Measurements For

1
Examiner’s
Use

1 (a) State the difference between a scalar quantity and a vector quantity.

scalar: ..............................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................

vector: ..............................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................... [2]

(b) Two forces of magnitude 6.0 N and 8.0 N act at a point P. Both forces act away from
point P and the angle between them is 40°.
Fig. 1.1 shows two lines at an angle of 40° to one another.

P 40°

Fig. 1.1

On Fig. 1.1, draw a vector diagram to determine the magnitude of the resultant of the
two forces.

magnitude of resultant = ...................................... N [4]

© UCLES 2004 9702/02/M/J/04

 2

For
Examiner’s
Use
2 Make estimates of the following quantities.

(a) the speed of sound in air

speed = ................................................. [1]

(b) the density of air at room temperature and pressure

density = ................................................. [1]

(c) the mass of a protractor

mass = ................................................. [1]

(d) the volume, in cm3, of the head of an adult person

volume = ......................................... cm3 [1]

© UCLES 2005 9702/02/M/J/05

 For
3
Examiner’s
Use

3 (a) Derive the SI base unit of force.

SI base unit of force = ………………………………… [1]

(b) A spherical ball of radius r experiences a resistive force F due to the air as it moves
through the air at speed v. The resistive force F is given by the expression

F = crv,

where c is a constant.

Derive the SI base unit of the constant c.

SI base unit of c = ………………………………… [1]

© UCLES 2006 9702/02/M/J/06

 For
4
Examiner’s
Use
(c) The ball is dropped from rest through a height of 4.5 m.
(i) Assuming air resistance to be negligible, calculate the final speed of the ball.

speed = …………………………… m s–1 [2]

(ii) The ball has mass 15 g and radius 1.2 cm.

The numerical value of the constant c in the equation in (b) is equal to 3.2 × 10–4
when measured using the SI system of units.
Show quantitatively whether the assumption made in (i) is justified.

[3]

© UCLES 2006 9702/02/M/J/06 [Turn over

 For
5
Examiner’s
Use

4 The uncalibrated scale and the pointer of a meter are shown in Fig. 1.1.

uncalibrated
scale

Fig. 1.1

The pointer is shown in the zero position.

The meter is to be used to indicate the volume of fuel in the tank of a car.
A known volume V of fuel is poured into the tank and the deflection θ of the pointer is noted.
Fig. 1.2 shows the variation with θ of V.

80

V
/103 cm3
60

40

20

0
0 20 40 60 80 100
θ /°

Fig. 1.2

© UCLES 2007 9702/02/M/J/07

 For
6
Examiner’s
Use
(a) On Fig. 1.1,

(i) calibrate the scale at 20 × 103 cm3 intervals, [2]

(ii) mark a possible position for a volume of 1.0 × 105 cm3. [1]

(b) Suggest one advantage of this scale, as compared with a uniform scale, for measuring
fuel volumes in the tank of the car.

..........................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................[1]

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For
Examiner’s
Use

5 Make reasonable estimates of the following quantities.

(a) the frequency of an audible sound wave

frequency = ........................................... Hz [1]

(b) the wavelength, in nm, of ultraviolet radiation

wavelength = ........................................... nm [1]

(c) the mass of a plastic 30 cm ruler

mass = .............................................. g [1]

(d) the density of air at atmospheric pressure

density = ..................................... kg m–3 [1]

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For
Examiner’s
Use

6 (a) State the most appropriate instrument, or instruments, for the measurement of the
following.

(i) the diameter of a wire of diameter about 1 mm

............................................................................................................................ [1]

(ii) the resistance of a filament lamp

............................................................................................................................ [1]

(iii) the peak value of an alternating voltage

............................................................................................................................ [1]

(b) The mass of a cube of aluminium is found to be 580 g with an uncertainty in the
measurement of 10 g. Each side of the cube has a length of (6.0 ± 0.1) cm.

