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IGCSE Physics Cambridge (CIE) Revision Notes 1. Motion, Forces & Energy

Measurement (Cambridge (CIE)

IGCSE Physics)
Revision Note

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Written by: Leander Oates, Physics

Reviewed by: Caroline Carroll, Physics Subject Lead

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Measuring length & volume

When making measurements in physics, di#erent instruments are used for
di#erent measurements

Measuring length
Rulers can be used to measure small distances of a few centimetres (cm).
They are able to measure to the nearest millimetre (mm)

A ruler can measure lengths in cm or mm

A tape measure is used to measure lengths of tens of centimetres

A trundle wheel is used to measure lengths of tens of metres

Trundle wheels can be used to measure larger distances

Measuring volume
Measuring cylinder are used to measure the volume of liquids
By measuring the change in volume, a measuring cylinder can also be used to
determine the volume of an irregular shape

Measuring cylinders can be used to determine the volume of a liquid or an irregular

shaped solid

Worked Example
The diagram shows four identical ball-bearings placed between two blocks on a steel
ruler.

Calculate the diameter of one ball-bearing.

Answer:

Step 1: Measure the length of all four ball-bearings

The blocks mark the edges of the first and last ball bearings
The blocks make it easier to measure the length of all four ball-bearings

total length = 12 − 4

total length = 8 cm

Step 2: Find the diameter by dividing the total length by the number of ball-
bearings

total length
diameter =
number of ball bearings

8
diameter =
4

diameter = 2 cm

Measuring time
In physics, stop-clocks and stopwatches are usually used to measure time
intervals
An important factor when measuring time intervals is human reaction time
The standard human reaction time for an alert person is 0.25 s
This can have a significant impact upon measurements when the
measurements involved are very short

Worked Example
A stopwatch is used to measure the time taken for a runner to complete a lap of a 400
m track.

The images below give the readings on the stopwatch at the start and the end of the
lap.

Calculate how long it took the runner to complete the lap. Give your answer in
seconds.

Answer:

Step 1: Identify the start time for the lap

The stopwatch was already at 0:55:10 when the runner started the lap
Start time = 55.10 seconds (s)

Step 2: Identify the finish time for the lap

The stopwatch reads 1:45:10 at the end of the lap

Finish time = 1 minute and 45.10 s

Step 3: Convert the finish time into seconds

1 minute = 60 seconds

finish time = 60 s + 45. 10 s

finish time = 105 . 10 s

Step 4: Calculate the total time taken to complete the lap

total time = finish time − start time

total time = 105 . 10 s − 55. 10 s

total time = 50 s

Examiner Tip
You will sometimes find that information is given in the question that is not actually
needed in the calculation.

In this worked example, you were told that the track the runner is running on is 400 m.
This had nothing to do with the calculation the question asked you to perform.

This is a common method for making a question seem more di!cult. Don't let it catch
you out.

Multiple readings
In physics, multiple readings of measurements are often taken to reduce the
impact of measurement errors

Taking multiple measurements in physics

The measurement of the thickness of a single sheet of paper is so small that it

would be very di!cult to get an accurate answer
However, measuring the thickness of 100 sheets of paper can be done much
more accurately
Dividing the answer by 100 then gives an accurate figure for the average
thickness of one sheet

Measuring the time period of a simple pendulum would incur a human reaction
time error at the start of the measurement and at the end of the measurement
If the measurement is small, the uncertainty in the measurement is huge
Therefore, multiple readings can be taken to reduce the uncertainty of the
measurement
The time taken for 10 swings of the pendulum can be measured
Dividing the answer by 10 gives a more accurate figure for the average time
taken for one swing

Last updated: 1 October 2024

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1. Motion, Forces & Energy

Physical Quantities & Measurement Techniques

Measurement

Scalars & Vectors

Calculating with Vectors

Motion

Mass, Weight & Density

E"ects of Forces

Moments

Momentum

Energy, Work & Power

Energy Sources

Pressure

2. Thermal Physics

3. Waves

4. Electricity & Magnetism

5. Nuclear Physics

6. Space Physics

Author: Leander Oates

Expertise: Physics

Leander graduated with First-class honours in Science and Education from

She!eld Hallam University. She won the prestigious Lord Robert Winston
Solomon Lipson Prize in recognition of her dedication to science and
teaching excellence. After teaching and tutoring both science and maths
students, Leander now brings this passion for helping young people reach
their potential to her work at SME.

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