Measurement Techniques in Physics: Accuracy, Precision, and Uncertainty

Question 1

What is the primary purpose of a vernier caliper?

Accepted Answer

Measuring small distances accurately

Answer

Amplifying electrical signals

Answer

Determining the refractive index of a material

Answer

Measuring the temperature of a solution

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT a type of systematic error?

Accepted Answer

Random error

Answer

Zero error

Answer

Calibration error

Answer

Environmental bias

Question 3

What is the internationally recognized SI unit of length?

Accepted Answer

Meter

Answer

Centimeter

Answer

Inch

Answer

Foot

Question 4

Which of the following instruments would be most suitable for measuring the diameter of a thin wire?

Accepted Answer

Micrometer screw gauge

Answer

Ruler

Answer

Vernier caliper

Answer

Calipers

Question 5

A student measures the length of a metal rod using a ruler with a least count of 0.1 cm and obtains a value of 10.2 cm. What is the absolute uncertainty in this measurement?

Accepted Answer

±0.1 cm

Answer

±0.05 cm

Answer

±0.2 cm

Answer

±0.5 cm

Question 6

Which of the following is an example of a systematic error in measurements?

Accepted Answer

Incorrect zero adjustment

Answer

Misreading the scale

Answer

Using a faulty instrument

Answer

Fluctuations in room temperature

Question 7

A student measures the mass of an object using a balance with a precision of 0.1 g and obtains a value of 100.5 g. What is the precision of the measurement?

Accepted Answer

±0.1 g

Answer

±0.05 g

Answer

±0.2 g

Answer

±0.5 g

Question 8

Which of the following is an effective method for reducing random errors in measurements?

Accepted Answer

Taking multiple measurements

Answer

Using a higher precision instrument

Answer

Calibrating the instrument regularly

Answer

Controlling environmental factors

Question 9

A student measures the resistance of a resistor using a multimeter with a resolution of 0.1 Ω and obtains a value of 100.0 Ω. What is the absolute uncertainty in this measurement?

Accepted Answer

±0.1 Ω

Answer

±0.05 Ω

Answer

±0.2 Ω

Answer

±0.5 Ω

Question 10

What does a linear calibration curve indicate about the linearity of a measuring instrument?

Accepted Answer

The instrument's response is proportional to the input.

Answer

The instrument is accurate.

Answer

Calibration allows the instrument to measure any quantity.

Question 11

Which strategy is ineffective in minimizing systematic errors in measurements?

Accepted Answer

Altering the measurement technique

Answer

Employing calibrated instruments

Answer

Repeating measurements multiple times

Answer

Setting a zero reference point

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT a factor that can affect the accuracy of a measurement?

Accepted Answer

The observer's personal bias

Answer

The environmental conditions

Answer

The design of the experiment

Answer

The quality of the measuring instrument

Question 13

What is the difference between accuracy and precision?

Accepted Answer

Accuracy refers to how close a measurement is to the true value, while precision refers to how consistent a set of measurements is with one another.

Answer

Accuracy is more important than precision.

Answer

Accuracy and precision are the same thing.

Question 14

What is the purpose of using a vernier scale?

Accepted Answer

To increase the precision of a measurement by allowing for smaller subdivisions on the scale.

Answer

To measure very small distances

Answer

To measure very large distances

Answer

To make a measurement more accurate

Question 15

What is the best way to minimize human error when making a measurement?

Accepted Answer

Take multiple measurements and calculate the average.

Answer

Make the measurement quickly

Answer

Use the most expensive measuring instrument available

Question 16

What is the difference between a systematic error and a random error?

Accepted Answer

A systematic error is consistent and affects all measurements in the same way, while a random error is unpredictable and varies from measurement to measurement.

Answer

Systematic errors are more serious than random errors.

Answer

Random errors can be eliminated by taking multiple measurements.

Question 17

Which of the following is an example of a systematic error?

Accepted Answer

Using a thermometer that has not been calibrated properly.

Answer

Measuring the object at an angle

Answer

Making a mistake in reading the scale

Answer

Measuring the object in a different location

Question 18

Which of the following is an example of a random error?

Accepted Answer

Making a mistake in reading the scale due to parallax error.

Answer

Measuring the object at an angle

Answer

Measuring the object in a different location

Answer

Using a ruler that is too short

Question 19

What is the best way to deal with uncertainty in a measurement?

Accepted Answer

State the uncertainty as a range of possible values based on the instrument's precision.

Answer

Ignore the uncertainty

Answer

Estimate the uncertainty based on personal judgment