IB Physics HL S1.1.2 Measurement Variables Questions

Plan HL measurements by identifying required variables, avoiding parallax and placement errors, and selecting accurate readings for a calculation.

Exam points

identify the additional measurements needed in an investigation and distinguish measured, controlled and calculated quantities
reduce measurement error by avoiding parallax, correcting zero error and positioning rulers or instruments appropriately
read analogue scales and calculate measured differences with suitable units, precision and clearly specified quantities

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Study S1.1.2—Measurement variables conceptsOpen the corresponding Concept lesson for explanations, examples and exam connections.

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A group of students is trying to determine the density and the viscosity of a liquid.

To determine the density, they use a balance to read the mass m of a sphere in air and immersed in the liquid.

They use a sphere of volume $V=1.827 \times 10^{-7} \mathrm{~m}^{3}$ .
The readings are $m_{\text {air }}=1.427 \mathrm{~g}$ in air and $m_{\text {immersed }}=1.208 \mathrm{~g}$ in the liquid.
The readings are different due to buoyancy. The buoyancy force $F_{\mathrm{b}}$ is given by

F_{\mathrm{b}}=\rho V g

where V is the volume of the sphere and $\rho$ is the density of the liquid.

State the level of precision in the measurement of m.

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IB Physics HL S1.1.2 Measurement Variables Questions question 1