Physics 9702 · AS & A Level · Errors and uncertainties

Errors and uncertainties — practice question

Using the measurements shown, a person determines the potential difference across a wire. Which measured quantity makes the largest contribution to the percentage uncertainty in the calculated potential difference?

  • Acurrent / A = $5.0$ with uncertainty $\pm 0.5$
  • Bdiameter of wire / mm = $0.8$ with uncertainty $\pm 0.1$
  • Clength of wire / m = $150$ with uncertainty $\pm 5$
  • Dresistivity of metal in wire / $\Omega\,$m = $1.6 \times 10^{-8}$ with uncertainty $\pm 0.2 \times 10^{-8}$

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