Problem solving Chap 1.

4 Measurement and
Technique in answering paper 2 section B
1. Figure (i) shows a weighing scale that is used to measure the mass of the fish.
Figure (ii) shows the reading of the scale after the fish is removed.

Figure (a)

Figure (b)

Figure (i)

Figure (ii)

(a) Define what is meant by zero error?

[error that is due to non-zero error when the actual reading should be zero]

[1]

(b) Calculate the smallest division of the weighing machine shown in diagram above.
[1 kg/ 5 div = 0.2 kg]

[1]

(c) What type of zero error is this weighing machine?

[negative zero error]

[1]

(d) What is the value of zero error shown in figure (ii).

[ ans : 0.2 kg]

[1]

(e) What is the actual mass of the fish?

[1.2 ( 0.2 kg ) = 1.4 kg ]

[1]

(f) Describe one simple method to avoid the parallax error while taking reading from the ruler. [1]
[observers eye must be perpendicular to the scale of the reading // in line]

(g) Suggest one way to increases the accuracy of the reading?

[repeated reading are taken and the average value is calculated]
[repeat the reading several time and calculate average reading]

[1]

Technique in answering Paper 2 Section C

2. (a) What is meant by accuracy?
[value of the measurement is closer to the actual value]

[1]

(b) [SPM 2009 P2 Q7 (b) (iii)]

Parallax error occurs when taking a reading using an ammeter.
Suggest one additional component to overcome this problem. Explain your answer.
Component: [anti-parallax mirror]/ reflector/ mirror]

[1]

Explanation :
The correct position of eye is when pointer and image must be in line //
Image is right behind the pointer// no image can be seen //
no reflection occurs // reflection of the needle not seen
reject : no image]
[1 mark]

(c) The table shows the characteristics of four measuring instruments, P, Q, R and S.
Measuring
Range of
Accuracy of
Relative deviation
Sensitivity
instrument
measurement
reading
P
Until 1 m
0.1 cm
5.1 %
Medium
Q
Until 500 cm
0.1 cm
3.2 %
Medium
R
Less than 10 cm
0.01 cm
1.2 %
High
S
Less than 15 cm
0.05 cm
1.5 %
High
Based on the table above,
(i)
explain the suitable characteristics of the measuring instrument so that it can be used to
measure the thickness of a graph paper.
(ii)
Decide which measuring instrument is most suitable to be taken for research and give
reasons.
[10]
Characteristic of
Explanation
measuring instrument

Range of
measurement is small
Accuracy of the
reading is smaller
Relative deviation is
small
Higher sensitivity

Sensitive instrument // smallest

division is smaller
Reading obtained closer to actual
reading
Higher consistency

Choice : R

Small range of measurement

Accuracy of the reading is small
Relative deviation also small
High sensitivity

Able to detect small change in the

value of a measurement

3. (a) What is meant by

(i) consistency and
(ii) accuracy of a measurement
[2]
(b) A student tried to use a pair of vernier calipers to measure accurately the diameter of a metal pipe.
However, his readings were found to be unsatisfactory. Suggest three ways that may help
him to improve the accuracy if his measurement.
[3]

(c) Two groups of student measured the time for 10 oscillation of an pendulum by using different
types of stopwatch. The readings are shown in table below.
Number of
Time for 10 oscillation / s
trial
Group A
Group B
1
8.1
8.24
2
8.3
7.83
3
7.9
8.41
4
8.3
7.96
5
8.3
8.32
(i) Give one example of systematic error and one example of random error in measuring time of
oscillation of the inertia balance?
[3]
(ii) Explain why the reading recorded by two groups of student are different?

[3]

(iii) Which group of students obtained readings of higher consistency?

Explain your answer.

[2]

Suggested answer
(a) (i)

consistency is the tendency for the values of measurement to repeat and concentrates to a
particular value
(ii) accuracy is how close the value of a measurement to the actual value
(b) 1. the jaws are closed and the zero error is recorded.
The zero error is corrected for all the reading taken.
[to reduce random error]
2. parallax error is avoided by taking readings at a position of the eye is perpendicular to the
Scale
[to avoid parallax error]
3. repeat the experiment at different position. Calculate the average value of all the readings.
To reduce random error.

(c) (i) example of systematic error : zero error

example of random error : parallax error
(ii) reading by group A : up to 1 decimal place
Reading by group B : up to 2 decimal places
Group A : able to detect small changes in reading // [group A : lower sensitivity]
Smallest division is 0.01 s
Group B : unable to detect small changes in reading// [higher sensitivity]
Smallest division is just 0.1 s
Group A: use analogue stopwatch ;
group B : digital stopwatch
(iii)

Group A : obtains readings of higher consistency [1]

Reason : reading obtained less distributed but repeat many times (around 8.3 s)