nicedazed said:Homework Statement
I'm not too sure if this is the correct forum, but I had an experiment where we were timing things with a hand held stopwatch. The stopwatch goes to 0.01 seconds, but clearly the human error would outweigh that error.
So, if anyone could help me, I would like to know what the 'accepted' error in pushing a stopwatch would be.
Yes, I know we all have different reaction times, but I was thinking along the lines of +/- 0.1 seconds?
Thanks
Homework Equations
The Attempt at a Solution
The error of stopwatch usage refers to the amount of inaccuracy or variability in the measurement of time using a stopwatch. This can be caused by a variety of factors such as human reaction time, equipment limitations, or external factors.
The error of stopwatch usage can be calculated by taking multiple measurements of the same event with a stopwatch and then finding the average difference between the recorded times and the actual time. This value represents the error of the stopwatch.
Some common sources of error in stopwatch usage include human error, such as starting or stopping the stopwatch at the wrong time, limitations of the stopwatch itself, such as a slow reaction time or a lag in starting/stopping, and external factors such as temperature or environmental conditions.
The error of stopwatch usage can be reduced by using a high-quality stopwatch with a fast reaction time, practicing proper technique in starting and stopping the stopwatch, and minimizing external factors that could affect the measurement, such as controlling temperature or avoiding distractions.
While it is not possible to completely eliminate the error of stopwatch usage, it can be minimized through careful technique, using advanced timing equipment, and repeating measurements multiple times to find an average value. However, there will always be some level of error present in any measurement taken with a stopwatch.