Simple Experimental Error Problem

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the angle theta (θ) from two values, r = 12.3 ± 0.2m and d = 0.57 ± 0.03mm, using fractional uncertainties. The correct method involves calculating the fractional uncertainties for both r and d, followed by applying the formula for the combined uncertainty in division: δq/q = √((δr/r)² + (δd/d)²). This approach ensures accurate representation of uncertainty in the resulting angle, which is crucial for experimental physics.

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I have two values:

r = 12.3 ± 0.2m
d = 0.57 ± 0.03mm

I want to divide the two values to find theta (d/r = theta), how do I go about this?
I assume that I add the experimental error margins together after the division of 12.3 and 0.57? Giving me:

4.63 x 10^-5 ± 2.0003m
 
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I cannot figure out what you've done here but 2.0003 m does not look like an appropriate uncertainty for an angle. The way this is usually done is through fractional uncertainties. The fractional uncertainty for the radius is

[tex]\delta_{r}= \frac{\delta r}{r} = \frac{0.2}{12.3}[/tex]

and for the arclength

[tex]\delta_{d}= \frac{\delta d}{d} = \frac{0.03}{0.57}[/tex]

Then the fractional uncertainty for the angle is

[tex]\frac{\delta\theta}{\theta} = \sqrt{\delta^{2}_{r}+\delta^{2}_{d}}[/tex]
 
For division of variables on would normally treat the erros like so.

[tex]\frac{\delta q}{q} = \sqrt{\left(\frac{\delta r}{r}\right)^2 + \left(\frac{\delta d}{d}\right)^2}[/tex]
 

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