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DataAnalysis 5 PDF

This document discusses analyzing experimental data and estimating errors. It provides formulas for calculating the maximum possible error and percent error of measurements. It also gives equations for determining the error in quantities that depend on other variables. An example is provided to calculate the acceleration due to gravity using measured pendulum lengths and periods, and compare the results to accepted values while accounting for error bounds.

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Alaa Jawad

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)

85 views3 pages

DataAnalysis 5 PDF

Uploaded by

Alaa Jawad

We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.

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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

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DATA ANALYSIS AND ERROR ESTIMATION

Purpose
To learn how to analyze experimental data and to practice error analysis.

Error Estimation
Suppose that a quantity X is measured with an uncertainty in the measurement X. Then the
measurement is recorded as X X.
X is called the maximum possible error (MPE) or uncertainty inX.
(X/X) is called the fractional error (or relative error) in X and
(X/X)100 % is the percent error.
Now, suppose a quantity Z is a function of two independent quantities (variables) X and Y. The
expressions for Z for some common relations between X, Y and Z are given in the following
table:
Relation between X, Y and Z

Relation between errors

Z = X + Y or Z = X Y

Z = X + Y

Z = XY or

Z = X/Y

Z = Constant. XmYn

(/)=(X/X) + (Y/Y)
(/)= m(X/X) + n(Y/Y)

or Z = Constant. Xm/Yn

Exercise (1)
Two lengths X and Y are measured with a meter ruler as follows:
X = 35.5 0.1 cm and Y = 67.3 0.1 cm. Find the percent error in
a) Z1 = X + Y
b) Z2 = Y X

c) Z3 = XY
d) Z4 = X/Y
e) Z5 = X2/Y3

Exercise (2)
The data in the following table relates to measurements made of the period of oscillation T of a
simple pendulum of variable length L. Theory predicts the following relationship:

where g is the acceleration due to gravity.

= 2

1. Calculate the value of g for each data point using the above equation. Observe the rules of
significant figures when doing the calculation.
Table 1
Length (L) cm

0.5 cm
Period (T) sec

0.01 sec

57.5

50.0

41.5

35.0

29.0

22.5

16.5

1.51

1.42

1.28

1.19

1.06

0.93

0.81

g (cm/s2)
T2 (sec2)

2. Write down the general expression for the fractional error (g/g) in terms of (T/T) and
(L/L).
3. Calculate g for the last data point in Table 1.
4. Record the value of g from the last data point with its error as g1 g1

5. Find the average value of g for all data points in Table 1. Call this value gav.
6. Look at the g values in Table 1 and identify the maximum and minimum values of g (gmax
and gmin). Make an estimate for the maximum possible error in g (call it gav) from the
following formula:
=

7. Record your experimentally determined value of g as gav gav

8. Calculate T2 for each data point in Table 1, and plot T2 versus L. Determine g from the slope
of the graph.
9. The accepted value of g in Dhahran area is 980 1 cm/s2. Fill the table below and observe
how the three different values of g agree (or disagree) with the accepted value and with each
other within their uncertainty limits.
Table 2

Accepted value
From Step 4
From Step 7
From Step 8

g
(cm/s2)

% error
(g/g)100

Lower bound
(gg)
(cm/s2)

Upper bound
(g+g)
(cm/s2)

980

0.1

979

981