Errors and uncertainties: past paper questions

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• Question 2May/June 2026, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  The surface area of one face of a cube is determined with an uncertainty of $\pm 1.0\mathrm{\%}$. This area is used to calculate the volume of the cube.

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• Question 2Oct/Nov 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Two quantities are measured. $$L=6.8\pm 0.1\text{ cm}$$ $$T=2.42\pm 0.08\text{ s}$$ $L$ and $T$ are related to $X$ by the equation shown. $$X=\frac{4{\pi }^{2}L}{T^2}$$ What is the calculated value and uncertainty of $X$?

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• Question 3Oct/Nov 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  The density of the material of a rectangular block is determined by measuring the mass and linear dimensions of the block. The list shows the results obtained, together with their uncertainties.

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• Question 2Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  What describes a set of data with a high precision?

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• Question 2May/June 2026, paper 13Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  What are the advantages of taking repeat measurements and calculating a mean in an experiment?

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• Question 1Oct/Nov 2024, paper 21Structured7 marksHas a diagram

  Define density.

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• Question 3May/June 2026, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  The value of a quantity $X$ is calculated from the values of quantities $Y$ and $Z$ by using the equation shown. $$X=\frac{Y^2}{Z}$$ The percentage uncertainty in the value of $Y$ is twice the percentage uncertainty in the value of $Z$.

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• Question 1Oct/Nov 2025, paper 22Structured11 marks

  Scientists are investigating the variation in air pressure at different locations on a mountain. The scientists take measurements of several physical quantities at each location.

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• Question 1Oct/Nov 2023, paper 21Structured5 marksHas a diagram

  Compare scalar and vector quantities.

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• Question 4May/June 2026, paper 23Structured11 marks

  A light-dependent resistor (LDR) is connected across the terminals of a cell that has internal resistance. A voltmeter is connected across the LDR. Draw a circuit diagram to show this arrangement.

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• Question 2May/June 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Four students, A, B, C and D, have completed an experiment to determine the acceleration of free fall, $g$.

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• Question 2May/June 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  The value of quantity $X$ has a percentage uncertainty of $2\mathrm{\%}$. The value of quantity $Y$ has a percentage uncertainty of $4\mathrm{\%}$. The value of a quantity $W$ is calculated from the values of $X$ and $Y$.

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• Question 1Oct/Nov 2023, paper 23Structured6 marks

  Table 1.1 lists some physical quantities. Complete the table by placing a tick (✓) next to the scalar quantities.

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• Question 3May/June 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  The diameter of a ball is measured as $(5.26\pm 0.02)\text{ cm}$. What is the absolute uncertainty in the volume of the ball?

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• Question 2May/June 2024, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  The measurement of a physical quantity may be subject to random errors and to systematic errors. Which statement is correct?

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• Question 3May/June 2024, paper 13Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The Young modulus of the material of a wire is to be found. The Young modulus $E$ is given by the equation shown. $$E=\frac{4FL}{\pi d^{2}x}$$ The wire is extended by a known force and the following measurements are made.

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• Question 3May/June 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Two measurements for a solid sphere are shown. $$\text{mass}=(32.5\pm 0.1)\text{ g}$$ $$\text{diameter}=(1.87\pm 0.04)\text{ cm}$$ These values are used to determine the density of the sphere.

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• Question 3May/June 2025, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  Which statement about errors in measurements is correct?

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• Question 1May/June 2024, paper 22Structured10 marksHas a diagram

  The list below shows some SI quantities. Underline the quantity that is not an SI base quantity. charge current length time

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• Question 1May/June 2023, paper 22Structured6 marks

  Define pressure.

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• Question 1May/June 2023, paper 23Structured7 marksHas a diagram

  A well has a depth of $36\text{ m}$ from ground level to the surface of the water in the well, as shown in Fig. 1.1. A student wishes to find the depth of the well.

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