Errors and Uncertainties

A student measures a line to be 3.8 cm ± 0.1 cm. The absolute uncertainty in the measurement is

• ±0.1 mm

• ±0.1 cm

• ±0.01 cm

• ±0.01 mm

A student measures a line to be 3.8 cm ± 0.1 cm.The fractional uncertainty in the measurement

• ±0.3

• ±0.026

• ±0.03

A student measures a line to be 3.8 cm ± 0.1 cm. The percentage uncertainty in the measurement is

• ±3%

• ±2.6%

A flagpole is placed on the roof of a house. A student measures the flagpole to be 4.25 m ± 0.05 m. The same student measures the height from the ground to the base of the flagpole to be 6.40 m ± 0.15 m. If the flagpole is mounted vertically upward (straight up), how far is the tip of the flagpole above the ground. Be sure to use significant figures and include a raw uncertainty with your answer.

• 10.7 m ± 0.15 m

• 10.7 m ± 0.02 m

• 10.7 m ± 0.2 m

• 10.7 m ± 0.05 m

A car travels 250 m ± 15 m in 12.2 s ± 0.2 s. Calculate its speed. Be sure to use significant figures and include a raw uncertainty with your answer.

• 21 ms^-1 ± 1.565 ms^-1

• 21 ms^-1 ± 1.5 ms^-1

• 21 ms^-1 ± 1.57 ms^-1

• 21 ms^-1 ± 2 ms^-1

There is an average of one fish per 5 m³ in a lake that is approximately 5 metres deep. If a lake is approximately 58 m × 32 m in a rectangular shape, estimate the number of fish in this lake.

• 1800

• 371

• 9280

• 1856