Physics IA Student Checklist: Processed Data
Criteria
You have calculated the average value for your dependent variables (and the
independent variable if appropriate)
The number of decimal places OR sig figs you have used in your calculated average are
consistent with those of the uncertainty for the dependent variable (and independent
variable if appropriate)
You have calculated the uncertainty of your average using the following formula
(max − min)
2
Your uncertainty is recorded with the same number of decimal places OR sig figs as you
average
You have calculated the percentage error of your average using the following formula
𝑈𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒
𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒
× 100
Your percentage error is recorded with the same number of decimal places OR sig figs as
you average
If you have used your data to calculate quantities (for example velocity) you have
calculated the uncertainty for this quantity. REMEMBER:
 Addition/Subtraction; add the uncertainties (the ones you calculated)
 Multiplying/Dividing; add the percentage errors and then use that to find the
uncertainty of that calculated quantity
 Powers; multiple the percentage error by the power (if squaring, multiply the
percentage error by two) and then use that to find the uncertainty of that calculated
quantity
 Square Roots; multiply the percentage error by ½ and then use that to find the
uncertainty of that calculated quantity
You may need to use a combination of the above; use the formula you are using to find
your calculated quantity to guide you on calculating the uncertainties
You have recorded all of your processed data in a table and all columns contain a
quantity and a unit
You have plotted a graph of your independent variable (x axis) and your dependent
variable (y axis)
The axis of your graph are labeled with the quantity and the unit
Each data point has error bars (both vertical and horizontal)
You have drawn a line of best fit that falls within the error bars and the line of best fit
has been extrapolated back to the y axis
If your graph is curved you have linearised it so that it is in the form y = mx + c
You have calculated the gradient of your straight line graph and recorded it with the units
You have drawn max and min gradient lines of your straight line graph
You have calculated the uncertainty in your gradient using the following formula
(max 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡−min 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡)
2
and recorded the units
If appropriate you have used your gradient to calculate a quantity (for example g)
If appropriate calculate the uncertainty of quantity you calculated using the gradient of
your graph using the following formula
(max 𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑦−min 𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑦)
2
For each graph you have drawn you have given it a title that describes what the graph
shows
Self Check
Peer Check