CAPE Physics - Motion + Uncertainties

Which equation of motion has no s (displacement) in it?

v = u + at

formula for the area of trapezium

A = ½ (a + b) h

• a and b are the length of the parallel sides

Compare distance to displacement

Distance is the total path length traveled (a scalar), while displacement is the straight-line change in position from a starting point to an ending point.

Which equation of motion has no a (acceleration) in it?

s = ½ (u + v)t

Which equation of motion has no v (final velocity) in it?

s = ut + ½ at²

which equation has no t (time) in it?

v² = u² + 2as

How is absolute uncertainty calculated

• fractional error * true value

• smallest reading on instrument / 2

How is fractional uncertainty calculated?

absolute uncertainty / measured value

how is percentage uncertainty calculated?

fractional uncertainty* 100

When multiplying or dividing values, what should be done to the uncertainties?

add the fractional uncertainty

When adding and subtracting, what should be done to the uncertainties?

add the absolute errors

When raising to a power what should be done to the uncertainty?

the fractional uncertainty should be multiplied by the power

When taking the nth root, what should be done to the uncertainty

multiply the fractional uncertainty by 1/n