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Form 1 Integrated Science Recap | Jack (2026)

Form 1 Integrated Science Recap

Subject: Integrated Science

Jack (2026)

Issue date: Friday, 2 October 2026

Topics: Laboratory apparatus, fire safety, SI units, unit conversion, limitation of reading, percentage uncertainty and percentage error

Total: 80 marks (questions on limitation of reading, uncertainty and percentage error: 40 marks, 50%)

Conventions for this worksheet
  • For an analogue instrument, the limitation of reading is taken as ± half of the smallest scale division.
  • For a digital instrument, the limitation of reading is taken as ± one unit of the last displayed digit.
  • Percentage uncertainty = (absolute uncertainty ÷ measured value) × 100%
  • Percentage error = (|experimental value − accepted value| ÷ accepted value) × 100%
01

Laboratory Apparatus, Fire Safety, Measurement and Uncertainty

Fill in the Blanks

Complete each statement with the most appropriate word, symbol or value. (1 mark each)

  1. A is used to measure the volume of a liquid more accurately than a beaker.
  2. A flask has a narrow neck and can be used to swirl liquids with a lower risk of spillage.
  3. When heating a liquid in a test tube, its opening should point from yourself and other people.
  4. A small fire can be extinguished by removing heat, fuel or .
  5. A fire blanket extinguishes a fire mainly by cutting off its supply of .
  6. The SI base unit of mass is the .
  7. The SI derived unit of area is .
  8. The prefix kilo-, with the symbol k, represents a factor of .
  9. The prefix deci-, with the symbol d, represents a factor of .
  10. 4.6 m = cm.
  11. The smallest scale division of an analogue measuring cylinder is 2 cm3. Its limitation of reading is ± cm3.
  12. A ruler has millimetre divisions. Its limitation of reading is ± mm.
  13. A digital balance displays mass to the nearest 0.1 g. Its limitation of reading is ± g.
  14. A length recorded as (15.0 ± 0.1) cm has an absolute uncertainty of cm.
  15. Percentage uncertainty is calculated by dividing the absolute uncertainty by the value and multiplying by 100%.
  16. A length is measured as (20.0 ± 0.1) cm. Its percentage uncertainty is %.
  17. A volume is measured as (40 ± 1) cm3. Its percentage uncertainty is %.
  18. The experimental value of a mass is 48 g, while the accepted value is 50 g. The absolute error is g.
  19. Percentage error is calculated using the value in the denominator.
  20. An experiment gives a value of 24.0 cm, while the accepted value is 25.0 cm. The percentage error is %.
20 marks
02

Laboratory Apparatus, Fire Safety, Measurement and Uncertainty

Multiple-Choice Questions

Choose the best answer for each question. (1 mark each)

  1. Which apparatus is most suitable for measuring 36 cm3 of water?
    1. Beaker
    2. Measuring cylinder
    3. Conical flask
    4. Test tube
  2. A small amount of flammable liquid catches fire in a heatproof container. If it is safe to do so, which action is most appropriate?
    1. Carry the burning container outside.
    2. Pour water onto the liquid.
    3. Cover the container with a suitable lid or fire blanket.
    4. Blow strongly at the flame.
  3. Which row shows a physical quantity and its correct SI unit?
    1. Mass — g
    2. Time — s
    3. Area — m
    4. Volume — L
  4. Which conversion is correct?
    1. 3.2 km = 320 m
    2. 3.2 km = 3200 m
    3. 3.2 km = 32,000 m
    4. 3.2 km = 0.0032 m
  5. Which statement is correct?
    1. 1 dm = 100 m
    2. 1 dm = 10 m
    3. 1 dm = 0.1 m
    4. 1 dm = 0.01 m
  6. An analogue thermometer has scale divisions of 2°C. What is its limitation of reading?
    1. ±0.5°C
    2. ±1°C
    3. ±2°C
    4. ±4°C
  7. A digital stopwatch displays a time of 8.47 s. What limitation of reading should be used?
    1. ±0.001 s
    2. ±0.01 s
    3. ±0.1 s
    4. ±1 s
  8. A student measures a length as (25.0 ± 0.5) cm. What is the percentage uncertainty?
    1. 0.5%
    2. 1.0%
    3. 2.0%
    4. 5.0%
  9. Which measurement has the smallest percentage uncertainty?
    1. (10.0 ± 0.5) cm
    2. (20.0 ± 0.5) cm
    3. (40.0 ± 0.5) cm
    4. (50.0 ± 1.0) cm
  10. A student obtains an experimental value of 9.6 g. The accepted value is 10.0 g. What is the percentage error?
    1. 0.4%
    2. 4.0%
    3. 4.2%
    4. 40%
10 marks
03

Laboratory Apparatus, Fire Safety, Measurement and Uncertainty

True or False

Write True or False for each statement. If a statement is false, rewrite it correctly. (1 mark each)

