of a domestic lamp 240 to 960

the wavelength of visible light 400 to 700 × 10-9 m

Mass of a cricket ball kg

Q. 2 Make reasonable estimates of the following quantities.

(a) mass of an apple

mass = allow 50 g to 500 g [1]

(b) number of joules of energy in 1 kilowatt-hour

number = allow 3M J to 4M J [1]

(c) wavelength of red light in a vacuum

wavelength = allow 600 to 800 n m [1]
(d) pressure due to a depth of 10 m of water

pressure = allow 5 × 104 to 5× 105 Pa [1]

{Q. 1/June 2002/9702}

Q. 3 Make estimates of the following quantities.

(a) the speed of sound in air

speed = allow 100 ms-1 to 900 ms-1 [1]

(b) the density of air at room temperature and pressure

density = allow 0.5 kg m-3 to 1.5 kg m-3 [1]

(c) the mass of a protector

mass = 5 to 50 g [1]

3
(d) the volume, in cm , of the head of an adult person

volume = allow 2 × 103 cm3 to 9 × 103 cm3 [1]

{Q. 1/June 2005/9702}

Q. 4 Make reasonable estimates of the following quantities.
(a) the frequency of audible sound wave

frequency = allow anything in the range 20 Hz to 20 kHz [1]

(b) the wavelength, in nm, of ultraviolet radiation

wavelength = allow anything in the range 10 nm to 400 nm [1]

(c) the mass of a plastic 30 cm ruler

mass = allow anything in the range 10 g to 100 g [1]

(d) the density of air at atmospheric pressure
density = allow anything in the range 0.1 kg m-3 to 10 kg m-3 [1]

{Q. 1/June 2008/9702}

Q. 5Make estimates of the following quantities:

(a) Length of a car 4m (b) diameter of a hair 5 × 10-4 m

(c) diameter of an atom 3 × 10-10 m (d) diameter of a nucleus 6 × 10-15 m

(e) mass of an adult human 55 to 95 kg (f) The diameter of a pencil 0.5 to 1 cm

(g) Volume of a pea 0.5 cm3 (h) The speed of a jumbo jet 220 m s-1

(i) The temperature of the human body 310 K (j) The height of ceiling in a room 2.5-3.5m

Answer all the questions in the spaces provided.

1 (a) Define density.

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [1]

(b) A smooth pebble, made from uniform rock, has the shape of an elongated sphere as shown
in Fig. 1.1.

Fig. 1.1

The length of the pebble is L. The cross-section of the pebble, in the plane perpendicular to L,

is circular with a maximum radius r.

A student investigating the density of the rock makes measurements to determine the values
of L, r and the mass M of the pebble as follows:

L = (0.1242 ± 0.0001) m
r = (0.0420 ± 0.0004) m
M

(i) State the name of a measuring instrument suitable for making this measurement of L.

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(ii) Determine the percentage uncertainty in the measurement of r.

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

© UCLES 2021 9702/21/O/N/21

(c) The density of the rock from which the pebble in (b) is composed is given by
Mr n

=
kL
where n is an integer and k is a constant, with no units, that is equal to 2.094.

(i) Use SI base units to show that n is equal to –2.

[2]

(ii) Calculate the percentage uncertainty in .

percentage uncertainty = ..................................................... % [3]

(iii) Determine with its absolute uncertainty. Give your values to the appropriate number of

significant figures.

= ( ...................................... ± ...................) kg m–3 [3]

[Total: 11]

© UCLES 2021 9702/21/O/N/21 [Turn over



Answer all the questions in the spaces provided.

1 (a) A unit may be stated

with a prefix that represents a power-of-ten multiple or submultiple.

Complete Table 1.1 to show the name and symbol of each prefix and the corresponding

power-of-ten multiple or submultiple.

Table 1.1

power-of-ten multiple

prefix
or submultiple
kilo (k) 103

tera (T)

( ) 10–12
[2]

(b) In the following list, underline all the units that are SI base units.

ampere coulomb metre newton [1]

(c) The potential difference V between the two ends of a uniform metal wire is given by

4 LI
V=
d2

where d is the diameter of the wire,

I is the current in the wire,

L is the length of the wire,

and is the resistivity of the metal.

