IB Physics HL S2.2.3 Data Quality Questions

Assess HL data quality by identifying systematic error, estimating gradient uncertainty and explaining why repeated measurements improve precision.

Exam points

identify systematic error from a non-zero intercept or a consistent displacement of data and error bars
compare maximum and minimum gradient lines to assess uncertainty in a gradient
explain that repeating measurements reduces random error and improves precision rather than removing systematic error

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A student attaches one end of a copper wire to an oscillator operating at a fixed frequency. The other end of the wire passes over a pulley to weights that hang vertically. The first harmonic standing wave is established by using the slider to change the length of the wire. The procedure is repeated for different weights.

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The mass m of the weights and the wavelength $\lambda$ of the wave are related by

m=\frac{\mu f^{2}}{g} \lambda^{2}

where $\mu$ is a constant, f is the frequency of the wave and $g=9.8 \mathrm{~ms}^{-2}$ .

The graph shows the data obtained by the student, plotted to show the variation of m with $\lambda^{2}$ .

Identify the evidence for a systematic error in the data.

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IB Physics HL S2.2.3 Data Quality Questions question 1