1 A length x is 50 mm ± 2 mm. Length y is 100 mm ± 6 mm. The length z is given by z = y – x.

What is the best estimate of the uncertainty in z?

A ± 1 mm
B ± 4 mm
C ± 5 mm
D ± 8 mm

Your answer

[1]

2 The table below shows the measurements recorded by a student for a solid metal sphere. The
absolute uncertainties in the mass of the sphere and in its radius are also shown.
mass 100 ± 6 g
radius 1.60 ± 0.08 cm

What is the percentage uncertainty in the density of the sphere?

A 1%
B 11%
C 16%
D 21%

Your answer
[1]

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 3 A metre rule is being used to measure the length ℓ of a section of wire. The end of the ruler is
displaced from the start of the wire.

What is the nature of the errors associated with the length measurement?

A There are random errors but no systematic errors.

B There are systematic errors but no random errors.
C There are both systematic and random errors.
D There is no overall error because the random and systematic errors cancel out.

Your answer
[1]

4 A car travels a distance 166 ± 2 m in a time 5.2 ± 0.1 s.

What is the best estimate of the speed of the car?

A 32 ± 1 m s–1
B 32.0 ± 2.1 m s–1
C 32.0 ± 0.2 m s–1
D 32 ± 0.999 m s–1

Your answer
[1]

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 5 To find the density ρ of a metal wire, a student makes the following measurements:

length l = 100 ± 1 mm
diameter d = 2.50 ± 0.05 mm
mass m = 4.00 ± 0.02 g

The equation is used to calculate the density of the metal.

What is the percentage uncertainty in the answer?

A ± 2.5%
B ± 3.5%
C ± 4.5%
D ± 5.5%

Your answer
[1]

6 A student records the following data during an experiment to determine the internal resistance of a
battery.

e.m.f. = (4.5 ± 0.2) V

terminal p.d. = (3.0 ± 0.1) V
current = (2.0 ± 0.1) A

What is the percentage uncertainty in the value for the internal resistance of the battery?

A 5.0 %
B 6.1 %
C 13 %
D 25 %

Your answer
[1]

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 7 A student determines the resistance R of a filament lamp by measuring the potential difference V
across it and the current I in it. The values recorded by the student are:

V = (5.00 ± 0.20) V and I = (40.0 ± 1.0) mA.

What is the percentage uncertainty in the value of R ?

A 1.5%
B 1.6%
C 6.5%
D 20%

Your answer

[1]

8 The cross-sectional area of a wire is recorded as 0.14 ± 0.01 mm2.

The length of the wire is recorded as 100 ± 1 mm.

What is the percentage uncertainty in the volume of the wire?

A 1.0 %
B 4.6 %
C 7.1 %
D 8.1 %

Your answer

[1]

9 Which is the best estimate of the area of a rectangular field of length 98 ± 3 m and width 47 ± 2 m?

A 4600 ± 5 m2
B 4600 ± 6 m2
C 4600 ± 300 m2
D 4606 ± 337 m2

Your answer [1]

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 10 A student determines the power P dissipated in a resistor. The measured values of the current I in the
resistor and the resistance R of the resistor are:

I = (4.0 ± 0.2) A and R = (3.0 ± 0.3)Ω

The equation P = I2R is used to calculate P.

What is the percentage uncertainty in the value of P?

A 15%

B 20%

C 25%

D 30%

Your answer [1]

11 Which is the best value for the elementary charge e in terms of both accuracy and uncertainty?

A (1.5 ± 0.5) × 10−19 C

B (1.5 ± 0.4) × 10−19 C
C (1.7 ± 0.2) × 10−19 C
D (1.8 ± 0.2) × 10−19 C

Your answer [1]

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 12 The acoustic impedance Z of a material in the shape of a cube can be determined using the equation

where M is the mass of the material, L is the length of each side of the cube and c is the speed of
ultrasound in the material.

