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Identifying a balance measurement error
A student determined the density of a cube made of bronze. The student used a balance to measure the mass of the bronze cube. Figure 5 shows the balance before the cube was added.
What type of error is shown on the balance?
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Marking points
- 1 Identify the balance reading before adding the cube as a zero error or systematic error.
Full-mark answer
Zero error.
Why this answer loses marks
Random error.
The balance has a non-zero reading before the cube is added, so this is a zero error rather than random variation.