Please help, stuck -- Standard error in speed of sound wave....

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The discussion centers on the calculation of the error in the speed of sound, where the user consistently arrives at an erroneous value of 591.1489 m/s, while the actual speed of sound is 346.0425 m/s. The user highlights a fundamental issue where the error in wavelength exceeds the wavelength itself, leading to an invalid error calculation. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding error propagation in measurements, particularly in physics contexts.

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Erenjaeger
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Not sure if this counts as "advanced physics homework" but can someone please help me here.
I keep getting 591.1489m/s for the error in speed of sound, but the actual value of speed of sound is v=346.0425 and you obviously can't have an error larger than your actual value. (let me know if the link isn't working too)
 
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You can have an error bigger than the value ... for instance is you subtract two measurements.
##1\pm 0.1 - 0.9\pm 0.09 = 0.1\pm 0.19##

But in your case the error on your wavelength is bigger than your wavelength (1st term under the square-root).
 
Simon Bridge said:
You can have an error bigger than the value ... for instance is you subtract two measurements.
##1\pm 0.1 - 0.9\pm 0.09 = 0.1\pm 0.19##

But in your case the error on your wavelength is bigger than your wavelength (1st term under the square-root).

Yeah I just read that, thanks man.
 

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