For a particular wire, the percentage uncertainties in the values of some of the above
quantities are listed in Table 1.2.

Table 1.2

quantity percentage uncertainty

d ± 3.0%
I ± 2.0%

L ± 2.5%
V ± 3.5%

© UCLES 2021 9702/22/O/N/21

The quantities listed in Table 1.2 have values that are used to calculate as 4.1 10–7 m.

For this value of , calculate:

(i) the percentage uncertainty

percentage uncertainty = ......................................................% [2]

(ii) the absolute uncertainty.

absolute uncertainty = .................................................. m [1]

[Total: 6]

© UCLES 2021 9702/22/O/N/21 [Turn over



Answer all the questions in the spaces provided. For

Examiner’s

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

V Pr 4

=
t 8Cl

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
/ 10–6 m3 s–1 P / 103 N m–2 r / mm l /m
t

1.20 ± 0.01 2.50 ± 0.05 0.75 ± 0.01 0.250 ± 0.001

Fig. 1.1

(a) Calculate the value of C.

C = ..................................... N s m–2 [2]

(b) Calculate the uncertainty in C.

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]

© UCLES 2012 9702/22/M/J/12 [Turn over



 Akhtar Mahmood (0333-4281759)

PRECISION AND ACCURACY M.Sc.(Physics), MCS, MBA-IT, B.Ed.

MIS, DCE, D AS/400e(IBM), OCP(PITB)
teacher_786@hotmail.com

1. A series of measurements of the acceleration of value of X is obtained. X has a true value Xo.
free fall g is shown in the table. Which set of Which graph could be obtained if the measurement
results is precise but not accurate? of X has a large systematic error but a small random

g / ms-2 error?
A 9.81 9.79 9.84 9,83 9.79
B 9.81 10.12 9.89 8.94 9.42

C 9.45 9.21 8.99 8.76 8.51

D 8.45 8.46 8.50 8.41 8.47

2. A steel rule can be read to the nearest millimetre.

It is used to measure the length of a bar whose

true length is 895 mm. Repeated measurements

give the following readings.
length / mm 892, 891, 892, 891, 891, 892

Are the readings accurate and precise to within 1

mm?

results are accurate results are precise

to within 1 mm to within 1 mm
A No No

B No Yes
C Yes No
D yes Yes
6. The following graph is obtained when a voltmeter is

calibrated.
3. A student acrries out a series of determinations of

the acceleration of free fall g. The table shows the

results.
g

/m 4.91 4.89 4.88 4.90 4.93 4.92

s2
What can be said about this experiment?

A It is accurate and precise.

B It is accurate and not precise.
C It is not accurate and not precise. Which of the following best describes the

D It is not accurate and precise

voltmeter?
4. A quantity x is measured many times. The number significnt significant high High

N of measurements giving a value x is plotted systemati random precision accuracy

against x. The true value of the quantity is xo. c error error obtained obtained
Which graph best represents precise A

measurements with poor accuracy? B

C

7. A micrometer, reading to ±0.01 mm, gives the

following results when used to measure the diameter

d of a uniform wire:
1.02 mm, 1.02 mm, 1.01 mm, 1.02 mm, 1.02mm
When the wire is removed and the jaws are closed, a

reading of -0.02 mm is obtained. Which of the

following gives the value of d with a precision
appropriate to the micrometer?

A 1.0 mm B 1.00 mm
C 1.038 mm D 1.04 mm

Answer Grid
A quantity X is measured many times. A graph is
plotted showing the number n of times a particular Q.

5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
value of X is obtained. X has a true value Xo No
plotted showing the number n of times a particular

(a) For each of the following, tick [ ] one box to indicate whether the experimental technique For
would reduce random error, systematic error or neither. The first row has been completed Examiner’s
as an example. Use

random error systematic error neither

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

[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.

number
8

of readings

0
10.0 10.2 10.4 10.6 10.8

reading of time interval / s

Fig. 1.1

The true value of the time interval is 10.1 s.