Calculate the density of aluminium with its uncertainty. Express your answer to an
appropriate number of significant figures.

density = ................ ± ................ g cm–3 [5]

© UCLES 2009 9702/21/M/J/09

 9 For
Examiner’s
Use

7 A student determines the acceleration of free fall using the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 2.1.

electromagnet

ball

sensor
light beam

h timer

sensor
light beam

Fig. 2.1

8702/2 O/N01
 10 For
Examiner’s
Use
A steel ball is held on an electromagnet. When the electromagnet is switched off, the ball
immediately interrupts a beam of light and a timer is started. As the ball falls, it interrupts a
second beam of light and the timer is stopped. The vertical distance h between the light
beams and the time t recorded on the timer are noted. The procedure is repeated for
different values of h. The student calculates values of t 2 and then plots the graph of Fig. 2.2.

1.0
h/m

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3
2 2
t /s

Fig. 2.2

(a) Use Fig. 2.2 to calculate a value for g, the acceleration of free fall of the ball. Explain
your working.

g = ...................................... m s–2 [4]

(b) Identify one possible source of random error in the determination of g and suggest how
this error may be reduced.

..........................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................[2]
8702/2 O/N01
 For
11
Examiner’s
Use

8 (a) (i) Define density.

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................

(ii) State the base units in which density is measured.

...................................................................................................................................
[2]

(b) The speed v of sound in a gas is given by the expression

√
 γp 
v=  ,
 ρ
where p is the pressure of the gas of density ρ. γ is a constant.

Given that p has the base units of kg m−1 s−2, show that the constant γ has no unit.
[3]

9 A student uses a metre rule to measure the length of an elastic band before and after
stretching it.

The lengths are recorded as

length of band before stretching, L0 = 50.0 ± 0.1 cm

length of band after stretching, LS = 51.6 ± 0.1 cm.

Determine

(a) the change in length (LS − L0), quoting your answer with its uncertainty,

(LS − L0) = ……………………………………… cm [1]

9702/2/O/N/02
 For
12
Examiner’s
Use
(LS − L0)
(b) the fractional change in length, ,
L0

fractional change = ………………………………. [1]

(c) the uncertainty in your answer in (b).

uncertainty = ………………………………… [3]

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For
Examiner’s
Use

10 A student takes readings to measure the mean diameter of a wire using a micrometer screw
gauge.

(a) Make suggestions, one in each case, that the student may adopt in order to

(i) reduce a systematic error in the readings,

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................

(ii) allow for a wire of varying diameter along its length,

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................

(iii) allow for a non-circular cross-section of the wire.

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................
[3]

(b) The mean diameter of the wire is found to be 0.50 ± 0.02 mm. Calculate the percentage
uncertainty in

(i) the diameter,

uncertainty = …………………………………. %

(ii) the area of cross-section of the wire.

uncertainty = …………………………………. %
[2]

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For
Examiner’s
11 (a) (i) Define pressure. Use

...................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................. [1]

(ii) State the units of pressure in base units.

.............................................................................................................................. [1]

(b) The pressure p at a depth h in an incompressible fluid of density ρ is given by

p = ρgh,

where g is the acceleration of free fall.

Use base units to check the homogeneity of this equation.

..........................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [3]

© UCLES 2005 9702/02/O/N/05

 For
15
Examiner’s
Use

12 (a) Distinguish between systematic errors and random errors.

systematic errors .............................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................

random errors ..................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [2]

(b) A cylinder of length L has a circular cross-section of radius R, as shown in Fig. 1.1.

Fig. 1.1

The volume V of the cylinder is given by the expression

V = πR 2L .

The volume and length of the cylinder are measured as

V = 15.0 ± 0.5 cm3

L = 20.0 ± 0.1 cm.

Calculate the radius of the cylinder, with its uncertainty.

radius = ........................ ± ........................ cm [5]

© UCLES 2007 9702/02/O/N/07

 16

For
Examiner’s
Use

13 (a) The current in a wire is I. Charge Q passes one point in the wire in time t. State

(i) the relation between I, Q and t,

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(ii) which of the quantities I, Q and t are base quantities.

..........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [2]

(b) The current in the wire is due to electrons, each with charge q, that move with speed v
along the wire. There are n of these electrons per unit volume.
For a wire having a cross-sectional area S, the current I is given by the equation

I = nSqv k,

where k is a constant.

(i) State the units of I, n, S, q and v in terms of the base units.

I .............................................................................................................................

n .............................................................................................................................