  1. A measuring cylinder is normally more suitable than a beaker for measuring a liquid volume accurately.
  2. Water should be used to extinguish a fire involving burning cooking oil.
  3. The kilogram is the SI base unit of mass.
  4. Speed is a derived quantity with the SI unit m s−1.
  5. The prefix centi- (c) means one tenth of the original unit.
  6. If the smallest scale division of an analogue instrument is 1 cm, its limitation of reading is ±0.5 cm.
  7. A digital balance displaying values to the nearest 0.01 g has a limitation of reading of ±0.005 g.
  8. For the same absolute uncertainty, a larger measured value has a smaller percentage uncertainty.
  9. Percentage error is calculated by dividing the absolute error by the experimental value.
  10. A percentage error of 0% means that the experimental value is equal to the accepted value.
10 marks
04

Comprehensive Structured Question

Laboratory Investigation and Safety

Jack carries out an experiment to heat water and record how its temperature changes. The following apparatus is available:

  • beaker
  • measuring cylinder
  • conical flask
  • thermometer
  • tripod
  • wire gauze
  • Bunsen burner
  • test-tube holder
  • electronic balance

(a) Selecting apparatus

Jack needs to measure 50 cm3 of water.

  1. Name the most suitable apparatus for measuring the water. (1 mark)
  2. Explain why a beaker is less suitable for this measurement. (1 mark)
  3. State how Jack should position his eye when reading the liquid level. (1 mark)
  4. State which part of the water meniscus should be read. (1 mark)

(b) Heating the water

  1. Name the three pieces of apparatus used in the heating arrangement to support and heat the beaker. (3 marks)
  2. State one function of the wire gauze. (1 mark)
  3. State which Bunsen burner flame should be used for strong heating. (1 mark)
  4. Describe one precaution Jack should take when using the Bunsen burner. (1 mark)

(c) Fire safety

A paper towel beside the experiment catches fire.

  1. State the three conditions needed for a fire to continue burning. (3 marks)
  2. Explain how a fire blanket can extinguish the fire. (2 marks)
  3. Explain why Jack should not run if his clothes catch fire. (1 mark)
  4. State the recommended action Jack should take if his clothes catch fire. (1 mark)

(d) SI units and unit conversion

  1. State the SI base unit of temperature. (1 mark)
  2. Convert 2.5 dm into centimetres. Show your working. (1 mark)
  3. Convert 0.045 km into metres. Show your working. (1 mark)
20 marks
05

Comprehensive Structured Question

Measurement, Uncertainty and Percentage Error

A student measures the length of a metal strip using an analogue ruler. The smallest scale division of the ruler is 1 mm. The measured length is 12.6 cm.

The student also measures the mass of the strip using a digital balance. The balance displays 48.2 g. The accepted mass of the strip is 50.0 g.

(a) Measuring the length

  1. State the smallest scale division of the ruler in centimetres. (1 mark)
  2. Determine the limitation of reading of the ruler in centimetres. (2 marks)
  3. Write the length together with its absolute uncertainty in the form (measured value ± absolute uncertainty) unit. (2 marks)
  4. Calculate the percentage uncertainty in the length. Show your working. (3 marks)

(b) Measuring the mass

  1. State the limitation of reading of the digital balance. (1 mark)
  2. Write the mass together with its absolute uncertainty. (2 marks)
  3. Calculate the percentage uncertainty in the mass measurement. Show your working. (3 marks)

(c) Percentage error

  1. Calculate the absolute error in the student’s mass measurement. (2 marks)
  2. Calculate the percentage error. Show your working. (3 marks)
  3. State whether the experimental mass is higher or lower than the accepted mass. (1 mark)
20 marks

Question 1 — Fill in the Blanks

1. Measuring cylinder
2. Conical
3. Away
4. Oxygen
5. Oxygen
6. Kilogram (kg)
7. Square metre (m2)
8. 1000 (103)
9. 0.1 (10−1, one tenth)
10. 460
11. 1
12. 0.5
13. 0.1
14. 0.1
15. Measured
16. 0.5
17. 2.5
18. 2
19. Accepted
20. 4.0

Selected Calculations

Q10: 4.6 m × 100 = 460 cm
Q11: ½ × 2 cm3 = ±1 cm3
Q12: ½ × 1 mm = ±0.5 mm
Q13: One unit of the last digit = ±0.1 g
Q16: (0.1 ÷ 20.0) × 100% = 0.5%
Q17: (1 ÷ 40) × 100% = 2.5%
Q18: |48 − 50| = 2 g
Q20: (|24.0 − 25.0| ÷ 25.0) × 100% = 4.0%
Key prefixes: kilo- (k) means 1000 or 103, deci- (d) means one tenth or 10−1, and centi- (c) means one hundredth or 10−2.

Question 2 — Multiple-Choice Questions

1. B — Measuring cylinder
2. C — Cover the container with a suitable lid or fire blanket.
3. B — Time — s
4. B — 3.2 km = 3200 m
5. C — 1 dm = 0.1 m
6. B — ±1°C
7. B — ±0.01 s
8. C — 2.0%
9. C — (40.0 ± 0.5) cm
10. B — 4.0%

Selected Calculations

Question 6:

Limitation of reading = ½ × 2°C = ±1°C

Question 8:

Percentage uncertainty = (0.5 ÷ 25.0) × 100%
Percentage uncertainty = 2.0%

Question 9:

A: (0.5 ÷ 10.0) × 100% = 5.0%
B: (0.5 ÷ 20.0) × 100% = 2.5%
C: (0.5 ÷ 40.0) × 100% = 1.25%
D: (1.0 ÷ 50.0) × 100% = 2.0%

Therefore, (40.0 ± 0.5) cm has the smallest percentage uncertainty.

