Understanding Uncertainties in Physics Experiments

What is the absolute uncertainty when using a millimeter ruler?

• 0.5 millimeters

• 1 millimeter

• 2 millimeters

• 0.1 millimeters

How is the absolute uncertainty indicated in digital instruments?

• By the decimal point

• By the middle digit

• By the last digit

• By the first digit

How do you calculate percentage uncertainty?

• Absolute uncertainty divided by experimental value, times 100

• Absolute uncertainty times experimental value, divided by 100

• Experimental value divided by absolute uncertainty, times 100

• Experimental value times absolute uncertainty, divided by 100

What is the percentage uncertainty of a measurement with an absolute uncertainty of 0.01 and a value of 5.46?

• 18%

• 0.018%

• 1.8%

• 0.18%

When adding two quantities, how do you determine the total absolute uncertainty?

• Divide the absolute uncertainties

• Subtract the absolute uncertainties

• Multiply the absolute uncertainties

• Add the absolute uncertainties

If you have two voltages, 5.0 ± 0.1 V and 4.0 ± 0.2 V, what is the total voltage?

• 8.0 ± 0.2 V

• 8.0 ± 0.3 V

• 9.0 ± 0.3 V

• 9.0 ± 0.2 V

How do you combine uncertainties when multiplying two quantities?

• Add the percentage uncertainties

• Subtract the percentage uncertainties

• Multiply the absolute uncertainties

• Add the absolute uncertainties

What is the percentage uncertainty in the resistance if voltage is 5.0 ± 0.1 V and current is 1.1 ± 0.1 A?

• 13%

• 10%

• 11%

• 12%

When raising a quantity to a power, how do you determine the percentage uncertainty?

• Add the percentage uncertainty to the power

• Divide the percentage uncertainty by the power

• Subtract the percentage uncertainty from the power

• Multiply the percentage uncertainty by the power

What is the percentage uncertainty in the volume of a cube with side 4.0 ± 0.1 meters?

• 7.5%

• 8%

• 6.5%

• 5%