S .............................................................................................................................

q .............................................................................................................................

v .............................................................................................................................
[3]

(ii) By considering the homogeneity of the equation, determine the value of k.

k = ………………………….. [2]

© UCLES 2008 9702/02/O/N/08

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For
Examiner’s
Use

14 The volume of fuel in the tank of a car is monitored using a meter as illustrated in Fig. 1.1.

FUEL
½ ¾
¼
0 1

Fig. 1.1

The meter has an analogue scale. The meter reading for different volumes of fuel in the tank
is shown in Fig. 1.2.

60

50
volume
/ litre
40

30

20

10

0
0 ¼ ½ ¾ 1
empty full
meter reading

Fig. 1.2

The meter is calibrated in terms of the fraction of the tank that remains filled with fuel.

© UCLES 2009 9702/21/O/N/09

 18

(a) The car uses 1.0 litre of fuel when travelling 14 km. The car starts a journey with a full For
tank of fuel. Examiner’s
Use

(i) Calculate the volume of fuel remaining in the tank after a journey of 210 km.

volume = ...................................... litres [2]

(ii) Use your answer to (i) and Fig. 1.2 to determine the change in the meter reading
during the 210 km journey.

from full to ............................................... [1]

(b) There is a systematic error in the meter.

(i) State the feature of Fig. 1.2 that indicates that there is a systematic error.

..................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................ [1]

(ii) Suggest why, for this meter, it is an advantage to have this systematic error.

..................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................ [1]

© UCLES 2009 9702/21/O/N/09

 19

For
Examiner’s
Use

15 A simple pendulum may be used to determine a value for the acceleration of free fall g.
Measurements are made of the length L of the pendulum and the period T of oscillation.

The values obtained, with their uncertainties, are as shown.

T = (1.93 ± 0.03) s
L = (92 ± 1) cm

(a) Calculate the percentage uncertainty in the measurement of

(i) the period T,

uncertainty = ............................................ % [1]

(ii) the length L.

uncertainty = ............................................ % [1]

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(b) The relationship between T, L and g is given by For

Examiner’s
42L Use
g= .
T2

Using your answers in (a), calculate the percentage uncertainty in the value of g.

uncertainty = ............................................ % [1]

(c) The values of L and T are used to calculate a value of g as 9.751 m s–2.

(i) By reference to the measurements of L and T, suggest why it would not be correct
to quote the value of g as 9.751 m s–2.

..................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................ [1]

(ii) Use your answer in (b) to determine the absolute uncertainty in g.

Hence state the value of g, with its uncertainty, to an appropriate number of

significant figures.

g = .......................... ± ........................ m s–2 [2]

© UCLES 2009 9702/22/O/N/09

 For
21
Examiner’s
Use
16 A student has been asked to determine the linear acceleration of a toy car as it moves down
a slope. He sets up the apparatus as shown in Fig. 3.1.

Fig. 3.1

The time t to move from rest through a distance d is found for different values of d. A graph of
d (y-axis) is plotted against t 2 (x-axis) as shown in Fig. 3.2.

120

100

d / cm

80

60

40

20

0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
t 2 / s2

Fig. 3.2

© UCLES 2004 9702/02/M/J/04

 For
22
Examiner’s
Use
(a) Theory suggests that the graph is a straight line through the origin.
Name the feature on Fig. 3.2 that indicates the presence of

(i) random error,

...................................................................................................................................

(ii) systematic error.

...................................................................................................................................
[2]

(b) (i) Determine the gradient of the line of the graph in Fig. 3.2.

gradient = ........................................... [2]

(ii) Use your answer to (i) to calculate the acceleration of the toy down the slope.
Explain your working.

acceleration = ........................................ m s–2 [3]

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 5

Answer all the questions in the spaces provided. For

Examiner’s
Use

1 A unit is often expressed with a prefix. For example, the gram may be written with the prefix
‘kilo’ as the kilogram. The prefix represents a power-of-ten. In this case, the power-of-ten
is 103.

Complete Fig. 1.1 to show each prefix with its symbol and power-of-ten.

prefix symbol power-of-ten

kilo k 103

nano n .............................

centi ....................... 10–2

................................ M 106

................................ T 1012

Fig. 1.1
[4]

© UCLES 2010 9702/21/M/J/10 [Turn over

 5

Answer all the questions in the spaces provided. For

Examiner’s
Use

1 A metal wire has a cross-section of diameter approximately 0.8 mm.

(a) State what instrument should be used to measure the diameter of the wire.

