- #1
Ryker
- 1,086
- 2
Homework Statement
We are given that the reaction time for pressing the stopwatch is 0.2 s (we are measuring 15 swings, t15 = 30.45 s) and we need to determine the absolute error in one swing.
The Attempt at a Solution
My question here is whether the absolute error for those swings is then 2 x 0.2 s = 0.4 s or is it still only 0.2 s, because the reaction times "cancel out", ie. since you're going to be within 0.2 s of proper time on your first press of the button, even if you do press 0.2 s late for the second press, you're still within 0.2 of proper time. I'm really puzzled here as to whether you need to add those or not. On one hand, I can see why you wouldn't, but then on the other hand, perhaps the reaction time error also takes into account the fact that you might press the button early.
Oh, and I also take it that t15 is irrelevant here, because
[tex]\delta t_{1} = \frac{1}{15}\delta t_{15}[/tex]
Is this correct, by the way?
Anyway, thanks in advance.