Calculate 73.936 with Absolute Uncertainty

Click For Summary
To calculate 73.936 with absolute uncertainty, first perform the addition in the denominator and determine its absolute uncertainty. The discussion highlights the confusion between using absolute versus relative uncertainty during the division step. It is clarified that absolute uncertainty should be calculated first for the addition, and then this value can be used to find the relative uncertainty for the division. The key point is to apply the correct rules for uncertainty propagation throughout the calculation process. Understanding the distinction between absolute and relative uncertainty is crucial for accurate results.
yang09
Messages
74
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Perform the calculation and report answer in proper scientific notation with absolute uncertainty

73.936(+ 0.19%) / [(0.00455+ 0.00096) + (0.011889(+0.73%))]

Homework Equations



Addition/Subtraction:
Absolute uncertainty = square root(uncertainty1 + uncertainty2)
Relative uncertainty = Absolute uncertainty divided by answer to addition(or subtraction)

Multiplication/Division:
Relative uncertainty = (uncertainty divided by corresponding value)2

The Attempt at a Solution



How would I do the absolute uncertainty since there is both subtraction and division?
 
Physics news on Phys.org


Do the addition first and determine the uncertainty for the part solution. Then, using that uncertainty, divide and use the proper rule to determine the uncertainty in the result.
 


But after I find the uncertainty for the addition,it is going to be the absolute uncertainty.Would I use the absolute uncertainty when calculating the division part? Or would I have to calculate the relative uncertainty for the addition part and use that for the division part? The thing that is confusing me is which uncertainty to use for the division part, the relative or absolute uncertainty from the addition part.
Would I use the absolute uncertainty because when finding the uncertainty through division, the absolute uncertainty calculation always comes first before the relative uncertainty
Thanks
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
2K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
5K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K