Paper 3 · June 2023 · Kinematics and Dynamics
A ball has a diameter of about 2.15 mm. Name the laboratory instrument that should be used to measure this diameter to the nearest 0.01 mm.
Model answer
micrometer screw gauge
Also accepted: micrometer, screw gauge
Explanation
A micrometer screw gauge reads to 0.01 mm, which on a 2.15 mm diameter is about 0.5 per cent. Its zero error is checked and allowed for, and several diameters are measured at different orientations and averaged.
Derived from ZIMSEC Physics Paper 3, June 2023, Q1