The percentage uncertainty in L is 1.2 % and the percentage uncertainty in c is 1.8 %. The
percentage uncertainty in M is negligible.

What is the percentage uncertainty in Z?

A 2.2 %
B 3.0 %
C 4.2 %
D 5.4 %

Your answer [1]

13 A solid cylindrical glass rod has length 20.0 ± 0.1 cm and diameter 5.00 ± 0.01 mm.

What is the percentage uncertainty in the calculated volume of this rod?

A 0.1%

B 0.2%

C 0.7%

D 0.9%

Your answer [1]

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 14
The Young modulus E of a metal can be determined using the expression , where F is the
tension in the wire, d is the diameter of the wire and ε is the strain of the wire.

Here is some data.

Quantity Percentage uncertainty

F 5.3
ε 1.2
D 1.0

What is the percentage uncertainty in the calculated value of E?

A 2.1 %
B 6.4 %
C 7.5 %
D 8.5 %

Your answer [1]

15 The diameter of a wire is measured in five different places along its length.
The results are shown below.
1.92mm 1.88mm 1.90mm 1.86mm 1.89mm

What is the absolute uncertainty in the diameter of this wire?

A 0.01 mm
B 0.03 mm
C 0.05 mm
D 0.06 mm

Your answer [1]

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 16 The accepted value of g is 9.81 ms–2. In an experiment to verify the value of g, students obtained a
value of 10.20 ms–2.

What is the percentage difference between the students’ value and the accepted value of g?
A 1%
B 2%
C 4%
D 8%

Your answer [1]

17 The initial temperature T1 of water in a beaker was 20.1 °C ± 0.2 °C. After the water had been heated
for some time, the final temperature T2 was 27.3 °C ± 0.3 °C. The temperature increase ΔAT is given
by ΔT = T2 − T1

What is the best estimate of the uncertainty in ΔT?

A ± 0.05 °C
B ± 0.1 °C
C ± 0.25 °C
D ± 0.5 °C

Your answer

[1]

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 18(a A group of students are conducting an experiment in the laboratory to determine the acceleration of
) free g using a simple pendulum as shown below.

The pendulum bob is released from rest from a height h. The speed of the pendulum bob as it passes
through the vertical position is v. The speed v is measured using a light-gate and a computer.
The results from the students are shown in a table.

h/m v / m s–1 v2 / m2 s–2

0.052 1.0 ± 0.1 1.0 ± 0.2
0.100 1.4 ± 0.1 2.0 ± 0.3
0.151 1.7 ± 0.1 2.9 ± 0.3
0.204 1.9 ± 0.1
0.250 2.2 ± 0.1 4.8 ± 0.4
0.302 2.4 ± 0.1 5.8 ± 0.5

Complete the missing value of v2 in the table.

[1]
(b) Fig. 24 shows the graph of v2 against h.

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 (i) Plot the missing data point and error bar on Fig. 24.
[1]

(ii) * Explain how Fig. 24 can be used to determine the acceleration of free fall g.
Find the value of g and include the uncertainty in your answer.

[6]

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 19(a A student is investigating the resistance of a conducting putty.
)
The student rolls the putty into a cylinder shape and connects the ends of the cylinder to metal plates
as shown in Fig. 5.1. The ohm-meter is used to measure the resistance R of the conducting putty.

Fig. 5.1

(i) Suggest why the student uses large metal plates at the ends of the conducting putty.

[1]

(ii) Describe how the student can check that the diameter of the conducting putty is constant.

[2]

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 (b) The student measures the resistance R of the conducting putty for different length L.
The volume of the conducting putty is kept constant.

The student's results are shown in Table 5.2.

L/m R/Ω L2 / 10−3 m2

0.049 14 2.4
0.060 21 3.6
0.069 28 4.8
0.081 37
0.090 46 8.1
0.099 57 9.8

Table 5.2

(i) Complete the table for the missing value of L2.

[1]

(ii) Each length is measured to the nearest millimetre using a ruler.

