Significant figures in a results table

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the appropriate number of significant figures for the time period calculated from a results table of oscillation times. The original poster presents specific examples of time measurements and questions how many significant figures should be used in the final result.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to clarify whether the significant figures should align with the number of oscillations or the time measurements. Some participants question the implications of the significant figures based on the precision of the number of oscillations.

Discussion Status

Participants are exploring different interpretations of significant figures in relation to the measurements provided. Some guidance has been offered regarding the number of significant figures, but there is no explicit consensus on the reasoning behind it.

Contextual Notes

There is a noted constraint regarding the significant figures of the number of oscillations, which is given to only two significant figures. This has led to questions about how this affects the calculations for the time period.

Alexander350
Messages
36
Reaction score
1

Homework Statement


Basically there is a results table for the time taken for 20 oscillations. Three examples are 9.90, 11.16 and 12.68. I need to work out the time period to the correct number of significant figures.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


I divide by 20 to get the time period but should it be to two, three or four significant figures? Because the number of oscillations is only to 2 s.f. I'm thinking it should be two but since that is part of the method and not a measurement per se, should I use the same number of significant figures as the time?

Apparently the answer is 3 significant figures for all of them.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
3
 
3
 
Alexander350 said:
Because the number of oscillations is only to 2 s.f
So you are thinking the actual number of oscillations may have been anything from 19.5 to 20.5?
 

Similar threads

Significant Figures Verification
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Uncertainty Error and Significant Figures in this Force Tables Lab
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Significant figures in practical investigation report
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
JEE solution wrong? (tempco of a clock)
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
Significant Figures and Measurement Uncertainty in Scientific Measurements
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
Having trouble with significant figures
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
7K
For what values of total energy is the resulting motion periodic?
  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
1K
Damped simple harmonic motion experiment and questions?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
5K
Significant Figures in Average Velocity Calculation
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
7K
High School Implicit error margins based on significant figures
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
3K