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Question 18N.3.SL.TZ0.1b

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Date November 2018 Marks available [Maximum mark: 2] Reference code 18N.3.SL.TZ0.1b
Level SL Paper 3 Time zone TZ0
Command term Explain Question number b Adapted from N/A
b.
[Maximum mark: 2]
18N.3.SL.TZ0.1b

In an investigation to measure the acceleration of free fall a rod is suspended horizontally by two vertical strings of equal length. The strings are a distance d apart.

When the rod is displaced by a small angle and then released, simple harmonic oscillations take place in a horizontal plane.

The theoretical prediction for the period of oscillation T is given by the following equation

T = c d g

where c is a known numerical constant.

(b)

A student records the time for 20 oscillations of the rod. Explain how this procedure leads to a more precise measurement of the time for one oscillation T.

[2]

Markscheme

measured uncertainties «for one oscillation and for 20 oscillations» are the same/similar/OWTTE

OR

% uncertainty is less for 20 oscillations than for one ✔

 

dividing «by 20» / finding mean reduces the random error ✔

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