Determine the percentage uncertainty in L2 for L = 0.049 m.

percentage uncertainty = _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ % [1]

(c) Fig. 5.3 shows the graph of R (y-axis) against L2 (x-axis).

(i) Plot the missing data point and draw the straight line of best fit.

[2]

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 (ii) Determine the gradient of the line of best fit.

gradient = _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ [2]

Fig. 5.3

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 (d) The relationship between R and L is

where ρ is the resistivity of the conducting putty and V is the volume.

Use your answer to (ii) from the previous question and V = 1.9 × 10−5 m3 to determine a value for ρ.
Include an appropriate unit.

ρ = _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ unit: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ [3]

20(a
) State one S.I. base quantity other than length, mass and time.

[1]

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 (b) Fig. 17 shows two resistors X and Y connected in series.

Fig. 17

The resistors are wires. Both wires have the same length L and diameter d. The material of X has
resistivity ρ and the material of Y has resistivity 2ρ.

(i) Show that the total resistance R of the wires is given by the equation

[2]

(ii) A student uses the equation in (i) to determine R.

The table below shows the data recorded by the student in her lab book.

Quantity Value
ρ 4.7 × 10−7 Ωm
L 9.5 ± 0.1 cm
d 0.270 ± 0.003 mm

1 Name the likely instruments used by the student to measure L and d.

L:

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 d:
[1]

2 Use the data in the table and the equation in (i) to determine R and the absolute uncertainty.
Write your answer to the correct number of significant figures.

R = _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ± _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Ω [4]

3 The instrument used to measure d has a zero-error. The measured d is much larger than the
actual value.
Discuss how the actual value of R compares with the value calculated above.

[1]

END OF QUESTION PAPER

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 Mark Scheme

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

1 D 1

Total 1

2 D 1

Total 1

3 C 1

Total 1

4 A 1

Total 1

5 D 1

Total 1

6 D 1

Total 1

7 C 1 Examiner's Comments

All of the questions showed a positive

discrimination, and the less able
candidates could access the easier
questions. The questions in Section A
do require careful reading and scrutiny.
Candidates are advised to reflect
carefully before recording their
response in the box. Candidates must
endeavour to use a variety of quick
techniques when answering multiple
choice questions.

The candidates to demonstrate their

knowledge and understanding of
physics.

Tested knowledge of how uncertainties

compound when determining
resistance of a filament lamp.

Total 1

8 D 1

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 Mark Scheme

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

Total 1

9 C 1 Examiner’s Comments
In this question, candidates generally
forgot that the practical skills guide
recommends that uncertainties are
usually given to one significant figure,
ruling out option D. Furthermore, the
length and width are both given to two
significant figures, which means that
the area should also be to two
significant figures. The correct
procedure is to add the percentage
uncertainties in the length and width,
which gives the percentage uncertainty
in the area and hence the absolute
uncertainty of 300 m.
This question provided opportunities
for middle-grade candidates.

Total 1

10 B 1

Total 1

11 C 1
Examiner’s Comments

There was an erratum issues for this

question. The term precision was
replaced with uncertainty. The
performance of the candidates was as
expected with most opting for the
correct answer C. A very small number
of candidates opted for D because this
value had the smallest percentage
uncertainty.

Total 1

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 Mark Scheme

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

12 D 1

Total 1

13 D 1 Examiner’s Comments

Most candidates understood that the

percentage uncertainties, rather than
the absolute uncertainties should be
combined here. The percentage
uncertainty in the length is 0.5% and
the percentage uncertainty in the
diameter is 0.2%. The most common
incorrect response here was C,
because this is what you get when you
add the 2 percentage uncertainties.
The percentage uncertainty in the
diameter must be doubled, because
the formula for the volume of the
cylinder include diameter2. This gives
the correct answer D.

Total 1

14 D 1

Total 1

15 B 1
Examiner’s Comments

The candidates who got this correct

spotted that the uncertainty should be
calculated by finding half of the range.

