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GCSE Physics · key term
A reading error caused by viewing a scale from an angle rather than straight on.
Used by AQA, Edexcel and OCR
Specification 4.3.1.1 · Paper 1
An apparent shift in a reading caused by viewing a scale from an angle rather than straight on.
Revise: Required Practical: Determining DensityView the scale at eye level so that the line of sight is horizontal; looking from above or below causes parallax error. Water forms a concave meniscus, so read the scale at the lowest point of the curve.
Specification 15.6 · Paper 2
A viewing error caused by observing a scale from an angle rather than directly in line with the reading.
Revise: Core Practical: Spring ExtensionRead the ruler at eye level and perpendicular to the scale. This reduces parallax error. Keeping the ruler close to the spring and fixing it firmly also improves accuracy.
Specification P2.1a, PAG P1, PAG P4 · Paper 1 (Foundation), Paper 2 (Foundation), Paper 3 (Higher), Paper 4 (Higher)
An error caused when a scale is viewed from an angle rather than straight on.
Revise: Measuring distance and timePlace the zero mark at the chosen starting point and view a scale straight on to reduce parallax error. If the physical end of a ruler is worn, start from another labelled division and find the distance from the difference between the two readings.
An apparent change in a scale reading caused by viewing it from an angle rather than straight on.
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