How to Calculate Uncertainty for Electrical Fields?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the uncertainty in the electric field at a distance of 2.09 ± 0.02 m from a charge of 1.82 ± 0.03 µC. Participants emphasize the importance of understanding how to combine errors to determine the range of possible electric field values based on the given tolerances. The method involves calculating the mean value from nominal parameters and then assessing the maximum and minimum electric field values based on the specified tolerances.

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Homework Statement


Find the electrical field a distance of 2.09 ± 0.02 m from a charge of 1.82 ± 0.03 µC.
What is the uncertainty?



2. The attempt at a solution
I was able to answer part one correctly. Very easy. However, I am not sure of how to find the uncertainty
 
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What are the possible range of values that you can calculate for the electric field given the tolerance of your parameters?
 
Do you know how to combine errors? If not, try this:

http://home.clara.net/rod.beavon/err_comb.htm
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Born2bwire said:
What are the possible range of values that you can calculate for the electric field given the tolerance of your parameters?

i don't understand what you mean
 
I don't know about ideasrule suggestion but if I wanted to find the error, then I would say that the mean value would be calculated off of the nominal values given. Then, given the tolerance on these nominal values, what is the largest and smallest possible electric field? This would be the limits of the deviation from your calculated nominal value.
 

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