# A student uses a measuring cylinder to find the volume of a small irregularly shaped stone. Describe how the student would use the measuring cylinder to find the volume of the stone, and explain why taking the measurement more than once and calculating a mean reduces the uncertainty in the result.

> Cambridge International IGCSE Physics (0625) — 1.1 Physical quantities and measurement techniques · Describe and Explain · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Partially fill the measuring cylinder with water and record the initial water level (volume reading)
2. Submerge the stone completely in the water and record the new (final) water level
3. The volume of the stone equals the difference between the final and initial water level readings
4. Repeating measurements and calculating a mean reduces the effect of random errors / reduces the percentage uncertainty, giving a more reliable result

## Key terms

- [measuring cylinder](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/measuring-cylinder)
- [volume](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/volume)
- [mean](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/mean)

## Related

- [Revision notes for Cambridge International IGCSE Physics (0625)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Describe and Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-student-uses-a-measuring-cylinder-0b89a438) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.