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AQA · GCSE · Combined Science · Higher

Correcting a balance measurement

Q04.2 1 mark

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.

Diagram of an electronic balance before the cube is added. The display reads 4.2 g.

Figure 5

Enlarged question image

Diagram of an electronic balance before the cube is added. The display reads 4.2 g.
Figure 5

How could the student get a correct value for the mass of the cube from the balance?

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Marking points

  1. 1 Say that the balance should be reset to zero before measuring the cube, or that the 4.2 g zero reading should be subtracted from the measured reading.

Full-mark answer

Reset the balance to zero before measuring the cube.

Why this answer loses marks

Take several readings and calculate a mean.

Repeating does not remove a zero offset unless the balance is zeroed or the offset is subtracted.

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