© UCLES 2011 9702/23/M/J/11

(i) State how the readings on Fig. 1.1 show the presence of For
Examiner’s

1. a systematic error, Use

..................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................. [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]

© UCLES 2011 9702/23/M/J/11 [Turn over

 Akhtar Mahmood (0333-4281759)
M.Sc.(Physics), MCS, MBA-IT, B.Ed.

ERRORS AND UNCERTAINTIES (Page 1) MIS, DCE, D AS/400e(IBM), OCP(PITB)

teacher_786@hotmail.com

1. When asked to determine the resistance R of a closed. The new reading is shown in diagram 2

given conductor from 6 sets of voltage V and

current I readings, student A plotted V against I
and obtained the gradient of the plot while

student B found R by averaging 6 sets of (V, I )

readings. Which of the following statements is

correct?
(A) Procedure taken by student A will only reduce
Diagram 1
random errors computed for R.

(B) Procedure taken by student B will only reduce

the systematic errors in finding R.
(C) Procedure taken by student A reduces both

systematic and random errors.

(D) Procedure taken by student B is basically the
same in effect as taken by student A.

Diagram 2
2. Which of the following experimental techniques
reduces the systematic error of the quantity being What is the diameter of the wire?

(A) 1.90mm (B) 2.45mm

investigated?
(A) timing a large number of oscillations to find a (C) 2.59mm (D) 2.73mm

period
(B) measuring several antinodal distances on a
standing wave to find the mean internodal 6. Which of the following recorded measurements of

distance. a physical quantity has the greatest percentage

(C) measuring the diameter of a wire repeatedly uncertainty?
and calculating the average. (A) (243 ± 1) g (B) (76.4 ± 0.2) mm

(C) (22.43 ± 0.01) s (D) (36.4 ± 0.5) mA

(D) Adjusting an ammeter to remove its zero error
before measuring a current.

7. The resistance of an unknown resistor can be

3. When comparing systematic and random errors, found by formula R=V/I.
the following pairs of properties of errors in an The voltmeter reading has a 3 % uncertainty and

experimental measurement may be considered: the ammeter has a 2% uncertainty.

P1 : error can possibly be eliminated What is the uncertainty in the calculated
P2 : error cannot possibly be eliminated resistance?

(A) 1.5% (B) 5 % (C) 3% (D) 6%

Q1 : error is of constant sign and magnitude
Q2 : error is of varying sign and magnitude
R1 : error will be reduced by averaging repeated 8. A thermometer can be read to an accuracy of

measurements ± 0.5 °C. This thermometer is used to measure a

R2 : error will not be reduced by averaging temperature rise from 40 °C to 100 °C.

repeated measurements. What is the percentage uncertainty in the

Which properties apply to random errors? measurement of temperature rise?
(A) P1 , Q1 , R2 (B) P1 , Q2 , R2 (A) 0.5% (B) 0.8% (C) 1.3% (D) 1.7%

(C) P2 , Q2 , R1 (D) P2 , Q1 , R1

4. Which experimental technique reduces the 9. In an experiment, the length and breadth of a

rectangular card was found to be (64 ± 2) mm and

systematic error of the quantity being
investigated? (47 ± 1) mm respectively.

(A) adjusting an ammeter to remove its zero error The uncertainty in the area is at most
before measuring a current (A) 75 mm2 (B) 150 mm2
(B) measuring several internodal distances on a (C) 100 mm2 (D) 200 mm2

standing wave to find the mean internodal

distance
An experiment is done to measure the resistance of a

(C) measuring the diameter of a wire repeatedly 10. wire.

and calculating the average The current in the wire is 1.0 ± 0.2 A and the potential
(D) timing a large number of oscillations to find difference across the wire is 8.0 ± 0.4 V.

a period What is the resistance of the wire and its uncertainty?

(A)
5. A micrometer screw gauge is used to measure the (B)

diameter of a copper wire. The reading with the (C )

wire in position is shown in diagram 1. The wire (D)
is removed and the jaws of the micrometer are

11. The dimensions of a cube are measured with 17. The following are the readings of a travelling
vernier calipers. microscope when the cross-wires are aligned at

opposite ends of a diameter of a capillary bore.

R1 = (21.14 ± 0.01) cm
30 mm R2 = (20.98 ± 0.01) cm

What is the maximum percentage uncertainty in

the area of the cross-section of the capillary bore?

