Calc Error in Centripetal Force | Physics Lab

Click For Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the error in centripetal force based on measurements of mass, radius, and frequency. The participant correctly applies Rule #2 for combining errors, which involves adding the fractional errors of each variable. The formula for the error in centripetal force is confirmed as ΔFd = Δm/m + 2Δf/f + Δr/r, where the frequency's exponent is 2 due to its squared relationship in the force equation. Additionally, the mean value of frequency is used to estimate the true value, with maximum possible error calculated from the differences between measured and mean values. This approach ensures accurate error estimation in experimental physics.
sunshine88
Messages
2
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



Determine the error in the calculated centripetal force, F (dynamic), for each value of r from the estimated error in the quantities m, r, and from the standard deviation from the mean of your three measurements of f. Derive the equation for the error using Rule # 2 for the combination of errors.

Rule #2 = When you multiply or divide two or more measurements, you add the absolute value of the fractional or percentage errors to find the fractional or percentage error in the result.

Homework Equations



FD = 4pi(squared) m f(squared)r


The Attempt at a Solution



Δ FD = Δm/ m + Δ f/ f + Δr/ r

Am I on the right track?
 
Physics news on Phys.org


if a quantity y depends as

y=[(k^a)* (x^b)*(z^c)]/(t^d) where k is a fixed constant like ∏ or e or let's say 4/

Δy/y = b*(Δx/x) + c*(Δz/z) + d*(Δt/t) (Why?)


(its simply taking sum of all Δ(measured variable)/variable and mu;tiplying it by the power it was raised to in the formula)
here Δy means maximum possible error in y.

Now calculate your answer again
 


So would it be

ΔFd = Δm/m + 2 Δf/f + Δr/r ?

Thank you for replying!
 


Yes now the equation is correct.

Also part of the problem suggests you calculate Δf using the mean values.

What we actually assume in these cases is that the mean value you calculate after repeating the experiment n times is equal to the real vale of f.

Suppose you repeat the experiment 3 times and get value of f as 3.10,3.20, 3.20.
The mean of all this will be (3.10+3.20+3.36)/3=3.22

Now we assume the the real value of f is 3.22

so Δf in case one is |3.10-3.22|(where || is for absolute value) and similarly for other cases.
We take || to calculate maximum possible error.


I hope you understood
 
The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?

Similar threads

Replies
4
Views
3K
Replies
31
Views
1K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
8K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
2K