Total 1

16 C 1
Examiner’s Comments

This question was answered correctly

by the vast majority of candidates and
it was encouraging to see detailed
working at the side of the question.

Total 1

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 Mark Scheme

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

17 D 1

Total 1

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 Mark Scheme

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

18 a 3.6 ± 0.4 (m2 s–2) B1

b i Data point and error bar correctly B1 Allow ecf from previous part.
plotted

ii * Level 3 (5–6 marks) B1 × 6 Explanation

Detailed analysis of the graph clearly
linked to the principle of conservation 1 Principle of conservation of energy
of energy, including determination of used to derive relationship.
the value of g and the related 2 mgh = ½ mv2 or v2 = 2gh
uncertainty in the answer. 3 A graph of v2 against h will be a
straight line (through the origin).
There is a well-developed line of 4 Gradient of line = 2g.
reasoning which is clear and logically
structured. The information presented Determination
is relevant and substantiated.
1 Line of best fit drawn through all
Level 2 (3–4 marks) data points.
Analysis of the graph linked to kinetic 2 Gradient in the range 17 to 21 (m2
energy and / or potential energy, with s–2).
an attempt to find the value of g. 3 g determined correctly from the
Mention of where one would find gradient.
uncertainties in the answer but without
analysis. Uncertainty

There is a line of reasoning presented 1 Worst line of fit drawn.

with some structure. The information 2 Correct attempt to determine the
presented is in the most-part relevant uncertainty.
and supported by some evidence.

Level 1 (1–2 marks)

Line of best fit drawn and gradient
attempted. Mention of energy and / or
where uncertainties may occur.

The information is basic and

communicated in an unstructured way.
The information is supported by limited
evidence and the relationship to the
evidence may not be clear.

0 marks
No response or no response worthy of
credit.

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 Mark Scheme

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

Total 8

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 Mark Scheme

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

19 a i To ensure whole cross-sectional area B1 Not good electrical contact / reduces

or end of the conducting putty is in contact resistance / surface area
contact with the metal plate (AW)
Examiner's Comments

Conversely, candidates struggled with

an explanation as to why large metal
plates were used. Many candidates
discussed the electrical properties of
the metal plates rather than
understanding the need of the
experiment.

ii Use a (Vernier) caliper / micrometer B1 Allow ruler

(screw gauge)

ii Repeat measurements along the B1 Examiner's Comments

conducting putty
Most candidates discussed measuring
the diameter with a named instrument
at different points along the putty.

b i 6.6 B1 Allow 6.56

Ignore 10–3 factor

Examiner's Comments

This part was answered well with the

majority of the candidates recording
the correct value to two significant
figures. Some candidates made
rounding errors or recorded spurious
values.

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 Mark Scheme

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

ii B1 Ignore significant figures

Allow 4 %

Examiner's Comments

Most candidates were able to

determine a percentage uncertainty
although many did not multiply by 100.
Some candidates thought that the
nearest millimetre meant 0.01m
instead of 0.001m. Some candidates
did not realise that the percentage
uncertainty in d needed to be multiplied
by two.

c i Plots the missing point to less than a B1 Allow ECF from (i)
half small square Penalise blob of half a small square or
larger

i Draws straight line of best fit B1 Allow ECF

Expect to be balance of points about
line of best-fit.
Judge straightness by eye.
Not a top point to bottom point line /
not a top point to (2.0, 10) line

Examiner's Comments

The plotting of the missing point was

accurately positioned by the majority of
the candidates. There were major
difficulties on drawing a suitable
straight line of best fit; it is expected
that there should be a balance of
points about the line. Many lines could
have been rotated. Lines that were
drawn from the bottom plot to the top
plot invariably had too many points
below the line and were penalised.
Some candidates did not draw straight
lines.

ii M1 Not one R/L2 value using the line or a

data point
Ignore POT for M1

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 Mark Scheme

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

ii gradient = 5700 (5550 – 5850) A1 Allow ± 150 for the value of gradient
Ignore units

