Experimental physics histogram problem

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around estimating experimental uncertainty in counts from a histogram generated in an experiment. The user initially struggles to identify the relevant equations needed for the calculations. After some time, the user successfully solves the problem and no longer requires assistance. The focus is on understanding how to quantify the variability in measured counts for specific bins in the histogram. The resolution indicates a successful grasp of the concept of experimental uncertainty.
Ertosthnes
Messages
49
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



You have run an experiment and generated a histogram. Suppose you had 853 counts in the bin centered at 1.60, and 2,439 counts in the bin centered at 1.85. If you were to repeat this experiment (by measuring the same source for the same time period, delta t) you know that you would measure a somewhat different number of counts in each of these two bins.

Estimate the experimental uncertainty in the measured number of counts for each of these two bins. In other words, estimate how much your measured number of counts (853 or 2,439) might differ from the true average number of counts in each bin.

Homework Equations


I don't know what the relevant equation is... I guess that's part of the problem.

The Attempt at a Solution


I don't know where to start with this, any help or advice you can give me is very welcome.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Solved it, never mind.
 
I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'
Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
Back
Top