Questions: Which of the following measurement tools has greater measurement uncertainty: a meter stick that measures to the nearest centimeter (1 cm= 0.01 m) or a ruler that measures to the nearest millimeter (1 mm=0.001 m)? a meter stick b ruler c need more information

Solution Steps

We need to determine which measurement tool has greater measurement uncertainty: a meter stick that measures to the nearest centimeter or a ruler that measures to the nearest millimeter.

Measurement uncertainty refers to the range within which the true value is expected to lie. It is typically half of the smallest division of the measuring tool.

• For the meter stick: The smallest division is 1 cm, so the uncertainty is \( \pm 0.5 \) cm or \( \pm 0.005 \) m.
• For the ruler: The smallest division is 1 mm, so the uncertainty is \( \pm 0.5 \) mm or \( \pm 0.0005 \) m.

• Meter stick uncertainty: \( \pm 0.005 \) m
• Ruler uncertainty: \( \pm 0.0005 \) m

Since \( 0.005 \) m is greater than \( 0.0005 \) m, the meter stick has greater measurement uncertainty.

Final Answer