Q#25 (Past Exam Paper – June 2016 Paper 13 Q4)
A metre rule is supported horizontally by two pivots as shown.
The vertical displacement y at the centre of the rule is given by the equation
y = kML3 / wt3
where
k is a constant,
L is the distance between the pivots,
M is the mass of the rule,
t is the thickness of the rule and
w is the width of the rule.
In an experiment, the following results are obtained:
L = (80.0 ± 0.2) cm
M = (60 ± 1) g
t = (6.0 ± 0.1) mm
w = (23.0 ± 0.5) mm.
Which measurement contributes most to the uncertainty in the calculated value of y ?
A L B M C t D w
Solution:
Answer: C.
Displacement y = kML3 / wt3
k is a constant and so, does not contribute to the uncertainty in y.
y = kML3 / wt3
Δy/y = ΔM/M + 3(ΔL/L) + Δw/w + 3(Δt/t)
In terms of percentage uncertainties,
%y = %M + 3%L + %w + 3%t
Uncertainty due to mass M: 1/60 × 100 % = 1.67 %
Uncertainty due to distance L: 3 × (0.2/80 × 100) % = 0.75 %
Uncertainty due to width w: 0.5/23 × 100 % = 2.17 %
Uncertainty due to thickness t: 3 × (0.1/6 × 100) % = 5 %
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