NEET Physics: Errors in measurements Practice Questions
15 free multiple-choice questions on Errors in measurements (Physics and Measurement) for NEET Physics, each with the correct answer and a step-by-step explanation. Attempt a question, then reveal the solution to check your reasoning.
Practice thousands more NEET questions in the app →Q1. The ratio of the absolute error to the measured value is defined as:
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Correct answer: B — Relative error
The relative error is calculated as (Absolute Error / Measured Value).
Q2. If two quantities A and B are measured and their sum S = A+B is calculated, the absolute error in S is generally found by:
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Correct answer: B — ΔA + ΔB
When adding quantities, the absolute errors add up: ΔS = ΔA + ΔB. (This is a fundamental rule for error propagation in simple addition).
Q3. Which of the following errors is typically attributed to unpredictable fluctuations in the environment during the measurement process?
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Correct answer: C — Random Error
Random errors arise from unpredictable fluctuations and are statistical in nature, meaning they affect the measurement randomly in each trial.
Q4. Which type of error is consistent and depends on the instrument or method used, leading to a fixed systematic deviation in the measurement?
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Correct answer: D — Systematic Error
Systematic errors are consistent errors that arise from flaws in the measuring instrument, method, or environment, leading to a fixed shift in the measurement result.
Q5. Zero error in a measuring instrument indicates:
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Correct answer: D — A constant offset in the zero reading
Zero error occurs when the instrument reads a non-zero value when the measured quantity is zero. This is a type of systematic error.
Q6. Which of the following types of errors are associated with random errors in measurement?
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Correct answer: D — All of the above
Random errors are unpredictable fluctuations in the measurement caused by unpredictable variations in the environment or the observer. They are inherent to the process of measurement and are difficult to eliminate entirely, unlike systematic errors which are due to systematic flaws or faulty calibration.
Q7. A measurement of 10.5 ± 0.2 cm has what type of uncertainty indicated by the ± 0.2 value?
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Correct answer: D — Absolute error
In the expression X ± ΔX, ΔX (here 0.2 cm) represents the absolute uncertainty or absolute error in the measurement.
Q8. The percentage error in a measurement is calculated by comparing the absolute error to which value?
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Correct answer: D — The measured value.
The percentage error quantifies the relative uncertainty. It is calculated by dividing the absolute error by the measured value and multiplying by 100.
Q9. Which type of error depends on the precision of the measuring instrument used?
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Correct answer: D — Instrumental error
Instrumental error is an error introduced by the limitations or imperfections of the measuring instrument itself (e.g., reading scale errors).
Q10. Which type of error occurs due to a consistent faulty instrument or method, leading to a systematic deviation in all measurements?
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Correct answer: D — Systematic error
Systematic errors are errors that are consistently present and occur due to faulty instruments, apparatus, or experimental procedures, causing a definite shift in the measurements.
Q11. A reading of 25.45 cm is recorded. How many significant figures does this measurement have?
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Correct answer: A — 2
In the absence of specific context regarding zero or trailing zeros, all non-zero digits are significant. Therefore, 25.45 cm has four significant figures.
Q12. In the context of measuring length using a vernier caliper, if the zero error is found to be -0.02 cm, how should the measured value be adjusted?
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Correct answer: A — The measured value is decreased by 0.02 cm.
If the zero error is negative (-0.02 cm), the observed reading is smaller than the actual reading. Therefore, the measured value must be increased by the magnitude of the zero error to correct it.
Q13. Errors that arise from unpredictable fluctuations in the experimental conditions or reading technique are classified as:
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Correct answer: C — Random errors
Random errors are unpredictable fluctuations in the measurement due to random variations in experimental conditions or observer technique.
Q14. In the measurement of a physical quantity, the uncertainty in the measurement is often referred to as:
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Correct answer: D — Error
The uncertainty associated with a measurement is generally quantified by the error, which defines the range of possible values the measured quantity could have.
Q15. If a measurement is recorded as 25.0 ± 0.1 cm, what does the value 0.1 represent in this context?
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Correct answer: C — The absolute error
The value ± 0.1 represents the uncertainty or absolute error associated with the measurement, indicating the range within which the true value is expected to lie.
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