ZPhysics’ Ultimate Uncertainty Problems

Here are my Uncertainty Physics Problems!

Student Version:

Please note that this is a student version for individual use only. Happy Problem Solving!

Each problem is made by myself (© ZPhysics, 2023) and designed to teach you a skill.

Note: If you are doing A Level Physics some exam boards take the absolute uncertainty to
be 0.5 of the smallest reading, some 1. For this problem sheet I am taking it to be ± 1
smallest reading.

Let’s do some Physics!

Question 1 to 10: Absolute Uncertainties

Question 1:

You measure a distance of 54 mm with a ruler and the smallest distance you can measure is 1
mm. What is the absolute uncertainty in your measurement?

A ± 1 mm

B ± 0.001 mm

C ± 1 cm

D±1m

Question 2:

You measure the mass of two objects to be respectively 5.00 ± 0.01 kg and 4.00 ± 0.01 kg.

The total mass and its absolute uncertainty is:

A 9.00 ± 0.01 kg

B 9.00 ± 0.02 kg

C 9.01 ± 0.02 kg

D 8.99 ± 0.01 kg
Question 3:

You measure the mass of two objects to be respectively m1= 5.00 ± 0.01 kg and m2= 4.00 ±
0.01 kg. What is the value of m1 – m2 and its absolute uncertainty?

A 1.00 ± 0.00 kg

B 1.00 ± 0.01 kg

C 1.00 ± 0.20 kg

D 1.00 ± 0.02 kg

Question 4:

You measure three lengths to be 0.45 ± 0.01 m , 0.30 ± 0.01 m and then you use a different
ruler for the third measurement which is 0.50 ± 0.02 m. What is the absolute uncertainty in
the final result when the first two results are added and the last measurement is subtracted?

A 0.25 m ± 0.04 m

B 0.25 m ± 0.00 m

C 1.25 kg ± 0.04 m

D 0.25 kg ± 0.02 m

Question 5:

You devise an experiment to calculate the average speed of a cart. You measure the distance
to be 1.23 ± 0.01 m and the time elapsed to be 0.79 ± 0.20 seconds. Note: In this problem
we will just assume the uncertainty in the time to 0.20 seconds due to human reaction time.

Calculate the speed and the absolute uncertainty in the velocity.

A 0.64 ± 0.41 m/s

B 1.56 ± 0.26 m/s

C 1.56 ± 0.41 m/s

D 0.64 ± 0.26 m/s

Question 6:

You measure a mass with a digital balance to be 3.218 kg. What is the absolute uncertainty in
the reading?

A ± 0.008 kg

B ± 0.001 kg

C ± 0.018 kg

D ± 0.1 kg

Question 7:

You measure a DC current with a digital ammeter to be 0.255 A. What is the absolute
uncertainty in

A ± 0.008 kg

B ± 0.001 kg

C ± 0.018 kg

D ± 0.1 kg

Question 8:

You devise an experiment to calculate the resistance of a component by measuring the

potential difference across it and the current. Your readings are shown below and are made
with digital instruments.

V/V I/mA
1.67 8.8

Find the resistance and the absolute uncertainty in the reading.

A 0.19 ±3.30 Ω

B 190 ± 1.74 Ω

C 190 ± 3.30 Ω

D 0.19 ± 0.02 Ω
Question 9:

Here is a data set of measurements:

Time/s
1.48
1.26
1.54
1.44
1.32
What is the average with an estimate of the absolute uncertainty of the data above?

A 1.41±0.01 s

B 1.4 ±0.14 s

C 1.41±0.14 s

D 1.4 ±0.01 s

Question 10:

Here is some data. Estimate the absolute uncertainty in the data.

Length/m
0.76
0.77
0.80
0.81
0.77
What is an estimate of the absolute uncertainty of the data above?

A ± 0.025 m

B ± 0.01 m

C ± 0.050 m

D ± 0.05 m
Question 11 to 25: Percentage Uncertainties

Question 11:

You measure a current of 1.24 ± 0.05 A. Find the percentage uncertainty in the reading.

A 1.24 ± 5 %

B 1.24 ± 4%

C 1.24 ± 0.05 %

D 1.24 ± 2480 %

Question 12:

You measure a distance of 0.77 m with a standard metre ruler (resolution of 1 mm). Find the
best estimate of the percentage uncertainty in your answer.

