The period of the oscillations of a simple pendulum is known to be constant.
A student times single oscillations with a stopwatch. In 10 separate measurements, the stopwatch readings were:
2.4 s, 2.5 s, 2.3 s, 2.5 s, 2.4 s, 2.4 s, 2.5 s, 2.3 s, 2.4 s, 2.4 s 2.4\text{ s}, \; 2.5\text{ s}, \; 2.3\text{ s}, \; 2.5\text{ s}, \; 2.4\text{ s}, \; 2.4\text{ s}, \; 2.5\text{ s}, \; 2.3\text{ s}, \; 2.4\text{ s}, \; 2.4\text{ s} 2.4 s,2.5 s,2.3 s,2.5 s,2.4 s,2.4 s,2.5 s,2.3 s,2.4 s,2.4 sWhat is the best value obtainable from these readings for the time of one oscillation? Explain how you arrive at your answer.
Describe how, using the same stopwatch, the student can find the period of oscillation more accurately.
164 exam-style questions on CIE IGCSE Physics Physical quantities and measurement techniques, covering Physical quantities and measurement techniques. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.