Motion and Uncertainty analysis

Topic area Text book Syllabus Max possible Your score in

pre-reading ref score in exam exam questions
questions
Key terms, equation and units 10

Displacement, velocity and acceleration p 41 3.1.1 8

Velocity, acceleration and displacement p 48-58 3.1.1 9

graphs
Analysing experimental uncertainty and error p 29-33 2.2.1 15

Equations of motion (SUVAT) p 41-42 3.1.2 8

Acceleration of free-fall (g) p 43-45 3.1.2 4

Vehicle stopping distances p 63- 64 3.1.2 5

Investigating motion and collisions in objects p 59-62 3.1.2 3

Projectile motion p 46-47 3.1.3 12

Synoptic question 10

Total 85

By the end of this topic you should be able to….. Check

Describe the difference between accuracy and precision and random and systematic error

Calculate and combine percentage and absolute uncertainties

Construct error bars and lines of worst fit to establish uncertainty in a gradient

Define and calculate displacement, instantaneous speed, average speed, velocity and acceleration

Describe features of distance-time and displacement-time graphs and calculate the gradient to find
velocity (including for non-linear graphs)
Describe features of speed-time and velocity-time graphs and calculate the gradient to find
acceleration and area underneath to find total distance/displacement (including for non-linear
graphs)
Use the equations of motion in calculations

Describe methods to measure acceleration of free-fall (g)

Define and explain factors that affect stopping distance, thinking distance and braking distance

Calculate variables in projectile motion by splitting into horizontal and vertical components of
motion
Glossary of key terms- Match the term to the definition (5)

Accuracy, Precision, Resolution, Random error, Systematic error, Zero error, Absolute uncertainty,
Percentage uncertainty, Scalar quantity, Vector quantity, Distance, Displacement, Speed, Velocity,
Acceleration

How close a measured value is to a true value

These cause readings to differ from the true value by a consistent amount each time a
measurement is made
The interval within which the true value can be expected to lie given as a percentage of the
measured value
Displacement per unit time

The complete length travelled

How close each measured value is to another measured value

These cause readings to be spread about the true value, due to results varying in an
unpredictable way from one measurement to the next
Any indication that a measuring system gives a false reading when the true value of a
measured quantity is zero
The interval within which the true value can be expected to lie.

Has only magnitude

Has magnitude and direction

Distance travelled in a particular direction

Change in velocity per unit time

Distance travelled per unit time

The smallest change in the quantity being measured (input) of a measuring instrument
that gives a perceptible change in the reading.

Equations given in exam- Complete the table with the definition of each variable symbol (5)

Variable Variable Unit symbol

symbol
s

t
Displacement, velocity and acceleration
Velocity, acceleration and displacement graphs
Analysing error and uncertainty in experiments

1. A metal strip has thickness t, as shown below.

Five measurements of the thickness t at different positions along the length of the strip are shown
below.

1.86 mm 1.88 mm 1.85 mm 1.89 mm 1.88 mm

Determine the percentage uncertainty in the thickness t.

percentage uncertainty = ..................................................... % [3]

2. A toy parachute is falling through air.

The air resistance F acting on the parachute is given by the expression

F = kv 2

where v is the speed of the parachute and k is a constant.

The following items of data are collected for the parachute.

• v = 1.20 ± 0.12 m s−1

• F = 4.00 ± 0.24 N

Calculate the absolute uncertainty in k. Write your answer to 2 significant figures.

absolute uncertainty in k = ..................................................... kg m −1 [3]

 3(a). A student measures the diameter of a ball in different directions.

The student’s results are:

2.43 cm 2.54 cm 2.59 cm

i. State the name of a suitable measuring instrument to measure the diameter of the
ball.

[1]

ii. Calculate the mean diameter d of the ball.

Include the absolute uncertainty in d.

d = ................... ± ................... cm [2]

iii. Show that the volume of the ball is about 8.4 × 10 m3. –6

[1]
iv. The mass of the ball is 23 ± 1 g.
Determine the density ρ of the ball.
Give your answer to an appropriate number of significant figures.

ρ = ............................................. kg m -–3 [2]

v. Determine the percentage uncertainty in ρ.

percentage uncertainty = ..................................................... % [2]

Equations of motion
Acceleration due to gravity = 9.81 ms-2
Acceleration of free fall
Vehicle stopping distances
Investigating motion and collisions of objects

Total: 3
Projectile motion
Synoptic question

1 (a). A student is carrying out an experiment in the laboratory to determine the acceleration of free fall
g. The student drops a small steel ball from rest and records the time t taken for the ball to fall
through a vertical distance h.

The results for different vertical distances are shown in the table below.

h/m t/s t2 / s2
0.660 0.365 0.133
0.720 0.385 0.148
0.780 0.400 0.160
0.840 0.415 0.172
0.900 0.430
0.960 0.445 0.198

Complete the table for the missing value of t2. [1]

(b). Fig. 3 shows the graph of t2 (y-axis) against h (x-axis).

(i) Plot the missing data point and draw the straight line of best fit. [2]

Fig. 3
 (ii) Determine the gradient of the straight line of best fit.

gradient = s2 m−1 [1]

(c). i. Use the equations of motion for constant acceleration to show that the relationship between t
and h is

where g is the acceleration of free fall.

[1]
ii. Use your answer to (b)(ii) to determine the experimental value for g.

g= m s−2 [1]

(d). Describe and explain how the student could use standard laboratory equipment to make
accurate measurements of h and t.

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