Determining the mass of a beam and using percent uncertainty

In summary, an astronaut exerts a 110-N force pushing a beam into place on the International Space Station, resulting in a beam acceleration of 0.40m/s2. The mass of the beam is 275kg, and the percent uncertainty in the answer is determined by using a standard formula for combining relative uncertainties from two different sources. Alternatively, a formula for absolute uncertainties can be used, but it requires more steps to determine the percent uncertainty.
  • #1
Domcrist22
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Homework Statement


An astronaut exerts a 110-N force pushing a beam into place on the International Space Station. The beam accelerates at 0.40m/s2 .
What is the percent uncertainty in your answer? The uncertainty of the force is 10 N and the uncertainty of the acceleration is 0.01 m/s2.

Homework Equations


F=m*a

The Attempt at a Solution


I plugged into the equation and found the mass to be 275kg. I get lost after that because I need to find the percent uncertainty.
 
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  • #2
There is a standard formula how to combine relative uncertainties from two different sources, and I am sure your textbook has it. Just plug in numbers. You can also use a formula for absolute uncertainties, but that needs more steps.
 

1. How do you determine the mass of a beam?

The mass of a beam can be determined by using a balance or scale to weigh the beam. This involves placing the beam on the balance and recording the measurement in grams or kilograms.

2. Why is it important to determine the mass of a beam?

Determining the mass of a beam is important for a variety of reasons. It allows us to accurately calculate the weight of the beam, which can be crucial for structural or engineering purposes. It can also be used to measure the amount of material used in construction projects or to determine the load capacity of a structure.

3. What is percent uncertainty and how is it calculated?

Percent uncertainty is a measure of the potential error or variability in a measurement. It is calculated by dividing the uncertainty in the measurement by the magnitude of the measurement, and then multiplying by 100 to get a percentage. This helps us understand the level of accuracy and reliability of our measurements.

4. How do you use percent uncertainty in determining the mass of a beam?

When determining the mass of a beam, it is important to consider the percent uncertainty in the measurement. This can be done by calculating the percent uncertainty of the weight measurement and adding it to the total weight. This will give a more accurate representation of the beam's mass, taking into account any potential errors in the measurement.

5. Can you provide an example of determining the mass of a beam using percent uncertainty?

Sure, let's say we measure the weight of a beam to be 50 kg with an uncertainty of +/- 1 kg. This means the percent uncertainty is (1 kg / 50 kg) * 100% = 2%. To determine the total mass of the beam, we would add 2% of 50 kg (1 kg) to the original measurement, giving us a final mass of 51 kg.

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