Estimating and Calculating Uncertainties

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Understanding uncertainties in measurements involves grasping concepts like measurement resolution and uncertainty budgets. When using a ruler with 1mm increments, the uncertainty is typically half the smallest division, which would be 0.5mm. Resources like the Openstax physics textbook and NIST technical note 1297 can provide valuable insights into these topics. Specific questions about practical applications can help clarify the concept further. Mastering these principles is essential for accurate scientific measurements.
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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