A±1%

B ± 0.00129 %

C ± 0.1 %

D ± 1.29%

Question 13:

You calculate the resistance across a component, R, using R=V/I. Your measured values are a
current, I, of 5.49 ± 0.020 A and a potential difference, V, of 0.025 ± 0.0010 A. Calculate the
percentage uncertainty in the final answer.

A ± 0.9 %

B ± 3.6 %

C ± 0.030 %

D ± 4.4 %
Question 14:

In the double slit experiment the wavelength, λ is calculated using:

𝑎𝑥
λ=
𝐷
where a is the slit separation, x the fringe separation and D is the distance to the screen. The
value of each are given below:

a=0.05 mm ± 0.01 mm

x=1.0 cm ± 0.1 cm

D=24 cm ± 0.1 cm.

Find the percentage uncertainty in the wavelength.

A ± 0.31 %

B ± 0.30 %

C ± 0.21%

D ± 30 %

Question 15:

You calculate the pressure exerted by a rectangular mass from the following data:

mass m = 12.0 ± 0.1 g.

width w= 12.0 cm ± 0.1 cm

length = 4.2 cm ± 0.1 cm

Find the percentage uncertainty in the exerted pressure.

A ± 0.3 %

B±4%

C±8%

D ± 4.2 %
Question 16:

You calculate the electrical power on a resistor from the following data:

current, I = 0.52 ± 0.020 A

Resistance, R=156 ± 10 Ω

Find the percentage uncertainty in the power using the equation 𝑃 = 𝐼 2 𝑅

A ± 10.02 %

B ± 10 %

C ± 14 %

D ± 17 %

Question 17:

You discover a new law in physics in which a quantity, L is directly proportional to x17. An
experimental physicist measures x to be 5.612361 ± 0.000001 m

Find the percentage uncertainty in x17.

A ± 0.000001 %

B ± 3 x 10-4 %

C ± 1.8 x 10-5 %

D ± 2 x 10-5 %
Question 18:

Use the data below to calculate the percentage uncertainty of the density of a cylinder:

diameter 5.24 ± 0.02 cm

height 20.0 ± 0.01 cm

mass 5.50 ± 0.01 kg

A±1%

B ± 0.6 %

C ± 0.06 %

D±6%

Question 19:

The absolute uncertainty in the density of the cylinder from question 18 is about:

A 3.19 x 10-3 ± 3.17 x 10-5 kgm-3

B 0.0128 ± 1.27 x 10-4 kgm-3

C 12800 ± 100 kgm-3

D 334 ± 3.32 kgm-3

Question 20:

Use the data below to calculate the percentage uncertainty of the density of a sphere.

Radius: 12.50 ± 0.20 cm

m = 0.26 ± 0.010 kg

A ± 5.4 %

B ± 8.6 %

C ± 7.0 %

D ± 0.70 %
Question 21:

The absolute uncertainty in the density of the sphere from question 20 is about:

A 3.18 ± 0.27 kgm-3

B 3.18 x 10-5 ± 2.73 x 10-6 kgm-3

C 0.497 ± 43 kgm-3

D 31.8 ± 2.73 kgm-3

Question 22:

Using the data below of 3 different masses, find the percentage uncertainty in the total mass
when the masses are added up.

2.12 ± 0.01 g,

5.31 ± 0.01 g,

7.17 ± 0.01 g

A ± 0.2 %

B ± 0.03 %

C ± 0.07 %

D ± 0.01 %

Question 23:

When you perform an experiment in which you have to time the oscillations of a pendulum.
How can you reduce your percentage uncertainty?

A make sure it’s a fair test

B time one oscillation.

C time at least 10 oscillations, rather than 1

D time 0.1 oscillations

Question 24:

You perform the double slit experiment. Why is it beneficial to measure the fringe separation
initially distance from the central maximum to the 4th fringe, rather than to the first?

A The fourth fringe is typically more visible

B Percentage uncertainty is proportional to distance.

C Percentage uncertainty is inversely proportional to our measured value.

D Percentage uncertainty is inversely proportional to the absolute uncertainty.

