Labwork Statistics help: Average of averages

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the average of averages and the associated standard deviation from multiple data points obtained through video analysis of an experiment. Each data point consists of ten repetitions, where the velocity is measured frame by frame. The user seeks guidance on determining the final standard deviation for a data point derived from these ten averages, each with its own standard deviation. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding the standard error of the mean and the implications of terminal velocity on the averaging process.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of standard deviation and standard error of the mean
  • Familiarity with video analysis techniques for data collection
  • Knowledge of statistical methods for averaging
  • Concept of terminal velocity in experimental physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Research how to calculate the standard error of the mean for multiple averages
  • Explore statistical methods for pooling averages in experimental data
  • Learn about terminal velocity and its implications in data analysis
  • Investigate software tools for statistical analysis, such as R or Python's SciPy library
USEFUL FOR

Researchers, data analysts, and students involved in experimental physics or statistical analysis who need to accurately calculate averages and standard deviations from repeated measurements.

tixi
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Homework Statement
Find the relationship between velocity and air resistance (experimentally, this is a lab course exercise)
Relevant Equations
F=mg, F(air)=1/2 p v^2 C(D) A
I have done the experiment, and have a lot of data. For each data point (we have five), we did ten repetitions, for which we need to do video analysis. The analysis works frame by frame and gives a velocity between each frame. So, to get the value of one repetition, we already need to calculate an average that has a standard deviation. THEN, to get the value for that data point, we need to find the average of these ten averages (which we can do since the number of data is the same for every point so they shouldn't be weighted). My issue here is finding the errors. How do I find the final standard deviation for a point that is calculated from 10 values which also all have some standard deviation?

Thank you in advance!
 
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First, are you saying the object is already expected to be at terminal velocity before the first frame?
If so, why do the two-stage averaging? Just pool them and take one average. That said, doing it in two stages should produce much the same result. You understand how to find standard error of the mean?
If not, you first need to deduce the terminal velocity in each run.
 

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