Physics 9702 · AS & A Level · Errors and uncertainties

Errors and uncertainties — practice question

Two liquid-in-glass thermometers in a liquid that is well mixed are each separately read by $10$ different students. Every student records that one thermometer shows $21\,^{\circ}\text{C}$ and the other shows $23\,^{\circ}\text{C}$. What might account for the discrepancy?

  • AThe liquid is not all at the same temperature.
  • BThe readings are not precise.
  • CThere is a random error affecting the readings.
  • DThere is a systematic error affecting the readings.

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