Calculating error in pendulum motion

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the propagated error in the acceleration due to gravity (g) from pendulum motion measurements. The user reports measuring the period (T) for 20 cycles and obtaining g = 9.776 with an error of 0.02, which they perceive as significant. Participants clarify that a three-significant-figure result for g is acceptable, given the nature of the measurements and the squared relationship of T in the formula. They explain that the contributions of errors in T and length (L) are consistent with the observed error size. Overall, the conversation reassures the user about the validity of their results and calculations.
asadpasat
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Homework Statement


I have to calculate the propagated error on g of pendulum. I pretty much measured the T of pendulum and now calculating g while increasing the number of cycles.

Homework Equations


I used the equation of propagated error and i included picture of it and my calculations.

The Attempt at a Solution


I plugged all the values into the equation but what bothers me is the size of the error. For 20 cycles I get g=9.776, but my error is 0.02. This seems like a huge error, and would mean that my g would equal to 9.78. Anyone sees any mistake?
 

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To avoid a crick in the neck
 

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TSny said:
To avoid a crick in the neck
Thanks! Makes it more convenient.
 
Here is picture of the equation and detail calculations.
* I don't know how to rotate the picture, sorry.

Edit: Image rotated by moderator:

Pend Calc.JPG
 

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asadpasat said:
* I don't know how to rotate the picture, sorry.
Most platforms have ways to rotate an image. What type of computer are you working from?
 
asadpasat said:
I plugged all the values into the equation but what bothers me is the size of the error. For 20 cycles I get g=9.776, but my error is 0.02. This seems like a huge error, and would mean that my g would equal to 9.78. Anyone sees any mistake?
I don't see any mistakes (but I didn't check all your calculations). Why do you think your error is "huge"?
 
Here, I figured it out.
 

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TSny said:
I don't see any mistakes. Why do you think your error is "huge"?
Well I think it's huge because it would mean that I can trust my g only to 3 sig figs. So I pretty much throw away one sig fig.
 
3 sig figs seems OK to me. For 20 cycles you have a fractional error in T of about .001/1.44 ≅ .0007. But note that T is squared in the formula for g. So, the contribution of the error in T to the relative error in g should be roughly 2(.0007) ≅ .001. The contribution of the error in L to the relative error in g is roughly .0006/.51 ≅ .001. So, I don't think it's surprising that when you use your more accurate formula to determine the error in g, you find that you are only getting 3 sig. figs. for g.
 
  • #10
asadpasat said:
Here, I figured it out.
upload_2017-2-5_14-17-45.png

You made an error in grinding the numbers here.
 
  • #11
TSny said:
View attachment 112607
You made an error in grinding the numbers here.
Wow. Thanks a a lot. Now it makes way more sense for that cycle.
 

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