(A) 13 % (B) 25 %
30 mm (C) 18 % (D) 29 %
30 mm

18. Using a micrometer, the diameter of apiece of

The measured length of each side is 30 mm. If wire was found to be (0.15 ± 0.01) mm. The area
the vernier calipers can be read with an of cross-section of the wire may be quoted as

uncertainty of ± 0.1 mm, what does this give for (A) 0.01767 ± 0.00236 mm2
the approximate uncertainty in the value of its (B) 0.0176714 ± 0.002356 mm2
volume? (C) (1.76 ± 0.24) x 10-2 mm2

(A) 1/27 % (B) 0.3 % (C) 1/3 % (D) 1% (D) (0.018 ± 0.002) mm2
The diameter, height and mass of a given

12. 19. The wall thickness of a cylindrical glass tube is

cylinder are found to be (3.6 ± 0.1) cm, (2.8 ±
determined by measuring its external and internal
0.1) cm and (56 ± 1)g respectively. The density
diameters with the help of vernier calipers. If the

of the cylinder can be quoted as

readings obtained are (27.23 ± 0.01) cm and
(A) (1.97 ± 0.22) g cm-3
(24.15 ± 0.01) cm respectively, the wall thickness
(B) (1.9 ± 0.2) g cm-3
of the glass tubing is

(C) (2.00 ± 0.22) g cm-3

(A) 3.08 ± 0.02 cm (B) 1.54 ± 0.02 cm
(D) (2.0 ± 0.2) g cm-3
(C) 3.08 ± 0.01 cm (D) 1.54 ± 0.01 cm

In an experiment, a radio-controlled car takes

13. 20. A student finds the density of liquid by measuring
2.50 ± 0.05 s to travel 40.0 ± 0.1 m.
its mass and its volume. The following is a
What is th

summary of his measurements.

uncertainty in this value? Mass of empty beaker = (20 ± 1) g
(A) 16 ± 1 m s-1 (B) 16.0 ± 0.2 m s-1 Mass of empty beaker + liquid = (70 ± 1) g

(C) 16.0 ± 0.4 m s-1 (D) 16.00 ± 0.36 m s-1 Volume of liquid =(10.0 ± 0.6) cm3
He correctly calculates the density of the liquid as
5.0 g cm-3.

In a simple electrical circuit, the current in a What is the uncertainty in this value?
14.
resistor is measured as (2.50 ± 0.05) mA. The (A) 0.3 g cm-3 (B) 0.5 g cm-3
resis (C) 0.6 g cm -3
(D) 2.6 g cm-3

2%.
If these values were used to calculate the power A student uses a metre rule to measure the length
dissipated in the resistor, what would be the

21. of an elastic band before and after stretching it.

percentage uncertainty in the value obtained? The lengths are recorded as
(A) 2 % (B) 4 % (C) 6 % (D) 8 % band before stretching, Lo = 50.0 ± 0.1 cm

band after stretching, Ls = 51.6 ± 0.1 cm.

A student makes measurements from which she Determine
15.
calculates the speed of sound as 327.66 ms 1.She (a) the change in length (Ls - Lo), quoting your

estimates that her result is accurate to ±3 %. answer with its uncertainty,

Which of the following gives her result
expressed to the appropriate number of (Ls - Lo [1]

significant figures? (b) the fractional change in length, (Ls - Lo)

(A) 327.7 ms 1 (B) 328 ms 1 Lo

(C) 330 ms 1 (D) 300 ms 1

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

The power loss P in a resistor is calculated

16.
Using the formula
P= V2/R.

The uncertainty in the potential difference V is

3% and the uncertainty in the resistances R is

2%. What is the uncertainty in P?
(A) 4% (B) 7% (C) 8% (D) 11%

[3]


 SALT ACADEMY

Akhtar Mahmood (0333-4281759)

MEASUREMENTS & ERRORS
teacher_786@hotmail.com

{Q. 1/Nov. 17/9702/22}

2.

{Q. 5/Nov. 17/9702/21}

3.

{Q. 4/Nov. 17/9702/23}

4.

{Q. 5/Nov. 17/9702/23}

 Akhtar Mahmood (0333-4281759)

VECTORS M.Sc.(Physics), MCS, MBA-IT, B.Ed.