Question 25:

Calculate the percentage uncertainty in the resistivity of a wire, ρ, using the equation and the
data below:
𝜌𝐿
𝑅=
𝐴
Where 𝜌 is the resistivity of the wire, 𝐿 is the length of the wire and A is the cross sectional
area.

Measured data:

diameter of the wire: 0.50 mm ± 0.01 mm

potential difference across the wire: 6.42 ± 0.01 V

current through the wire: 0.917 ± 0.010 A

length of the wire: 0.195 m ± 0.001 m

Which answer is the correct value of the resistivity and the absolute uncertainty?

A 7.0 x 10-6 ± 4 x 10-7 Ωm

B 2.8 x 10-5 ± 2 x 10-6 Ωm

C 7.0 x 10-6 ± 2.6 x 10-7 Ωm

D 0.028 ± 2 x 10-3 Ωm
The next set of questions are on errors, precision and accuracy.

Question 26:

Which statement is correct?

A systematic error means that all readings are offset by a different amount.

B systematic error means that all readings are offset by the same amount.

C systematic errors are similar to random errors

D you can reduce systematic errors by taking multiple readings and average

Question 27:

Which is an example of a systematic error?

A a timing error when manually timing an experiment

B an unpredictable change to laboratory conditions

C a random power supply fluctation

D a zero error

Question 28:

How can we reduce the effect of random errors?

A increase the resolution of our instrument

B ensure that there is no zero error

C take multiple readings and average

D decrease the resolution of the effect of the random error

Question 29:

A student performs an experiment with a measuring cylinder. They take each measurement
from a slightly different position leading to a parallax error. This is an example of:

A random error

B systematic error

C both random and systematic error (Schrodinger’s error! : ) )

D Neither, a parallax error is its own class of error.

Question 30:

The graph below is an example of:

A random error as all readings are affected

B systematic error as all readings are shifted up by the same amount

C the graph showcases no error

D both examples of random and systematic errors

Question 31:

Which set of experimental results is an example of poor accuracy for the gravitational
acceleration on Earth? All results are in ms-2.

A 9.80, 9.81, 9.83, 9.79

B 7.2, 7.2, 7.2, 7.2, 7.2

C 9.80, 9.81

D None of the answers

Question 32:

The following results in ms-2 for gravitational acceleration on Earth is an example of:

112, 112, 112, 112, 112

A poor precision, poor accuracy

B good accuracy, poor precision

C good precision, poor accuracy

D None of the answers

Question 33:

To improve accuracy we can:

A use an instrument with a higher resolution

B use an instrument with a larger scale division

C take multiple readings and average to reduce random errors

D use an instrument with a lower resolution

Question 34:

Which error can affect the gradient of a graph:

A systematic error

B random error

C both

Question 35:

Which error can affect the intercept of a graph:

A systematic error

B random error

C both

The next few questions are on graphical representation of uncertainties:

Question 36:

The length of an error bar represents:

A The percentage uncertainty in the quantity.

B Twice the absolute uncertainty of the quantity on the respective axis.

C The absolute uncertainty of the quantity on the respective axis.

D The line of best fit of the point

Question 37:

How can we draw the line of worst fit for error bars aligned with the y axis? There may be
more than one correct answer.

A Bottom of bottom error bar to top of top error bar.

B By drawing a straight line outside of the error bars.

C By going through no more than 50% of the error bars.

D Top of bottom to bottom of top error bars.

Question 38:

Which of the following lines in the figure below is/are the lines of worst acceptable fit?

A a only

B b only

C c only

D a and c
Question 39:

How can we calculate the percentage uncertainty of the gradient using the line worst fit? “𝑚”
in the equations below denotes gradient.
𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑠𝑡 −𝑚𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑠𝑡
A % 𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑦 = 𝑚𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑠𝑡
𝑥100
𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑠𝑡 −𝑚𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑠𝑡
B % 𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑦 = 𝑥100
2
𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑠𝑡 −𝑚𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑠𝑡
C % 𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑦 = 𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑠𝑡
𝑥100

D % 𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑦 = 𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑠𝑡 − 𝑚𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑠𝑡 .

