Paper 3 question 2 is built on uncertainties: estimate them, combine them, use them to test a relationship, then explain what limited the experiment. Paper 5 takes the same ideas further. Every question here uses fresh numbers and shows a worked solution step by step.
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From repeats, use half the range. Otherwise use the smallest division of the instrument, or a realistic estimate such as reaction time for a stopwatch.
Δx / x × 100. Timing n oscillations divides the uncertainty in the period by n.
Add absolute uncertainties for sums and differences. Add percentage uncertainties for products and quotients. Multiply by the power for squares and square roots.
Calculate k for both sets, find the percentage difference and compare it with the criterion. State the comparison with numbers.
Four specific problems with this experiment and four specific changes that fix them. Vague answers such as “human error” score nothing.
The marking follows the conventions in published Cambridge mark schemes. The experiments, readings and wording on this page are our own.