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Date May 2022 Marks available 1 Reference code 22M.1.HL.TZ1.3
Level Higher level Paper Paper 1 Time zone 1
Command term Question number 3 Adapted from N/A

Question

The uncertainty in reading a laboratory thermometer is 0.5 °C. The temperature of a liquid falls from 20 °C to 10 °C as measured by the thermometer. What is the percentage uncertainty in the change in temperature?

A.  2.5 %

B.  5 %

C.  7.5 %

D.  10 %

Markscheme

D

Examiners report

Many candidates failed to recognize that the uncertainty in this error propagation question would affect both the initial and final temperature readings. The most common answer (option B) was incorrect, and only a minority of students correctly selected option D.

Syllabus sections

Core » Topic 1: Measurements and uncertainties » 1.2 – Uncertainties and errors
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Core » Topic 1: Measurements and uncertainties
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