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

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of percentage uncertainty in experimental measurements, specifically whether it is possible for percentage uncertainty to exceed 100%. Participants explore various scenarios and implications related to this topic.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants mention an experiment where the percentage uncertainty reported by students was greater than 100%.
  • One participant suggests that conducting a Hooke's Law experiment in a moving vehicle could lead to significant uncertainty, implying that practical conditions can affect measurement reliability.
  • Another participant questions the logical basis for asserting that uncertainty cannot exceed 100%, particularly in cases where the expected result is zero.
  • A participant challenges the need for further questioning by pointing out that data already exists showing relative uncertainty greater than 100%, suggesting that the discussion may be redundant.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the validity of percentage uncertainty exceeding 100%. While some assert it cannot happen, others provide examples and scenarios that suggest it can occur, indicating an unresolved debate.

Contextual Notes

Participants do not fully explore the implications of zero expected results on percentage uncertainty calculations, leaving this aspect ambiguous.

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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