Percent Uncertainty in Volume of Spherical Beach Ball

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the percent uncertainty in the volume of a spherical beach ball, given its radius and uncertainty in measurement. The subject area includes concepts from physics and mathematics, particularly focusing on volume calculations and significant figures.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore different calculations for the volume using the formula V = 4/3 π r³, questioning the accuracy of their results and the treatment of significant figures. There is also discussion on the rounding of the final answer and the implications of significant digits on the percent uncertainty.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants sharing their calculations and questioning the treatment of significant figures. Some guidance has been provided regarding how to handle significant digits in the final answer, but there is no explicit consensus on the correct approach yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of significant figures in their calculations, particularly in relation to the uncertainty of the radius measurement. There is also mention of varying results based on different interpretations of significant figures.

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hi didnt know wether to put this in phyics or maths but I am studying for physics so ill put it here.

Q: What is the percent uncertainty in the volume of a spherical beach ball whos radius is r = 2.86 +or-0.08m?

A: V= 4/3 pie r^3

V = 4/3 pie(2.94)^3 = 106.4463
V = 4/3 pie(2.86)^3 = 97.9911

106.4463-97.9911 = 8.4552

8.4552/97.991 x 100 = 8.6285%

shouldnt 8.6285% be the answer? the book has 9% which i understand could be rounded but considering I am doing the scientific notation chapter and it talks about how important it is to be clear with your answer.

i also tried the equation using only 3 significant numbers but i turned out further away from the answer getting something like 8.1%.

have i done something wrong in my calculations? this question really is simple but i can't think of any other way.

thanks
 
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You might want to watch out for significative figures.What about the [itex]2.78 \mbox{cm}[/itex] value...?

And it's "pi" and it has no taste,it's a greek letter.

Daniel.
 
yeh i tried it as well i get:

v=4/3 pi (2.78)^3 = 90.0
v=4/3 pi (2.94)^3 = 106
v=4/3 pi (2.86)^3 = 98.0

and i get lost here?

are my significant figures right?
 
You need to use the extra digits to do the calculation, just as you have done, but then your final answer needs to match the least number of significant digits given in the problem; in this case, +or- 0.08m has only one significant digit. Therefore, the answer 8.6285 gets rounded to 9%.
 
i need help on this problem also. Is there a method in solving this
 

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