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Cambridge AS & A Level Physics

1.3Errors and uncertainties

Errors and uncertainties in Cambridge AS & A Level Physics: what the syllabus expects you to know, the learning objectives and how to practise.
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Learning objectives

What the syllabus expects you to be able to do.

  1. 1.3.1Explain the effects of systematic errors (including zero errors) and random errors.
  2. 1.3.2Distinguish between precision and accuracy.
  3. 1.3.3Estimate the uncertainty in a derived quantity by adding absolute or percentage uncertainties.

Lessons

  • Errors, precision, accuracy and combining uncertainties

    40 min

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Sample question

A sample question on this topic. Answer it, check it, then read the worked answer.

Errors and uncertainties: sample question

1 mark

Four students each measure the acceleration of free fall four times. The accepted value is 9.81 m s−29.81\ \text{m s}^{-2}. Whose readings, in m s−2\text{m s}^{-2}, are precise but not accurate?

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