Name Grade IBDP 1
Subject Physics Date
1. The radius of a sphere is 𝑅. The absolute uncertainty in 𝑅 is Δ𝑅.
What is the fractional uncertainty in the volume of the sphere?
3Δ𝑅
A. 𝑅
Δ𝑅 3
B. ( 𝑅 )
4𝜋Δ𝑅
C. 3𝑅
Δ𝑅 3
D. 4𝜋 ( 𝑅 )
2. Which quantity has the fundamental SI units of kg s−3?
A. Power
B. Intensity
C. Momentum
D. Energy
3. Astronomers have measured that the magnetic fields of some stars are of order
1010 T. Physicists have measured the magnetic fields of some laboratory magnets to
be 1 T.
Three types of uncertainty are:
I. absolute uncertainty.
II. fractional uncertainty.
III. percentage uncertainty.
What types should the groups use to compare the precision of their measurements?
A. I and II only
B. I and III only
C. II and III only
D. I, II and III
4. What is the unit of resistivity in fundamental SI units?
A. kg m s−3 A−1
B. kg m2 s−3 A−2
C. kg m3 s−3 A−2
D. kg m3 s−3 A−1
5. A small ball is released from rest at time t = 0 in front of a vertical ruler. A multi-
flash photograph is taken of the ball at t = 0 and every 0.050 s from then on.
The distance s fallen by the ball is related to the acceleration g of the ball and t by s
1
=2gt2.
(a) Determine g using the photograph.
[3]
(b) The percentage uncertainty in t is ± 5 %.
Estimate the absolute uncertainty in your value of g.
[3]
(c) Suggest a suitable value for the maximum duration of the flash.
[2]
6.
A group of students investigate the bending of a plastic ruler that is clamped
horizontally at one end. A weight W attached to the other end causes the ruler to
bend. The weight is contained in a scale pan.
The students fix the length L of the ruler and vary W. For each value of W, the
group measures the deflection d of the end of the ruler to which the weight is
attached.
(a)
The group obtains the following repeated readings for d for one value of W.
The group divides into two subgroups, A and B, to analyse the data.
Group A quotes the mean value of d as 2.93 cm.
Group B quotes the mean value of d as 2.8 cm.
Discuss the values that the groups have quoted.
[2]
(b)
The variation of d with W is shown.
Outline one experimental reason why the graph does not go through the origin.
[1]
(c)
Theory predicts that
𝑊 𝑥 𝐿𝑦
𝑑∝
𝐸𝐼
where 𝐸 and 𝐼 are constants. The fundamental units of 𝐼 are m4 and those of 𝐸 are
kg m−1 s−2.
Calculate 𝑥 and 𝑦.
[2]
(d)
The ruler has cross-sectional area A = a × b, where a = (28 ± 1) mm and b = (3.00 ±
0.05) mm.
Suggest an appropriate measuring instrument for determining b.
[1]
Calculate the percentage uncertainty in the value of A.
[2]