MIS, DCE, D AS/400e(IBM), OCP(PITB)
teacher_786@hotmail.com, 0300-4939319

Q1. (a) State the difference between a scalar quantity and a vector quantity.

(b) Two forces of magnitude 6.0 N and 8.0 N act at a point P. Both forces act away from point P and the
angle between them is 40°. Figure below shows two lines at an angle of 40° to one another.

40°

Draw a vector diagram to determine the magnitude of the resultant of two forces. [4]
{Q.1 / June 2004/9702-1}

Q.2 A picture of weight 5 N is suspended from a hook on a wall by a cord which has a breaking strength of
25 N. Initially (Fig. 2.1) the picture is found to be too low; the cord is shortened, with the intention of

hanging the picture as in Fig. 2.2.

5°
45°

Picture
Picture

Fig. 2.1 Fig. 2.2

However, when the picture is replaced the chord breaks immediately. Explain why the cord broke when

supporting a load so much less than its breaking strength.


Akhtar Mahmood (0333-4281759)
Surprise Test (Topic : Vectors ) M.Sc.(Physics), MCS, MBA-IT, B.Ed.
MIS, DCE, D AS/400e(IBM), OCP(PITB)
teacher_786@hotmail.com,

Name :_____________________________________________

Contact No. _________________________ School:____________________________

Paper 1 (MCQ)

Q. No. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

Answer

Paper 2 (AS Theory)

The diagram shows the forces acting on a stationary kite. The force F is the force that the air exerts on the kite. The

weight of the kite is 2.5 N

(a) Show on the diagram how force F can be resolved into horizontal and vertical components. [1]
(b) The magnitude of the tension, T, is 25 N. [1]

Calculate
(i) the horizontal component of the tension,

........................................................................................................................................................................................
...
(ii) the vertical component of the tension.

...........................................................................................................................................................................................

(c) (i) Calculate the magnitude of the vertical component of F.

...........................................................................................................................................................................................
(ii) State the magnitude of the horizontal component of F.

..........................................
(iii) Hence calculate the magnitude of F.

[4]


3 (a) State Newton’s first law. For

Examiner’s
.......................................................................................................................................... Use

...................................................................................................................................... [1]

(b) A log of mass 450 kg is pulled up a slope by a wire attached to a motor, as shown in
Fig. 3.1.

motor
log wire

12°

Fig. 3.1

The angle that the slope makes with the horizontal is 12°. The frictional force acting on

the log is 650 N. The log travels with constant velocity.

(i) With reference to the motion of the log, discuss whether the log is in equilibrium.

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................. [2]

(ii) Calculate the tension in the wire.

tension = ............................................. N [3]

(iii) State and explain whether the gain in the potential energy per unit time of the log is
equal to the output power of the motor.

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................. [2]

© UCLES 2012 9702/22/M/J/12 [Turn over



Answer all the questions in the spaces provided. For

Examiner’s

1 (a) Explain the differences between the quantities distance and displacement. Use

..........................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................... [2]

(b) State Newton’s first law.

..........................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................... [1]

(c) Two tugs pull a tanker at constant velocity in the direction XY, as represented in Fig. 1.1.

tug 1
T1

X 25.0°
tanker Y
15.0°

T2

tug 2

Fig. 1.1

Tug 1 pulls the tanker with a force T1 at 25.0° to XY. Tug 2 pulls the tanker with a force

of T2 at 15.0° to XY. The resultant force R due to the two tugs is 25.0 × 103 N in the
direction XY.

(i) By reference to the forces acting on the tanker, explain how the tanker may be
described as being in equilibrium.

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................. [2]

© UCLES 2012 9702/23/M/J/12

(ii) 1. Complete Fig. 1.2 to draw a vector triangle for the forces R, T1 and T2. [2] For
Examiner’s
Use

25.0 × 103 N

Fig. 1.2

2. Use your vector triangle in Fig. 1.2 to determine the magnitude of T1 and of T2.

T1 = ................................................... N

T2 = .................................................. N

[2]

© UCLES 2012 9702/23/M/J/12 [Turn over



2 A motor drags a log of mass 452 kg up a slope by means of a cable, as shown in Fig. 2.1. For
Examiner’s
Use

m
10.0 motor

start and finish cable

P
position
of log
14.0°

Fig. 2.1

The slope is inclined at 14.0° to the horizontal.

