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A-LevelPhysicsKinematics9702/12 · May/June 2015 · Q71 Mark

In an experiment to determine the acceleration of free fall g, a ball bearing is held by an electromagnet. When the current to the electromagnet is switched off, a clock starts and the ball bearing falls. After falling a distance h, the ball bearing strikes a switch to stop the clock which measures the time t of the fall. If systematic errors cause t and h to be measured incorrectly, which error must cause g to appear greater than 9.81 m s⁻²?

Ah measured as being smaller than it actually is and t is measured correctly
Bh measured as being smaller than it actually is and t measured as being larger than it actually is
Ch measured as being larger than it actually is and t measured as being larger than it actually is
Dh is measured correctly and t measured as being smaller than it actually is

✓ Correct answer

D: h is measured correctly and t measured as being smaller than it actually is

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About this question

Topic
Kinematics, A-Level Physics (syllabus 9702). Multiple choice, 1 mark.
Source
A-Level Physics, May/June 2015 Paper 1 Variant 2, question 7.

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