Calculating Measurement Uncertainty for Conical Pendulum Experiment

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating measurement uncertainty for a conical pendulum experiment, specifically determining the uncertainty in gravitational acceleration (g). The user has measured the length (l = 43 cm), radius (r = 10 cm), and period (T = [1.288, 1.285, 1.301] s) with associated uncertainties (Δl = ±1 cm, Δr = ±1 cm, ΔT = ±0.02 s). The proposed method for calculating uncertainty in g using the formula g_i = 4π²(√(l² - r²)) / T² is confirmed to be valid, with the user seeking clarification on whether to use relative uncertainty based on individual measurements or the mean value.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of conical pendulum mechanics
  • Familiarity with uncertainty propagation techniques
  • Knowledge of basic calculus and algebra
  • Experience with statistical analysis of experimental data
NEXT STEPS
  • Research uncertainty propagation in physics experiments
  • Learn about relative and absolute uncertainty calculations
  • Explore the concept of mean values in experimental data analysis
  • Study the application of the formula g_i = 4π²(√(l² - r²)) / T² in different scenarios
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Physics students, experimental researchers, and educators involved in mechanics and measurement uncertainty analysis will benefit from this discussion.

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The following question is about an experiment with the conical pendulum.
I have measured the length [itex]l = 43\,cm[/itex] the radius [itex]r = 10\,cm[/itex], I have 3 measurement of the period with the same radius, where the measurements are

[tex]T= [1.288, 1.285, 1.301] s[/tex]

The uncertainties of the measurements are [itex]\Delta l = \pm 1\,cm[/itex], [itex]\Delta r = \pm 1\,cm[/itex] and [itex]\Delta T = \pm 0.02\,s[/itex].
I want to calculate the uncertainty in the measurement og [itex]g[/itex], when

[tex]g_i=4\pi^2\frac{\sqrt{l^2-r^2}}{T_i^2}[/tex]

Can I calculate the uncertainty [itex]\Delta g[/itex] by

[tex]\Delta g = 4\pi^2\frac{\sqrt{(l+\Delta l)^2-(r-\Delta r)^2}}{(T_i-\Delta T)^2} - g_i[/tex]

Where the expression [itex]4\pi^2\left(\sqrt{(l+\Delta l)^2-(r-\Delta r)^2}\right)/(T_i-\Delta T)^2[/itex] is the worst case scenario of the measuring [itex]g[/itex]. Is that correct?
If that is how I can calculate the uncertainty in [itex]g[/itex], is the relative uncertainty then

[tex]\frac{\Delta g}{g_i} \qquad \mathrm{or} \qquad \frac{\Delta g}{\overline{g}}[/tex]

Where [itex]\overline{g}[/itex] is the mean value. Which one is the correct one? The first expression has a relative uncertainty for each measurement.
 
Last edited:
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Yes, calculating the value for the largest possible and then smallest possible values of l, r, and T gives the possible error for the function.

The relative uncertainty is [tex]\frac{\Delta g}{g}[/tex].
 
Well in the equation

[tex]\Delta g_i = 4\pi^2\frac{\sqrt{(l+\Delta l)^2-(r-\Delta r)^2}}{(T_i-\Delta T)^2} - g_i[/tex]

There is acctually an uncertainty of g, for every measurement [itex]\Delta g_i[/itex]. Should I say

[tex]\frac{\Delta g_i}{g_i} \qquad \mathrm{or} \qquad \frac{mean(\Delta g_i)}{mean(g_i)}[/tex]?

Where in the last equation I only have one value for the relative error. I am not quite certain of what to choose?
 
Last edited:

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