...................................................................................................................................... [1]

(b) State how the instrument in (a) is

(i) checked so as to avoid a systematic error in the measurements,

..................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................. [1]

(ii) used so as to reduce random errors.

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................. [2]

© UCLES 2010 9702/22/M/J/10 [Turn over

 5

Answer all the questions in the spaces provided. For

Examiner’s
Use

1 A digital voltmeter with a three-digit display is used to measure the potential difference across
a resistor. The manufacturers of the meter state that its accuracy is ±1% and ±1 digit.
The reading on the voltmeter is 2.05 V.

(a) For this reading, calculate, to the nearest digit,

(i) a change of 1% in the voltmeter reading,

change = ..............................................V [1]

(ii) the maximum possible value of the potential difference across the resistor.

maximum value = ..............................................V [1]

(b) The reading on the voltmeter has high precision. State and explain why the reading may
not be accurate.

..........................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................[2]

© UCLES 2010 9702/23/M/J/10 [Turn over

 4

Answer all the questions in the spaces provided. For

Examiner’s
Use

1 (a) Two of the SI base quantities are mass and time. State three other SI base quantities.

1. ......................................................................................................................................

2. ......................................................................................................................................

3. ......................................................................................................................................
[3]

(b) A sphere of radius r is moving at speed v through air of density ρ. The resistive force F
acting on the sphere is given by the expression

F = Br 2ρv k

where B and k are constants without units.

(i) State the SI base units of F, ρ and v.

F ..............................................................................................................................

ρ ..............................................................................................................................

v ..............................................................................................................................
[3]

(ii) Use base units to determine the value of k.

k = ................................................ [2]

© UCLES 2010 9702/21/O/N/10

 4

Answer all the questions in the spaces provided. For

Examiner’s
Use

1 (a) (i) Distinguish between vector quantities and scalar quantities.

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................. [2]

(ii) State whether each of the following is a vector quantity or a scalar quantity.

1. temperature

.............................................................................................................................. [1]

2. acceleration of free fall

.............................................................................................................................. [1]

3. electrical resistance

.............................................................................................................................. [1]

© UCLES 2010 9702/22/O/N/10

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Answer all the questions in the spaces provided. For

Examiner’s
Use

1 Make estimates of the following quantities.

(a) the thickness of a sheet of paper

thickness = ....................................... mm [1]

(b) the time for sound to travel 100 m in air

time = ........................................... s [1]

(c) the weight of 1000 cm3 of water

weight = .......................................... N [1]

2 Briefly describe the structures of crystalline solids, polymers and amorphous materials.

crystalline solids ......................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................

polymers ..................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................

amorphous materials ..............................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................
[5]

© UCLES 2010 9702/23/O/N/10

 4

Answer all the questions in the spaces provided. For

Examiner’s
Use

1 (a) (i) Distinguish between vector quantities and scalar quantities.

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................. [2]

(ii) State whether each of the following is a vector quantity or a scalar quantity.

1. temperature

.............................................................................................................................. [1]

2. acceleration of free fall

.............................................................................................................................. [1]

3. electrical resistance

.............................................................................................................................. [1]

© UCLES 2010 9702/22/O/N/10

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(b) A block of wood of weight 25 N is held stationary on a slope by means of a string, as For
shown in Fig. 1.1. Examiner’s
Use

string
T
R
35°
slope

25 N

Fig. 1.1

The tension in the string is T and the slope pushes on the block with a force R that is
normal to the slope.

Either by scale drawing on Fig. 1.1 or by calculation, determine the tension T in the
string.

T = .............................................. N [3]

© UCLES 2010 9702/22/O/N/10 [Turn over

 5

3 A loudspeaker produces a sound wave of constant frequency. For

Examiner’s
Outline how a cathode-ray oscilloscope (c.r.o.) may be used to determine this frequency. Use

.................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................... [4]

© UCLES 2010 9702/23/O/N/10 [Turn over

 4

1 (a) For each of the following, tick [✓] one box to indicate whether the experimental technique For
would reduce random error, systematic error or neither. The first row has been completed Examiner’s
as an example. Use

random error systematic error neither

keeping your eye
in line with the
scale and the
✓
liquid level for a
single reading of
a thermometer
averaging many
readings of the
time taken for a
ball to roll down a
slope
using a linear
scale on an
ammeter

correcting for
a non-zero
reading when a
micrometer screw
gauge is closed
[2]

(b) The measurement of a particular time interval is repeated many times. The readings are
found to vary. The results are shown in Fig. 1.1.

number
8
of readings

0
10.0 10.2 10.4 10.6 10.8
reading of time interval / s

Fig. 1.1

The true value of the time interval is 10.1 s.

