Can You Determine the Correct Wavelength Measurement in Physics Class?

[bayan]

hi guys, in our physics class today we were trying to get a more accurate length than the one stated on the device (2.8 cm).

We used a microwave reciever and a device that would detect maxima and minima (there was a aluminiun plate at the back which would reflect some wave.)


We foun the distance to be 18.5=n\lambda and we know that the wavelength is very close to 2.8cm

what I did is n=\frac{18.5}{2.8} which gave an answer of about 6.61.

Now the thing is Maxima accours with Constructive waves so would mean that I have to round it off to 7 right?

My teacher said that we have to make it as 6.5

which should I use? my guts and my brain or my teachers brains?

just for the record this measurement will be used for a written report!

Many thanks

 

[member 553083]

!It really depends on the context of the report. If you are being asked for a precise measurement, you should use your calculation to get the exact answer of 6.61. However, if you are being asked to represent the measurement with a simpler approximation, then you can round it off to 6.5. It is ultimately up to you and your teacher to decide which option is best for your report.