Lesson Objective Review methods met to deal with uncertainties through example questions. FF! Thursday, 09 May 2019 1
Learning Objectives To be able to calculate the absolute and percentage uncertainty of a measurement To be able to combine these uncertainties to evaluate the overall uncertainty in a derived result To be able to quote values including their uncertainties. FF! Thursday, 09 May 2019 2
Dealing with uncertainties: Calculations. (Absolute) Uncertainties can be determined either by using ± ½ smallest scale division from a single measurement… ….or by using ± ½ range when you have a series of measurements. % uncertainties can be calculated using: (Absolute uncertainty/True value or average) x 100 FF! Thursday, 09 May 2019 3
Dealing with uncertainties: Calculations. Determining the radius of a thin metal wire: x Δx FF! Thursday, 09 May 2019 4
Dealing with uncertainties: Graphs. When plotting graphs to obtain an unknown, the uncertainties can be found by … Adding error bars to each point (top and bottom point may be sufficient but all should be done) Draw a maximum and minimum LOBF Find the values of gradients that correspond to this. FF! Thursday, 09 May 2019 5
Dealing with uncertainties: Graphs. Calculate the 3 gradients, m, m1 and m2. In this example lets say we get the following answers: m = 17, m1 = 17.7 and m2 = 16.9 Calculate the total percentage uncertainty in m: = 𝑚 1 − 𝑚 2 𝑚 ×100 = 17.7 −16.9 17 x 100 = 4.7% = ± 2.35% To quote your final value convert this into an absolute uncertainty: 17 x 0.0235 = 0.3995 So our final answer becomes: (17.0±0.4) ms -1 FF! 6 Thursday, 09 May 2019
Homework Complete the task sheet applying the ideas about uncertainties. Deadline: 3.40pm ONE WEEK FROM TODAY. NB: This means it needs handing into my pigeon hole OR the trays but please ensure you put your name on it. FF!