Experiment 4: Experimental Errors and Uncertainty
Brett R. Spencer
Date Performed: June 10th, 2015: 3:10 p.m.
PHY 111C02
Section 1: Experiment and Observation
Time, t (s)
Dist. Y1 (m)
Dist. Y2 (m)
Dist. Y3 (m)
Dist. Y4 (m)
Dist. Y5 (m)
Mean of Y
Standard Dev. t^2 0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.50
1.00
1.40
1.10
1.40
1.50
1.28
0.22
0.25
0.75
2.60
3.20
2.80
2.50
3.10
2.84
0.30
0.56
1.00
4.80
4.40
5.10
4.70
4.80
4.76
0.16
1.00
1.25
8.20
7.90
7.50
8.10
7.40
7.82
0.36
1.56
A. Objective
The objective of this lab consists of gaining perspective and understanding of experimental errors and uncertainty in the parameters of physical measurements.
B. Equipment Used Experimental Errors and Uncertainty Experiment Manual
Computer with Excel 2010
Pens/Pencils
Paper (plain and graph)
C. Data Data Table 1 shows 5 different variable data sets along with a constant set speed in order to test the variables. Measurements were taken during a free-fall experiment, where the distance travel (y) was recorded at each 4 depicted times (x). The calculations for the average speed for each team slot, along with its standard deviation were manually calculated to three significant figures. The results related to distance, however, were not rounded in any format.
Section 2: Analysis
A. Calculations
The average (or mean) of a data set is the most common and useful known measurements when determining central tendency. By calculating the mean, there is a structure, advantageous approach to organizing and depicting either discrete or continuous data. The equation below helps determine this statistic: Or, in denoted fashion: The mean, for Sample A (0.5 seconds) was calculated as follows: = (1.00 + 1.40 + 1.10 + 1.40 + 1.50) = 1.28 5 The standard deviation was also an important tool when determining how the data set is ultimately distributed. It helps prove whether or not the data is grouped closely