Question 40:

How can we calculate the absolute uncertainty of the gradient using the line worst fit? “𝑚” in
the equations below denotes gradient.
𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑠𝑡 −𝑚𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑠𝑡
A 𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑦 = 𝑚𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑠𝑡
𝑥100
𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑠𝑡 −𝑚𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑠𝑡
B 𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑦 = 2
𝑥100
𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑠𝑡 −𝑚𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑠𝑡
C 𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑦 = 𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑠𝑡
𝑥100

D 𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑦 = 𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑠𝑡 − 𝑚𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑠𝑡 .

Question 41:

How can we calculate the percentage uncertainty of the y intercept using the line worst fit?
“𝑐” in the equations below denotes gradient.
𝑐𝑏𝑒𝑠𝑡 −𝑐𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑠𝑡
A 𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑦 = 2
𝑥100
𝑐𝑏𝑒𝑠𝑡 −𝑐𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑠𝑡
B 𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑦 = 𝑐𝑏𝑒𝑠𝑡
𝑥100
𝑐𝑏𝑒𝑠𝑡 −𝑐𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑠𝑡
C 𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑦 = 𝑐𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑠𝑡
𝑥100

D 𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑦 = 𝑐𝑏𝑒𝑠𝑡 − 𝑐𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑠𝑡

Question 42:

How can we calculate the absolute uncertainty of the y intercept using the line worst fit? “𝑐”
in the equations below denotes gradient.
𝑐𝑏𝑒𝑠𝑡 −𝑐𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑠𝑡
A 𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑦 = 𝑐𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑠𝑡
𝑥100
𝑐𝑏𝑒𝑠𝑡 −𝑐𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑠𝑡
B 𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑦 = 𝑥100
2
𝑐𝑏𝑒𝑠𝑡 −𝑐𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑠𝑡
C 𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑦 = 𝑐𝑏𝑒𝑠𝑡
𝑥100

D 𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑦 = 𝑐𝑏𝑒𝑠𝑡 − 𝑐𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑠𝑡 .

Question 43:

Use the graph below to calculate the resistance and the percentage uncertainty in your
answer.

A 1000 Ω ± 33%

B 1000 Ω ± 50%

C 1 Ω ± 50%

D 1 Ω ± 33%.
Question 44:

Estimate the absolute uncertainty in the gradient in the graph from the question 43:

A ± 500 Ω

B±5Ω

C ± 50 Ω

D ± 5000 Ω

Question 45:

Estimate the absolute uncertainty in the intercept in the graph from the question 43:

A ± 0.1 mV

B ± 100 mV

C ± 0.001 mV

D ± 1mV

Question 46:

Estimate the absolute uncertainty in each voltage reading in the graph from the question 43:

A ± 0.1 mV

B ± 0.05 mV

C ± 1 mV

D ± 0.5 mV

Question 47: A trickier question

3 resistors of resistances 100 Ω, 150 Ω and 200 Ω are connected in series. Calculate the
percentage uncertainty in the total resistance, if the percentage uncertainty in the resistance
of each individual resistance is ± 5 %.

A 22.5 %

B 23 %

C 5%

D 0.05%
Question 48: VERY DIFFICULT (you got this though!)

3 resistors of resistances 100 Ω, 150 Ω and 200 Ω are connected in parallel. Calculate the
percentage uncertainty in the total resistance, if the percentage uncertainty in the resistance
of each individual resistance is ± 5 %.

Hint: This is a tricky one. We can’t use the standard rules for adding percentage uncertainties
as we are neither doing a standard addition/subtraction or multiplication/division. Approach
this by finding the maximum possible resistance and then the minimum possible resistance
based on the uncertainty. Then remember that absolute uncertainty is half the range.

A ±15 %

B±6%

C ± 2.9 %

D ± 22.5%
Question 49: Tricky

Two springs of spring constant 5.0 N/m ± 0.1 N/m are added in parallel. What is the total
spring constant and the percentage uncertainty in the answer?

A 10 N/m ± 2 %

B 10 N/m ± 0.2 %

C 2.5 N/m ± 0.2 %

D 2.5 N/m ± 2 %

Question 50: Very tricky..but you got this!

Two springs of spring constant 5.0 N/m ± 0.1 N/m are added in series. What is the total
spring constant and the absolute uncertainty in the answer? Hint: Use the same technique as
in question 48.

A 10 ± 0.02 N/m

B 10 ± 0.05 N/m

C 2.5 ± 0.05 N/m

D 2.5 ± 0.02 N/m