Physics 5054 · O Level · Physical quantities and measurement techniques
Physical quantities and measurement techniques — practice question
A student uses a top-pan balance to determine the mass of a table-tennis ball, as illustrated in Fig. 1.1. The balance is calibrated to the nearest gram.
(a)[1]
The mass of the ball is about $2.5\,\text{g}$. Explain why placing the ball directly on the top-pan balance does not give an accurate value for its mass.
(b)[3]
The student has ten identical balls and a glass beaker to contain them, as shown in Fig. 1.2. Explain in detail how the student can obtain a more accurate value for the mass of one ball.
Worked solution & mark scheme
This 4-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: “It rolls off the balance” …