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Multiplying / dividing data – add the percentage uncertainties
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Raising to a power – multiply the uncertainty by the power
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1.2.3 Measurement Techniques YOUR NOTES
Measurement Techniques
Common instruments used in Physics are:
Metre rules - to measure distance and length
Balances - to measure mass
Protractors - to measure angles
Stopwatches - to measure time
Ammeters - to measure current
Voltmeters - to measure potential difference
More complicated instruments such as the micrometer screw gauge and Vernier
calipers can be used to more accurately measure length
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When using measuring instruments like these you need to ensure that you are fully
aware of what each division on a scale represents
This is known as the resolution
The resolution is the smallest change in the physical quantity being measured that
results in a change in the reading given by the measuring instrument
The smaller the change that can be measured by the instrument, the greater the
degree of resolution
For example, a standard mercury thermometer has a resolution of 1°C whereas a
typical digital thermometer will have a resolution of 0.1°C
The digital thermometer has a higher resolution than the mercury thermometer
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Measuring Instruments Table YOUR NOTES
Micrometer Screw Gauge
A micrometer, or a micrometer screw gauge, is a tool used for measuring small widths,
thicknesses or diameters
For example, the diameter of a copper wire
It has a resolution of 0.01 mm
The micrometer is made up of two scales:
The main scale - this is on the sleeve (sometimes called the barrel)
The thimble scale - this is a rotating scale on the thimble
The spindle and anvil are closed around the object being measured by rotating the ratchet
This should be tight enough so the object does not fall out but not so tight that is deformed
Never tighten the spindle using the barrel, only using the ratchet. This will reduce the chances of
overtightening and zero errors
The value measured from the micrometer is read where the thimble scale aligns with the main scale
This should always be recorded to 2 decimal places (eg. 1.40 mm not just 1.4 mm)
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How to operate a micrometer
Vernier Calipers
Vernier calipers are another distance measuring tool that uses a sliding vernier scale
They can also be used to measure diameters and thicknesses, just like the
micrometer
However, they can also measure the length of small objects such as a screw or the
depth of a hole
Vernier calipers generally have a resolution of 0.1 mm, however, some are as small as
0.02 mm - 0.05 mm
The calipers are made up of two scales:
The main scale
The vernier scale
The two upper or lower jaws are clamped around the object
The sliding vernier scale will follow this and can be held in place using the locking
screw
The value measured from the caliper is read when the vernier scale aligns with the
main scale
This should always be recorded to at least 1 decimal place (eg. 12.1 mm not just 12
mm)
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The vernier caliper reading is read when the vernier scale aligns with the main scale
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A Level Physics CIE
2. Kinematics
CONTENTS
2.1 Equations of Motion
2.1.1 Displacement, Velocity & Acceleration
2.1.2 Motion Graphs
2.1.3 Area under a Velocity-Time Graph
2.1.4 Gradient of a Displacement-Time Graph
2.1.5 Gradient of a Velocity-Time Graph
2.1.6 Deriving Kinematic Equations
2.1.7 Solving Problems with Kinematic Equations
2.1.8 Acceleration of Free Fall Experiment
2.1.9 Projectile Motion
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2.1 Equations of Motion
2.1.1 Displacement, Velocity & Acceleration
Defining Displacement, Velocity & Acceleration
Scalar quantities
Remember scalar quantities only have a magnitude (size)
Distance: the total length between two points
Speed: the total distance travelled per unit of time
Vector quantities
Remember vector quantities have both magnitude and direction
Displacement: the distance of an object from a fixed point in a specified direction
Velocity: the rate of change of displacement of an object
Acceleration: the rate of change of velocity of an object
Equations
Equations linking displacement, velocity and acceleration
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