Question

A good-quality measuring tape can be off by 0.50 cm over a distance of 20 m. What is its percent uncertainty?

a) 0.25%
b) 0.50%
c) 1.00%
d) 2.50%

Answer 1

The percent uncertainty of the measuring tape is 2.50%.

Step-by-step explanation:

To calculate the percent uncertainty, we need to divide the measurement error by the distance measured and then multiply by 100.

In this case, the measurement error is 0.50 cm and the distance measured is 20 m. So the percent uncertainty is (0.50 cm / 20 m) * 100 = 2.50%.

Therefore, the correct answer is d) 2.50%.