(a) Show that the component of the weight of the log acting down the slope is 1070 N.

[1]

(b) The log starts from rest. A constant frictional force of 525 N acts on the log. The log
accelerates up the slope at 0.130 m s–2.

(i) Calculate the tension in the cable.

tension = ............................................. N [3]

© UCLES 2012 9702/23/M/J/12

 Akhtar Mahmood (0333-4281759)

VECTORS
VECTORS
M.Sc.(Physics), MCS, MBA-IT, B.Ed.
MIS, DCE, D AS/400e(IBM), OCP(PITB)
teacher_786@hotmail.com, 0300-4939319

1. Which pair contains one vector and one 8. Two forces, each of 10 N, act at a point P as hown
scalar quantity? in the diagram. The angle between the directions of

A displacement : acceleration the forces is 120°.

B force : kinetic energy

C momentum : velocity 10 N
D power : speed

2. Which list contains only scalar quantities?

A mass, acceleration, temperature, kinetic 120°
energy 10 N

B mass, pressure, electric potential, kinetic P

energy What is the magnitude of the resultant force?
C acceleration, temperature, volume, A5N B 10 N C 17 N D 20 N

electric charge
D moment, impulse, density, electric field 9. Figure shows three force vectors.

4N
3. Which line in the table correctly identifies
force, kinetic energy and momentum as

scalar or vector quantities? 3N

Kinetic
Force Momentum
energy 1N

A scalar vector vector Which of the following vectors A, B, C, D would

B vector scalar scalar be most likely to represent their resultant.

C vector scalar vector

D vector vector vector A B C D

4. Forces of 4N and 6N act at a point. Which

of the following could not be the magnitude
of their resultant? Two forces act on a circular disc as shown in the

A1N B6N C8N D 10 N 10. diagram.

3N
5. The following physical quantities can be

either positive or negative.

4N

s: displacement of a particle along a

straight line
: temperature on the Celsius scale Which arrow best shows the line of action of the

q : electric charge resultant forces. A

V: reading on a digital voltmeter B
C D

Which of these quantities are vectors?

A s, , q, V B s, q, V

C ,V D s only

6. Find the angle between two equal forces F

when their resultant is also equal to F.

A 120° B 135° C 45° D 60° The vector diagram shows three coplanar forces
11. acting on an object at P

7. A force of 5 N may be represented by two

perpendicular components OY snd OX as
shown in the diagram, which is not drawn to 3N

scale.
Y P 4N

3N 5N
4N

O X
The magnitude of the resultant of these three forces

OY is of magnitude 3 N. is 1N. What is the direction of this resultant.

What is the magnitude of OX. A B C D

A2N B3N C4N D5N

Theory section


12. Two forces X and Y act at a point P as For each of the following figures, express the
shown. The lengths of the lines represent vector R in terms of vectors P and Q.

the magnitudes of the forces.

R P R

X P
Q Q

P
Y

Which vector diagram shows the resultant R

of these two forces? Q R P R
A B

P Q
X X

R R

Y Y *************************

The diagram shows two vectors X and Y.

C

X X
Y Y

R
D Draw the vector triangle in which the vector Z

show
X Y (a) the magnitude and direction of vector X + Y?

13. Figure shows the velocities 20 m s-1 and 25

m s-1 of two cars X and Y at one instant on a

circular track.

Y X
(b) the magnitude and direction of vector X Y?

The velocity of Y relative to X in m s-1 is

given by which vector.

A 5 B 45

45
C D
5

(c) the magnitude and direction of vector Y X?

14. A pendulum bob is held stationary by a

horizontal force H. The three forces acting

on the bob are shown in the diagram.

30° H

W
Which statement is correct?

A H = T cos 30° B T = H cos 30° **********************

C W = T cos 30° D W = Tsin 30°
 Akhtar Mahmood (0333-4281759)
M.Sc.(Physics), MCS, MBA-IT, B.Ed.

