Estimating and Calculating Uncertainties

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  • Thread starter Thread starter Alex Haines
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    Uncertainties
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of estimating and calculating uncertainties in measurements, particularly in the context of physics experiments. Participants explore the challenges of understanding uncertainties, especially in practical applications such as measuring lengths with a ruler.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses difficulty in grasping the concept of uncertainties and seeks help with estimation and calculation methods.
  • Another participant asks for specific resources or questions related to the participant's research on uncertainties.
  • A participant mentions using the Openstax physics textbook for practical applications and raises a specific question about measuring the length of a spring with a ruler that has 1mm increments, inquiring about the associated uncertainty.
  • Another participant introduces the concept of Measurement Science and Metrology Uncertainty Budgets, specifically discussing measurement resolution for analog scales and suggesting a reference to NIST technical note 1297 for further information.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not appear to reach a consensus, as the discussion includes various questions and suggestions without definitive answers or resolutions regarding the estimation and calculation of uncertainties.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the complexity of measuring uncertainties and the need for specific methodologies, but it does not resolve the uncertainties related to the measurement process itself.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students and practitioners in physics and engineering who are dealing with measurement uncertainties in experimental settings.

Alex Haines
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Hey could someone help me grasp the seemingly impossible concept of uncertainties?
I'm having a lot of trouble understanding how to estimate, calculate and pretty much anything else to do with uncertainties.
Muchly appreciated
 
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Alex Haines said:
Hey could someone help me grasp the seemingly impossible concept of uncertainties?
I'm having a lot of trouble understanding how to estimate, calculate and pretty much anything else to do with uncertainties.
Muchly appreciated

Welcome to the PF.

What have you been reading and researching so far? Can you post some links, and ask specific questions about those links?
 
I've been reading through the Openstax physics textbook (http://openstaxcollege.org/textbooks/college-physics/) but its more for the pracs that I am doing. I have one on Statics and Torque tomorrow and there is measurement involved and of course uncertainties and I am just unsure how to find out the uncertainty. For example if I am using a ruler to measure the length of a spring and the ruler has 1mm increments, what is the uncertainty?
 
You question comes under the category of Measurement Science, or Metrology Uncertainty Budgets. Specifically, the uncertainty in measuring an analog scale is called measurement resolution--and specifically for analog devices rather than digital readouts, for instance. You might refer to NIST technical note 1297 for more than you ever wanted to know.
 
fantastic. Thanks a lot!
 

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