Can %age uncertainty in value ever be greater than 100?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the concept of percentage uncertainty in experimental measurements, specifically addressing instances where it exceeds 100%. Participants highlight an experiment involving Hooke's Law conducted in challenging conditions, suggesting that averaging data can improve the accuracy of the spring constant. The conversation emphasizes that relative uncertainty can indeed surpass 100% when the expected result is near zero, as demonstrated by the data presented by students. The logical reasoning behind these observations is also questioned, prompting further exploration of the topic.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of percentage uncertainty in measurements
  • Familiarity with Hooke's Law and spring constants
  • Basic knowledge of data averaging techniques
  • Concept of relative uncertainty in experimental data
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the mathematical foundations of percentage uncertainty
  • Explore advanced data filtering techniques for experimental results
  • Study the implications of zero expected values on uncertainty calculations
  • Investigate case studies where percentage uncertainty exceeds 100%
USEFUL FOR

Students in physics, experimental researchers, and educators looking to deepen their understanding of measurement uncertainty and its implications in scientific experiments.

Asad Raza
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We were given an experiment in which the %age uncertainty of majority of students happened to be greater than 100?
 
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Sit in the seat of an off road vehicle and try to draw a graph of a Hooke's Law experiment whilst on the move. How bad could it get?
 
Never did that. You tried it? What was the uncertainty?
 
I never did it but can't you imagine the sort of results?
If you did the experiment for long enough and took enough readings, you could end up with a pretty good value for the spring constant. Averaging (I.e.data filtering) can be a powerful tool.
 
Why the uncertainty can not be greater than 100%. Prove it logically?
 
Asad Raza said:
Why the uncertainty can not be greater than 100%. Prove it logically?
What if the expected result in an experiment is zero? What is the percent uncertainty then?
 
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Asad Raza said:
We were given an experiment in which the %age uncertainty of majority of students happened to be greater than 100?
I don't understand why you are asking the question. You already have data in front of you where the relative uncertainty is greater than 100%, so clearly using that data you can demonstrate that the relative uncertainty can be greater than 100%.

Since you already have data showing that it can be greater than 100%, what is your real question?
 
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