How do I do uncertainties properly?

All uncertainties show you is the range your answer will fall in. First off, when you do the experiment, any analogue scales will have an uncertainty of half their lowest unit and digital scales will be their lowest unit. This is your absolute uncertainty. When adding and subtracting, sum up the absolute uncertainties. You get relative uncertainty by dividing your uncertainty by the value. When multiplying or dividing values, add up the relative uncertainties - don't multiply them! Don't forget to convert all your uncertainties to the same - absolute or relative.

OP
Answered by Oliver P. Physics tutor

2172 Views

See similar Physics IB tutors

Related Physics IB answers

All answers ▸

Explain why increase in current results in higher temperature of the wire.


A ball in a room is thrown with a speed v = 15 m/s at an angle 45 degrees above the horizontal. If the ceiling is 4 m high, will the ball hit the ceiling? If so, what is the minimum angle at which the ball will not hit the ceiling? Neglect air resistance.


What is electromotive force and how is it different to potential difference?


Which unit is equivalent to J kg^-1? a) m s^-1 b) m s^-2 c) m^2 s^-1 d) m^2 s^-2


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning