# Scientic error expected in displacement vs time graph and velocity vs time graph

1. Sep 17, 2011

Scientific error expected in displacement vs time graph and velocity vs time graph

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

When I used a sensor to measure my movements of walking, during the graph of displacement vs time, I received a slope of -0.742 meters/second, and on the velocity vs time graph the mean I received -0.2774 meters/second.

Do you consider these values to be the same within experimental error? Is this what is scientifically expected? Explain why or why not.

I answered yes, but I don't know why. Is it because I didn't walk in a perfectly straight line or is it because I moved my body to the extent that the wavelengths from the sensor hit me too early/late? Thanks.

2. Relevant equations

3. The attempt at a solution

Last edited: Sep 17, 2011
2. Sep 17, 2011

### Liquidxlax

To calculate error you usually need to do a large number of tests then calculate the mean then the mean deviation

$\sum \frac{v_{i}}{N}\equiv \overline{v}$ i to N for the mean

$\sum \frac{\sqrt{(\overline{v} -v_{i})^{2}}}{N}$ for the mean deviation

if your mean + or - your mean deviation includes your sensor measurement it would be with in experimental error, if not you'd need to explain the systematic errors that occurred or the possible random errors

edit* I'm assuming this is for a lab?

3. Sep 17, 2011