VECTORS MIS, DCE, D AS/400e(IBM), OCP(PITB)

teacher_786@hotmail.com,

1. The diagram below shows a heavy flagpole PQ hinged 6. Two forces act on a circular disc as shown.
at a vertical wall at end P and held by a wire connected

between end Q and a point R on the wall. The weight of

the flagpole is w and the tension in the wire is T.

Which diagram shows the line of action of the

resultant force?

7.

Which two vector diagrams represent forces in

What is the direction of the force exerted by the wall on equilibrium?
the flagpole?

A PQ B PS C PX D QP

In the diagram below, a body S of weight W hangs

2. vertically by a thread tied at Q to the string PQR.

R

P Q 30° A P and Q B Q and R

C R and S D S and P

8. A hinged door is held closed in the horizontal

position by a cable.

Three forces act on the door: the weight W of the

S door, the tension T in the cable, and the force H at
the hinge.

If the system is in equilibrium, what is the tension in the

section PQ?
A W cos 60° B W tan 30°

C W cos 30° D W tan 60°

3. A body is acted on by three forces X, Y and Z that hold it

in equilibrium.
If X = 5 N, Y = 4 N, and Z = 3 N, what is the angle Which list gives the three forces in increasing
order of magnitude
between the directions of X and Z?

A 37° B 53° C 90° D 127° A H,T,W B T,H,W

C W,H,T D W,T,H
Three coplanar forces act at the point O as shown.

4. Y 9. The diagram shows the jib of a tower crane.

5N Only three forces act on the jib; the tension T
4N provided by a supporting cable; the weight W

60° 30° of the jib; and a force P (not shown) acting at

X
point X.

T
3N
The component of the resultant force, in N, along OX is
A0 B 0.96 C 2.33 D 3.33

X jib
W
A body slides down a smooth slope inclined at 30°
5. to the horizontal. The jib is in equilibrium.

Which triangle of forces is correct?

What is the acceleration?

A 5.0 m s-2 B 5.8 m s-2
C 8.7 m s-2 D 10 m s-2

1. A cable car of weight W hangs in equilibrium 3. The diagram shows a rope bridge that a student
from its cable at point P. makes on an adventure training course. The student

The cable has tensions T1 and T2 as shown. has a weight W.

Which formula gives the tension T in the rope?

4. The diagrams show two ways of hanging the same

picture.

Which diagram correctly represents the forces

acting at point P?

In both cases, a string is attached to the same points

on the picture and looped symmetrically

over a nail in a wall. The forces shown are those

that act on the nail.
In diagram 1, the string loop is shorter than in

diagram 2.
Which information about the magnitude of the
forces is correct?

A R1 = R2 T1 = T2 B R1 = R2 T1 > T2
C R1 > R2 T1 < T2 D R1 < R2 T1 = T2

5. A ladder is positioned on icy (frictionless) ground

and is leant against a rough wall. At the instant
2 A vector quantity V is resolved into two of release it begins to slide.

perpendicular components X and Y. The angle Which diagram correctly shows the directions of
between V and component X is . the forces P, W and R acting on the ladder as it
begins to slide?

The angle between component X and the vector

V is increased from 0° to 90°.

How do the magnitudes of X and Y change as
reased in this way?

X Y
A increase increase

B increase decrease
C decrease increase
D decrease Decrease

 6. Vectors P and Q are drawn to scale. Which diagram shows the line of action of the

resultant force?

Which diagram represents the vector (P Q) ?

10.

The diagram shows a displacement vector.

7. Vectors P and Q are drawn to scale.

What is the vertical component of this

displacement vector?
11. A 3.0km B 4.0km C 5.0km D 6.6km

Which diagram represents the vector (P + Q)? A cyclist is travelling due south with velocity u.
The wind is blowing from the north-east with

velocity w.

The wind has a velocity v relative to the cyclist,

where v = w u.

Which vector diagram shows the magnitude and

direction of velocity v?

8. Two physical quantities P and Q are added. The

sum of P and Q is R, as shown.

Which quantity could be represented by P and by

Q?
A kinetic energy B power

C speed D velocity
9. Two forces act on a circular disc as shown.

