Calculating Uncertainty in Averages for Scientists

[spikethekitty]

Homework Statement

In my lab we are doing Franck Hurtz experiment with heated mercury and electron beams. We already took data but i need a little help. I have the locations of the minimums A B C D and E, and each point has it's own uncertainty. a b c d and e. What i needed to find was the difference between each min and the next, so A-B, B-C... and then find the average of each these differences. I don't know how to do the uncertainty for my calculations.

Homework Equations

My actual values are
1.4
1.94
2.43
2.98
3.66
With uncertanities (in order)
0.003686
0.008077
0.002263
0.009459
0.003834

The Attempt at a Solution

 

[CompuChip]

I would say that the most general rule is the "sum of squares" rule,
$$(\Delta d)^2 = (\Delta x)^2 + (\Delta y)^2$$
where d = x - y is the difference of two independent quantities x and y.

However, I think that
$$(\Delta d) = (\Delta x) + (\Delta y)$$
is also commonly used, giving the "rough" estimate that the deviation from the mean is at most the sum of the two maximal deviations.