Question 10:

Percentage error = (|9.6 − 10.0| ÷ 10.0) × 100%
Percentage error = (0.4 ÷ 10.0) × 100%
Percentage error = 4.0%

Question 3 — True or False

  1. True. A measuring cylinder has finer graduations and a narrower shape, so it measures liquid volume more accurately than a beaker.
  2. False. Water should not be used on burning cooking oil because the hot oil may splash and spread the fire. Cover the fire with a suitable lid or fire blanket instead.
  3. True. The kilogram, with the symbol kg, is the SI base unit of mass.
  4. True. Speed is derived from length and time, so its SI unit is m s−1.
  5. False. The prefix centi- (c) means one hundredth (10−2) of the original unit. The prefix deci- (d) means one tenth.
  6. True. For an analogue instrument, the limitation of reading is half of the smallest division: ½ × 1 cm = ±0.5 cm.
  7. False. For a digital instrument, the limitation of reading is ± one unit of the last displayed digit. A balance reading to the nearest 0.01 g has a limitation of reading of ±0.01 g.
  8. True. Percentage uncertainty = absolute uncertainty ÷ measured value × 100%, so a larger measured value gives a smaller percentage uncertainty.
  9. False. Percentage error is calculated by dividing the absolute error by the accepted value and multiplying by 100%.
  10. True. There is no difference between the experimental value and the accepted value.
Safety reminder: Never use water on burning oil or live electrical equipment. Alert the teacher immediately and follow the laboratory’s emergency procedures.
Reminder: Percentage uncertainty uses the measured value in the denominator, while percentage error uses the accepted value in the denominator.

Question 4 — Laboratory Investigation and Safety

(a) Selecting apparatus

  1. Measuring cylinder (1)
  2. A beaker has a wide body and coarse / approximate graduations, so a volume cannot be read accurately from it. (1)
  3. Keep the eye level with the liquid surface (the meniscus), looking horizontally. (1)
  4. The bottom of the meniscus (1)

(b) Heating the water

  1. Tripod, wire gauze, Bunsen burner (1 mark each) (3)
  2. Spreads the heat evenly / prevents the glass from being heated directly by the flame, which reduces the risk of cracking (any one). (1)
  3. Blue non-luminous flame (air hole open) (1)
  4. Any one of: wear safety goggles; tie back long hair; keep flammable materials away; turn to the yellow safety flame when not heating; do not touch hot apparatus. (1)

(c) Fire safety

  1. Fuel, oxygen and heat (1 mark each) (3)
  2. The fire blanket covers (smothers) the fire, (1) cutting off the oxygen supply so the fire cannot continue to burn. (1)
  3. Running brings more oxygen to the flames (fans the fire), making it burn more strongly and spread. (1)
  4. Stop, drop and roll (a fire blanket may also be used to smother the flames). (1)

(d) SI units and unit conversion

  1. Kelvin (K) (1)
  2. 1 dm = 10 cm
    2.5 dm = 2.5 × 10 = 25 cm
    (1)
  3. 1 km = 1000 m
    0.045 km = 0.045 × 1000 = 45 m
    (1)
Marking note: In (b)(1), accept any three correct items from the heating arrangement (tripod, wire gauze, Bunsen burner).

Question 5 — Measurement, Uncertainty and Percentage Error

(a) Measuring the length

  1. 1 mm = 0.1 cm (1)
  2. Limitation of reading = ½ × smallest scale division
    = ½ × 0.1 cm
    = ±0.05 cm
    (2)
  3. (12.60 ± 0.05) cm
    (1 mark for the value and unit, 1 mark for the uncertainty; accept (12.6 ± 0.05) cm.) (2)
  4. Percentage uncertainty = (absolute uncertainty ÷ measured value) × 100%
    = (0.05 ÷ 12.6) × 100%
    = 0.397%
    ≈ 0.40%
    (3)

(b) Measuring the mass

  1. ±0.1 g (one unit of the last displayed digit) (1)
  2. (48.2 ± 0.1) g (2)
  3. Percentage uncertainty = (0.1 ÷ 48.2) × 100%
    = 0.207%
    ≈ 0.21%
    (3)

(c) Percentage error

  1. Absolute error = |experimental value − accepted value|
    = |48.2 − 50.0|
    = 1.8 g
    (2)
  2. Percentage error = (absolute error ÷ accepted value) × 100%
    = (1.8 ÷ 50.0) × 100%
    = 3.6%
    (3)
  3. Lower than the accepted mass (48.2 g < 50.0 g). (1)
Mark weighting: Questions on limitation of reading, uncertainty and percentage error account for 10 (Q1) + 5 (Q2) + 5 (Q3) + 20 (Q5) = 40 marks out of 80 (50%).
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