Physics Measurement Concepts Quiz

Why is taking the average of several measurements important in scientific experiments?

Which of the following is a reason for choosing an appropriate timer for measuring a time interval?

In physics, what distinguishes a vector quantity from a scalar quantity?

If two forces act perpendicularly on an object, how is the resultant force determined?

Consider using a ruler to measure the length of a table multiple times. Which action would LEAST improve the accuracy and precision of the length measurement?

A student is measuring time intervals for a pendulum’s swing. Which scenario would result in the MOST accurate measurement of the period?

During which step of measuring a 10cm length with a ruler should a student be MOST careful to avoid parallax error?

You have displacement vectors of 5m East and 5m North. Determine what further information is needed to find the resultant?

A car's speed-time graph shows a straight line sloping upwards. What does the gradient of this line represent?

The area under a speed-time graph represents:

An object moves with constant acceleration. Its initial speed is $5 m/s$, and after $2 s$ its speed is $9 m/s$. How far did the object travel during these $2 s$?

A cyclist maintains a constant speed of $12 m/s$ for $5$ seconds. Which statement accurately interprets the area under the speed-time graph for this motion?

Consider a speed-time graph where the speed is decreasing linearly with time. What does this indicate about the object's motion?

What type of error is introduced when a scale reading consistently underestimates the true height due to a fixed offset?

In the equation height = scale reading + x, what does x represent?

Why does a half-meter ruler with the zero marking at the end avoid introducing a systematic error, compared to the ruler shown in Figure 1.1.8?

What is the primary advantage of using vernier calipers or a micrometer screw gauge over a standard ruler?

What is the most likely cause of a systematic error when measuring height with a ruler?

A vernier scale has 10 divisions over a length of 9 mm. What is the length of each vernier division?

How should a ruler be aligned to minimize systematic error when measuring height?

What is the area of a rectangle with sides of length $2.5 \times 10^2$ cm and $4 \times 10^{-1}$ cm?

How can the systematic error, denoted as 'x' in Figure 1.1.8, be corrected?

If a micrometer screw gauge has a shaft scale where one division is 0.05 cm and a drum with 50 divisions, what is the measurement increment for each drum division?

If a triangle has a base of $8 \times 10^{-2}$ meters and a height of 50 mm, what is its area in square centimeters?

What is the purpose of the friction clutch on a micrometer screw gauge?

A square has an area of $9 \text{ cm}^2$. What is the length of each side expressed in millimeters?

Which scenario exemplifies a situation where the 'x' value (the error) would be most significant?

If a student consistently uses the same ruler with a zero offset x and obtains a series of height measurements, what will be the primary effect of this offset on their data analysis?

Which of the following represents 56,000 written as a power of ten with one figure before the decimal point?

A student measures the diameter of a wire using a micrometer screw gauge. The shaft reading is 2.5 mm and the drum reading is 27 divisions. Given that each drum division is 0.001 cm, what is the total diameter of the wire?

How is 0.00007 expressed as a power of ten with one figure before the decimal point?

A very small insect is 3 mm long. Express this length in meters using a power of ten.

When using a vernier caliper, why is it important to ensure that one end of the length to be measured coincides with the zero of the millimeter scale and the other end with the zero of the vernier scale?

What is $5 \times 10^{-1}$ equivalent to as a fraction?

A student is using a micrometer screw gauge but forgets to use the friction clutch when measuring the thickness of a piece of metal. How might this affect their measurement?

What is the result of the following calculation: $(3 \times 10^5) \times (2 \times 10^{-2})$?

An object accelerates constantly in a straight line from an initial velocity of $u$ to a final velocity of $v$ over a time interval $t$. Which equation correctly relates these variables with the constant acceleration $a$?

A car starts from rest and accelerates uniformly at $2 \text{ m/s}^2$ for $5$ seconds. Using the equations of constant acceleration, what is the car's final velocity?

An object moves with constant acceleration. If its initial velocity is $u$ and its final velocity is $v$, what is the displacement $s$ in terms of $u$, $v$, and the time $t$?

A ball is thrown upwards with an initial velocity of $15 \text{ m/s}$. Assuming constant acceleration due to gravity ($-9.8 \text{ m/s}^2$), how long will it take to reach its maximum height?

An object starts from rest and undergoes constant acceleration $a$. After a time $t$, its displacement is $s$. Which of the following equations relates $s$, $a$, and $t$ correctly?