Physics 9702 · AS & A Level · Errors and uncertainties

Errors and uncertainties — practice question

A student records measurements in order to find the constant acceleration of a model car that starts from rest and travels in a straight line. The measured quantities, together with their absolute uncertainties, are listed below. Displacement: $16.5\,\text{m} \pm 0.1\,\text{m}$ Time: $15.0\,\text{s} \pm 1.0\,\text{s}$ To work out the car’s acceleration, the student applies the equation $s = \frac{1}{2}at^2$. What are the acceleration and its absolute uncertainty?

  • A$(0.11 \pm 0.01)\,\text{m s}^{-2}$
  • B$(0.11 \pm 0.02)\,\text{m s}^{-2}$
  • C$(0.15 \pm 0.01)\,\text{m s}^{-2}$
  • D$(0.15 \pm 0.02)\,\text{m s}^{-2}$

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