Examiner's Comments

This question tested the practical skills

of candidates to determine the gradient
from their results. To score these
marks candidates had to show their
method. A large number of candidates
failed to realise that the x-axis had a
factor of 10–3. Other common errors
were to assume that the graph
commenced at (0, 0). Good candidates
clearly demonstrated their method by
indicating the points taken, made sure
that the length of their gradient was at
least half the length of their line and
correctly substituted into Δy / Δx.

d ρ = 5700 × 1.9 × 10–5 C1 Note: ECF from (ii)

Allow any subject for equation
Not use of data points from table

ρ = 0.108 given to 2 or 3 sf A1

Ωm B1

Examiner's Comments

Candidates were expected to use the

gradient that they had calculated in (ii)
of the previous question part to
determine a value for the resistivity;
candidates who substituted a data
point from the table did not score the
first two marks. The final answer
needed to be given to two or three
significant figures. There was also a
mark available for the correct unit; a
good number of candidates scored this
mark although a number of candidates
did write the unit for density.

Total 12

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 Mark Scheme

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

20 a Any one from:

current, temperature, light intensity and B1 Not: ampere, kelvin, candela and mole
amount of substance / matter Not correct quantity with its unit,
e.g. current in A or current (A)

Examiner’s Comment
Most candidates could not state an
unambiguous base quantity. There
was no credit for a correctly named
quantity accompanied by its S.I. unit,
e.g. ‘current in ampere’. Some answers
were just wrong; these include force,
charge, energy and kelvin.

b i M1

Clear steps leading to

A1 Examiner’s Comment
Most candidates were familiar with the
equations R = ρL / A and A = πd2/4.
The modal score here was two marks.
Most scripts had well-structured
answers and demonstrated excellent
algebraic skills. A variety of techniques
were employed to determine the total
resistance of the two resistors in
series.

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 Mark Scheme

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

ii 1 Ruler / tape measure (for L) and B1 Allow (vernier / digital) calipers or

micrometer (for d) travelling microscope for micrometer
2 R = 2.3(4) (Ω) C1 Allow other correct methods for getting
2.3 ± 0.1 (Ω)
C1
Allow 2 or more sf for this C1 mark
Note 0.0105 or 1.05% or 0.0222 or
C1 2.22% scores this mark, allow 2sf or
more
absolute uncertainty in
R = 0.0327 × 2.34 = 0.077

R = 2.3 ± 0.1 (Ω)

A1
Allow: 2.34 ± 0.08 (Ω)
3 (The actual) R is large(r) because Note use of RX or RY instead of R can
(the actual) d is small(er) or (the B1 score the second and third C1 marks
actual) A is small(er) or R∝ 1/d2 only
Allow: The calculated R is small(er)
because (the measured) A is large(r) or
R ∝ 1/d2
Examiner’s Comment
Almost all candidates correctly
identified the measuring instrument for
L and d. Some answers were spoilt by
mentioning both a ruler and a
micrometer for measuring the length of
the wire.

This question produced a range of

marks and discriminated well.
According to the data shown in the
table on page 13, the final value for the
resistance R had to be given to 2
significant figures (SF), but an answer
to 3 SF was also allowed. Top-end
candidates produced flawless answers
and quoted R as either 2.3 ± 0.1 Ω or
2.34 ± 0.08 Ω. Some candidates
successfully calculated the maximum
and the minimum values for R and
then the absolute uncertainty from half
the range. The most common mistakes
being made were:

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 Mark Scheme

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

Omitting the factor of 2 when
determining the percentage
uncertainty in d2.
Calculating the resistance of either
resistor X or resistor Y.
Inconsistency between R and its
absolute uncertainty, e.g. R = 2.3 ±
0.077 Ω.

Some candidates realised that the

actual value of R would be ‘larger
because d was smaller or R ∝ 1/d2’. On
most scripts, it was difficult to follow if
the resistance was the actual one or
the calculated one.

Total 9

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