© UCLES 2011 9702/23/M/J/11

 5

(i) State how the readings on Fig. 1.1 show the presence of For
Examiner’s
1. a systematic error, Use

..................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................. [1]

2. a random error.

..................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................. [1]

(ii) State the expected changes to Fig. 1.1 for experimental measurements that are

1. more accurate,

..................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................. [1]

2. more precise.

..................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................. [1]

© UCLES 2011 9702/23/M/J/11 [Turn over

 4

Answer all the questions in the spaces provided. For

Examiner’s
Use

1 (a) Distinguish between scalar quantities and vector quantities.

..........................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [2]

(b) In the following list, underline all the scalar quantities.

acceleration force kinetic energy mass power weight [1]

(c) A stone is thrown with a horizontal velocity of 20 m s–1 from the top of a cliff 15 m high.
The path of the stone is shown in Fig. 1.1.

20 m s–1

cliff 15 m

ground

Fig. 1.1

Air resistance is negligible.

For this stone,

(i) calculate the time to fall 15 m,

time = .............................................. s [2]

(ii) calculate the magnitude of the resultant velocity after falling 15 m,

resultant velocity = ........................................ m s–1 [3]

© UCLES 2011 9702/22/M/J/11
 5

(iii) describe the difference between the displacement of the stone and the distance For
that it travels. Examiner’s
Use

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................. [2]

© UCLES 2011 9702/22/M/J/11 [Turn over

 4

Answer all the questions in the spaces provided. For

Examiner’s
Use
1 Measurements made for a sample of metal wire are shown in Fig. 1.1.

quantity measurement uncertainty

length 1750 mm ± 3 mm

diameter 0.38 mm ± 0.01 mm

resistance 7.5 Ω ± 0.2 Ω

Fig. 1.1

(a) State the appropriate instruments used to make each of these measurements.

(i) length

............................................................................................................................. [1]

(ii) diameter

............................................................................................................................. [1]

(iii) resistance

............................................................................................................................. [1]

(b) (i) Show that the resistivity of the metal is calculated to be 4.86 × 10–7 Ω m.

[2]

(ii) Calculate the uncertainty in the resistivity.

uncertainty = ± .......................................... Ω m [4]

© UCLES 2011 9702/21/M/J/11
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(c) Use the answers in (b) to express the resistivity with its uncertainty to the appropriate For
number of significant figures. Examiner’s
Use

resistivity = .......................................... ± .......................................... Ω m [1]

© UCLES 2011 9702/21/M/J/11 [Turn over

 6

2 (a) A sphere of radius R is moving through a fluid with constant speed v. There is a frictional For
force F acting on the sphere, which is given by the expression Examiner’s
Use

F = 6πDRv

where D depends on the fluid.

(i) Show that the SI base units of the quantity D are kg m–1 s–1.

[3]

(ii) A raindrop of radius 1.5 mm falls vertically in air at a velocity of 3.7 m s–1. The value
of D for air is 6.6 × 10–4 kg m–1 s–1. The density of water is 1000 kg m–3.

Calculate

1. the magnitude of the frictional force F,

F = ............................................. N [1]

2. the acceleration of the raindrop.

acceleration = ........................................ m s–2 [3]

© UCLES 2011 9702/22/M/J/11

 7

(b) The variation with time t of the speed v of the raindrop in (a) is shown in Fig. 2.1. For
Examiner’s
Use

0
0 t

Fig. 2.1

(i) State the variation with time of the acceleration of the raindrop.

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................. [3]

(ii) A second raindrop has a radius that is smaller than that given in (a). On Fig. 2.1,
sketch the variation of speed with time for this second raindrop. [2]

© UCLES 2011 9702/22/M/J/11 [Turn over