(a) In the following list, underline all units that are SI base units.

ampere degree Celsius kilogram newton [1]

(b) Fig. 1.1 shows a horizontal beam clamped at one end with a block attached to the other end.

block

direction
of oscillations

clamp beam

Fig. 1.1

The block is made to oscillate vertically.

The Young modulus E of the material of the beam is given by

E=
kM
T2

where M is the mass of the block,

T is the period of the oscillations
and k is a constant.

A student determines the values and percentage uncertainties of k, M and T.

Table 1.1 lists the percentage uncertainties.

Table 1.1

percentage
quantity

uncertainty
k ± 2.1%

M ± 0.6%

T ± 1.5%

The student uses the values of k, M and T to calculate the value of E as 8.245 109 Pa.

(i) Calculate the percentage uncertainty in the value of E.

percentage uncertainty = ..................................................... % [2]

© UCLES 2022 9702/22/M/J/22

(ii) Use your answer in (b)(i) to determine the value of E, with its absolute uncertainty, to an
appropriate number of significant figures.

E = (..................................... ± .....................................) 109 Pa [2]

[Total: 5]

© UCLES 2022 9702/22/M/J/22 [Turn over



1 A solid metal sphere

has a diameter of (3.42 ± 0.02) cm and a mass of (67 ± 2) g.

(a) Calculate the density, in g cm–3, of the metal.

density = .............................................. g cm–3 [3]

(b) Determine the percentage uncertainty in the density.

percentage uncertainty = ......................................................% [2]

[Total: 5]

© UCLES 2022 9702/23/M/J/22 [Turn over



Answer all the questions in the spaces provided.

1 (a) Define density.

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [1]

(b) A smooth pebble, made from uniform rock, has the shape of an elongated sphere as shown
in Fig. 1.1.

Fig. 1.1

The length of the pebble is L. The cross-section of the pebble, in the plane perpendicular to L,

is circular with a maximum radius r.

A student investigating the density of the rock makes measurements to determine the values
of L, r and the mass M of the pebble as follows:

L = (0.1242 ± 0.0001) m
r = (0.0420 ± 0.0004) m
M

(i) State the name of a measuring instrument suitable for making this measurement of L.

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(ii) Determine the percentage uncertainty in the measurement of r.

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

© UCLES 2021 9702/21/O/N/21

(c) The density of the rock from which the pebble in (b) is composed is given by
Mr n

=
kL
where n is an integer and k is a constant, with no units, that is equal to 2.094.

(i) Use SI base units to show that n is equal to –2.

[2]

(ii) Calculate the percentage uncertainty in .

percentage uncertainty = ..................................................... % [3]

(iii) Determine with its absolute uncertainty. Give your values to the appropriate number of

significant figures.

= ( ...................................... ± ...................) kg m–3 [3]

[Total: 11]

© UCLES 2021 9702/21/O/N/21 [Turn over



Answer all the questions in the spaces provided.

1 (a) A unit may be

stated with a prefix that represents a power-of-ten multiple or submultiple.
Complete Table 1.1 to show the name and symbol of each prefix and the corresponding

power-of-ten multiple or submultiple.

Table 1.1

power-of-ten multiple

prefix
or submultiple
kilo (k) 103

tera (T)

( ) 10–12
[2]

(b) In the following list, underline all the units that are SI base units.

ampere coulomb metre newton [1]

(c) The potential difference V between the two ends of a uniform metal wire is given by

4 LI
V=
d2

where d is the diameter of the wire,

I is the current in the wire,

L is the length of the wire,

and is the resistivity of the metal.

For a particular wire, the percentage uncertainties in the values of some of the above
quantities are listed in Table 1.2.

Table 1.2

quantity percentage uncertainty

d ± 3.0%
I ± 2.0%

L ± 2.5%
V ± 3.5%

© UCLES 2021 9702/22/O/N/21

The quantities listed in Table 1.2 have values that are used to calculate as 4.1 10–7 m.

For this value of , calculate:

(i) the percentage uncertainty

percentage uncertainty = ......................................................% [2]

(ii) the absolute uncertainty.

absolute uncertainty = .................................................. m [1]

[Total: 6]

© UCLES 2021 9702/22/O/N/21 [Turn over